WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is committed to keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, even if that means maintaining a military presence there beyond his Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal.

He also pushed back against criticism that the U.S. should have done more to plan for the evacuation and withdrawal, which has been marked by scenes of violence and chaos as thousands attempted to flee while the Taliban advanced.

In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Biden said the U.S. will do “everything in our power” to evacuate Americans and U.S. allies from Afghanistan before the deadline.

Pressed repeatedly on how the administration would help Americans left in the nation after Aug. 31, Biden said, “If there’s American citizens left, we’re gonna stay till we get them all out.”

Up to 15,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan after the Taliban took full control of the nation last weekend.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier Wednesday that the U.S. military does not have the forces and firepower in Afghanistan to expand its current mission from securing the Kabul airport to collecting Americans and at-risk Afghans elsewhere in the capital and escorting them for evacuation.

The question of whether those seeking to leave the country before Biden’s deadline should be rescued and brought to the airport has arisen amid reports that Taliban checkpoints have stopped some designated evacuees.

“I don’t have the capability to go out and extend operations currently into Kabul,” Austin said. “And where do you take that? How far do you extend into Kabul, and how long does it take to flow those forces in to be able to do that?”

Austin, a retired four-star Army general who commanded forces in Afghanistan, spoke at his first Pentagon news conference since the Taliban swept to power in Kabul on Sunday.

He said the State Department was sending more consular affairs officers to speed up the processing of evacuees.

“We’re not close to where we want to be” in terms of the pace of the airlift, Austin said.

He said he was mainly focused on the airport, which faced “a number of threats” that must be monitored.

“We cannot afford to either not defend that airfield or not have an airfield that’s secure, where we have hundreds or thousands of civilians that can access the airfield,” he said, adding that talks with the Taliban were continuing to ensure safe passage for those evacuating.

Austin said there were about 4,500 U.S. troops at the airport, maintaining security to enable the State Department-run evacuation operation that has been marked by degrees of chaos and confusion.

Biden, however, told ABC that there wasn’t anything his administration could have done to avoid such chaos.

“The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” he said.

Senior U.S. military officers were talking to Taliban commanders in Kabul about checkpoints and curfews that have limited the number of Americans and Afghans able to enter the airport.

John Kirby, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said that over 24 hours about 2,000 people, including 325 American citizens, had left aboard 18 flights by U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes. The number of departing Air Force flights was likely to be similar in the coming 24 hours, Kirby said, although he said he could not estimate how many people they would carry.

He said the administration was considering its options for dealing with a separate but related problem — the abandonment by Afghan security forces of an array of military equipment, weapons and aircraft that have fallen into the hands of the Taliban or other militant groups.

“We don’t, obviously, want to see our equipment in the hands of those who would act against our interests or the interests of the Afghan people and increase violence and insecurity inside Afghanistan,” Kirby said. “There are numerous policy choices that can be made, up to and including destruction.” He said those decisions had not yet been made.

Kirby said several hundred more U.S. troops were expected to arrive at the airport by Thursday.

An Air Force unit arrived overnight that specializes in rapidly setting up and maintaining airfield operations, Kirby said. And he said Marines trained in evacuation support have continued to arrive and will assist in getting civilians onto flights.

The top congressional Republicans, Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Mitch McConnell, asked Biden on Wednesday for a classified briefing with the “gang of eight” — the top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate intelligence committees as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, McCarthy and McConnell.

McCarthy and McConnell said they want a briefing on the number of Americans still in Afghanistan and the plans to evacuate those outside of Kabul. Their letter prompted Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill to tweet that she had already requested such a meeting. He also said House members will receive an unclassified telephone briefing Friday and an in-person briefing Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629040310655.png" alt="“The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” President Biden said Wednesday- photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>“The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” President Biden said Wednesday- photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he is committed to keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, even if that means maintaining a military presence there beyond his Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal.He also pushed back against criticism that the U.S. should have done more to plan for the evacuation and withdrawal, which has been marked by scenes of violence and chaos as thousands attempted to flee while the Taliban advanced.In an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, Biden said the U.S. will do “everything in our power” to evacuate Americans and U.S. allies from Afghanistan before the deadline.Pressed repeatedly on how the administration would help Americans left in the nation after Aug. 31, Biden said, “If there’s American citizens left, we’re gonna stay till we get them all out.”Up to 15,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan after the Taliban took full control of the nation last weekend.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier Wednesday that the U.S. military does not have the forces and firepower in Afghanistan to expand its current mission from securing the Kabul airport to collecting Americans and at-risk Afghans elsewhere in the capital and escorting them for evacuation.The question of whether those seeking to leave the country before Biden’s deadline should be rescued and brought to the airport has arisen amid reports that Taliban checkpoints have stopped some designated evacuees.“I don’t have the capability to go out and extend operations currently into Kabul,” Austin said. “And where do you take that? How far do you extend into Kabul, and how long does it take to flow those forces in to be able to do that?”Austin, a retired four-star Army general who commanded forces in Afghanistan, spoke at his first Pentagon news conference since the Taliban swept to power in Kabul on Sunday.He said the State Department was sending more consular affairs officers to speed up the processing of evacuees.“We’re not close to where we want to be” in terms of the pace of the airlift, Austin said.He said he was mainly focused on the airport, which faced “a number of threats” that must be monitored.“We cannot afford to either not defend that airfield or not have an airfield that’s secure, where we have hundreds or thousands of civilians that can access the airfield,” he said, adding that talks with the Taliban were continuing to ensure safe passage for those evacuating.Austin said there were about 4,500 U.S. troops at the airport, maintaining security to enable the State Department-run evacuation operation that has been marked by degrees of chaos and confusion.Biden, however, told ABC that there wasn’t anything his administration could have done to avoid such chaos.“The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” he said.Senior U.S. military officers were talking to Taliban commanders in Kabul about checkpoints and curfews that have limited the number of Americans and Afghans able to enter the airport.John Kirby, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said that over 24 hours about 2,000 people, including 325 American citizens, had left aboard 18 flights by U.S. Air Force C-17 transport planes. The number of departing Air Force flights was likely to be similar in the coming 24 hours, Kirby said, although he said he could not estimate how many people they would carry.He said the administration was considering its options for dealing with a separate but related problem — the abandonment by Afghan security forces of an array of military equipment, weapons and aircraft that have fallen into the hands of the Taliban or other militant groups.“We don’t, obviously, want to see our equipment in the hands of those who would act against our interests or the interests of the Afghan people and increase violence and insecurity inside Afghanistan,” Kirby said. “There are numerous policy choices that can be made, up to and including destruction.” He said those decisions had not yet been made.Kirby said several hundred more U.S. troops were expected to arrive at the airport by Thursday.An Air Force unit arrived overnight that specializes in rapidly setting up and maintaining airfield operations, Kirby said. And he said Marines trained in evacuation support have continued to arrive and will assist in getting civilians onto flights.The top congressional Republicans, Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Mitch McConnell, asked Biden on Wednesday for a classified briefing with the “gang of eight” — the top Democrats and Republicans on the House and Senate intelligence committees as well as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, McCarthy and McConnell.McCarthy and McConnell said they want a briefing on the number of Americans still in Afghanistan and the plans to evacuate those outside of Kabul. Their letter prompted Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill to tweet that she had already requested such a meeting. He also said House members will receive an unclassified telephone briefing Friday and an in-person briefing Tuesday.___

Biden: Troops will stay in Afghanistan to evacuate Americans

Today, the Federal Trade Commission filed an&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iTMkEDIG3xYV2QmxalVq9v0EJpjcyrNtVg-2F-2F5Q525WONG-2BuzWCDLFk3F-2BXv-2BvUVTdzSG7I0YNPY6u5bcZu48wU-2BhioOw2eZ7YMW3-2F46KhX79g-3D-3Dm7gn_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD4EBUDXLopiVzG-2Fvw8A4mp2eEkOsXshnuXLlKUWkYlFxaPTdp9dQyNcYgk2Im7HQ9wgRri93VdsapV8DDCoJZhkKeBkJWVELCuLZhY7bRsTTBWVVel3Sp-2FALZ8UK2B6MkLb-2FG4J-2F-2By8lZ4aP6MvbzVg-3D">amended complaint</a>&nbsp;against Facebook in the agency’s ongoing federal antitrust case. The complaint alleges that after repeated failed attempts to develop innovative mobile features for its network, Facebook instead resorted to an illegal buy-or-bury scheme to maintain its dominance. It unlawfully acquired innovative competitors with popular mobile features that succeeded where Facebook’s own offerings fell flat or fell apart. And to further moat its monopoly, Facebook lured app developers to the platform, surveilled them for signs of success, and then buried them when they became competitive threats. Lacking serious competition, Facebook has been able to hone a surveillance-based advertising model and impose ever-increasing burdens on its users. &nbsp;

“Facebook lacked the business acumen and technical talent to survive the transition to mobile. After failing to compete with new innovators, Facebook illegally bought or buried them when their popularity became an existential threat,” said Holly Vedova, FTC Bureau of Competition Acting Director. “This conduct is no less anticompetitive than if Facebook had bribed emerging app competitors not to compete. The antitrust laws were enacted to prevent precisely this type of illegal activity by monopolists. Facebook’s actions have suppressed innovation and product quality improvements. And they have degraded the social network experience, subjecting users to lower levels of privacy and data protections and more intrusive ads. The FTC’s action today seeks to put an end to this illegal activity and restore competition for the benefit of Americans and honest businesses alike.”

