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. 

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.

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. 

Police are searching for 33-year-old Jeffrey Smith of Kearney, who is considered armed and dangerous.

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.

Man suspected of shooting ex-girlfriend, her mother sought

The
 Federal Trade Commission and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office 
today sued the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America for 
marketing stem cell therapy to seniors nationwide using bogus claims 
that it is effective in treating arthritis, joint pain, and a range of 
other orthopedic ailments.

The agencies’
 complaint also alleges that the Canton, Georgia-based defendants 
promoted the false or unsubstantiated claim that stem cell therapy is 
comparable or superior to surgery, steroid injections, and painkillers, 
and that they provided chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners 
with the means of deceiving consumers about such treatments.

“These
 defendants advertised expensive stem cell injections with baseless 
pain-relief claims, and provided marketing materials and training to 
chiropractors to do the same,” said Samuel Levine, Acting Director of 
the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “With our partner, the Georgia 
Attorney General, we aim to ensure they can’t keep preying on older 
adults and others who need real medical help.”

“At
 best, the use of unproven products or therapies can cost consumers 
thousands of dollars without affording them any results,” said Georgia 
Attorney General Chris Carr. “At worst, it can be harmful to their 
health. Our office will continue to hold accountable businesses that 
make unsubstantiated claims and violate the law – especially those that 
target our older or at-risk adults.”

The joint agency <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1._complaint.pdf">complaint</a>,
 names as defendants Steven D. Peyroux and Brent J. Detelich, 
Regenerative Medicine Institute of America, LLC, doing business as Stem 
Cell Institute of America, LLC (SCIA); Physicians Business Solutions, 
LLC (PBS); and Superior Healthcare, LLC (SHC).

Peyroux,
 a chiropractor, owned and managed SHC, a clinic that provided patients 
with a range of healthcare-related services, including, between 2015 and
 mid-2019, stem cell therapy. While running SHC, Peyroux founded PBS, a 
consulting firm that advises and trains chiropractors and other 
healthcare practitioners on how to expand their businesses. Detelich, a 
former chiropractor and longtime business associate of Peyroux’s, 
started working with PBS as a coach and speaker, and has managed some of
 the company’s business operations. 

&nbsp;In
 2015, Peyroux and Detelich co-founded SCIA, a company that trained 
chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners on how to add stem cell
 therapy to their practices. The complaint states SCIA trained its 
client clinics on how to recruit patients through advertising, host free
 educational seminars, and conduct consultations. SCIA also provided its
 clients access to a “vault” of sample advertisements, including 
newspaper ads, fact sheets, and PowerPoint slides and provided client 
clinics with the appearance of being part of a large nationwide network 
under the SCIA name and logo.

The 
agencies contend the defendants also hosted their own free “educational 
seminars” for consumers, where they marketed SHC as an SCIA clinic and 
pitched stem cell therapy as an effective treatment for joint pain and 
other orthopedic conditions. They allegedly targeted seniors and 
retirement communities, and at the end of the seminars would attempt to 
schedule attendees for consultations at SHC’s clinic. SHC charged 
approximately $5,000 per joint injection, with many patients receiving 
more than one injection as part of their treatment.

In
 2018, the complaint alleges, the defendants began offering a stem cell 
therapy program through PBS similar to SCIA’s services. PBS trains its 
clients on setting up and marketing a regenerative medicine program 
through seminars, conferences, one-on-one consultations, and access to 
“PBS University,” an online platform with training videos. PBS has also 
provided demonstrations at the SHC clinic on how to administer stem cell
 injections.

In addition to making false
 and unsubstantiated claims, the complaint alleges that the defendants 
violated Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act related to the 
distribution of false or misleading information through the use of a 
computer or computer network.

The 
Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The
 complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of Georgia. The FTC appreciates the partnership of the Georgia 
Attorney General’s Office in bringing the action announced today.

NOTE: The
 Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the 
named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it 
appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. 
The case will be decided by the court.

The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe
 Federal Trade Commission and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office 
today sued the co-founders of the Stem Cell Institute of America for 
marketing stem cell therapy to seniors nationwide using bogus claims 
that it is effective in treating arthritis, joint pain, and a range of 
other orthopedic ailments.The agencies’
 complaint also alleges that the Canton, Georgia-based defendants 
promoted the false or unsubstantiated claim that stem cell therapy is 
comparable or superior to surgery, steroid injections, and painkillers, 
and that they provided chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners 
with the means of deceiving consumers about such treatments.“These
 defendants advertised expensive stem cell injections with baseless 
pain-relief claims, and provided marketing materials and training to 
chiropractors to do the same,” said Samuel Levine, Acting Director of 
the Bureau of Consumer Protection. “With our partner, the Georgia 
Attorney General, we aim to ensure they can’t keep preying on older 
adults and others who need real medical help.”“At
 best, the use of unproven products or therapies can cost consumers 
thousands of dollars without affording them any results,” said Georgia 
Attorney General Chris Carr. “At worst, it can be harmful to their 
health. Our office will continue to hold accountable businesses that 
make unsubstantiated claims and violate the law – especially those that 
target our older or at-risk adults.”The joint agency <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/1._complaint.pdf">complaint</a>,
 names as defendants Steven D. Peyroux and Brent J. Detelich, 
Regenerative Medicine Institute of America, LLC, doing business as Stem 
Cell Institute of America, LLC (SCIA); Physicians Business Solutions, 
LLC (PBS); and Superior Healthcare, LLC (SHC).Peyroux,
 a chiropractor, owned and managed SHC, a clinic that provided patients 
with a range of healthcare-related services, including, between 2015 and
 mid-2019, stem cell therapy. While running SHC, Peyroux founded PBS, a 
consulting firm that advises and trains chiropractors and other 
healthcare practitioners on how to expand their businesses. Detelich, a 
former chiropractor and longtime business associate of Peyroux’s, 
started working with PBS as a coach and speaker, and has managed some of
 the company’s business operations. &nbsp;In
 2015, Peyroux and Detelich co-founded SCIA, a company that trained 
chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners on how to add stem cell
 therapy to their practices. The complaint states SCIA trained its 
client clinics on how to recruit patients through advertising, host free
 educational seminars, and conduct consultations. SCIA also provided its
 clients access to a “vault” of sample advertisements, including 
newspaper ads, fact sheets, and PowerPoint slides and provided client 
clinics with the appearance of being part of a large nationwide network 
under the SCIA name and logo.The 
agencies contend the defendants also hosted their own free “educational 
seminars” for consumers, where they marketed SHC as an SCIA clinic and 
pitched stem cell therapy as an effective treatment for joint pain and 
other orthopedic conditions. They allegedly targeted seniors and 
retirement communities, and at the end of the seminars would attempt to 
schedule attendees for consultations at SHC’s clinic. SHC charged 
approximately $5,000 per joint injection, with many patients receiving 
more than one injection as part of their treatment.In
 2018, the complaint alleges, the defendants began offering a stem cell 
therapy program through PBS similar to SCIA’s services. PBS trains its 
clients on setting up and marketing a regenerative medicine program 
through seminars, conferences, one-on-one consultations, and access to 
“PBS University,” an online platform with training videos. PBS has also 
provided demonstrations at the SHC clinic on how to administer stem cell
 injections.In addition to making false
 and unsubstantiated claims, the complaint alleges that the defendants 
violated Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act related to the 
distribution of false or misleading information through the use of a 
computer or computer network.The 
Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The
 complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of Georgia. The FTC appreciates the partnership of the Georgia 
Attorney General’s Office in bringing the action announced today.NOTE: The
 Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the 
named defendants are violating or are about to violate the law and it 
appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. 
The case will be decided by the court.The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition and to <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protection">protect and educate consumers</a>. You can <a href="https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/">learn more about consumer topics</a> and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov">ReportFraud.ftc.gov</a>. Like the FTC on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/federaltradecommission">Facebook(link is external)</a>, follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/FTC">Twitter(link is external)</a>, get <a href="http://ftc.gov/subscribe">consumer alerts</a>, read our <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs">blogs</a>, and <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/stay-connected">subscribe to press releases</a> for the latest FTC news and resources.

