Pitch inspiring america. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt good evening, everyone another possible setback for johnson johnsons covid vaccine. Tonight the Fda Warning of an increased risk of a rare but serious neurological syndrome in the six weeks after receiving the onedose shots. So far just 100 suspected cases out of over 12 Million people who received the vaccinations one death reported the fda calling the chances of developing the Side Effect very low. That news coming in a critical moment in the fight against covid. Cases and hospitalizations back on the rise in this country, largely among the unvaccinated as the most contagious variant yet takes deeper root in the u. S. We begin our reporting with gabe gutierrez. Reporter among 12. 8 million recipients of the Johnson Johnson Covid vaccine, the cdc now says federal officials have identified about 100 suspected cases of guillainbarre syndrome. Gbs is a Neurological Disorder in which the bodys Immune System Damages Nerve cells, causing muscle weakness, or in severe cases paralysis. That message about these Side Effects being exceptionally rare, frankly, it has not gotten through to people and we run the risk here if we dont pivot quickly away from J J of having a sustained carryover effect, really damaging the reputation and the image of the mrna Vaccines Reporter the gbs cases occurred about two weeks after receiving the J J shot, mostly among many, many over age 50 most people who contract gbs recover still, the Fda Warning is the latest blow for a vaccine that has been highly anticipated because it was easier to administer it requires only one dose and can be stored at a higher temperature. But in april the cdc said it had identified rare but serious Blood Clots linked to the J J vaccination. Tonight the company says its working with federal regulators, that the chance of having this occur is very low, and that it happened only slightly more often than a population that hadnt taken the vaccine. Though the cdc says the data does not show a similar Side Effect for the Pfizer And Moderna shots. Despite all this, the Public Health Experts stress that Vaccine Benefits far outweigh the risks as nearly all Covid Hospitalizations and deaths are now occurring among the unvaccinated gabe gutierrez, Nbc News, New York im Steve Patterson in nevada, where tonight hospitals are back on high alert as the Delta Variant spreads, cases now on the rise in more than half the country a third of those new cases concentrated in five hot spots with low vaccination rates. In missouri, one hospital just opened up its sixth Covid Ward nationally hospitalizations up by at least 30 in 11 states including nevada, where just 39 of the population is fully vaccinated covid cases here up 89 in a month hospitalizations spiking to levels unseen since february. Is there a possibility that the state may have opened up a little too early . People in the hospitals are not vaccinated, and thats why theyre showing up we need to go into communities, talk to people about the benefits this vaccination. Reporter officials say Disinformation And Distrust in neighborhoods with heavy black and latino populations and limited access to Health Care are making people here more vulnerable what took you guys so long . We were just indecisive yeah, wanted to see what would happen first reporter across town, Robert Taylor opened his barbershop up to vaccinations after he nearly died from the virus now he uses this chair to fight back against misinformation at first, i didnt believe the virus was that bad until i got it and passed out and got hospitalized about it and i know its real dont be the person at the end of the day who realizes it too late reporter so steve, whats the risk for younger kids who dont qualify for a vaccine . Well, lester, right now 28 Million american kids under the age of 12 do not have access to the vaccine. With the variant now surging, the cdc is recommending Tom Level of protection. Meanwhile, pfizer is trying to request an authorization for their vaccine for kids come September Lester Steve Patterson, thank you. Tonight President Biden is calling on cubas leaders to hear their people, asserting fundamental and universal rights after a weekend of historic antigovernment protests Andrea Mitchell has the latest [ chanting ] reporter thousands of demonstrators spilling into the streets of cuba this weekend, calling for an end to the 62year communist regime chants of We Want Freedom echoing through the streets. Protesters dumping trash and throwing rocks. Demonstrations sparked by chronic Food Shortages and blackouts. In miami, protests in solidarity with Havana Weve been waiting for change for so long Reporter Maria Figueroa has family in cuba. I dont even know what their situation is right now reporter an economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, and no access to approved covid vaccines a perfect storm for antiregime anger that spread rapidly as more cubans briefly gained access to the internet cuban President Miguel Diazcanel today blaming the unrest on u. S. Sanctions the lack of medicine and food, all all those stoppages are embedded in our society as dissatisfaction. What is the origin its a blockade. They simply are not hearing the voices and will of the cuban people, people deeply, deeply, deeply tired of the repression. Reporter President Obama established diplomatic relations with cuba and removed it from the list of State Sponsors of terrorism, but the Trump Administration put cuba back on the list, imposing tougher sanctions, which President Biden has not lifted we call them their government, the governor of cuba to refrain attempts to silence the voice of the people of Cuba Reporter so far biden has been much tougher on cuba than President Obama was. A senior official saying when people protest for