Palestinians call off 1M dose COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel

The Palestinian Authority called off an agreement whereby Israel would transfer 1M doses of vaccines to it in exchange for the same later this year.

Delta variant expected to become dominant US strain, CDC says

The delta variant first detected in India will likely become the dominant U.S. strain, the CDC director said — who stressed vaccination to stay protected.

Tokyo Olympics: Japan’s top medical adviser says 'no fans' safest

Japan’s top medical adviser said the safest way to hold the Tokyo Olympics is without fans, seeming to put him at odds with organizers.

Signs of normalcy: NYC, NJ see increased mass transit use, more restrictions ease

Signs of normalcy abound on both sides of the Hudson River with the MTA announcing subway ridership is up and, in NJ, 70% of adults have been vaccinated.

Israel sending 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Palestinians

Israel said Friday it will transfer around 1 million doses of soon-to-expire coronavirus vaccines to the Palestinian Authority.

Latinas left workforce more than other demographics amid COVID-19 pandemic, report says

A new report finds that Latinas have left the workforce at rates higher than any other demographic and also have had some of the highest unemployment rates throughout the pandemic.

Lawmakers seek 9/11-style commission to probe COVID-19 pandemic

A push is underway on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the coronavirus outbreak by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11.

New York's graffiti-cleaning program resumes after year-plus hiatus

After 14 months spent watching graffiti accumulate, the NYC Economic Development Corporation is hiring back crew members needed to paint over, power-wash, and scrape tags all over the city.

US unemployment claims tick up to 412,000 from pandemic low

The Labor Department said jobless claims in the U.S. rose 37,000 from the week before to 412,000, an increase for the first time since April.

More than 4 million Americans face eviction amid worsening housing crisis

Two studies have found that the nation’s housing availability and affordability crisis is expected to worsen significantly following the pandemic.

Tokyo Olympics: Lancet calls for ‘global conversation’ on whether to cancel

Prominent medical journal The Lancet has called for a “global conversation” about the safety of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, criticizing global health organizations for staying silent on the matter.

FDA OKs additional 15M doses of J&J vaccine from troubled Baltimore plant

The FDA approved an additional 15 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine made at the troubled Emergent BioSolutions plant in Baltimore, which has been shuttered for weeks.

COVID-19 vaccinations slow down as infectious delta variant spreads

One major concern is the highly contagious and potentially more severe delta variant of the coronavirus that originated in India. While health officials say the vaccines are effective against it, the fear is that it will lead to outbreaks in states with lower vaccination rates.

You could win $2,500 for getting vaccinated at NYC site

New York City is doubling down on its vaccination efforts with a $2,500 prize for getting at shot at a city-run site, said Mayor Bill de Blasio.