FTC: Stem cell institute made bogus claims, targeted seniors

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history. 

Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps — officially known as the SNAP program — will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. 

The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families—the largest single increase in the program’s history. Starting in October, average benefits for food stamps — officially known as the SNAP program — will rise more than 25 percent above pre-pandemic levels. The increased assistance will be available indefinitely to all 42 million SNAP beneficiaries.

USDA to permanently boost food stamp benefits by 25 percent

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government has opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot partially automated driving system, saying it has trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the action Monday in a posting on its website. 

The agency says it has identified 11 crashes since 2018 in which Teslas on Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control have hit vehicles with flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board or cones warning of hazards. 

The probe covers 765,000 vehicles from the 2014 through 2021 model years. 

Autopilot has frequently been misused by Tesla drivers, who have been caught driving drunk or even riding in the back seat while a car rolled down a California highway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629117749150.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government has opened a formal investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot partially automated driving system, saying it has trouble spotting parked emergency vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the action Monday in a posting on its website. The agency says it has identified 11 crashes since 2018 in which Teslas on Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control have hit vehicles with flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board or cones warning of hazards. The probe covers 765,000 vehicles from the 2014 through 2021 model years. Autopilot has frequently been misused by Tesla drivers, who have been caught driving drunk or even riding in the back seat while a car rolled down a California highway.

US agency opens formal probe into Tesla Autopilot system

WASHINGTON (AP) — The upcoming 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as well as approaching religious holidays could inspire extremist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security said in a terrorism alert issued Friday.

DHS did not cite any specific threats in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. But it noted that the U.S. is in a “heightened threat environment,” fueled by factors that include violent extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred and resentment of restrictions imposed during the pandemic.

DHS issues the warnings to alert the public as well as state and local authorities. They reflect intelligence gathered from other law enforcement agencies.

The bulletin is an extension of a similar one issued in May that expired on the day the new one was issued. DHS says domestic extremists remain a national threat priority for U.S. law enforcement and will for at least the remainder of the year.

The agency noted that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released the first English-language edition of its Inspire magazine in four years, apparently to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The anniversary and the approaching holidays “could serve as a catalyst for acts of targeted violence,” it said.

DHS also noted that domestic extremists motivated by religious and ethnic hatred have in the past attacked houses of worships and other gatherings, but it said there aren’t any “credible or imminent threats identified to these locations.”

As in previous bulletins, DHS expressed concern about both domestic extremists, motivated by “personal grievances and extremist ideological beliefs,” and foreign influences.

The agency said Russian, Chinese and Iranian government-linked media outlets have helped spread conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines and have in some cases amplified calls for violence against people of Asian descent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629076784407.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The upcoming 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks as well as approaching religious holidays could inspire extremist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security said in a terrorism alert issued Friday.DHS did not cite any specific threats in the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. But it noted that the U.S. is in a “heightened threat environment,” fueled by factors that include violent extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred and resentment of restrictions imposed during the pandemic.DHS issues the warnings to alert the public as well as state and local authorities. They reflect intelligence gathered from other law enforcement agencies.The bulletin is an extension of a similar one issued in May that expired on the day the new one was issued. DHS says domestic extremists remain a national threat priority for U.S. law enforcement and will for at least the remainder of the year.The agency noted that al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released the first English-language edition of its Inspire magazine in four years, apparently to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.The anniversary and the approaching holidays “could serve as a catalyst for acts of targeted violence,” it said.DHS also noted that domestic extremists motivated by religious and ethnic hatred have in the past attacked houses of worships and other gatherings, but it said there aren’t any “credible or imminent threats identified to these locations.”As in previous bulletins, DHS expressed concern about both domestic extremists, motivated by “personal grievances and extremist ideological beliefs,” and foreign influences.The agency said Russian, Chinese and Iranian government-linked media outlets have helped spread conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of vaccines and have in some cases amplified calls for violence against people of Asian descent.

US warns 9/11 anniversary could inspire attacks

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Before last year, a one-credit technology course for students pursuing master’s degrees in education at the University of Washington wasn't seen as the program's most relevant. Then COVID-19 hit, schools plunged into remote learning, and suddenly material from that course was being infused into others.

“It's become so relevant, and it's staying that way,” said Anne Beitlers, who directs Washington's master's program for secondary education. “And nobody's going to question that now.”

Changes to standards and curricula happen slowly, but the pandemic is already leaving its fingerprints on the education of future teachers. Many U.S. educator preparation programs are incorporating more about digital tools, online instruction and mental and emotional wellness in their courses to reflect takeaways from the pandemic.

While school system leaders are hoping to offer in-person instruction as widely as possible this year, experts say the emphasis on technology will have benefits regardless of the pandemic's course.

Across the country, teaching programs are giving more emphasis on how to plan and implement quality virtual learning.

“I think it's our responsibility to train our teachers to be able to do that, and if they find themselves teaching face-to-face, nobody's hurt by additional information about teaching online,” said Jennifer Krawec, the University of Miami's director of teacher preparation programs.

The education school at Iowa’s Drake University has introduced a course about best practices in online instruction. Others say they've accelerated or amplified how they integrate digital tools, videoconferencing and educational technology into their classes and how they prepare future educators to do the same.

Officials at Columbia University’s Teachers College say its students will continue to get practice in skills that became increasingly important during the pandemic, such as designing digital curricula or engaging kids in virtual or hybrid learning.

Southern Methodist University plans to ensure graduates from its education school now get training about using Google Classroom and evaluating educational technology. Instructors at New York University have become more intentional about explaining how and why they choose to use certain digital tools.

Changes are happening not only in what aspiring educators learn, but how.

Consider how colleges adapted when school closures blocked observation and teaching opportunities in K-12 classrooms. Some programs instead had their students analyze videos of top teachers in action, and say they plan to keep using those videos in addition to future classroom visits. Some colleges placed their students in virtual classrooms or had them do online tutoring, and say they may continue to explore those options.