human rights, the administration will stand with them. Lester all right, Andrea Mitchell, thank you. In the west tonight, a growing threat from wildfires. And fears that more homes will be lost as extreme Heat And Drought make conditions even worse. Miguel almaguer has the latest reporter these are the apocalyptic conditions firefighters in Northern California face, a perfect recipe for disaster, fuelled by scorching temperatures and extreme drought, the Beckwourth Complex Fire doubled in size saturday, grew by 20,000 acres sunday, and forced some to run for their lives. I planned on staying, but when you see the firemen running like that, its probably a good idea to go ahead and leave. Reporter 58 wildfires are burning across the west. The Bootleg Fire in oregon, the nations largest, is racing out of control normally we see Fire Behavior like this in these big fires not until august or September Reporter extreme heat is also cooking the region this is a climate crisis. Reporter scientists say this is a clear hallmark of Climate Change after the hottest june on record, Las Vegas and st. George, utah, hit weekend records of 117 degrees. Death valley an unbearable 130 were heating up the planet and changing the climate in a way that humans have never experienced before, and were already dealing with the consequences so its a question of how bad do we want it to get reporter the extreme heat is fueling this epic drought, and these conditions now surround more homes than ever, a catastrophic combination for Fire Season Tonight an ominous forecast as we enter a hot, dangerous, and already destructive summer miguel almaguer, Nbc News in just 60 seconds, an artist named biden, and why the sale of his work is controversial our Nbc News investigation. Back now with a democratic move in texas, democratic lawmakers leaving the state, heading to washington to try and block republicans from passing a new voting law. Pete williams joins us now. Pete, those democrats have already left. Yes, lester, democrats brought a Special Session of the legislature in texas to a halt by depriving it of a required Quorum Republicans are pushing a bill to end driveby voting and add another Id Requirement for voting by mail, but around 60 State House democrats left this afternoon, heading to washington, planning to urge congress to pass a federal voting Rights Bill if theyd stayed in texas, they could have been arrested. A similar walkout in by texas democrats in may shut down the legislature, so Governor Greg Abbott called this 30day Special Session. Lester Pete Williams in washington, thank you. Now to americas crimewave. President Biden Today urging local officials to use covid Relief Money to combat surge in Violent Crime Kelly Odonnell has more reporter Violent Crime on the rise. The president feeling the heat to act. First responsibility in a democracy is to keep Each Other safe. Reporter convening his own crime Summit Today to hear from big City Leaders these parents and families are looking for real relief right now. Reporter in philadelphia, 77 people struck by gunfire during the first eight days of july smaller cities hurting too. Rochester, New York with 37 homicides this year a sense of urgency, what can we do now Reporter Police Superintendent David Brown is from chicago. Nbcs Meagan Fitzgerald is there. It was another violent weekend here 35 people shot, 11 people killed. Residents are calling on the mayor, the governor, even the president to do something to stop the Violence Reporter but republican critics slammed democrats, saying they make Police Recruitment harder. Weve declared war on the police, and that is backfiring on those who have done It Reporter with a new memo today, the White House points to places like walla walla, washington, and cincinnati, ohio that are already using some covid Relief Funds to hire more police as a guide for how other communities could respond to crime now lester all right, kelly, thank you. Now to our exclusive reporting from afghanistan what the commander of American Forces told us as he stepped down today with a long u. S. Mission winding down and fears the taliban will gain complete control. We begin with nbcs courtney kube. Reporter Today A Ceremony In Kabul marked the symbolic end of the War In Afghanistan. General Scott Miller handed over the reins of u. S. Forces in afghanistan to centcom commander general frank mckenzie, who sought to reassure afghans nervous about the u. S. Withdrawal. You can count on our support in the dangerous and difficult days ahead we will be with you. Reporter with them, but in dwindling numbers. President biden declared the u. S. Military would be completely out of afghanistan by August 31st but nearly all u. S. Troops and equipment have left already. At the same time, a taliban offensive has been sweeping across the country, threatening key cities as the afghan military no longer has american advisers if this government is overthrown, if the taliban prevail, i think we can expect a Return To Medieval Standards here in afghanistan. Reporter general mckenzie with a stark warning, saying the taliban have their sights set on taking over kabul and toppling the central government. I think there is a real possibility of falling into a civil war. I think that is certainly very possible. Reporter meanwhile, general miller, who ran the War In Afghanistan longer than any other commander leaving kabul tonight, unlikely to return youve been here for almost three years what does it feel like to be leaving for the last time . Well, its a little bit different to be leaving for the last time certainly and that will be Something Process over time reporter after nearly two decades, americas longest war coming to a solemn and uncertain close. Courtney kube, Nbc News, kabul, afghanistan. Im Richard Engel. Today the taliban took over another