The US has administered more than 101 million Covid-19 vaccinations, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Friday.
It marks a milestone for the country that has the highest death toll in the world, three months into a massive vaccination programme.
About 10.5 per cent of the adult population in the US has been fully vaccinated, the agency said, and almost 20 per cent – 65 million people – have had at least one dose.
The two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine are being used throughout the country.
The agency says more than 133 million vaccines have been distributed to US states.
When he introduced key members of his health team on December 8 last year, President Joe Biden set a goal of reaching 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days.
The Biden administration has continued to bump up orders from vaccine makers, including a recent order of another 100 million shots from Johnson & Johnson.
Mr Biden announced Thursday night in his first national prime time address that there will be enough vaccines for the entire US adult population by the end of May.
He also ordered all states to open up vaccination eligibility before May 1, moving beyond the first groups of people at high risk of suffering severe effects of Covid-19 and essential workers.
"I need you, the American people, I need you," Mr Biden said. "I need every American to do their part.
"And that's not hyperbole. I need you. I need you to get vaccinated when it's your turn and when you can find an opportunity. And to help your family, your friends, your neighbours get vaccinated as well."
Mr Biden's goal is to move the country "closer to normal" by July 4, the nation's independence day.
Scientists suggest herd immunity requires at least 80 per cent of the US population to be fully vaccinated.
"America is coming back," he said.
"The development, manufacturing and distribution of vaccines in record time is a true miracle of science. It's one of the most extraordinary achievements any country has ever accomplished."
The US has recorded more than 531,000 deaths from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The country also leads the world with the most known cases, at about 30 million infections.
Mr Biden continues to emphasise caution amid the vaccine race.
While hospital admissions and infections are declining, the US still records more than 60,000 infections daily – similar to levels seen during the country's summer surge in 2020.
Between 1,500 and 1,800 people are dying from Covid-19 in the US each day.
"We need everyone to keep washing their hands, stay socially distanced and keep wearing the mask," he said.
Several states are taking steps towards reopening at levels not seen before in the pandemic, while fears persist of a possible small fourth surge.
Public health officials are keeping an eye on some variants with higher transmissibility, which are growing in number nationwide.
"This is not the time to let up," Mr Biden said. "Just as we were emerging from a dark winter into a hopeful spring and summer, it is not the time to not stick with the rules."
Story%20behind%20the%20UAE%20flag
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20flag%20was%20first%20unveiled%20on%20December%202%2C%201971%2C%20the%20day%20the%20UAE%20was%20formed.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIt%20was%20designed%20by%20Abdullah%20Mohammed%20Al%20Maainah%2C%2019%2C%20an%20Emirati%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EMr%20Al%20Maainah%20said%20in%20an%20interview%20with%20%3Cem%3EThe%20National%3C%2Fem%3E%20in%202011%20he%20chose%20the%20colours%20for%20local%20reasons.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20black%20represents%20the%20oil%20riches%20that%20transformed%20the%20UAE%2C%20green%20stands%20for%20fertility%20and%20the%20red%20and%20white%20colours%20were%20drawn%20from%20those%20found%20in%20existing%20emirate%20flags.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Burnley 1 (Brady 89')
Manchester City 4 (Jesus 24', 50', Rodri 68', Mahrez 87')
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.