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US embassy says it ‘cannot ensure safe passage’ to Kabul airport – US politics live US embassy says it ‘cannot ensure safe passage’ to Kabul airport – US politics live
(32 minutes later)
US intelligence did not suggest possibility of rapid Taliban takeover, says Gen Mark Milley – follow all the latestUS intelligence did not suggest possibility of rapid Taliban takeover, says Gen Mark Milley – follow all the latest
Joe Biden formally announced that he is directing the department of health and human services to develop regulations to require nursing homes to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for their employees in order to receive Medicare or Medicaid funding.
The president noted that more than 130,000 residents of nursing homes have died of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
“At the same time, vaccination rates among nursing home staff significantly trail the rest of the country,” Biden said, adding that high vaccination rates help protect older patients in such facilities.
“I’m using the power of the federal government, as a payer of health care costs, to ensure we reduce those risks to our most vulnerable seniors,” Biden said.
Joe Biden fiercely criticized Republican governors who are attempting to ban mask mandates in classrooms, even though many children are not yet eligible to receive a coronavirus vaccine.
“They’re setting a dangerous tone,” Biden said of the governors. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about keeping our children safe.”
The president said he will direct his education secretary, Miguel Cardona, to use all of his oversight power, including “legal action if appropriate,” against governors who try to overrule school leaders on masking policies.
Biden added that money from the American Rescue Plan can be used to reimburse the salaries of teachers who are financially punished for trying to enforce mask mandates.
Joe Biden is now delivering his speech on the White House’s latest efforts to get more Americans vaccinated against coronavirus, as the Delta variant continues to spread across the US.
The president noted he just received a “lengthy briefing” from the White House pandemic response team, which included a discussion of the country’s latest coronavirus case numbers.
“We’re still in a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” Biden said. “There are people who are dying, and who will die, who didn’t have to.”
The president reiterated his plea to all eligible Americans to get their shot, saying, “If you haven’t gotten vaccinated, do it now.”
Joe Biden will outline his administration’s latest efforts to get more Americans vaccinated against coronavirus in a speech this afternoon.
The White House has now released a fact sheet previewing the president’s remarks, noting Biden will endorse health officials’ new recommendation for all Americans to get Pfizer and Moderna vaccine boosters starting next month.
Biden will also call on the department of health and human services to “develop new regulations requiring nursing homes to require that all of their workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs”.
That announcement is hugely significant because Medicaid covers more than 60% of all nursing home residents and roughly half of the costs for long-term care facilities, according to a 2020 report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
The White House said the new HHS regulations “would apply to over 15,000 nursing home facilities, which employ approximately 1.3 million workers and serve approximately 1.6 million nursing home residents”.
Biden’s speech is set to begin in about five minutes, so stay tuned.
The state department spokesman, Ned Price, has been talking about the backlog of Afghan applications for special immigration visas (SIVs), which are supposed to be issued to those who worked as interpreters or other employees of the US military or US government.The state department spokesman, Ned Price, has been talking about the backlog of Afghan applications for special immigration visas (SIVs), which are supposed to be issued to those who worked as interpreters or other employees of the US military or US government.
Many Afghans have been waiting for years for their SIV approval, complaining of endless bureaucratic obstacles.Many Afghans have been waiting for years for their SIV approval, complaining of endless bureaucratic obstacles.
Price said the Trump administration stopped issuing SIVs in March last year, which is weeks after signing the Doha agreement with the Taliban, clearing the way for US withdrawal.Price said the Trump administration stopped issuing SIVs in March last year, which is weeks after signing the Doha agreement with the Taliban, clearing the way for US withdrawal.
“When we came into office, there were more than 70,000 individuals in this backlog,” Price said. “When we came into office, not a single SIV interview had been conducted since March of 2020.“When we came into office, there were more than 70,000 individuals in this backlog,” Price said. “When we came into office, not a single SIV interview had been conducted since March of 2020.