small base from u. S. Trained Afghan Security Forces lowering the flag. The taliban have not been this strong since the u. S. Drove them out 20 years ago when the militants ran afghanistan and hosted osama Bin Laden, whose group Al Qaeda carried out 9 11 one unit is fighting against the return of the taliban and new Bin Ladens afghanistans commandos. We recently saw them in action. Their general says foreign extremists are rushing back to join what they see as the victorious taliban these people who are coming to create trouble and problems for the world for the future as they did in 9 11. Even worse than 9 11, im telling you. Reporter Fawzia Koofi is a Member Of Parliament and a negotiate were the taliban. Extremists tried to assassinate her twice. You have been in war, and in war, people dont distribute sweets. They kill Each Other so you think those actually have been killed, they will not go for Revenge And Hostility . They will. Reporter i put that question to a former taliban leader who knew Bin Laden will afghanistan once again become a base for international Terrorist Attacks . Translator the taliban signed a Peace Deal with the united states, and the main point is the taliban will not allow any terrorist groups to operate in afghanistan, he said while the taliban promised to keep afghanistan free of international terrorists, there are more than 20 terrorist groups operating in the region and they are coming in, inspired by what they consider the Talibans Victory over the united states. Lester all right, Richard Engel in kabul tonight, thank you now to an Nbc News investigation into the secret sale of Art By President Bidens Son Hunter the asking price, up to half A Million Dollars per painting but ethics watchdogs are blasting the arrangement. Here is stephanie gosk. Reporter powerful and impactful work, according to the Gallery Owner who will sell hunter Bidens Art this fall. Art critics arent so sure. Well, its not as bad as i might have thought. Reporter others have been tougher, one calling it Hotel Art but the gallery says it values some of the first time artists paintings up to a half million. You can get a work by matisse or degas for a similar amount of Money Reporter how much of that is the name . Almost all of it i would say. Reporter the sale triggering criticism of a White House that touts itself as the most ethical administration in history i think the right thing to do would have been for White House ethics officials to try to talk the president into begging his son not to go through with this sale. Reporter Walter Shaub was director of Government Ethics under President Obama. Dont the children of president s have the right to pursue a career the children of president s have the absolute right to pursue a career. But as citizens of this country, they really have a moral and ethical duty not to trade on their parents public service. Reporter there is also concern that someone might try to gain influence with the president by buying his Sons Art i can tell you that after careful consideration, a system has been established that allows for Hunter Biden to work in his profession within reasonable safeguards. Reporter first reported by the washington post, the administration has made an agreement with the gallery not to reveal buyers names to anyone, including Hunter Biden or the White House. This is an amateur mistake, because there is no way to control what the purchasers do they can go out and tell the world that they bought this art. Reporter Hunter Biden has previously come under fire, including for taking a lucrative Board Position at ukrainian Gas Company Burisma while his father was vp but he is also not alone. Past president s children including the trumps have raised ethics concerns. In this case, experts say more transparency would help the american people deserve the opportunity to be able to track whether or not these purchasers are getting preferential access to government. Reporter not saying who is buying the art, shaub says, is the problem stephanie gosk, Nbc News, New York up next for us, remarkable new images from out of this world. Here are the two battling to the Line And Allyson felix. Simone manuels above her trying to fight on, and above simone. Getting an opportunity to show her stuff. Nonstop, displayed at the highest performance level. Finding something and the us takes Gold Dream on Dream On Dream On Dream On yes Ahhhhhhh Dream until your Dreams Come True incredible new images are in tonight from Richard Bransons historic space launch. Branson may have won the billionaire space race, but in eight days, Jeff Bezos aims to go even higher. Tom costello explains. Fire. Fire. Reporter tonight new onboard video of virgin Galactics Unity rocketing to space from 46,000 feet the new Mexico Desert quickly falling away. Youre clear to unstrap. Welcome to Space Reporter then Richard Branson realizing his longheld dream of floating weightless. This is unbelievable this is too unbelievable reporter the curvature of earth, the darkness of space, and a spaceship full of Windows Next week fellow Space Billionaire Jeff Bezos is set to launch from West Texas both men hope to drag down Ticket Prices to make Space Tourism far more affordable. But theyve also been criticized for not using the money to help desperate people on earth, though the head of nasa says the country needs space entrepreneurs too. We never want to lose our character as explorers, as adventurers. Thats part of who we are as americans reporter did it live up to your expectations and your hopes . Ive had a lot of experiences. This was definitely the most incredible experience of all. Reporter branson says he is now most focused on saving the earth. For The Next Generation of dreamers, if we can do this, just imagine what you can do. Reporter and The Next Generation of adventurers. