FEMA Reinstates Employees After Dissent Letter, Signaling Shift in Workforce Stability 
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Visits Eswatini Amid China Pressure and Airspace Tensions 
Trump Expands Cuba Sanctions Targeting Key Sectors and Foreign Entities 
Trump Signals Major U.S. Troop Reduction in Germany Amid NATO Tensions and Trade Disputes 
Trump White House Dinner Attack: Secret Service Denies Friendly Fire in Agent Shooting 
Lebanon Political Divide Complicates Saudi Push for Israel Negotiations 
Kim Jong Un Highlights Youth Role in North Korea’s Military and Political Agenda 
Russian Forces Advance Toward Kostiantynivka as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
U.S. Weapons Delays Raise Concerns Among European Allies Amid Iran Conflict 
Judge Rules Use of Military Lawyers in Civilian Prosecutions Is Lawful 
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
U.S. Fast-Tracks $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies Amid Rising Tensions 
Iran Threatens Prolonged Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Drives Global Oil Surge 
As millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses have already been administered, with a good portion of Americans being fully vaccinated, many have also wondered about the requirement to wear a face mask outdoors or in gatherings. Joe Biden will reportedly make an announcement regarding new CDC guidelines for face masks this week.
People familiar with the matter revealed that Biden is set to announce new CDC guidelines concerning face masks this week. This announcement would be ahead of his first address to Congress. Biden will be addressing the state of the pandemic in the country Tuesday and announce whether people will still need to wear facemasks outdoors despite being fully vaccinated.
The final message that will be announced remains to be seen. Biden’s chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested that the CDC guidelines would be updated this week. As of now, the CDC still recommends that vaccinated people should still wear a mask and stay six feet from others in public spaces.
Americans are considered fully vaccinated by the CDC two weeks after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. As of now, 229 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the country, ahead of Biden’s first 100 days in office as the new US president. Nevertheless, Americans are still advised to wear masks and practice social distancing in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
In other news, the Biden administration has yet to finalize the details of the upcoming American Families Plan. This proposal would address child care needs, long-term care, and paid leave. Parents would also receive monthly checks even after the end of the year under the plan.
However, it remains to be seen whether Biden would propose a permanent benefit for families under the plan or another short-term extension. Economic advisers originally planned on the child tax credit getting a four-year extension until 2025. The White House is also under pressure to make this a permanent benefit rather than a short-term one.
The details of the plan would also be announced ahead of Biden’s first address to Congress this week.