Some prep programs also adopted or expanded use of computer-simulated classrooms for training prospective teachers, said Lynn Gangone, the president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

“It allows for the mentor teacher to be there observing, and it doesn't bring harm to any kids,” Gangone said.

Students at Vanderbilt, Florida and Ball State started using software that allows them to record the lessons they were presenting to kids and review or critique that video later on their own, with classmates or with supervisors. And some field supervision of teaching candidates from the University of Cincinnati likely will continue to be done virtually because that mode has proved much more flexible, according to the director of that education school.

Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is starting to offer some of its teacher-preparation programs remotely to make them more accessible to in-state residents who aren't near campus but could still get real-world experience in classrooms in their areas.

“Our experience with the good, the bad and the ugly of remote instruction has given us the confidence, and also revealed the need, to get good at being able to do what we can in teacher prep remotely,” said Paul Gediman, the college's executive director of marketing and advancement.

At North Carolina State University’s College of Education, instructors are trying to integrate remote learning strategies and tools that can still be used in face-to-face teaching, such as the interactive whiteboard Jamboard or the student engagement platform Seesaw, said Erin Horne, an assistant dean.

Horne said they've also been dedicating more class time to social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care.

Those topics are getting heightened attention elsewhere, too. Officials at Penn State University said more discussions about mental and emotional health have been integrated into their seminars for teacher candidates as well as methods courses. Washington University in St. Louis has started asking its teacher candidates to draft specific plans for how they can practice self-care and dodge burnout while teaching, according to its director of teacher education.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said she thinks teacher prep programs will continue to move toward preparing educators more with digital tools, social-emotional tools and trauma-based instruction. She noted that the union started a new professional development course in trauma-informed instruction, and it’s in high demand.

Phillip Rogers, who leads the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, said he believes skills in virtual instruction will eventually become a more regular part of teacher training, but there's not yet much movement among states to require that in teacher prep programs.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Before last year, a one-credit technology course for students pursuing master’s degrees in education at the University of Washington wasn't seen as the program's most relevant. Then COVID-19 hit, schools plunged into remote learning, and suddenly material from that course was being infused into others.“It's become so relevant, and it's staying that way,” said Anne Beitlers, who directs Washington's master's program for secondary education. “And nobody's going to question that now.”Changes to standards and curricula happen slowly, but the pandemic is already leaving its fingerprints on the education of future teachers. Many U.S. educator preparation programs are incorporating more about digital tools, online instruction and mental and emotional wellness in their courses to reflect takeaways from the pandemic.While school system leaders are hoping to offer in-person instruction as widely as possible this year, experts say the emphasis on technology will have benefits regardless of the pandemic's course.Across the country, teaching programs are giving more emphasis on how to plan and implement quality virtual learning.“I think it's our responsibility to train our teachers to be able to do that, and if they find themselves teaching face-to-face, nobody's hurt by additional information about teaching online,” said Jennifer Krawec, the University of Miami's director of teacher preparation programs.The education school at Iowa’s Drake University has introduced a course about best practices in online instruction. Others say they've accelerated or amplified how they integrate digital tools, videoconferencing and educational technology into their classes and how they prepare future educators to do the same.Officials at Columbia University’s Teachers College say its students will continue to get practice in skills that became increasingly important during the pandemic, such as designing digital curricula or engaging kids in virtual or hybrid learning.Southern Methodist University plans to ensure graduates from its education school now get training about using Google Classroom and evaluating educational technology. Instructors at New York University have become more intentional about explaining how and why they choose to use certain digital tools.Changes are happening not only in what aspiring educators learn, but how.Consider how colleges adapted when school closures blocked observation and teaching opportunities in K-12 classrooms. Some programs instead had their students analyze videos of top teachers in action, and say they plan to keep using those videos in addition to future classroom visits. Some colleges placed their students in virtual classrooms or had them do online tutoring, and say they may continue to explore those options.Some prep programs also adopted or expanded use of computer-simulated classrooms for training prospective teachers, said Lynn Gangone, the president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.“It allows for the mentor teacher to be there observing, and it doesn't bring harm to any kids,” Gangone said.Students at Vanderbilt, Florida and Ball State started using software that allows them to record the lessons they were presenting to kids and review or critique that video later on their own, with classmates or with supervisors. And some field supervision of teaching candidates from the University of Cincinnati likely will continue to be done virtually because that mode has proved much more flexible, according to the director of that education school.Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College is starting to offer some of its teacher-preparation programs remotely to make them more accessible to in-state residents who aren't near campus but could still get real-world experience in classrooms in their areas.“Our experience with the good, the bad and the ugly of remote instruction has given us the confidence, and also revealed the need, to get good at being able to do what we can in teacher prep remotely,” said Paul Gediman, the college's executive director of marketing and advancement.At North Carolina State University’s College of Education, instructors are trying to integrate remote learning strategies and tools that can still be used in face-to-face teaching, such as the interactive whiteboard Jamboard or the student engagement platform Seesaw, said Erin Horne, an assistant dean.Horne said they've also been dedicating more class time to social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care.Those topics are getting heightened attention elsewhere, too. Officials at Penn State University said more discussions about mental and emotional health have been integrated into their seminars for teacher candidates as well as methods courses. Washington University in St. Louis has started asking its teacher candidates to draft specific plans for how they can practice self-care and dodge burnout while teaching, according to its director of teacher education.American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said she thinks teacher prep programs will continue to move toward preparing educators more with digital tools, social-emotional tools and trauma-based instruction. She noted that the union started a new professional development course in trauma-informed instruction, and it’s in high demand.Phillip Rogers, who leads the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, said he believes skills in virtual instruction will eventually become a more regular part of teacher training, but there's not yet much movement among states to require that in teacher prep programs.

Pandemic prompts changes in how teachers are trained

Still time for low-income families to sign up

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.

This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 
billion, are reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority will be issued by direct deposit.

Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month 
for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6
 through 17.

Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.

Here are further details on these payments:

It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.

The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.

Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 2021.

For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.

The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return. This could happen if, for example, someone else, such
 as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim their 
child or children as dependents in 2021.

