Trump-China Summit Yields Limited Progress on Trade and Tech Cooperation 
Rubio Pressures NATO Allies as Trump Questions Alliance Commitment 
Trump Announces 5,000 Additional U.S. Troops to Poland Following Nawrocki Election Victory 
World Bank Emergency Funding Demand Surges as 27 Countries Seek Crisis Support Amid Iran Conflict 
Iran Pushes Nationalist Propaganda as Economic Crisis and War Deepen 
Marco Rubio Visits India to Rebuild U.S.-India Ties Amid Trade and Geopolitical Tensions 
Trump-Lai Call Remains Uncertain as U.S.-China Tensions Over Taiwan Intensify 
First Trump, now Putin – all roads lead to Xi Jinping 
Taiwan Says No Notice of U.S. Arms Sales Pause Amid Iran Conflict Concerns 
Greenland Protesters Rally Against Expanded U.S. Consulate Amid Trump Arctic Ambitions 
Mexico-EU Free Trade Deal Signals Strategic Shift Away From U.S. Dependence 
China Coal Mine Explosion Death Toll Revised to 82 in Shanxi 
Trump Weighs Taiwan Arms Deal as U.S. Denies Iran War Caused Delays 
DHS Threatens to Halt International Airport Processing in Sanctuary Cities 
White House Shooting Reports Prompt Major Security Response in Washington, D.C. 
U.S. Military Drill Over Caracas Raises Tensions in Venezuela 
The rising number of cases among Americans in the COVID-19 pandemic comes as the Delta variant is infecting more Americans whether vaccinated or not. Following recent resistance from Republican Governors on COVID-19 protocols, US President Joe Biden hit out at the GOP leaders for refusing to comply with guidelines that would help curb the spread of the Delta variant of coronavirus in their states.
Speaking from the White House, Biden seemed to be singling out GOP Governors such as Greg Abbott of Texas and Ron DeSantis of Florida -- both states known for its very high infection rates as of late -- along with other Republican officials who are blocking the imposition of mask mandates to curb the spread of the Delta variant in his criticism. In his criticism, Biden voice his support for the city and private mandates that would require people to be vaccinated if they are to go about their daily activities.
“If you’re not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing,” said Biden.
Biden endorsed the move by New York City to require vaccinations in order to dine indoors or to go to the gym. Biden also supported the corporations who are requiring their employees to be vaccinated in order to go back to work and added that more should follow suit. These policies have been blocked in some level by several GOP-led states.
Following the rising cases of the Delta variant, the CDC and other public health officials advised that vaccinated people should still wear a face mask in some public indoor settings. This is also as the Biden administration is considering other methods to get more people vaccinated.
Following Biden’s comments criticizing GOP Governors for their further resistance, DeSantis pushed back on Biden even as his state is seeing surges of COVID-19 cases. Speaking with reporters, DeSantis said that he will not “get out of the way” with his rejection of mask guidelines continue to worsen the pandemic in his state.
DeSantis also criticized the CDC for its advice that kids including those under 12 years old and who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19, should wear masks in class.