“Now of course Covid had a say in that it was a difficult operating environment, but within two weeks of this administration taking office, those interviews had resumed. We were able to expedite the processing time for SIV applications over that time; we took the number of visas granted from just over 100 to just over 800 people a month.”“Now of course Covid had a say in that it was a difficult operating environment, but within two weeks of this administration taking office, those interviews had resumed. We were able to expedite the processing time for SIV applications over that time; we took the number of visas granted from just over 100 to just over 800 people a month.”
The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, said the US military does “fully intend to successfully evacuate all American citizens who want to get out of Afghanistan”.The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, said the US military does “fully intend to successfully evacuate all American citizens who want to get out of Afghanistan”.
The Kabul operation will likely become the second-largest civilian evacuation mission ever conducted by the US military, Milley noted.The Kabul operation will likely become the second-largest civilian evacuation mission ever conducted by the US military, Milley noted.
One reporter pressed Milley and defense secretary Lloyd Austin about reports that Americans and vulnerable Afghans have had difficulty reaching the Kabul airport because of Taliban checkpoints near the airport.One reporter pressed Milley and defense secretary Lloyd Austin about reports that Americans and vulnerable Afghans have had difficulty reaching the Kabul airport because of Taliban checkpoints near the airport.
Asked if the military was considering sending troops out into Kabul to help ensure people can safely reach the airport, Austin said that the focus right now is on maintaining the security of the airfield.Asked if the military was considering sending troops out into Kabul to help ensure people can safely reach the airport, Austin said that the focus right now is on maintaining the security of the airfield.
“We don’t have the capability to go out and collect up large numbers of people,” Austin said.“We don’t have the capability to go out and collect up large numbers of people,” Austin said.
The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, insisted that US intelligence reports did not suggest the Taliban would be able to take control of Afghanistan so rapidly.The chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley, insisted that US intelligence reports did not suggest the Taliban would be able to take control of Afghanistan so rapidly.
“There was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days,” Milley said at a press conference with defense secretary Lloyd Austin.“There was nothing that I or anyone else saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days,” Milley said at a press conference with defense secretary Lloyd Austin.
That claim contradicts reports that military leaders had intelligence indicating the Afghan government could fall quite quickly once all US troops were withdrawn.That claim contradicts reports that military leaders had intelligence indicating the Afghan government could fall quite quickly once all US troops were withdrawn.
The Guardian’s Julian Borger, Hugo Lowell and Dan Sabbagh report:The Guardian’s Julian Borger, Hugo Lowell and Dan Sabbagh report:
Joe Biden spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel today about the situation in Afghanistan, as evacuations efforts continue in Kabul.Joe Biden spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel today about the situation in Afghanistan, as evacuations efforts continue in Kabul.
“They praised the ongoing efforts of their military and civilian personnel who are working closely together in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and the courageous Afghan nationals who worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to provide security, promote peace, and deliver development assistance to the Afghan people,” the White House said in a readout of the call.“They praised the ongoing efforts of their military and civilian personnel who are working closely together in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens, vulnerable Afghans, and the courageous Afghan nationals who worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to provide security, promote peace, and deliver development assistance to the Afghan people,” the White House said in a readout of the call.
“They also discussed the need for close coordination on the provision of humanitarian aid for vulnerable Afghans in country as well as support for neighboring states, and agreed to continue planning for this work in the upcoming virtual meeting of G7 partners.”“They also discussed the need for close coordination on the provision of humanitarian aid for vulnerable Afghans in country as well as support for neighboring states, and agreed to continue planning for this work in the upcoming virtual meeting of G7 partners.”
Biden’s conversation with Merkel comes one day after he spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which marked the US president’s first conversation with a major ally since the Taliban took control of Kabul.Biden’s conversation with Merkel comes one day after he spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which marked the US president’s first conversation with a major ally since the Taliban took control of Kabul.
