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The FDA yesterday granted full approval to the Pfizer BioNTech COVID vaccine. Will it convince more people to get vaccinated? The answer to that question will be especially important in states with low vaccination rates and surging hospitalizations, like Alabama. That state is currently one of the hardest hit by COVID in the nation. Plus, FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine raises questions about young kids. And, dire conditions in Qatar for evacuees from Afghanistan. Guests: Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Axios' Tina Reed and Jonathan Swan.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: FDA grants full approval to Pfizer's COVID vaccine Record 29 out LGBTQ athletes set to compete in Tokyo Paralympics

President Biden spoke yesterday afternoon to the American people, again defending his withdrawal from Afghanistan, and saying the exit could take longer than planned. Plus, images out of Kabul are being put to political use. And, a new push to make the outdoors safer for people of color. Guests: Axios' Glen Johnson, Lachlan Markay, and Russell Contreras.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Margaret Talev, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Michael Hanf. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Sources: No Biden firings GOP ad-makers jump on Afghan footage Making the outdoors safe for people of color

On our latest installment of our Hard Truths series, we look at how the process to get tenure at many universities in the U.S. is shutting out academics of color.Guests: Paul Harris, associate professor of education at Pennsylvania State University, and Patricia Matthew, associate professor of English at Montclair State University and editor of Written/Unwritten: Diversity and the Hidden Truths of TenureCredits: “Axios Today” is brought to you by Axios and Pushkin Industries. This episode was produced by Nuria Marquez Martinez and edited by Alexandra Botti. Jeanne Montalvo is our sound engineer. Dan Bobkoff is our executive producer. Special thanks to executive editor Sara Kehaulani Goo, Hard Truths editor Michele Salcedo and managing editor for business Aja Whitacker-Moore.

It’s an interesting moment for president Biden right now, as the American public reacts to his decisions around Afghanistan, alongside his handling of the Delta variant surge and the economic impacts of COVID. And while it’s hard to say exactly where American opinions fall right now - polling shows the approval ratings honeymoon is over for President Biden. Plus, the view on the ground from Haiti. And, the case for holiday shopping - now. Guests: The Miami Herald's Jacquline Charles, Axios' Margaret Talev and Linh Ta.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

It’s been four days since the Taliban took over the capital city of Kabul and declared victory in Afghanistan. In the past few days, we’ve seen shocking images of people clinging to planes at the Kabul airport trying to get out of the country. Plus, consumer spending isn’t deterred yet by the Delta variant. And, Facebook claims vaccine hesitancy is on the decline. Guests: Truman Center for National Policy's Camille Mackler, Axios' Sam Ro and Ina Fried.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Today, President Biden is expected to announce his administration’s recommendation for a third dose for all vaccinated Americans. This follows the CDC and FDA approval last week of a third shot for those who are immunocompromised. But a "third dose" and a "booster" can refer to different things. Plus, what the new school year looks like for parents across America. And, companies address employee mental health. Guests: Axios' Tina Reed, Erica Pandey, Russ Contreras, and Margaret TalevCredits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Michael Hanf. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Boosters take off COVID cases in kids are rising just as schools are coming back Mental health is the next big workplace issue

President Biden addressed the nation yesterday about the situation in Afghanistan, after the Taliban seized control and declared that “the war is over.” The Pentagon estimates approximately 6,000 U.S. troops will assist with the evacuation of American personnel in Afghanistan. Plus, a new kind of back-to-school. And, understanding plans for new construction in the occupied West Bank. Guests: LA Times' Melissa Gomez, Axios' Hans Nichols and Barak Ravid.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: Afghanistan falls Israel to approve new construction in West Bank for both settlers and Palestinians

The Taliban have declared victory in Afghanistan this morning. The group took control of Kabul yesterday, 20 years after they had been run out of the capital city by US-led forces. President Biden has authorized sending 5,000 troops to Afghanistan to help with evacuation. Plus, the Haitian diaspora rushes to help after a deadly earthquake. And, a repeat COVID milestone we didn’t want. Guests: Axios' Mike Allen and Family Action Network Movement's Marleine Bastien.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Michael Hanf. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: U.S. completes evacuation from American embassy in Kabul Haiti earthquake death toll rises to 1,297 Fauci: It's "likely" everybody will need a booster shot at some point

Florida’s COVID-19 rates are worse than they have ever been. The state now makes up almost 20 percent of the entire caseload in the country. Meanwhile in Texas, as of Tuesday there were just 368 ICU beds available across the state. These two states are becoming heated battlegrounds over the way forward. Plus, Afghanistan’s security situation collapses. And, a Palestinian-American sprinter on her unlikely Olympic journey. Guests: Axios' Mike Allen, Oriana González, and Glen Johnson; Olympic sprinter Hanna BarakatCredits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Yesterday, California became the first state to require all teachers and school staff to get vaccinated or get tested weekly for COVID. In other states, like Texas and Florida, school districts are fighting state and local government to implement mask mandates for students.All of this is happening as students are starting to go back to in-person schooling and as pediatric COVID hospitalizations are on the rise. Plus, the Delta variant is catching up with air travel. And, calls for better conditions for migrant teens in U.S. custody in Texas. Guests: Axios' Joann Muller, Tina Reed, and Fadel Allassan.Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Sabeena Singhani, and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.Go deeper: New COVID restrictions could slow air travel Pediatric COVID hospitalizations soar Lawsuit: Migrant teens in U.S. custody face "deplorable conditions" at Texas sites