Links to these tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the tax agency's special advance CTC 2021 
page. It's at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Still time for low-income families to sign up</h2>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department
 announced Friday that millions of American families are now receiving 
their advance Child Tax Credit payment for the month of August as 
direct deposits begin posting in bank accounts and checks arrive in 
mailboxes.This second batch of advance monthly payments, worth about $15 
billion, are reaching about 36 million families today across the 
country.&nbsp;The majority will be issued by direct deposit.Under the American Rescue Plan, most eligible families received the 
first payment on July 15, and payments will continue each month for the 
rest of 2021. For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $300 per month 
for each child under age 6 and up to $250 per month for each child ages 6
 through 17.Besides the July 15 and Aug. 13 payments, payment dates are September&nbsp;15, October&nbsp;15, November&nbsp;15 and December&nbsp;15.Here are further details on these payments:<ul>
 <li>Families will see the direct deposit payments in their accounts 
starting today, August&nbsp;13. Like the first payments, the vast majority of
 families will receive these payments by direct deposit.</li><li>The IRS wants to alert some recipients who received direct deposits
 in July that they will receive the August payments by mail. Due to an 
issue expected to be resolved by the September payments, a percentage of
 these recipients – less than 15% – who received payments by direct 
deposit in July will be mailed paper checks for the August payment. For 
those affected, no additional action is needed for the September payment
 to be issued by direct deposit. Families can visit the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a> to see if they're receiving a direct deposit or paper check this month.</li><li>For those receiving their payments by paper check, be sure to allow
 extra time for delivery by mail through the end of August. Those 
wishing to receive future payments by direct deposit can make this 
change using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/child-tax-credit-update-portal">Child Tax Credit Update Portal</a>,&nbsp;available only on IRS.gov. To access the portal or to get a new step-by-step guide for using it, visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>. A change made by 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 will apply starting with the September payment.</li><li>Payments went to eligible families who filed a 2019 or 2020 income 
tax return. Returns processed by August&nbsp;2 are reflected in these 
payments. This includes people who don't typically file a return but 
during 2020 successfully registered for Economic Impact Payments using 
the IRS Non-Filers tool on IRS.gov or in 2021 successfully used the 
Non-filer Sign-up Tool for advance CTC, also available only on IRS.gov.</li><li>Payments are automatic. Aside from filing a tax return, including a
 simplified return from the Non-filer Sign-up Tool, families don't have 
to do anything if they are eligible to receive monthly payments. The 
Non-Filer Sign-Up tool is available until October 15, 2021.&nbsp;</li><li>Families who did not get a July payment and are getting their first
 monthly payment in August will still receive their total advance 
payment for the year. This means that the total payment will be spread 
over five months, rather than six, making each monthly payment larger. 
For these families, each&nbsp;payment is up to $360 per month for each child 
under age 6 and up to $300 per month for each child ages 6 through 17</li><li>Additionally, the IRS is correcting an issue regarding the advance 
CTC payments for families where the parent(s) have an Individual 
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and the qualifying children have a
 Social Security number. Such families who did not receive a July 
payment are receiving a monthly payment in August, which also includes a
 portion of the July payment. They will receive the remainder of the 
July payment in late August.</li>
 </ul><h2>Low-income families can still sign up</h2>It's not too late for low-income families to sign up for advance CTC 
payments. The IRS urged anyone who normally isn't required to file a tax
 return to explore the tools available on IRS.gov. These tools can help 
determine eligibility for the advance CTC or help people file a 
simplified tax return to sign up for these payments as well as Economic 
Impact Payments and the Recovery Rebate Credit. People can get these 
benefits, even if they don't work and even if they receive no income.The IRS continues to raise awareness of the expanded Child Tax 
Credit. The IRS encourages partners and community groups to share 
information and use available <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2021-child-tax-credit-and-advance-child-tax-credit-payments-resources-and-guidance">online tools and toolkits</a>
 to help non-filers, low-income families and other underserved groups 
sign up to receive the advance Child Tax Credits as well as Economic 
Impact Payments. People can check their eligibility for the advance 
payments by using the new <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-eligibility-assistant">advance Child Tax Credit Eligibility Assistant</a>.<h2>Families can stop payments anytime</h2>Families can stop payments anytime, even after payments begin. They 
do that by using the unenroll feature in the Child Tax Credit Update 
Portal. Eligible families who make this choice will still receive the 
rest of their Child Tax Credit as a lump sum when they file their 2021 
federal income tax return next year. To stop all payments starting in 
September and the rest of 2021, they must unenroll by 11:59 p.m. ET on 
August&nbsp;30, 2021.For married couples, each spouse must unenroll separately. If they 
each choose to unenroll, they will receive no monthly payments. If only 
one spouse unenrolls, they will still receive monthly payments, but they
 will be half the normal amount.The unenroll feature can also be helpful to any family that no longer
 qualifies for the CTC or believes they will not qualify when they file 
their 2021 return. This could happen if, for example, someone else, such
 as an ex-spouse or another family member, qualifies to claim their 
child or children as dependents in 2021.Links to these tools, a step-by-step guide to using the Non-filer 
Sign-up Tool, answers to frequently asked questions and other helpful 
resources are available on the tax agency's special advance CTC 2021 
page. It's at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-2021">IRS.gov/childtaxcredit2021</a>.

IRS: August Child Tax Credit payments hitting bank accounts

ST. PAUL, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska State Trooper shot and killed an 80-year-old man who pointed a rifle at officers after a dispute with a neighbor in the eastern Nebraska town of St. Paul.

 The shooting happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday while officers were investigating an incident where one man fired a gun during a dispute with a neighbor. 

The Nebraska State Patrol said the officers found a man holding a rifle near a garage about ten minutes after they arrived in the neighborhood.

 The man, who was identified as John Vogel of St. Paul, didn’t comply with commands to drop his gun and instead raised his rifle before the trooper fired twice.

ST. PAUL, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Nebraska State Trooper shot and killed an 80-year-old man who pointed a rifle at officers after a dispute with a neighbor in the eastern Nebraska town of St. Paul. The shooting happened shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday while officers were investigating an incident where one man fired a gun during a dispute with a neighbor. The Nebraska State Patrol said the officers found a man holding a rifle near a garage about ten minutes after they arrived in the neighborhood. The man, who was identified as John Vogel of St. Paul, didn’t comply with commands to drop his gun and instead raised his rifle before the trooper fired twice.

Nebraska State Trooper shoots and kills man with rifle

WASHINGTON —Afghanistan’s embattled president has left the country, joining his fellow citizens and foreigners in a stampede fleeing the advancing Taliban. The exodus signals the end of a 20-year Western experiment aimed at remaking Afghanistan. The Taliban announced soon after they would move further into Kabul. They had been on the outskirts for hours. Kabul is gripped by panic, and helicopters raced overhead to evacuate personnel from the U.S. Embassy.

President Biden issued a statement Sunday critical of his predecessors.

"Over the past several days, I have been in close contact with my national security team to give them direction on how to protect our interests and values as we end our military mission in Afghanistan."

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/14/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-afghanistan/">Click here to read</a> President Biden's full statement

"First, based on the recommendations of our diplomatic, military, and intelligence teams, I have authorized the deployment of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops to make sure we can have an orderly and safe drawdown of U.S. personnel and other allied personnel, and an orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance.

Second, I have ordered our Armed Forces and our Intelligence Community to ensure that we will maintain the capability and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.

Third, I have directed the Secretary of State to support President Ghani and other Afghan leaders as they seek to prevent further bloodshed and pursue a political settlement. Secretary Blinken will also engage with key regional stakeholders.

Fourth, we have conveyed to the Taliban representatives in Doha, via our Combatant Commander, that any action on their part on the ground in Afghanistan, that puts U.S. personnel or our mission at risk there, will be met with a swift and strong U.S. military response.

Fifth, I have placed Ambassador Tracey Jacobson in charge of a whole-of-government effort to process, transport, and relocate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghan allies. Our hearts go out to the brave Afghan men and women who are now at risk. We are working to evacuate thousands of those who helped our cause and their families.