The FTC filed the amended complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, following the court’s June 28 ruling on the FTC’s initial complaint. The amended complaint includes additional data and evidence to support the FTC’s contention that Facebook is a monopolist that abused its excessive market power to eliminate threats to its dominance.

According to the amended complaint, a critical transition period in the history of the internet, and in Facebook’s history, was the emergence of smartphones and the mobile Internet in the 2010s. Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recognized at the time that “we’re vulnerable in mobile” and a major shareholder worried that Facebook’s mobile weakness “ran the risk of the unthinkable happening - being eclipsed by another network[.]”&nbsp;

After suffering significant failures during this critical transition period, Facebook found that it lacked the business talent and engineering acumen to quickly and successfully integrate its outdated desktop-based technology to the new era of mobile-first communication. Unable to maintain its monopoly or its advertising profits by fairly competing, Facebook’s executives addressed this existential threat by buying up the new mobile innovators, including its rival Instagram in 2012 and mobile messaging app WhatsApp in 2014, who had succeeded where Facebook had failed. The company supplemented its anticompetitive shopping spree with an open-first-close-later scheme that helped cement its monopoly by severely hampering the ability of rivals and would-be rivals to compete on the merits. By anticompetitively cementing its personal social networking monopoly, Facebook has harmed the competitive process and limited consumer choice.

As described in the amended complaint, after starting Facebook Platform as an open space for third party software developers, Facebook abruptly reversed course and required developers to agree to conditions that prevented successful apps from emerging as competitive threats to Facebook. By pulling this bait and switch on developers, Facebook insulated itself from competition during a critical period of technological change. Developers that had relied on Facebook’s open-access policies were crushed by new limits on their ability to interoperate. Facebook’s conduct not only harmed developers such as Circle and Path, but also deprived consumers of promising and disruptive mavericks that could have forced Facebook to improve its own products and services.&nbsp;

The amended complaint bolsters the FTC’s monopoly power allegations by providing detailed statistics showing that Facebook had dominant market shares in the U.S. personal social networking market. The suit also provides new direct evidence that Facebook has the power to control prices or exclude competition; significantly reduce the quality of its offering to users without losing a significant number of users or a meaningful amount of user engagement; and exclude competition by driving actual or potential competitors out of business.

Facebook’s dominant position is also protected by significant barriers to entry,&nbsp;including high switching costs. &nbsp;Over time, users of a personal social network build more connections and develop a history of posts and shared experiences, which they cannot easily transfer to another personal social networking provider.

Other significant barriers to entry include user-to-user effects, known as network effects, which make a personal social network more valuable as more users join the service. As the amended complaint notes, it is very difficult for a new entrant to displace an established personal social network in which users’ friends and family already participate.

According to the amended complaint, Facebook continues to monitor the industry for competitive threats to its personal social networking monopoly. Facebook is likely to impose anticompetitive conditions on access to its platform and seek to acquire companies it perceives as potential threats, especially when it next faces “acute competitive pressures from a period of technological transition,” the amended complaint alleges.

The FTC’s Office of General Counsel carefully reviewed Facebook’s petition to recuse Chair Lina M. Khan. As the case will be prosecuted before a federal judge, the appropriate constitutional due process protections will be provided to the company. The Office of the Secretary has dismissed the petition.

The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the amended complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was 3-2. Commissioner Christine Wilson also issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iTMkEDIG3xYV2QmxalVq9v0iOYbRkeIt283kp-2Bg6Aj2z1rC8Sq7d547un0HMenS-2FgMzG5W-2BHGNKpSHPZn6pRv4w1AL6n-2Bs5214VQTPNKSMN8nxyulVK0LCEu8AFQ84nc8ewfZdLa9q5yT-2BRbTEIrcdGFnT4IBOIGlSWz4C9XZMLdQ-3D-3DsTdn_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD-2B-2F7s-2FPUl7d-2F8Ve-2FQD4Z0Zz2A-2FSH-2F7B4bnuCz2c-2FgLg8zQWo0C8n4aOcPlxKH-2F1Q-2F6s1MZcGqD5-2B33tAMFAquhRDfwvQjJeaa5nfmwoBZqniESGMFXqjVCKO7KEedpd86X7uNFlLaB4KSUjW1XCrNrE-3D">dissenting statement</a>.