Biden and Johnson “discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward,” according to the White House. “They agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach.”Biden and Johnson “discussed the need for continued close coordination among allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward,” according to the White House. “They agreed to hold a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach.”
Speaking at the White House press briefing yesterday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back against criticism that the Biden administration was caught flat-footed when it came to evacuating Americans out of Afghanistan.Speaking at the White House press briefing yesterday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan pushed back against criticism that the Biden administration was caught flat-footed when it came to evacuating Americans out of Afghanistan.
“We communicated with American citizens for weeks, telling them to get out of the country. We offered financial assistance for those who wouldn’t be able to afford to get on flights themselves,” Sullivan said.“We communicated with American citizens for weeks, telling them to get out of the country. We offered financial assistance for those who wouldn’t be able to afford to get on flights themselves,” Sullivan said.
“Many chose to stay right until the end, and that was their choice. We now are faced with a circumstance where we have to help evacuate those. That’s our responsibility as the US government.”“Many chose to stay right until the end, and that was their choice. We now are faced with a circumstance where we have to help evacuate those. That’s our responsibility as the US government.”
He added, “The point I’m making is that when a civil war comes to an end with an opposing force marching on the capital, there are going to be scenes of chaos, there are going to be lots of people leaving the country. That is not something that can be fundamentally avoided.”He added, “The point I’m making is that when a civil war comes to an end with an opposing force marching on the capital, there are going to be scenes of chaos, there are going to be lots of people leaving the country. That is not something that can be fundamentally avoided.”
The Guardian’s Ben Doherty, Warren Murray and agencies report:The Guardian’s Ben Doherty, Warren Murray and agencies report:
Taliban promises of “safe passage” to the Kabul airport for Afghans trying to flee the country have been undermined by reports of women and children being beaten and whipped as they try to pass through checkpoints set up by the militants.Taliban promises of “safe passage” to the Kabul airport for Afghans trying to flee the country have been undermined by reports of women and children being beaten and whipped as they try to pass through checkpoints set up by the militants.
With the Taliban in control of Afghanistan’s land border, Kabul airport is the only way out of the country. The US military has secured the airfield itself, after chaotic scenes over the weekend, but the Taliban control the road to the airport and have set up numerous checkpoints in Kabul’s north.With the Taliban in control of Afghanistan’s land border, Kabul airport is the only way out of the country. The US military has secured the airfield itself, after chaotic scenes over the weekend, but the Taliban control the road to the airport and have set up numerous checkpoints in Kabul’s north.
The US says the Taliban has committed to “safe passage” for people who want to reach the airport. But reports from the Afghan capital say there has been violence at checkpoints on Airport Road, including photographs of a woman and a child with head injuries after reportedly being beaten and whipped after trying to cross a checkpoint.The US says the Taliban has committed to “safe passage” for people who want to reach the airport. But reports from the Afghan capital say there has been violence at checkpoints on Airport Road, including photographs of a woman and a child with head injuries after reportedly being beaten and whipped after trying to cross a checkpoint.
Sources in Kabul told the Guardian the Taliban were checking documents and forcibly turning some people around at checkpoints, refusing to let them reach the airport.Sources in Kabul told the Guardian the Taliban were checking documents and forcibly turning some people around at checkpoints, refusing to let them reach the airport.
The US embassy in Kabul has released a security alert informing Americans still in Afghanistan that it “cannot ensure safe passage to the Hamid Karzai international airport”.The US embassy in Kabul has released a security alert informing Americans still in Afghanistan that it “cannot ensure safe passage to the Hamid Karzai international airport”.
“U.S. government-provided flights are departing. U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) should consider travelling to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the embassy said in the alert.“U.S. government-provided flights are departing. U.S. citizens, LPRs, and their spouses and unmarried children (under age 21) should consider travelling to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the embassy said in the alert.