That is what we are going to do. Now let me be clear about how we got here.

America went to Afghanistan 20 years ago to defeat the forces that attacked this country on September 11th. That mission resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden over a decade ago and the degradation of al Qaeda. And yet, 10 years later, when I became President, a small number of U.S. troops still remained on the ground, in harm’s way, with a looming deadline to withdraw them or go back to open combat.

Over our country’s 20 years at war in Afghanistan, America has sent its finest young men and women, invested nearly $1 trillion dollars, trained over 300,000 Afghan soldiers and police, equipped them with state-of-the-art military equipment, and maintained their air force as part of the longest war in U.S. history. One more year, or five more years, of U.S. military presence would not have made a difference if the Afghan military cannot or will not hold its own country. And an endless American presence in the middle of another country’s civil conflict was not acceptable to me.

When I came to office, I inherited a deal cut by my predecessor—which he invited the Taliban to discuss at Camp David on the eve of 9/11 of 2019—that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021 deadline on U.S. Forces. Shortly before he left office, he also drew U.S. Forces down to a bare minimum of 2,500. Therefore, when I became President, I faced a choice—follow through on the deal, with a brief extension to get our Forces and our allies’ Forces out safely, or ramp up our presence and send more American troops to fight once again in another country’s civil conflict. I was the fourth President to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan—two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war onto a fifth."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629040310655.png" alt="Saturday morning, the President and Vice President held a video conference with the national security team to discuss the ongoing efforts to draw down the U.S. civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Saturday morning, the President and Vice President held a video conference with the national security team to discuss the ongoing efforts to draw down the U.S. civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Afghanistan’s embattled president has left the country, joining his fellow citizens and foreigners in a stampede fleeing the advancing Taliban. The exodus signals the end of a 20-year Western experiment aimed at remaking Afghanistan. The Taliban announced soon after they would move further into Kabul. They had been on the outskirts for hours. Kabul is gripped by panic, and helicopters raced overhead to evacuate personnel from the U.S. Embassy.President Biden issued a statement Sunday critical of his predecessors."Over the past several days, I have been in close contact with my national security team to give them direction on how to protect our interests and values as we end our military mission in Afghanistan."<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/14/statement-by-president-joe-biden-on-afghanistan/">Click here to read</a> President Biden's full statement"First, based on the recommendations of our diplomatic, military, and intelligence teams, I have authorized the deployment of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops to make sure we can have an orderly and safe drawdown of U.S. personnel and other allied personnel, and an orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance.Second, I have ordered our Armed Forces and our Intelligence Community to ensure that we will maintain the capability and the vigilance to address future terrorist threats from Afghanistan.Third, I have directed the Secretary of State to support President Ghani and other Afghan leaders as they seek to prevent further bloodshed and pursue a political settlement. Secretary Blinken will also engage with key regional stakeholders.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629040483076.png" alt="President Biden speaking with Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the ongoing efforts to safely drawdown the civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House " />
 <figcaption>President Biden speaking with Secretary Blinken, Secretary Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the ongoing efforts to safely drawdown the civilian footprint in Afghanistan-photo courtesy White House </figcaption>
 </figure>Fourth, we have conveyed to the Taliban representatives in Doha, via our Combatant Commander, that any action on their part on the ground in Afghanistan, that puts U.S. personnel or our mission at risk there, will be met with a swift and strong U.S. military response.Fifth, I have placed Ambassador Tracey Jacobson in charge of a whole-of-government effort to process, transport, and relocate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghan allies. Our hearts go out to the brave Afghan men and women who are now at risk. We are working to evacuate thousands of those who helped our cause and their families.That is what we are going to do. Now let me be clear about how we got here.America went to Afghanistan 20 years ago to defeat the forces that attacked this country on September 11th. That mission resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden over a decade ago and the degradation of al Qaeda. And yet, 10 years later, when I became President, a small number of U.S. troops still remained on the ground, in harm’s way, with a looming deadline to withdraw them or go back to open combat.Over our country’s 20 years at war in Afghanistan, America has sent its finest young men and women, invested nearly $1 trillion dollars, trained over 300,000 Afghan soldiers and police, equipped them with state-of-the-art military equipment, and maintained their air force as part of the longest war in U.S. history. One more year, or five more years, of U.S. military presence would not have made a difference if the Afghan military cannot or will not hold its own country. And an endless American presence in the middle of another country’s civil conflict was not acceptable to me.When I came to office, I inherited a deal cut by my predecessor—which he invited the Taliban to discuss at Camp David on the eve of 9/11 of 2019—that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021 deadline on U.S. Forces. Shortly before he left office, he also drew U.S. Forces down to a bare minimum of 2,500. Therefore, when I became President, I faced a choice—follow through on the deal, with a brief extension to get our Forces and our allies’ Forces out safely, or ramp up our presence and send more American troops to fight once again in another country’s civil conflict. I was the fourth President to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan—two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war onto a fifth."

Pres. Biden critical of predecessor as Afghanistan falls to Taliban

A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction on behalf of religious health care providers who feared the Biden administration would interpret the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare as requiring them to perform abortions or gender-transition treatment against their conscience.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had argued that it doesn’t require religious providers to offer such procedures and has never brought or threatened any enforcement activity against a religious entity in such a case.

But U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor interpreted HHS regulations as forcing the plaintiffs — a Catholic hospital system in the Midwest and a Christian medical association — to choose between their beliefs and their livelihood, resulting in “irreparable injury.”

The decision underscores a continued dispute between conservative religious health care providers and HHS over an issue that has generated a patchwork of rulings that will likely have to be sorted out by appellate courts.

O’Connor, whose court is in the Northern District of Texas, issued the injunction based on his earlier ruling that found HHS in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which requires deference to religion barring a “compelling government interest.”

The injunction benefits only the plaintiffs — Franciscan Alliance, a Catholic hospital network in Indiana and Illinois, and the Christian Medical &amp; Dental Associations and their 19,000 members nationwide — though O’Connor voided the disputed portions of the law in the earlier ruling.

Another federal judge issued a similar decision in favor of a Catholic health system in North Dakota in January. The Biden administration is appealing it.

The plaintiffs in the Texas court sued in 2016 over Affordable Care Act-related rules issued by HHS that year under the Obama administration. Those rules — applying to most medical providers by virtue of their participating in federally funded programs — barred discrimination based on factors including sex, interpreted as including gender identity, and pregnancy status, such as “termination of pregnancy.”

An HHS analysis at the time said health care institutions that, for example, perform hysterectomies for medical purposes would need to provide them to transgender men, though the rules said separately that federal protections for religious freedom and conscience would supersede any requirements. The analysis also noted that the ACA and other federal laws protected medical providers from having to provide abortions.

O’Connor in 2019 voided the parts of the rules barring discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy.

The Trump administration strengthened religious exemptions in 2020 and eliminated protections for gender identity — although other federal courts temporarily blocked that change. It was also soon followed by a Supreme Court ruling that interpreted the federal ban on sex discrimination as also prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.