The Federal Trade Commission works to&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUfYotPP72MaC0HTuHPy7LHmaFRvq-2FV0-2Fyav7uDNsu0VJXQ7Li4uUuFG-2FgW-2FufqqAzxkkaDXnO8tQt-2BGmBeoqjTE-3DBTxk_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD9DGmvSdCWIIzKaT-2BNMH2dgUOoOOE3Yd1sYnmFy-2FldypH6PzmkqjPxDqWwd2FLMJE6KGxzGLj97TvVnIx9jrLDs5PdXtjjLQym3eBn1TLUzDcWJOm-2BUU3XEO57p0ykN4iNlxgS-2BW3eBa0DK7A0cq21w-3D">promote competition</a>, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iQWnd8XJYDJsRlzUaZkZLpoP53MwAdwBu90JZ8-2BZ21Pwy8g3dYplgkjvWWGMKaQCK-2B2oivpxvXX5SP0DfHFvrM8xSwG3WO3ZUzLmdEjAAxlMg-3D-3D8z56_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDwghf5Ew9rzcUdw3y44NbOHmeRGoqUn67JxubF5ukpPNK5p1kYjP-2FJQRGWgIdMy2NTcgxGWKcymtsUYNMS4QIlEogcE-2FbQn3ZK3yTlQR3V8tYl08f9mEl9FdHLqKZ3q3cNj2v2CHwZfhqi-2BaYG9453w-3D">how competition benefits consumers</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUft4-2FLsPOgSlMfKsp5nBmH-2BnAx5eOkas5VzFNC-2BpA3KvN-2BegOZmmTNGow5qLlk1P5opKT43leGYdzcGH6uD7tqE-3DfEcI_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDzGeTOBLve0jPQy-2B-2FzQ5wnadbMQlcakN-2F-2FoJ-2FyBtV6EcPn2rDlv34lJbTnKX34PIeIMS-2FYAnV-2FDfuqxhrscUslUjKqBNYAydE3L5o4E6-2FhM4nmGmZ8b0-2FztDsJUahACF9ZZ1EAB6mOQQVlboLZSSIyE-3D">file an antitrust complaint</a>. Like the FTC on&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUb8Hzhz9hTfMErRs-2Fni8h9hiOJrviSzKQNqI9GVS7mOnKw8dvzyuiJDiF0DAyVqVrw-3D-3DseDz_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD-2FRmmNgtPBsFAoTDQ288Mb4ivi-2FEcdzte9d-2Ft4wBCc0OLWyRi6wsKGaFVh75tTHcS-2FMV4na4YrZLGTn2TSFJvoxCwNCLCG7pvR5nV5quPpKzrYJy5OEHXru4miO0k44ZjTqpG6QB6-2BwARY7-2BJ5c-2FtaY-3D">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUYAQIXOK1tXZ-2BYsSRwaswHA-3Dyqxj_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD5llmwZ8gbcBG-2BPZUXey5HwuxMYEK5-2FUhu1u2B-2BAez52HRu-2FOjK9zpjYKZb1S5FnMbHYgc2bE0fFe-2FonIGdSjXfaTa-2FltL8wSznMyew2bUaaKVjkJr9Frfn4b02SmPCOfw2rbv97i-2FluTbrzYcXO5LI-3D">Twitter(link is external)</a>, read our&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUdbOg1oyC3s1BFESJfv1yTQdWwEeOZo7HSwxeTqeUuWkoiaNF3MwEVvWYIIucwfZflzBLWCinuMz8tqzNbKvKYI-3DBh8R_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD9Fxrsv5eAZEe3rWzTe0vbU5KT-2B6JupE8qpoqqSU4z2ph1JbtKn9mHxkiK-2BzVXuA47oLuc5utVIVttgeSmyJXsCEaShEsvX0P-2FG0OB2k4GT7cBCBqmqKYhuPbeYzFxgw0XGKw04BAgx5i3ZMLXlTXBc-3D">blogs</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUSV6prqcooIaql9rBEYv0EwFugi7vo4ZpjKyiy5rMQ-2FGHkru_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDzeWKfo-2BBzc6guwTHhf-2FKjdsJy9Xt4sg0U7f5eb9NLflhuwYD-2FGPxA3L233FjaYm6rOL8Va0EMW7fok48oclfEZroRhkdhRWPTQzcGfrZc3AwT4-2BcWQB77PCnPjfdBZDLlxAQz56DblE7F1-2FXz47pXE-3D">subscribe to press releases</a>&nbsp;for the latest FTC news and resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCToday, the Federal Trade Commission filed an&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iTMkEDIG3xYV2QmxalVq9v0EJpjcyrNtVg-2F-2F5Q525WONG-2BuzWCDLFk3F-2BXv-2BvUVTdzSG7I0YNPY6u5bcZu48wU-2BhioOw2eZ7YMW3-2F46KhX79g-3D-3Dm7gn_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD4EBUDXLopiVzG-2Fvw8A4mp2eEkOsXshnuXLlKUWkYlFxaPTdp9dQyNcYgk2Im7HQ9wgRri93VdsapV8DDCoJZhkKeBkJWVELCuLZhY7bRsTTBWVVel3Sp-2FALZ8UK2B6MkLb-2FG4J-2F-2By8lZ4aP6MvbzVg-3D">amended complaint</a>&nbsp;against Facebook in the agency’s ongoing federal antitrust case. The complaint alleges that after repeated failed attempts to develop innovative mobile features for its network, Facebook instead resorted to an illegal buy-or-bury scheme to maintain its dominance. It unlawfully acquired innovative competitors with popular mobile features that succeeded where Facebook’s own offerings fell flat or fell apart. And to further moat its monopoly, Facebook lured app developers to the platform, surveilled them for signs of success, and then buried them when they became competitive threats. Lacking serious competition, Facebook has been able to hone a surveillance-based advertising model and impose ever-increasing burdens on its users. &nbsp;“Facebook lacked the business acumen and technical talent to survive the transition to mobile. After failing to compete with new innovators, Facebook illegally bought or buried them when their popularity became an existential threat,” said Holly Vedova, FTC Bureau of Competition Acting Director. “This conduct is no less anticompetitive than if Facebook had bribed emerging app competitors not to compete. The antitrust laws were enacted to prevent precisely this type of illegal activity by monopolists. Facebook’s actions have suppressed innovation and product quality improvements. And they have degraded the social network experience, subjecting users to lower levels of privacy and data protections and more intrusive ads. The FTC’s action today seeks to put an end to this illegal activity and restore competition for the benefit of Americans and honest businesses alike.”The FTC filed the amended complaint today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, following the court’s June 28 ruling on the FTC’s initial complaint. The amended complaint includes additional data and evidence to support the FTC’s contention that Facebook is a monopolist that abused its excessive market power to eliminate threats to its dominance.According to the amended complaint, a critical transition period in the history of the internet, and in Facebook’s history, was the emergence of smartphones and the mobile Internet in the 2010s. Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recognized at the time that “we’re vulnerable in mobile” and a major shareholder worried that Facebook’s mobile weakness “ran the risk of the unthinkable happening - being eclipsed by another network[.]”&nbsp;After suffering significant failures during this critical transition period, Facebook found that it lacked the business talent and engineering acumen to quickly and successfully integrate its outdated desktop-based technology to the new era of mobile-first communication. Unable to maintain its monopoly or its advertising profits by fairly competing, Facebook’s executives addressed this existential threat by buying up the new mobile innovators, including its rival Instagram in 2012 and mobile messaging app WhatsApp in 2014, who had succeeded where Facebook had failed. The company supplemented its anticompetitive shopping spree with an open-first-close-later scheme that helped cement its monopoly by severely hampering the ability of rivals and would-be rivals to compete on the merits. By anticompetitively cementing its personal social networking monopoly, Facebook has harmed the competitive process and limited consumer choice.As described in the amended complaint, after starting Facebook Platform as an open space for third party software developers, Facebook abruptly reversed course and required developers to agree to conditions that prevented successful apps from emerging as competitive threats to Facebook. By pulling this bait and switch on developers, Facebook insulated itself from competition during a critical period of technological change. Developers that had relied on Facebook’s open-access policies were crushed by new limits on their ability to interoperate. Facebook’s conduct not only harmed developers such as Circle and Path, but also deprived consumers of promising and disruptive mavericks that could have forced Facebook to improve its own products and services.&nbsp;The amended complaint bolsters the FTC’s monopoly power allegations by providing detailed statistics showing that Facebook had dominant market shares in the U.S. personal social networking market. The suit also provides new direct evidence that Facebook has the power to control prices or exclude competition; significantly reduce the quality of its offering to users without losing a significant number of users or a meaningful amount of user engagement; and exclude competition by driving actual or potential competitors out of business.Facebook’s dominant position is also protected by significant barriers to entry,&nbsp;including high switching costs. &nbsp;Over time, users of a personal social network build more connections and develop a history of posts and shared experiences, which they cannot easily transfer to another personal social networking provider.Other significant barriers to entry include user-to-user effects, known as network effects, which make a personal social network more valuable as more users join the service. As the amended complaint notes, it is very difficult for a new entrant to displace an established personal social network in which users’ friends and family already participate.According to the amended complaint, Facebook continues to monitor the industry for competitive threats to its personal social networking monopoly. Facebook is likely to impose anticompetitive conditions on access to its platform and seek to acquire companies it perceives as potential threats, especially when it next faces “acute competitive pressures from a period of technological transition,” the amended complaint alleges.The FTC’s Office of General Counsel carefully reviewed Facebook’s petition to recuse Chair Lina M. Khan. As the case will be prosecuted before a federal judge, the appropriate constitutional due process protections will be provided to the company. The Office of the Secretary has dismissed the petition.The Commission vote to authorize staff to file the amended complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia was 3-2. Commissioner Christine Wilson also issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iTMkEDIG3xYV2QmxalVq9v0iOYbRkeIt283kp-2Bg6Aj2z1rC8Sq7d547un0HMenS-2FgMzG5W-2BHGNKpSHPZn6pRv4w1AL6n-2Bs5214VQTPNKSMN8nxyulVK0LCEu8AFQ84nc8ewfZdLa9q5yT-2BRbTEIrcdGFnT4IBOIGlSWz4C9XZMLdQ-3D-3DsTdn_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD-2B-2F7s-2FPUl7d-2F8Ve-2FQD4Z0Zz2A-2FSH-2F7B4bnuCz2c-2FgLg8zQWo0C8n4aOcPlxKH-2F1Q-2F6s1MZcGqD5-2B33tAMFAquhRDfwvQjJeaa5nfmwoBZqniESGMFXqjVCKO7KEedpd86X7uNFlLaB4KSUjW1XCrNrE-3D">dissenting statement</a>.The Federal Trade Commission works to&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUfYotPP72MaC0HTuHPy7LHmaFRvq-2FV0-2Fyav7uDNsu0VJXQ7Li4uUuFG-2FgW-2FufqqAzxkkaDXnO8tQt-2BGmBeoqjTE-3DBTxk_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD9DGmvSdCWIIzKaT-2BNMH2dgUOoOOE3Yd1sYnmFy-2FldypH6PzmkqjPxDqWwd2FLMJE6KGxzGLj97TvVnIx9jrLDs5PdXtjjLQym3eBn1TLUzDcWJOm-2BUU3XEO57p0ykN4iNlxgS-2BW3eBa0DK7A0cq21w-3D">promote competition</a>, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUcs9-2BYv-2FBvF5AG8cihP-2F7iQWnd8XJYDJsRlzUaZkZLpoP53MwAdwBu90JZ8-2BZ21Pwy8g3dYplgkjvWWGMKaQCK-2B2oivpxvXX5SP0DfHFvrM8xSwG3WO3ZUzLmdEjAAxlMg-3D-3D8z56_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDwghf5Ew9rzcUdw3y44NbOHmeRGoqUn67JxubF5ukpPNK5p1kYjP-2FJQRGWgIdMy2NTcgxGWKcymtsUYNMS4QIlEogcE-2FbQn3ZK3yTlQR3V8tYl08f9mEl9FdHLqKZ3q3cNj2v2CHwZfhqi-2BaYG9453w-3D">how competition benefits consumers</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUft4-2FLsPOgSlMfKsp5nBmH-2BnAx5eOkas5VzFNC-2BpA3KvN-2BegOZmmTNGow5qLlk1P5opKT43leGYdzcGH6uD7tqE-3DfEcI_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDzGeTOBLve0jPQy-2B-2FzQ5wnadbMQlcakN-2F-2FoJ-2FyBtV6EcPn2rDlv34lJbTnKX34PIeIMS-2FYAnV-2FDfuqxhrscUslUjKqBNYAydE3L5o4E6-2FhM4nmGmZ8b0-2FztDsJUahACF9ZZ1EAB6mOQQVlboLZSSIyE-3D">file an antitrust complaint</a>. Like the FTC on&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUb8Hzhz9hTfMErRs-2Fni8h9hiOJrviSzKQNqI9GVS7mOnKw8dvzyuiJDiF0DAyVqVrw-3D-3DseDz_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD-2FRmmNgtPBsFAoTDQ288Mb4ivi-2FEcdzte9d-2Ft4wBCc0OLWyRi6wsKGaFVh75tTHcS-2FMV4na4YrZLGTn2TSFJvoxCwNCLCG7pvR5nV5quPpKzrYJy5OEHXru4miO0k44ZjTqpG6QB6-2BwARY7-2BJ5c-2FtaY-3D">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUYAQIXOK1tXZ-2BYsSRwaswHA-3Dyqxj_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD5llmwZ8gbcBG-2BPZUXey5HwuxMYEK5-2FUhu1u2B-2BAez52HRu-2FOjK9zpjYKZb1S5FnMbHYgc2bE0fFe-2FonIGdSjXfaTa-2FltL8wSznMyew2bUaaKVjkJr9Frfn4b02SmPCOfw2rbv97i-2FluTbrzYcXO5LI-3D">Twitter(link is external)</a>, read our&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUdbOg1oyC3s1BFESJfv1yTQdWwEeOZo7HSwxeTqeUuWkoiaNF3MwEVvWYIIucwfZflzBLWCinuMz8tqzNbKvKYI-3DBh8R_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgD9Fxrsv5eAZEe3rWzTe0vbU5KT-2B6JupE8qpoqqSU4z2ph1JbtKn9mHxkiK-2BzVXuA47oLuc5utVIVttgeSmyJXsCEaShEsvX0P-2FG0OB2k4GT7cBCBqmqKYhuPbeYzFxgw0XGKw04BAgx5i3ZMLXlTXBc-3D">blogs</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUSV6prqcooIaql9rBEYv0EwFugi7vo4ZpjKyiy5rMQ-2FGHkru_-2FnwFlkKVzcKMOkDYhP8GUyFUplsqhIzQPvqFQr864lFVK-2Fv-2BVYIe7tqlqeMNp9piIGbHTL-2FW9eReqsOPCJMQqFVqN0-2FZcAx-2BzgHBMq5O0HOMSBDi3sl5eIvRQX-2Fu2QV4EjfP-2BuX3VZW2Q3NmY51W7dFxf7K5ea5etKqGiNvo2cyCqlebs-2BJfGKoIAgDooKZA8AaSdm5K5c9NNv-2Bbv5SgDzeWKfo-2BBzc6guwTHhf-2FKjdsJy9Xt4sg0U7f5eb9NLflhuwYD-2FGPxA3L233FjaYm6rOL8Va0EMW7fok48oclfEZroRhkdhRWPTQzcGfrZc3AwT4-2BcWQB77PCnPjfdBZDLlxAQz56DblE7F1-2FXz47pXE-3D">subscribe to press releases</a>&nbsp;for the latest FTC news and resources.

