Indonesia

Children around the world are returning to class with schools opening up after a year of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with the rapid spread of the more contagious delta variant and the coronavirus vaccines not available for much of the global school-aged population, children’s health risks have become even more pressing. The World’s Elana Gordon moderated a discussion about the delta variant’s impact on children with Harvard epidemiologist Marc Lipsitch.

The highly infectious COVID-19 delta variant is leaving a devastating wake around the globe. The surge of infections raises a lot of questions and sparks concern among public health officials. The World’s Carolyn Beeler moderated a discussion about the delta variant and what’s next in the pandemic with Harvard Chan School epidemiologist William Hanage.

Top of The World: Simone Biles has withdrawn from the Olympic gymnastics all-around competition to focus on her mental well-being. And, a new report from the Federation of American Scientists suggests that China is potentially expanding its nuclear arsenal in its western deserts. Also, with infections continuing to spread, pushed by the delta variant, health officials in Australia have extended the lockdown in the country’s largest city by another four weeks.

Top of The World: Outbreaks of the coronavirus are spreading across Asia, with Indonesia becoming a new hot spot. And, South Africa has deployed 25,000 National Defence Force troops to quell rioting and looting in the country. Also, officials in Pakistan, who are investigating a bus explosion, said on Thursday that they had identified traces of explosives.