This May, HHS said it would interpret its rules according to that Supreme Court ruling but would also abide by previous court rulings such as that of O’Connor. The judge, in ordering the permanent injunction this week, said that was a contradiction.

Attorney Luke Goodrich, who represented the plaintiffs on behalf of Becket, a legal organization focused on religious liberty, applauded the decision.

“Everyone is better off when these doctors and hospitals can continue to provide top-notch medical care” without violating their consciences, he said.

But Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, senior attorney and health care strategist at Lambda Legal, which focuses on LGBTQ rights, said “the court and the plaintiffs were fabricating a controversy” when there “has been no threat of enforcement against the plaintiffs.”

He noted there are conflicting federal court decisions on defining sex discrimination in the ACA rules, and “at some point and time there will be a consensus among the courts or the Supreme Court may have to intervene.”

Lindsey Kaley, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Center for Liberty, said the ruling limits federal enforcement but “does not change the fact that transgender people who have been turned away from health care can continue to pursue litigation.” The ACLU’s Texas branch intervened on behalf of HHS.

“Gender-affirming care is life-saving care, and doctors agree that it is medically necessary for many transgender people,” Kaley said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611181661423.jpg" alt="The decision underscores a continued dispute between conservative religious health care providers and HHS over an issue that has generated a patchwork of rulings that will likely have to be sorted out by appellate courts." />
 <figcaption>The decision underscores a continued dispute between conservative religious health care providers and HHS over an issue that has generated a patchwork of rulings that will likely have to be sorted out by appellate courts.</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH, Associated Press A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction on behalf of religious health care providers who feared the Biden administration would interpret the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare as requiring them to perform abortions or gender-transition treatment against their conscience.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had argued that it doesn’t require religious providers to offer such procedures and has never brought or threatened any enforcement activity against a religious entity in such a case.But U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor interpreted HHS regulations as forcing the plaintiffs — a Catholic hospital system in the Midwest and a Christian medical association — to choose between their beliefs and their livelihood, resulting in “irreparable injury.”The decision underscores a continued dispute between conservative religious health care providers and HHS over an issue that has generated a patchwork of rulings that will likely have to be sorted out by appellate courts.O’Connor, whose court is in the Northern District of Texas, issued the injunction based on his earlier ruling that found HHS in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which requires deference to religion barring a “compelling government interest.”The injunction benefits only the plaintiffs — Franciscan Alliance, a Catholic hospital network in Indiana and Illinois, and the Christian Medical &amp; Dental Associations and their 19,000 members nationwide — though O’Connor voided the disputed portions of the law in the earlier ruling.Another federal judge issued a similar decision in favor of a Catholic health system in North Dakota in January. The Biden administration is appealing it.The plaintiffs in the Texas court sued in 2016 over Affordable Care Act-related rules issued by HHS that year under the Obama administration. Those rules — applying to most medical providers by virtue of their participating in federally funded programs — barred discrimination based on factors including sex, interpreted as including gender identity, and pregnancy status, such as “termination of pregnancy.”An HHS analysis at the time said health care institutions that, for example, perform hysterectomies for medical purposes would need to provide them to transgender men, though the rules said separately that federal protections for religious freedom and conscience would supersede any requirements. The analysis also noted that the ACA and other federal laws protected medical providers from having to provide abortions.O’Connor in 2019 voided the parts of the rules barring discrimination based on gender identity and termination of pregnancy.ADVERTISEMENTThe Trump administration strengthened religious exemptions in 2020 and eliminated protections for gender identity — although other federal courts temporarily blocked that change. It was also soon followed by a Supreme Court ruling that interpreted the federal ban on sex discrimination as also prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.This May, HHS said it would interpret its rules according to that Supreme Court ruling but would also abide by previous court rulings such as that of O’Connor. The judge, in ordering the permanent injunction this week, said that was a contradiction.Attorney Luke Goodrich, who represented the plaintiffs on behalf of Becket, a legal organization focused on religious liberty, applauded the decision.“Everyone is better off when these doctors and hospitals can continue to provide top-notch medical care” without violating their consciences, he said.But Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, senior attorney and health care strategist at Lambda Legal, which focuses on LGBTQ rights, said “the court and the plaintiffs were fabricating a controversy” when there “has been no threat of enforcement against the plaintiffs.”He noted there are conflicting federal court decisions on defining sex discrimination in the ACA rules, and “at some point and time there will be a consensus among the courts or the Supreme Court may have to intervene.”Lindsey Kaley, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Center for Liberty, said the ruling limits federal enforcement but “does not change the fact that transgender people who have been turned away from health care can continue to pursue litigation.” The ACLU’s Texas branch intervened on behalf of HHS.“Gender-affirming care is life-saving care, and doctors agree that it is medically necessary for many transgender people,” Kaley said.___

Religious health providers win injunction on Obamacare rules

JACKSON COUNTY—A small plane made an emergency landing&nbsp; Saturday on a highway in Jackson County.

Just after 8p.m., the sheriff's office received a report of a 1991 Bonanza V35 landing&nbsp;near 142nd Road and U.S Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The plane was traveling from Topeka to Omaha, lost its engine and was forced to make an emergency landing. 

The aircraft was able to land without incident, nearly striking an overhead power line, according to Morse.

 All four occupants were uninjured, according to Morse. Traffic was reduced to one northbound lane during the incident except for a short time when both lanes were closed so the plane could be removed from the highway.&nbsp; By 9:35p.m., all northbound lanes were back open, according to Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628996436142.png" alt="The aircraft was able to land without incident, nearly striking an overhead power line-photos courtesy Sheriff Tim Morse" />
 <figcaption>The aircraft was able to land without incident, nearly striking an overhead power line-photos courtesy Sheriff Tim Morse</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—A small plane made an emergency landing&nbsp; Saturday on a highway in Jackson County.Just after 8p.m., the sheriff's office received a report of a 1991 Bonanza V35 landing&nbsp;near 142nd Road and U.S Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The plane was traveling from Topeka to Omaha, lost its engine and was forced to make an emergency landing. The aircraft was able to land without incident, nearly striking an overhead power line, according to Morse.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628996412850.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> All four occupants were uninjured, according to Morse. Traffic was reduced to one northbound lane during the incident except for a short time when both lanes were closed so the plane could be removed from the highway.&nbsp; By 9:35p.m., all northbound lanes were back open, according to Morse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Small plane bound for Nebraska lands on Kansas highway

WASHINGTON — A defense official says President Joe Biden has authorized an additional 1,000 U.S. troops for deployment to Afghanistan.

That raises to roughly 5,000 the number of U.S. troops to ensure what Biden calls an “orderly and safe drawdown” of American and allied personnel. U.S. troops will also help evacuate Afghans who worked with the military during the nearly two-decade war.

The Pentagon said earlier that 3,000 troops are being sent to Kabul to join the nearly 1,000 already there. Biden's statement on Saturday didn’t explain the breakdown of the 5,000 troops he said had been deployed.

But a defense official tells The Associated Press that the president has approved Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recommendation that the lead battalion of the 82nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team assist in the State Department’s drawdown.

The situation in Afghanistan has worsened in recent days with the Afghan government losing control of many parts of the country.

