Christian Coast Guard members sue over religious objections to military's coronavirus vaccine mandate

The 70-page class action suit, filed on behalf of an estimated 1,200 service members who refused to be vaccinated for religious reasons, challenges the Coast Guard’s “across-the-board” denial of exemptions and seeks to prevent the impending dismissal of the three Coast Guard members.

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Anti-omicron booster delivered to Ramstein; doses on the way to Army bases in Europe

Booster shots specific to the omicron variant of the coronavirus are starting to arrive at U.S. military bases in Europe, and appointments are being offered to eligible people in the largest American military community abroad.

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Canada to drop vaccine mandate at border Sept. 30

An official familiar with the matter says Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has signed off on dropping the vaccine requirement for people who enter Canada.

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Israel rolls out new omicron-tailored COVID-19 vaccines

Israel has started administering doses of the new COVID-19 vaccine tailored to fight the highly infectious omicron variant. The rollout of the new vaccines on Thursday came following Israel's world-leading drive to vaccinate its population early in 2021.

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Japan to restore visa-free travel from Oct. 11 as COVID pandemic recedes

Japan will abolish a slew of COVID border controls from Oct. 11, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in New York, in a move that looks set to revive the tourism industry.

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National Guard could lose up to 14,000 soldiers in next two years because of COVID vaccine mandate

The Army National Guard is already operating at about 98% of its goal end-strength of 336,000, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said.

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Fauci tempers Biden’s declaration that pandemic is ‘over’

Not so fast, Mr. President. Outgoing presidential COVID adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday walked back President Joe Biden's assertion that the coronavirus pandemic was "over."

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When should I get the omicron booster? Will I need COVID shots forever?

The broad protection from these updated shots — called bivalent boosters — could prevent more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the coming months, according to one estimate. But many questions remain.

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At UN, leaders confront COVID's impact on global education

With COVID-related school disruptions setting back children around the world, activists implored world leaders to prioritize school systems and restore educational budgets slashed when the pandemic hit.

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47 people exploited pandemic to steal $250M from food program, Feds say

Federal authorities charged 47 people in Minnesota with conspiracy and other counts Tuesday in what they called the largest fraud scheme yet to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by stealing $250 million from a federal program that provides meals to low-income children.

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