FTC: Facebook's 'buy or bury' scheme maintained monopoly

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514148-1/president-biden-covid-19-vaccinations&amp;live">Click here to watch </a>the President's comments

Biden announced the move Wednesday afternoon in a White House address as the administration continues to look for ways to use mandates to encourage vaccine holdouts to get shots. A senior administration official confirmed the announcement on condition of anonymity to preview the news before Biden’s remarks.

The new mandate, in the form of a forthcoming regulation to be issued by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, could take effect as soon as next month.

Hundreds of thousands of nursing home workers are not vaccinated, according to federal data, despite those facilities bearing the brunt of the early COVID-19 outbreak and their workers being among the first in the country to be eligible for shots.

It comes as the Biden administration seeks to raise the costs for those who have yet to get vaccinated, after months of incentives and giveaways proved to be insufficient to drive tens of millions of Americans to roll up their sleeves.

In just the past three weeks, Biden has forced millions of federal workers to attest to their vaccination status or face onerous new requirements, with even stricter requirements for federal workers in frontline health roles, and his administration has moved toward mandating vaccines for the military as soon as next month.

Biden has also celebrated businesses that have mandated vaccines for their own workforces and encouraged others to follow, and highlighted local vaccine mandates as a condition for daily activities, like indoor dining.

The new effort seems to be paying off, as the nation’s rate of new vaccinations has nearly doubled over the past month. More than 200 million Americans have now received at least one dose of the vaccines, according to the White House, but about 80 million Americans are eligible but haven’t yet been vaccinated.

Last year CMS used similar regulatory authority to prohibit most visitors from nursing homes in an effort to protect residents.

Biden’s announcement was first reported by CNN.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629319164930.png" alt="During his Wednesday afternoon address, President Biden said wearing masks in school is not about politics but keeping children safe. .-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>During his Wednesday afternoon address, President Biden said wearing masks in school is not about politics but keeping children safe. .-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514148-1/president-biden-covid-19-vaccinations&amp;live">Click here to watch </a>the President's commentsBiden announced the move Wednesday afternoon in a White House address as the administration continues to look for ways to use mandates to encourage vaccine holdouts to get shots. A senior administration official confirmed the announcement on condition of anonymity to preview the news before Biden’s remarks.The new mandate, in the form of a forthcoming regulation to be issued by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services, could take effect as soon as next month.Hundreds of thousands of nursing home workers are not vaccinated, according to federal data, despite those facilities bearing the brunt of the early COVID-19 outbreak and their workers being among the first in the country to be eligible for shots.It comes as the Biden administration seeks to raise the costs for those who have yet to get vaccinated, after months of incentives and giveaways proved to be insufficient to drive tens of millions of Americans to roll up their sleeves.In just the past three weeks, Biden has forced millions of federal workers to attest to their vaccination status or face onerous new requirements, with even stricter requirements for federal workers in frontline health roles, and his administration has moved toward mandating vaccines for the military as soon as next month.Biden has also celebrated businesses that have mandated vaccines for their own workforces and encouraged others to follow, and highlighted local vaccine mandates as a condition for daily activities, like indoor dining.The new effort seems to be paying off, as the nation’s rate of new vaccinations has nearly doubled over the past month. More than 200 million Americans have now received at least one dose of the vaccines, according to the White House, but about 80 million Americans are eligible but haven’t yet been vaccinated.Last year CMS used similar regulatory authority to prohibit most visitors from nursing homes in an effort to protect residents.Biden’s announcement was first reported by CNN.

🎥  Biden mandates vaccine for nursing home staff, talks student masks

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Police in Rapid City are working to identify a person of interest in a homicide investigation. 

Authorities have already made one arrest in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Austin Freeman last Friday. 

A 31-year-old man is being held on probable murder and drug charges. 

Investigators say they are also looking for woman in connection with the case.

 Police Capt. James Johns says it appears Freeman was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was an innocent victim of violence associated with drugs.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Police in Rapid City are working to identify a person of interest in a homicide investigation. Authorities have already made one arrest in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Austin Freeman last Friday. A 31-year-old man is being held on probable murder and drug charges. Investigators say they are also looking for woman in connection with the case. Police Capt. James Johns says it appears Freeman was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was an innocent victim of violence associated with drugs.

Rapid City police seek woman for questioning in fatal shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials Wednesday recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines' effectiveness is falling.

The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top authorities, calls for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The doses could begin the week of Sept. 20.

Health officials said people who received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine will also probably need extra shots. But they said they are awaiting more data and have yet to work out the details.

The overall plan is awaiting a Food and Drug Administration evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose, the officials said.

In a statement, health officials said it is “very clear” that the vaccines' protection against infection wanes over time, and now, with the highly contagious delta variant spreading rapidly, “we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease.”

“Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death could diminish in the months ahead,” they said.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials Wednesday recommended all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines' effectiveness is falling.The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top authorities, calls for an extra dose eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The doses could begin the week of Sept. 20.Health officials said people who received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine will also probably need extra shots. But they said they are awaiting more data and have yet to work out the details.The overall plan is awaiting a Food and Drug Administration evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of a third dose, the officials said.In a statement, health officials said it is “very clear” that the vaccines' protection against infection wanes over time, and now, with the highly contagious delta variant spreading rapidly, “we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease.”“Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death could diminish in the months ahead,” they said.

US health officials: COVID booster shots for all next month

WASHINGTON (AP) —Federal officials are extending into January a requirement that people on airline flights and public transportation wear face masks, a rule intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The Transportation Security Administration’s current order was scheduled to expire Sept. 13. An agency spokesman said Tuesday that the mandate will be extended until Jan. 18.

The TSA briefed airline industry representatives on its plan Tuesday and planned to discuss it with airline unions on Wednesday. The mask rule also applies to employees on planes and public transportation.

The mask mandate has been controversial and has led to many encounters between passengers who don’t want to wear a mask and flight attendants asked to enforce the rule. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that airlines have reported 3,889 incidents involving unruly passengers this year, and 2,867 — or 74% — involved refusing to wear a mask.

Individual airlines declined to comment on the Biden administration’s decision, and their trade group, Airlines for America, said only that U.S. carriers will strictly enforce the rule. A broader group, the U.S. Travel Association, said the extension “has the travel industry’s full support.” The largest union of flight attendants said the move will help keep passengers and aviation workers safe.

“We have a responsibility in aviation to keep everyone safe and do our part to end the pandemic, rather than aid the continuation of it,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. “We all look forward to the day masks are no longer required, but we’re not there yet.”

The mask order, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for responding to the pandemic, was first issued on Jan. 29, days after President Joe Biden took office. Before that, airlines had their own requirements for face coverings but former President Donald Trump’s administration had declined to make it a federal rule.

The extension was not surprising after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the delta variant of the virus. The seven-day average of new reported cases has topped 140,000, an increase of 64% from two weeks ago and the highest level in more than six months.

Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, said the administration’s decision will reassure people who are concerned about the virus.

“I anticipate it will make them feel more confident about traveling through the fall and winter, including the holiday season,” Harteveldt said. “Those who don’t take the virus seriously will probably complain — but they have no choice but to suck it up and wear their masks if they want to take an airline flight somewhere.”

In recent days, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have reported that the increase in coronavirus infections has caused a slump in bookings beyond the usual slowdown that occurs near the end of each summer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618925513372.png" alt="The largest union of flight attendants said the move will help keep passengers and aviation workers safe.Photo courtesy Kansas City International Airport" />
 <figcaption>The largest union of flight attendants said the move will help keep passengers and aviation workers safe.Photo courtesy Kansas City International Airport</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Federal officials are extending into January a requirement that people on airline flights and public transportation wear face masks, a rule intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.The Transportation Security Administration’s current order was scheduled to expire Sept. 13. An agency spokesman said Tuesday that the mandate will be extended until Jan. 18.The TSA briefed airline industry representatives on its plan Tuesday and planned to discuss it with airline unions on Wednesday. The mask rule also applies to employees on planes and public transportation.The mask mandate has been controversial and has led to many encounters between passengers who don’t want to wear a mask and flight attendants asked to enforce the rule. The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that airlines have reported 3,889 incidents involving unruly passengers this year, and 2,867 — or 74% — involved refusing to wear a mask.Individual airlines declined to comment on the Biden administration’s decision, and their trade group, Airlines for America, said only that U.S. carriers will strictly enforce the rule. A broader group, the U.S. Travel Association, said the extension “has the travel industry’s full support.” The largest union of flight attendants said the move will help keep passengers and aviation workers safe.“We have a responsibility in aviation to keep everyone safe and do our part to end the pandemic, rather than aid the continuation of it,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. “We all look forward to the day masks are no longer required, but we’re not there yet.”The mask order, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for responding to the pandemic, was first issued on Jan. 29, days after President Joe Biden took office. Before that, airlines had their own requirements for face coverings but former President Donald Trump’s administration had declined to make it a federal rule.The extension was not surprising after a recent surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the delta variant of the virus. The seven-day average of new reported cases has topped 140,000, an increase of 64% from two weeks ago and the highest level in more than six months.Henry Harteveldt, a travel-industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group, said the administration’s decision will reassure people who are concerned about the virus.“I anticipate it will make them feel more confident about traveling through the fall and winter, including the holiday season,” Harteveldt said. “Those who don’t take the virus seriously will probably complain — but they have no choice but to suck it up and wear their masks if they want to take an airline flight somewhere.”In recent days, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have reported that the increase in coronavirus infections has caused a slump in bookings beyond the usual slowdown that occurs near the end of each summer.

Federal officials extend mask rule for airline passengers 

OMAHA, Neb. – Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, Lincoln Police Department (LPD), Omaha Police Department (OPD) and Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) are alerting the public to an increase in overdose deaths that began August 10, from fentanyl-laced drugs. No less than eight overdose deaths and 21 overdoses have been reported between the two cities over the course of a six day span.

A majority of the recent overdose deaths in Lincoln and Omaha involved cocaine laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. A lethal dose of fentanyl is equivalent in size to a few grains of salt. Investigators in Lincoln and Omaha are seeing fentanyl mixed with cocaine, methamphetamine and also in counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate name brand pharmaceuticals.

Nebraska state statute provides exceptions from criminal liability for a person who requests emergency medical assistance for themselves or another person in the event of a drug overdose.

To speak with someone with DEA, LPD, OPD or NSP, please contact the public information officer listed above.

OMAHA, Neb. – Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, Lincoln Police Department (LPD), Omaha Police Department (OPD) and Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) are alerting the public to an increase in overdose deaths that began August 10, from fentanyl-laced drugs. No less than eight overdose deaths and 21 overdoses have been reported between the two cities over the course of a six day span.A majority of the recent overdose deaths in Lincoln and Omaha involved cocaine laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. A lethal dose of fentanyl is equivalent in size to a few grains of salt. Investigators in Lincoln and Omaha are seeing fentanyl mixed with cocaine, methamphetamine and also in counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate name brand pharmaceuticals.Nebraska state statute provides exceptions from criminal liability for a person who requests emergency medical assistance for themselves or another person in the event of a drug overdose.To speak with someone with DEA, LPD, OPD or NSP, please contact the public information officer listed above.

Fentanyl related overdose deaths Spike in Lincoln, Omaha

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Democrats plan House votes next week on a budget resolution that could clear a path for future passage of a $3.5 trillion, 10-year social and environment package, suggesting a showdown ahead with rebellious party moderates.

Nine centrists have threatened to vote against their own party’s budget blueprint, enough to defeat it in the closely divided House. They want the chamber to first approve a separate $1 trillion bill financing highway, water supply and other infrastructure projects, their top priority.

House leaders made clear Tuesday that’s not their plan.

Instead, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in a conference call among House Democrats that he’d like the chamber to approve the budget resolution next Tuesday, according to a participant in the call who spoke on condition of anonymity. The House returns the previous day for what lawmakers hope will be an abbreviated interruption of their August recess.

If all Republicans oppose the budget as expected, Democrats could lose no more than three of their own votes and prevail. The budget’s congressional approval would prevent Republicans from killing the subsequent $3.5 trillion bill, probably this fall, from bill-killing Senate filibusters.

“Remember the psychology of consensus. We are in this together, we have the leader of our party and we are pursuing the attainment” of our agenda, Hoyer said, according to the person on the call.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also made clear that a final vote on the public works bill would wait until the larger $3.5 trillion measure progresses. In a letter to fellow Democrats late Tuesday, she said the House must pass the budget blueprint “immediately” or endanger “the once-in-a-generation opportunity we face to enact initiatives that meet the needs of working families at this crucial time.”

Together, the two bills embody President Joe Biden’s and Democrats’ aspirations for bracing the economy, supporting families and combating climate change. Leaders hope moving both measures together — rather than quickly approving the infrastructure bill — would pressure moderates to also back the $3.5 trillion package, which they consider too expensive.

“These bills are critical for us maintaining our majority, and that must reign supreme,” said No. 3 House Democratic leader James Clyburn of South Carolina, a reference to next year’s congressional elections. “A lot of us need to hold hands, we need to be protecting each other and march together.”

In a statement, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., one of the maverick moderates, said Congress “cannot afford to wait months” to approve the infrastructure measure and added, “I’m confident we can sit down together and work this out.”

The House plans to vote Monday evening on a procedural measure setting up future debate for the budget resolution, the infrastructure legislation and another Democratic priority restoring federal authority over states’ voting procedures that were curbed by the Supreme Court.

“All three are critical elements of the president’s agenda, and we hope that every Democratic member supports this effort,” said White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.

Hoyer said he also wants the House to approve the voting rights measure on Tuesday and wrap up business. That proposed schedule could pressure moderates to support the budget, since sticking to their planned opposition could extend the House’s stay in Washington until the standoff is resolved.

Some moderates hope the chaotic U.S. flight from Afghanistan might prompt Biden to seek a quick accomplishment by reversing course and asking the House to quickly send him the infrastructure legislation. The Senate approved the infrastructure measure last week in a bipartisan vote.

“I think more than ever, if the White House would play this smart, they would get a domestic win right now. And that is, bring up the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, one of the nine unhappy moderates, said in an interview.

Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a majority of its nearly 100 members have said in two surveys that they’d oppose the infrastructure measure if it came before the $3.5 trillion measure has progressed.

“Nobody’s budged,” she said. That suggests the moderates lack the votes to force Pelosi to change her plans.

ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-robbery-cb655df75d9904429f27ef7e65541772">84-year-old gets 21 years in prison for Arizona bank robbery</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-marriage-6babc1a99d6861e1b7221a279eb60468">Proposal to raise North Carolina marriage age to 16 gets OK</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arizona-coronavirus-pandemic-f4c807150376d4a1dc1ea88b3aecce7c">Ducey blocks virus relief cash from schools mandating masks</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629238745296.png" alt="In a letter to fellow Democrats late Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House must pass the budget blueprint “immediately” or endanger “the once-in-a-generation opportunity we face to enact initiatives that meet the needs of working families at this crucial time.”&nbsp;Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a ceremony for the American Rescue Plan in March-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In a letter to fellow Democrats late Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House must pass the budget blueprint “immediately” or endanger “the once-in-a-generation opportunity we face to enact initiatives that meet the needs of working families at this crucial time.”&nbsp;Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a ceremony for the American Rescue Plan in March-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Democrats plan House votes next week on a budget resolution that could clear a path for future passage of a $3.5 trillion, 10-year social and environment package, suggesting a showdown ahead with rebellious party moderates.Nine centrists have threatened to vote against their own party’s budget blueprint, enough to defeat it in the closely divided House. They want the chamber to first approve a separate $1 trillion bill financing highway, water supply and other infrastructure projects, their top priority.House leaders made clear Tuesday that’s not their plan.Instead, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in a conference call among House Democrats that he’d like the chamber to approve the budget resolution next Tuesday, according to a participant in the call who spoke on condition of anonymity. The House returns the previous day for what lawmakers hope will be an abbreviated interruption of their August recess.If all Republicans oppose the budget as expected, Democrats could lose no more than three of their own votes and prevail. The budget’s congressional approval would prevent Republicans from killing the subsequent $3.5 trillion bill, probably this fall, from bill-killing Senate filibusters.“Remember the psychology of consensus. We are in this together, we have the leader of our party and we are pursuing the attainment” of our agenda, Hoyer said, according to the person on the call.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., also made clear that a final vote on the public works bill would wait until the larger $3.5 trillion measure progresses. In a letter to fellow Democrats late Tuesday, she said the House must pass the budget blueprint “immediately” or endanger “the once-in-a-generation opportunity we face to enact initiatives that meet the needs of working families at this crucial time.”Together, the two bills embody President Joe Biden’s and Democrats’ aspirations for bracing the economy, supporting families and combating climate change. Leaders hope moving both measures together — rather than quickly approving the infrastructure bill — would pressure moderates to also back the $3.5 trillion package, which they consider too expensive.“These bills are critical for us maintaining our majority, and that must reign supreme,” said No. 3 House Democratic leader James Clyburn of South Carolina, a reference to next year’s congressional elections. “A lot of us need to hold hands, we need to be protecting each other and march together.”In a statement, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., one of the maverick moderates, said Congress “cannot afford to wait months” to approve the infrastructure measure and added, “I’m confident we can sit down together and work this out.”The House plans to vote Monday evening on a procedural measure setting up future debate for the budget resolution, the infrastructure legislation and another Democratic priority restoring federal authority over states’ voting procedures that were curbed by the Supreme Court.“All three are critical elements of the president’s agenda, and we hope that every Democratic member supports this effort,” said White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.Hoyer said he also wants the House to approve the voting rights measure on Tuesday and wrap up business. That proposed schedule could pressure moderates to support the budget, since sticking to their planned opposition could extend the House’s stay in Washington until the standoff is resolved.Some moderates hope the chaotic U.S. flight from Afghanistan might prompt Biden to seek a quick accomplishment by reversing course and asking the House to quickly send him the infrastructure legislation. The Senate approved the infrastructure measure last week in a bipartisan vote.“I think more than ever, if the White House would play this smart, they would get a domestic win right now. And that is, bring up the bipartisan infrastructure bill,” Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, one of the nine unhappy moderates, said in an interview.Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said a majority of its nearly 100 members have said in two surveys that they’d oppose the infrastructure measure if it came before the $3.5 trillion measure has progressed.“Nobody’s budged,” she said. That suggests the moderates lack the votes to force Pelosi to change her plans.ADVERTISEMENTTrending on AP News<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arizona-robbery-cb655df75d9904429f27ef7e65541772">84-year-old gets 21 years in prison for Arizona bank robbery</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-marriage-6babc1a99d6861e1b7221a279eb60468">Proposal to raise North Carolina marriage age to 16 gets OK</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-arizona-coronavirus-pandemic-f4c807150376d4a1dc1ea88b3aecce7c">Ducey blocks virus relief cash from schools mandating masks</a><a href="https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&amp;utm_source=associatedpress-apnews&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=organic-thumbnails-rr:Right%20Rail%20Thumbnails:" target="_blank">by Taboola</a>ADVERTISEMENT

House Dems have plan to pass $3.5 trillion budget deal

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government has taken drastic action by putting the entire nation into a strict lockdown after finding a single case of coronavirus infection in the community. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern invoked some of the stirring rhetoric she used early in the pandemic by urging the whole population to go hard and early in trying to eliminate the outbreak. 

She said Auckland and Coromandel would go into a full lockdown for seven days and the remainder of the country for three days while health experts tried to find the source of the infection.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government has taken drastic action by putting the entire nation into a strict lockdown after finding a single case of coronavirus infection in the community. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern invoked some of the stirring rhetoric she used early in the pandemic by urging the whole population to go hard and early in trying to eliminate the outbreak. She said Auckland and Coromandel would go into a full lockdown for seven days and the remainder of the country for three days while health experts tried to find the source of the infection.

New Zealand to enter lockdown after single virus case found

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Nebraska man has pleaded not guilty in the death of an Iowa pedestrian. 

Christopher George Smith Rathfon, of Omaha, is charged with homicide by vehicle after police say his vehicle struck 62-year-old Dawn Merrick in Mason City, Iowa, on June 8. Merrick, of Mason City, was hospitalized until she died on June 10. 

Rathfon was initially charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving and serious injury by vehicle. 

After the homicide by vehicle charge was added, the OWI charge was dismissed. 

A trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 21 at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A 35-year-old Nebraska man has pleaded not guilty in the death of an Iowa pedestrian. Christopher George Smith Rathfon, of Omaha, is charged with homicide by vehicle after police say his vehicle struck 62-year-old Dawn Merrick in Mason City, Iowa, on June 8. Merrick, of Mason City, was hospitalized until she died on June 10. Rathfon was initially charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, reckless driving and serious injury by vehicle. After the homicide by vehicle charge was added, the OWI charge was dismissed. A trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 21 at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse.

Nebraska man pleads not guilty in death of Iowa pedestrian

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City is asking restaurants, gyms, museums and many other indoor venues to have patrons show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

The new rules is part of the city's latest campaign to control a pandemic that had crippled the city's economy. 

The rapid spread of the delta variant has caused infections and hospitalizations to soar in recent weeks and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the new rules will persuade more people to get vaccinated. 

If not, the mayor says they risk being shut out from partaking of much of the city’s amenities, including restaurants, bars, gyms, public performances, museums and other cultural venues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618940922609.png" alt="Photo: EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Photo: EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — New York City is asking restaurants, gyms, museums and many other indoor venues to have patrons show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. The new rules is part of the city's latest campaign to control a pandemic that had crippled the city's economy. The rapid spread of the delta variant has caused infections and hospitalizations to soar in recent weeks and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the new rules will persuade more people to get vaccinated. If not, the mayor says they risk being shut out from partaking of much of the city’s amenities, including restaurants, bars, gyms, public performances, museums and other cultural venues.

NYC begins requiring proof of vaccination at eateries, gyms

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Police say a standoff in Kearney with a suspect in the shooting of two women ended with the death of the man from a self-inflicted gunshot. 

Kearney police say 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith held police at bay for several hours Monday before the standoff ended around 4 p.m. when Smith shot himself. 

Smith was suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother early Monday. 

Kearney police Lt. Kevin Thompson identified the victims as 35-year-old Amber Schade, and her 63-year-old mother, Lena Rouse. 

Officials have said several children were in the home at the time of the shooting, but none were hurt.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Police say a standoff in Kearney with a suspect in the shooting of two women ended with the death of the man from a self-inflicted gunshot. Kearney police say 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith held police at bay for several hours Monday before the standoff ended around 4 p.m. when Smith shot himself. Smith was suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother early Monday. Kearney police Lt. Kevin Thompson identified the victims as 35-year-old Amber Schade, and her 63-year-old mother, Lena Rouse. Officials have said several children were in the home at the time of the shooting, but none were hurt.

Standoff in Kearney ends with death of suspect in shootings

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration is appealing a federal judge's order that blocked Biden's suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and waters. 

A Louisiana-based federal judge issued the ruling in June, siding with Louisiana's attorney general and officials in 12 other states.

 Those states said the administration bypassed bureaucratic steps required before such delays can be undertaken, and that the moratorium would cost the states money and jobs. 

The administration said Monday the pause is needed because the leasing programs are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions.