The statement also says Biden has directed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to support Afghan President Asraf Ghani and engage with regional leaders in the pursuit of a political settlement with the Taliban.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628552053408.png" alt="President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a secure video conference on Saturday with national security officials in response to the worsening situation in Afghanistan." />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a secure video conference on Saturday with national security officials in response to the worsening situation in Afghanistan.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — A defense official says President Joe Biden has authorized an additional 1,000 U.S. troops for deployment to Afghanistan.That raises to roughly 5,000 the number of U.S. troops to ensure what Biden calls an “orderly and safe drawdown” of American and allied personnel. U.S. troops will also help evacuate Afghans who worked with the military during the nearly two-decade war.The Pentagon said earlier that 3,000 troops are being sent to Kabul to join the nearly 1,000 already there. Biden's statement on Saturday didn’t explain the breakdown of the 5,000 troops he said had been deployed.But a defense official tells The Associated Press that the president has approved Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s recommendation that the lead battalion of the 82nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team assist in the State Department’s drawdown.The situation in Afghanistan has worsened in recent days with the Afghan government losing control of many parts of the country.The statement also says Biden has directed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to support Afghan President Asraf Ghani and engage with regional leaders in the pursuit of a political settlement with the Taliban.The administration also conveyed to Taliban representatives in Qatar, where the insurgents maintain a political office, that any actions in Afghanistan that harm U.S. personnel will be met by a “swift and strong” military response.----------WASHINGTON (AP) —A fresh contingent of Marines arrived in Kabul on Saturday as part of a 3,000-troop force intended to secure an airlift of U.S. Embassy personnel and Afghan allies as Taliban insurgents approach the outskirts of the capital.The last-minute decision to re-insert thousands of U.S. troops into Afghanistan reflects the dire state of security and calls into question whether President Joe Biden will meet his Aug. 31 deadline for fully withdrawing combat forces.After an advance group of Marines arrived on Friday, more flowed into the Kabul international airport on Saturday, said Navy Capt. William Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command. Citing operational security, Urban declined to provide specific numbers. The Pentagon said on Friday that the bulk of the 3,000 — comprising two battalions of Marines and one of Army soldiers — are due by the end of the weekend.Officials have stressed that the newly arriving troops’ mission is limited to assisting the airlift of embassy personnel and Afghan allies, and they expect to complete it by month’s end. But they might have to stay longer if the embassy is threatened by a Taliban takeover of Kabul by then.On Saturday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-taliban-f600d6faf28e9c2ccb454ad176987b19">the Taliban seized two more provinces and approached the outskirts of Kabul</a>&nbsp;while also launching a multi-pronged assault on a major northern city defended by former warlords, Afghan officials said.“Clearly from their actions, it appears as if they are trying to get Kabul isolated,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, referring to the Taliban’s speedy and efficient takedown of major provincial capitals this past week.Biden had given the Pentagon until Aug. 31 to complete the withdrawal of the 2,500 to 3,000 troops that were in Afghanistan when he announced in April that he was ending U.S. involvement in the war. That number has dropped to just under 1,000, and all but about 650 are scheduled to be gone by the end of the month; the 650 are to remain to help protect the U.S. diplomatic presence, including with aircraft and defensive weapons at the Kabul airport.But Thursday’s decision to dispatch 3,000 fresh troops to the airport adds a new twist to the U.S. withdrawal. There is no discussion of rejoining the war, but the number of troops needed for security will depend on decisions about keeping the embassy open and the extent of a Taliban threat to the capital in coming days.Having the Aug. 31 deadline pass with thousands of U.S. troops in the country would be awkward for Biden given his insistence on ending the 20-year U.S. war by that date. Republicans have already criticized the withdrawal as a mistake and ill-planned, though there’s little political appetite by either party to send fresh troops to fight the Taliban.Kirby declined on Friday to discuss any assessment of whether the Taliban are likely soon to converge on Kabul, but the urgent movement of extra U.S. troops into Afghanistan to assist the embassy drawdown is clear evidence of Washington’s worry that after the rapid fall of major cities this week with relatively little Afghan government resistance, Kabul is endangered.Afghan President Ashraf Ghani delivered a televised speech Saturday, his first public appearance since the recent Taliban gains, and pledged not to give up the “achievements” of the 20 years since the U.S. toppled the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks.The Biden administration has asserted that Afghan security forces have tangible advantages over the insurgents, including a viable air force and superior numbers. The statement serves to highlight the fact that what the Afghan forces lack is motivation to fight in a circumstance where the Taliban seem to have decisive momentum.Stephen Biddle, a professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University, said in an interview the announcement that 3,000 U.S. troops were heading to Kabul to help pull out American diplomats and embassy staff likely made Afghan morale even worse.“The message that sent to Afghans is: ‘The city of Kabul is going to fall so fast that we can’t organize an orderly withdrawal from the embassy,’” Biddle said. This suggests to Afghans that the Americans see little future for the government and that “this place could be toast within hours.”The Pentagon also is moving an additional 4,500 to 5,000 troops to bases in the Gulf countries of Qatar and Kuwait, including 1,000 to Qatar to speed up visa processing for Afghan translators and others who fear retribution from the Taliban for their past work with Americans, and their family members.The State Department said the embassy in Kabul will remain partially staffed and functioning, but Thursday’s decision to evacuate a significant number of embassy staff and bring in the thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the Afghan government’s ability to hold off the Taliban surge. The Biden administration has not ruled out a full embassy evacuation or possibly relocating embassy operations to the Kabul airport.There were a little over 4,000 personnel still at the embassy; the State Department has not said how many are being pulled out in the next two weeks.The Biden administration warned Taliban officials directly that the U.S. would respond if the Taliban attacked Americans during the stepped-up deployments and evacuations.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — The first forces of a Marine battalion arrived in Kabul on Friday to stand guard as the U.S. speeds up evacuation flights for some American diplomats and thousands of Afghans, spurred by a lightning Taliban offensive that increasingly is isolating Afghanistan’s capital.Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said “elements” of a battalion were now in Kabul, the vanguard of three Marine and Army battalions that the U.S. was sending to the city by the end of the weekend to help more Americans and their Afghan colleagues get out quickly.The Taliban, emboldened by the imminent end of the U.S. combat mission in the country, took four more provincial capitals Friday, heightening fears they would move soon on the capital, which is home to millions of Afghans. “Clearly from their actions, it appears as if they are trying to get Kabul isolated,” Kirby noted at a Pentagon briefing.The Pentagon also was moving an additional 4,500 to 5,000 troops to bases in the Gulf countries of Qatar and Kuwait, including 1,000 to Qatar to speed up visa processing for Afghan translators and others who fear retribution from the Taliban for their past work with Americans, and their family members.The remainder — 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division — were bound for Kuwait. Kirby said the combat troops would be a reserve force on standby “in case we need even more” than the 3,000 going to Kabul.The temporary buildup of troops for U.S. evacuations highlights the stunning pace of the Taliban takeover of much of the country, less than three weeks before the U.S. is set to officially end nearly 20 years of combat in Afghanistan.President Joe Biden has remained adamant about ending the U.S. mission on Aug. 31, insisting the American and NATO mission that