“Please be advised that a significant number of individuals have registered and space on these flights is available on a first come, first serve basis. You may be required to wait at the airport for a significant amount of time until space is available.”“Please be advised that a significant number of individuals have registered and space on these flights is available on a first come, first serve basis. You may be required to wait at the airport for a significant amount of time until space is available.”
The embassy’s update comes amid reports that people have been beaten at Taliban checkpoints near the airport, preventing them from boarding departing flights.The embassy’s update comes amid reports that people have been beaten at Taliban checkpoints near the airport, preventing them from boarding departing flights.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged those reports yesterday, saying at the White House briefing, “There have been instances where we have received reports of people being turned away or pushed back or even beaten.National security adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged those reports yesterday, saying at the White House briefing, “There have been instances where we have received reports of people being turned away or pushed back or even beaten.
“We are taking that up in a channel with the Taliban to try to resolve those issues. And we are concerned about whether that will continue to unfold in the coming days.”“We are taking that up in a channel with the Taliban to try to resolve those issues. And we are concerned about whether that will continue to unfold in the coming days.”
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris received a briefing this morning from their national security team on the situation in Afghanistan, the White House said.
“They were briefed on intelligence, security and diplomatic updates. They discussed efforts to accelerate evacuations of U.S. citizens, SIV applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans, and to facilitate safe passage to Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the White House told the press pool.
“The President, Vice President, and their team also discussed their focus on monitoring for any potential terrorist threats in Afghanistan, including from ISIS-K.”
Among those conducting the briefing were defense secretary Lloyd Austin, secretary of state Antony Blinken and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Mark Milley.
A CNN reporter spotted Milley at the White House earlier today:
Joe Biden will host Israel’s new prime minister Naftali Bennett in Washington on August 26, the White House has just announced.
A statement put out by White House press sec Jen Psaki touched on what the two will talk about.
They “will discuss critical issues related to regional and global security, including Iran.
“The visit will also be an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians and the importance of working towards a more peaceful and secure future for the region.”
Bennett became prime minister in June after Israel’s longest-serving leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, was ousted from office by a loose coalition of rivals from across the political spectrum, united by their wish to end his 12-year run in power, my colleague Oliver Holmes wrote from Jerusalem at the time.
The opposition leader, Yair Lapid, a centrist former TV news anchor, won a confidence vote in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, by a razor-thin advantage of 60-59 seats on Sunday evening.
Lapid did not initially become prime minister. Instead, under a power-sharing agreement, his former foe and far-right advocate for the settler movement in the Palestinian territories, Naftali Bennett, was sworn in as the country’s leader.
Bennett, who has ruled out a Palestinian state and wants Israel to maintain ultimate control over all the lands it occupies, will be prime minister for the first two years of a four-year term before handing over to Lapid.
Ahead of the Knesset vote, Bennett attempted to give a conciliatory speech, even as Netanyahu’s allies heckled him from their seats. The 49-year-old prime minister-designate thanked the outgoing leader for his “lengthy and achievement filled service”.
Psaki’s press release did not mention Afghanistan as a topic of planned conversation. It said: “Prime Minister Bennett’s visit will strengthen the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel, reflect the deep ties between our governments and our people, and underscore the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
Biden sent the invitation to Bennett last month and aides for each leader have been meeting, virtually and recently in person. Local Israeli media had noted that Bennett might not be able to make it to the White House until September, and then could stay on to address the annual General Assembly of the United Nations in New York that month.
But clearly he has found a spot in his calendar and the trip is on for this month.
Students in Florida’s Broward County went back to school under a mask mandate today, even as their school board faced threats of severe penalties for defying Republican governor Ron DeSantis.
Reuters further repots:
Here’s where the day stands so far:
US health officials recommended offering booster shots to all Americans who received the Pfizer or Moderna coronavirus vaccine. The US expects to offer booster shots starting the week of September 20, and health officials urged Americans to get their third dose eight months after receiving their second shot. Research on booster shots for those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine remains ongoing.