 However, the statement said leasing would continue in accordance with the judge's order during the appeal.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration is appealing a federal judge's order that blocked Biden's suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and waters. A Louisiana-based federal judge issued the ruling in June, siding with Louisiana's attorney general and officials in 12 other states. Those states said the administration bypassed bureaucratic steps required before such delays can be undertaken, and that the moratorium would cost the states money and jobs. The administration said Monday the pause is needed because the leasing programs are responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions. However, the statement said leasing would continue in accordance with the judge's order during the appeal.

Biden admin to appeal order blocking oil, gas lease pause

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett’s company has again increased the size of its bet on grocery giant Kroger, while scaling back several of its health care industry investments. 

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said in a quarterly update with regulators Monday that it picked up nearly 11 million shares of Kroger stock during the second quarter, raising its holdings to 61.8 million shares. 

Buffett's company also sold off investments in biotechnology firm Biogen and paint maker Axalta Coating Systems and reduced its stake in General Motors. 

Many investors follow Berkshire Hathaway’s investments closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett’s company has again increased the size of its bet on grocery giant Kroger, while scaling back several of its health care industry investments. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. said in a quarterly update with regulators Monday that it picked up nearly 11 million shares of Kroger stock during the second quarter, raising its holdings to 61.8 million shares. Buffett's company also sold off investments in biotechnology firm Biogen and paint maker Axalta Coating Systems and reduced its stake in General Motors. Many investors follow Berkshire Hathaway’s investments closely because of Buffett’s remarkably successful track record.

Buffett's firm ups Kroger stake while trimming drug holdings

WASHINGTON — With identity thieves continuing to target the tax community, Internal Revenue Service <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners today urged tax professionals to learn the signs of data theft so they can react quickly to protect clients.

The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry – working together 
as the Security Summit – reminded tax professionals that they should 
contact the IRS immediately when there's an identity theft issue while 
also contacting insurance or cybersecurity experts to assist them with 
determining the cause and extent of the loss.

"There are tell-tale signs of identity theft that tax pros can easily
 miss," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Identity thieves continue 
to look for ways to slip into the systems of tax pros to steal data. We 
urge practitioners to take simple steps and remain on the lookout for 
signs of data and identity theft. They are a critical first line of 
defense against identity theft."

Knowing the signs of identity theft is the final part of a five-part 
series sponsored by the Summit partners to highlight critical steps tax 
professionals can take to protect client data. This year's theme "<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/boost-security-immunity-fight-against-identity-theft">Boost Security Immunity: Fight Against Identity Theft</a>,"
 focused on urging tax professionals to try harder to secure their 
systems and protect client data during this pandemic and its aftermath.

This summer-time Summit series, now in its sixth year, highlighted 
the protections offered by multi-factor authentication and key security 
steps, the use of the Identity Protection PIN for clients, scams to 
steal unemployment benefits and the dangers of phishing email/text 
scams.

One common refrain the IRS hears from tax professionals reporting 
data thefts is that they did not immediately recognize its signs.

Summit partners urged tax professionals to watch out for these critical signs:

Tax professionals should also watch for warning signs when clients report they've received:

These are just a few common examples. Tax pros should ensure 
they have the highest security possible and contact these sources if 
they sense or see something amiss.

If you or your firm are the victim of data theft,&nbsp;immediately:

Find more information at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/data-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.

Tax professionals can also get help with security recommendations by reviewing the recently revised IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data&nbsp;PDF</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2016/NIST.IR.7621r1.pdf">Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals&nbsp;PDF</a>&nbsp;by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> pages for tax pros, individuals and businesses have important details as well.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">Publication 5293, Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals&nbsp;PDF</a>,
 provides a compilation of data theft information available on IRS.gov. 
Also, tax professionals should stay connected to the IRS through 
subscriptions to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/join-e-news-for-tax-professionals">e-News for Tax Professionals</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-new-media-1">Social Media</a>.

For more information, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/boost-security-immunity-fight-against-identity-theft">Boost Security Immunity: Fight Against Identity Theft.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — With identity thieves continuing to target the tax community, Internal Revenue Service <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a> partners today urged tax professionals to learn the signs of data theft so they can react quickly to protect clients.The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry – working together 
as the Security Summit – reminded tax professionals that they should 
contact the IRS immediately when there's an identity theft issue while 
also contacting insurance or cybersecurity experts to assist them with 
determining the cause and extent of the loss."There are tell-tale signs of identity theft that tax pros can easily
 miss," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Identity thieves continue 
to look for ways to slip into the systems of tax pros to steal data. We 
urge practitioners to take simple steps and remain on the lookout for 
signs of data and identity theft. They are a critical first line of 
defense against identity theft."Knowing the signs of identity theft is the final part of a five-part 
series sponsored by the Summit partners to highlight critical steps tax 
professionals can take to protect client data. This year's theme "<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/boost-security-immunity-fight-against-identity-theft">Boost Security Immunity: Fight Against Identity Theft</a>,"
 focused on urging tax professionals to try harder to secure their 
systems and protect client data during this pandemic and its aftermath.This summer-time Summit series, now in its sixth year, highlighted 
the protections offered by multi-factor authentication and key security 
steps, the use of the Identity Protection PIN for clients, scams to 
steal unemployment benefits and the dangers of phishing email/text 
scams.One common refrain the IRS hears from tax professionals reporting 
data thefts is that they did not immediately recognize its signs.<h2>Summit partners urged tax professionals to watch out for these critical signs:</h2><ul>
 <li>Client e-filed returns rejected because client's Social Security number was already used on another return.</li><li>More e-file acknowledgements received than returns the tax pro filed.</li><li>Clients responded to emails the tax pro didn't send.</li><li>Slow or unexpected computer or network responsiveness such as:
	Software or actions take longer to process than usual,Computer cursor moves or changes numbers without touching the mouse or keyboard,Unexpectedly locked out of a network or computer.</li><li>Software or actions take longer to process than usual,</li><li>Computer cursor moves or changes numbers without touching the mouse or keyboard,</li><li>Unexpectedly locked out of a network or computer.</li>
 </ul><h2>Tax professionals should also watch for warning signs when clients report they've received:</h2><ul>
 <li>IRS Authentication letters (5071C, 4883C, 5747C) even though they haven't filed a return.</li><li>A refund even though they haven't filed a return.</li><li>A tax transcript they didn't request.</li><li>Emails or calls from the tax pro that they didn't initiate.</li><li>A notice that someone created an IRS online account for the taxpayer without their consent.</li><li>A notice the taxpayer wasn't expecting that:
	Someone accessed their IRS online account,The IRS disabled their online account.</li><li>Someone accessed their IRS online account,</li><li>The IRS disabled their online account.</li>
 </ul>These are just a few common examples. Tax pros should ensure 
they have the highest security possible and contact these sources if 
they sense or see something amiss.If you or your firm are the victim of data theft,&nbsp;immediately:<ul>
 <li>Report it to your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/stakeholder-liaison-local-contacts">local IRS Stakeholder Liaison</a>Liaisons will notify IRS Criminal Investigation and others within 
the agency on the practitioner's behalf. Speed is critical. If reported 
quickly, the IRS can take steps to block fraudulent returns in the 
clients' names and will assist tax pros through the process.
	</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Email the Federation of Tax Administrators at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:statealert@taxadmin.org">statealert@taxadmin.org</a>Get information on how to report victim information to the states. 
Most states require that the state attorney general be notified of data 
breaches. This notification process may involve multiple offices.
	</li>
 </ul>Find more information at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/data-theft-information-for-tax-professionals">Data Theft Information for Tax Professionals</a>.<h2>Additional resources</h2>Tax professionals can also get help with security recommendations by reviewing the recently revised IRS&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4557.pdf">Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data&nbsp;PDF</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2016/NIST.IR.7621r1.pdf">Small Business Information Security: The Fundamentals&nbsp;PDF</a>&nbsp;by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> pages for tax pros, individuals and businesses have important details as well.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5293.pdf">Publication 5293, Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals&nbsp;PDF</a>,
 provides a compilation of data theft information available on IRS.gov. 
Also, tax professionals should stay connected to the IRS through 
subscriptions to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/join-e-news-for-tax-professionals">e-News for Tax Professionals</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-new-media-1">Social Media</a>.For more information, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/boost-security-immunity-fight-against-identity-theft">Boost Security Immunity: Fight Against Identity Theft.</a>

IRS Security Summit: Tell-tale signs of identity theft

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. experts are expected to recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans, regardless of age, eight months after they received their second dose of the shot, to ensure lasting protection against the coronavirus as the delta variant spreads across the country.

Federal health officials have been actively looking at whether extra shots for the vaccinated would be needed as early as this fall, reviewing case numbers in the U.S. as well as the situation in other countries such as Israel, where preliminary studies suggest the vaccine’s protection against serious illness dropped among those vaccinated in January.

An announcement on the U.S. booster recommendation was expected as soon as this week, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Doses would only begin to be administered widely once the Food and Drug Administration formally approves the vaccines. That action is expected for the Pfizer shot in the coming weeks.

