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The Taliban\u2019s takeover is a boon for China\u2019s propaganda machine: America is tired, its policies disastrous, its values a distraction. Meanwhile China has its own interests in the country. New research may explain rising covid-19 cases among the vaccinated: jabs\u2019 effectiveness wanes with time, and \u201cbreakthrough\u201d infections appear more contagious. And the case for working, a bit, while on holiday.

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