launched on Oct. 7, 2001, has done what it could to build up a Kabul-based Afghan government and military that could withstand the Taliban when Western troops finally withdrew.Friday’s latest significant blow was the Taliban capture of the capital of Helmand province, where American, British and other allied NATO forces fought some of the bloodiest battles in the past 20 years. Hundreds of Western troops died there during the course of the war, in fighting that often succeeded in knocking back Taliban fighters locally, only to have the Taliban move back in when a Western unit rotated out.The State Department said the embassy in Kabul will remain partially staffed and functioning, but Thursday’s decision to evacuate a significant number of embassy staff and bring in the thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the Afghan government’s ability to hold off the Taliban surge. The Biden administration has not ruled out a full embassy evacuation.The U.S. had already withdrawn most of its troops, but had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.The Biden administration warned Taliban officials directly that the U.S. would respond if the Taliban attacked Americans during the stepped-up deployments and evacuations.Americans are preparing a military base abroad to receive and house large numbers of those Afghan translators and others as their visa applications are processed. The Biden administration has not identified the base, but earlier was talking with both Kuwait and Qatar about using U.S. bases there for the temporary relocations.As of Thursday, the U.S. had flown 1,200 Afghans — former American employees and their families whose visas are farthest along in the approval process — to Fort Lee, Virginia.State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. soon will have evacuation planes flying out daily, for those Afghan translators and others who manage to reach the Kabul airport despite the fighting.The number of Afghans flown out under the special visa program is going to ”grow very quickly in the coming days,” Price said Thursday.The viability of the U.S.-trained Afghan army was looking increasingly dim. A new military assessment says Kabul could come under Taliban pressure as soon as September and, if current trends hold, the country could fall to the Taliban within a few months.Shortly before Price’s announcement of the evacuation of some embassy staff, the embassy urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately — reiterating a warning it first issued Saturday.The latest drawdown will further limit the ability of the embassy to conduct business, although Price maintained it would still be able to function. Nonessential personal had already been withdrawn from the embassy in April after Biden’s withdrawal announcement that same month, and it was not immediately clear how many staffers would remain on the heavily fortified compound. As of Thursday, there were roughly 4,200 staffers at the embassy, but most of those are Afghan nationals, according to the State Department.Apart from a complete evacuation and shuttering of the embassy, Price said other contingency plans were being weighed, including possibly relocating its operations to the airport.Britain also was sending 600 troops to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to help its nationals leave the country.Canada was sending special forces to help Canadian staff leave Kabul, a source familiar with the plan told The Associated Press. That official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not say how many special forces would be sent.__--------WASHINGTON (AP) — Just weeks before the U.S. is scheduled to end its war in Afghanistan, the Biden administration is rushing 3,000 fresh troops to the Kabul airport to help with a partial evacuation of the U.S. Embassy. The move highlights the stunning speed of a Taliban takeover of much of the country, including their capture on Thursday of Kandahar, the second-largest city and the birthplace of the Taliban movement.The State Department said the embassy will continue functioning, but Thursday’s dramatic decision to bring in thousands of additional U.S. troops is a sign of waning confidence in the Afghan government’s ability to hold off the Taliban surge. The announcement came just hours after the Taliban captured the western city of Herat as well as Ghazni, a strategic provincial capital south of Kabul. The advance, and the partial U.S. Embassy evacuation, increasingly isolate the nation’s capital, home to millions of Afghans.“This is not abandonment. This is not an evacuation. This is not a wholesale withdrawal,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said. “What this is is a reduction in the size of our civilian footprint.”Price rejected the idea that Thursday’s moves sent encouraging signals to an already emboldened Taliban, or demoralizing ones to frightened Afghan civilians. “The message we are sending to the people of Afghanistan is one of enduring partnership,” Price insisted.President Joe Biden, who has remained adamant about ending the 19-year U.S. mission in Afghanistan at the end of this month despite the Taliban sweep, conferred with senior national security officials overnight, then gave the order for the additional temporary troops Thursday morning.Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. The U.S. also warned Taliban officials directly that the U.S. would respond if the Taliban attacked Americans during the temporary U.S. military deployments.Britain’s ministry of defense said Thursday that it will send around 600 troops to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to help U.K. nationals leave the country. And Canadian special forces will deploy to Afghanistan to help Canadian staff leave Kabul, a source familiar with the plan told The Associated Press. That official, who was not authorized to talk publicly about the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity, did not say how many special forces would be sent.The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, John Kirby, said that in addition to sending three infantry battalions — two from the Marine Corps and one from the Army — to the airport, the Pentagon will dispatch 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to act as a reserve force. He said they will be on standby “in case we need even more” than the 3,000 going to Kabul.Also, about 1,000 Army and Air Force troops, including military police and medical personnel, will be sent to Qatar in coming days to support a State Department effort to accelerate its processing of Special Immigrant Visa applications from Afghans who once worked for the U.S. government and feel threated by the Taliban, Kirby said.The 3,000 troops who are to arrive at the Kabul airport in the next day or two, Kirby said, are to assist with security at the airport and to help process the departure of embassy personnel — not to get involved in the Afghan government’s war with the Taliban. Biden decided in April to end U.S. military involvement in the war, and the withdrawal is scheduled to be complete by Aug. 31.The U.S. had already withdrawn most of its troops, but had kept about 650 troops in Afghanistan to support U.S. diplomatic security, including at the airport.Kirby said the influx of fresh troops does not mean the U.S. is reentering combat with the Taliban.“This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.The viability of the U.S.-trained Afghan army, however, is looking increasingly dim. A new military assessment says Kabul could come under Taliban pressure as soon as September and, if current trends hold, the country could fall to the Taliban within a few months.Price, the State Department spokesman, said diplomatic work will continue at the Kabul embassy.“Our first responsibility has always been protecting the safety and the security of our citizens serving in Afghanistan, and around the world,” Price said at a briefing, calling the the speed of the Taliban advance and resulting instability “of grave concern.”Shortly before Price’s announcement, the embassy in Kabul urged U.S. citizens to leave immediately — reiterating a warning it first issued Saturday.The latest drawdown will further limit the ability of the embassy to conduct business, although Price maintained it would still be able to function. Nonessential personal had already been withdrawn from the embassy in April after Biden’s withdrawal announcement and it was not immediately clear how many staffers would remain on the heavily fortified compound. As of Thursday, there were roughly 4,200 staffers at the embassy, but most of those are Afghan nationals, according to the State Department.Apart from a complete evacuation and shuttering of the embassy, Price said other contingency plans were being weighed, including possibly relocating its operations to the airport.As the staff reductions take place over the course of the next several weeks, Price said the U.S., led by the special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, would continue to push for a peace agreement between the Taliban and the Afghan government at talks currently taking place in Doha, Qatar.The Taliban, who ruled the country from 1996 until U.S. forces invaded after the 9/11 attacks, have taken 12 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals as part of a weeklong sweep that has given them effective control of about two-thirds of the country.