The World Health Organization criticized the US plan to distribute booster shots, given the lack of available vaccines in many low-income countries. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity, and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months.”
Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver remarks on his administration’s vaccination strategy this afternoon. Biden will receive a briefing from members of the White House pandemic response team and then deliver his speech, which will likely focus on the announcement about booster shots.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The ONE Campaign, which is dedicated to ending extreme poverty and preventable disease in the world, warned that the US plan to administer coronavirus vaccine boosters “threatens to widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots”.
“It’s outrageous that a healthy, vaccinated individual will be able to get a third shot before the elderly and health workers in low-income countries can get a single dose,” Sarah Swinehart, the senior director of communications for ONE’s North America operation, said in a statement.
The group noted that just 1.3% of people in low-income countries have received at least one coronavirus vaccine dose, according to data.
“While we understand the Biden administration’s goal to further protect Americans, today’s decision will further exacerbate global vaccine inequities and prolong the pandemic at home and abroad,” Swinehart said.
“In order to save lives, reduce the emergence of variants, and stop the spread of COVID-19, the US and wealthy countries must share more doses immediately.”
Global health authorities have harshly criticized an American plan to provide Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccine booster shots to people eight months after their second dose.
In a briefing, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he called for a “temporary moratorium” on booster shots globally as low-income countries have vaccinated “barely 2%” of their populations. Just 10 countries have administered 75% of all vaccines, Ghebreyesus said.
“Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity and if we don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage of this pandemic for years when it could be over in a matter of months,” Ghebreyesus said in remarks.
However, Biden administration officials said they remained committed to protecting Americans and donating vaccines globally.
“I do not accept the idea we have to choose between America and the world,” said Dr Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General.
White House Coronavirus task force coordinator Jeff Zients said the US has, “more vaccine doses donated than all the other countries in the world combined”.
“Our war-time effort will continue doing everything we can to get more people vaccinated, both here at home and around the world,” said Zients.
“We can and must do both at the same time, because that’s what it’s going to take to end this pandemic, and we will not stop until we get the job done.”
Members of the White House pandemic response team emphasized that they are not recommending average Americans get a vaccine booster shot today.
Booster shots will be made available to all Americans who received the Moderna or Pfizer coronavirus vaccine starting the week of September 20, and health officials are recommending getting a booster eight months after a second dose.
That strategy will allow for vulnerable populations who were among the first to be vaccinated, including healthcare workers and elderly Americans, to get their booster shots starting next month.
For younger Americans who were vaccinated later in the year, they may not get their booster shots until late 2021 or early 2022.
A reporter asked the White House pandemic response team to respond to criticism over offering booster shots to Americans while many countries still do not have enough first doses for their citizens.
Pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients said the US was committed to both protecting Americans against coronavirus and distributing vaccines to countries around the world.
Zients said he expects the US to administer about 100 million vaccine booster shots in the coming months, while simultaneously distributing more than 200 million vaccine doses to other countries.
Dr Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, added, “I do not accept the idea that we have to choose between America and the world. We clearly see our responsibility to both.”
The White House pandemic response coordinator, Jeff Zients, said the coronavirus vaccine booster shots will be free for all Americans.
“It will be just as easy and convenient to get a booster shot as it is to get a first shot today,” Zients said.
Zients noted that the US has enough vaccine supply for all Americans, and the booster shots will be available at roughly 80,000 locations across the country.
“Boosters will be free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. No ID or insurance required,” Zients said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the president’s chief medical adviser, laid out the data that led health officials to recommend booster shots for all Americans who received the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines.
Fauci said data indicates that the antibodies provided by the vaccines decline over time, and higher levels of antibodies may be required to protect against the more highly transmissible Delta variant, which is spreading across the US.
Booster shots can help to increase antibody levels, thus providing more effective protection against the Delta variant, which is why health officials are encouraging Americans to get a third dose eight months after their second shot.