Last week, U.S. health officials recommended boosters for some with weakened immune systems, citing their higher risk of catching the virus and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness waned over time.

The director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, said Sunday the U.S. could decide in the next couple weeks whether to offer coronavirus booster shots to Americans this fall.

Among the first to receive them could be health care workers, nursing home residents and other older Americans, who were some of the first Americans to be vaccinated once the shots received emergency use authorization last December.

Since then, more than 198 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with more than 168 million fully vaccinated. Still, the country is experiencing a fourth surge of virus cases due to the more transmissible delta variant, which is spreading aggressively through unvaccinated communities but is also responsible for an increasing number of so-called “breakthrough infections” of fully vaccinated people.

Israel, which exclusively administered the Pfizer shot, has been offering a coronavirus booster to people over 60 who were already vaccinated more than five months ago in an effort to control its own surge in cases from the delta variant.

For months, officials had said data still indicated that people remain highly protected from COVID-19, including the delta variant, after receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen or the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. But U.S. health officials made clear Sunday they are preparing for the possibility that the time for boosters may come sooner than later.

“There is a concern that the vaccine may start to wane in its effectiveness,” Collins said. “And delta is a nasty one for us to try to deal with. The combination of those two means we may need boosters, maybe beginning first with health care providers, as well as people in nursing homes, and then gradually moving forward” with others, such as older Americans who were among the first to get vaccinations.

He said because the delta variant only started hitting the U.S. hard in July, the “next couple of weeks” of case data will help the U.S. make a decision.

Officials were continuing to collect information as well about the J&amp;J vaccine, which was only approved in the U.S. in late February, to determine when to recommend boosters, one of the officials said.

The White House has said that even though the U.S. has begun sharing more than 110 million vaccine doses with the world, the nation has enough domestic supply to deliver boosters to Americans should they be recommended by health officials.

Global health officials, including the World Health Organization, have called on wealthier and more-vaccinated countries to hold off on booster shots to ensure the supply of first doses for people in the developing world.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. experts are expected to recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans, regardless of age, eight months after they received their second dose of the shot, to ensure lasting protection against the coronavirus as the delta variant spreads across the country.Federal health officials have been actively looking at whether extra shots for the vaccinated would be needed as early as this fall, reviewing case numbers in the U.S. as well as the situation in other countries such as Israel, where preliminary studies suggest the vaccine’s protection against serious illness dropped among those vaccinated in January.An announcement on the U.S. booster recommendation was expected as soon as this week, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.Doses would only begin to be administered widely once the Food and Drug Administration formally approves the vaccines. That action is expected for the Pfizer shot in the coming weeks.Last week, U.S. health officials recommended boosters for some with weakened immune systems, citing their higher risk of catching the virus and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness waned over time.The director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins, said Sunday the U.S. could decide in the next couple weeks whether to offer coronavirus booster shots to Americans this fall.Among the first to receive them could be health care workers, nursing home residents and other older Americans, who were some of the first Americans to be vaccinated once the shots received emergency use authorization last December.Since then, more than 198 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with more than 168 million fully vaccinated. Still, the country is experiencing a fourth surge of virus cases due to the more transmissible delta variant, which is spreading aggressively through unvaccinated communities but is also responsible for an increasing number of so-called “breakthrough infections” of fully vaccinated people.Israel, which exclusively administered the Pfizer shot, has been offering a coronavirus booster to people over 60 who were already vaccinated more than five months ago in an effort to control its own surge in cases from the delta variant.For months, officials had said data still indicated that people remain highly protected from COVID-19, including the delta variant, after receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen or the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. But U.S. health officials made clear Sunday they are preparing for the possibility that the time for boosters may come sooner than later.“There is a concern that the vaccine may start to wane in its effectiveness,” Collins said. “And delta is a nasty one for us to try to deal with. The combination of those two means we may need boosters, maybe beginning first with health care providers, as well as people in nursing homes, and then gradually moving forward” with others, such as older Americans who were among the first to get vaccinations.He said because the delta variant only started hitting the U.S. hard in July, the “next couple of weeks” of case data will help the U.S. make a decision.Officials were continuing to collect information as well about the J&amp;J vaccine, which was only approved in the U.S. in late February, to determine when to recommend boosters, one of the officials said.The White House has said that even though the U.S. has begun sharing more than 110 million vaccine doses with the world, the nation has enough domestic supply to deliver boosters to Americans should they be recommended by health officials.Global health officials, including the World Health Organization, have called on wealthier and more-vaccinated countries to hold off on booster shots to ensure the supply of first doses for people in the developing world.

US to recommend COVID vaccine boosters for all 

ELM CREEK, Neb. (AP) — Police say a standoff in Kearney with a suspect in the shooting of two women has ended. 

Kearney police say 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith held police at bay for several hours Monday before the standoff ended around 4 p.m. 

Police did not immediately say if Smith was alive or had been arrested.

 Smith is suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother early Monday. 

 Officials say none of the several children in the home at the time were physically hurt.

ELM CREEK, Neb. (AP) — Police say a standoff in Kearney with a suspect in the shooting of two women has ended. Kearney police say 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith held police at bay for several hours Monday before the standoff ended around 4 p.m. Police did not immediately say if Smith was alive or had been arrested. Smith is suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother early Monday. Kearney police Lt. Kevin Thompson identified the victims as 35-year-old Amber Schade, and her 63-year-old mother, Lena Rouse. Officials say none of the several children in the home at the time were physically hurt.

Standoff in Kearney involved suspect in shooting of 2 women

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he stands “squarely behind” his decision for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a>&nbsp;President's comments&nbsp;

Speaking about the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, Biden says he faced a choice between following an agreement to withdraw or sending thousands more U.S. troops for a “third decade” of war. 

Biden spoke Monday after the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport as thousands tried to flee following the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country. Biden returned to the White House from the Camp David presidential retreat to deliver his first public remarks on the situation in nearly a week.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is to address the nation on the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a> President's comments approximately 2:45p.m. CDT

Biden's remarks Monday come as the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport Monday as thousands tried to flee Afghanistan a day after the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

Biden traveled back to Washington from the Camp David presidential retreat to speak to the nation. It will be his first public remarks on the Afghanistan situation in nearly a week. Senior U.S. military officials say the chaos at the airport left seven people dead Monday, including some who fell from a departing American military transport jet.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629144618362.png" alt="&nbsp;President Biden said scenes in Afghanistan are 'gutwrenching,' US will continue to speak out for rights of Afghan people." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;President Biden said scenes in Afghanistan are 'gutwrenching,' US will continue to speak out for rights of Afghan people.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he stands “squarely behind” his decision for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a>&nbsp;President's comments&nbsp;Speaking about the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, Biden says he faced a choice between following an agreement to withdraw or sending thousands more U.S. troops for a “third decade” of war. Biden spoke Monday after the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport as thousands tried to flee following the Taliban’s swift takeover of the country. Biden returned to the White House from the Camp David presidential retreat to deliver his first public remarks on the situation in nearly a week.----------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629135976846.png" alt="President Biden returned to the White House Monday from what was supposed to be a long Camp David vacation-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden returned to the White House Monday from what was supposed to be a long Camp David vacation-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is to address the nation on the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514113-1/president-biden-remarks-afghanistan">Click here to watch the</a> President's comments approximately 2:45p.m. CDTBiden's remarks Monday come as the planned withdrawal of American forces turned deadly at Kabul’s airport Monday as thousands tried to flee Afghanistan a day after the Taliban’s takeover of the country.Biden traveled back to Washington from the Camp David presidential retreat to speak to the nation. It will be his first public remarks on the Afghanistan situation in nearly a week. Senior U.S. military officials say the chaos at the airport left seven people dead Monday, including some who fell from a departing American military transport jet.

 🎥 Pres. Biden on deadly chaos in Afghanistan

ELM CREEK, Neb. (AP) — Police in south-central Nebraska are searching for a man suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother in the presence of several children. 

Buffalo County Sheriff's deputies and paramedics responded around 2:40 a.m. Monday to reports of the shooting at a house just west of Elm Creek.

 Arriving first responders found a 35-year-old woman and her 63-year-old mother with gunshot wounds. 

The women were rushed to a Kearney hospital in critical condition.

 Officials say none of the children in the home were physically hurt. 

ELM CREEK, Neb. (AP) — Police in south-central Nebraska are searching for a man suspected of breaking into a rural Elm Creek home and shooting his ex-girlfriend and her mother in the presence of several children. Buffalo County Sheriff's deputies and paramedics responded around 2:40 a.m. Monday to reports of the shooting at a house just west of Elm Creek. Arriving first responders found a 35-year-old woman and her 63-year-old mother with gunshot wounds. The women were rushed to a Kearney hospital in critical condition. Officials say none of the children in the home were physically hurt. Police are searching for 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith of Kearney, who is considered armed and dangerous.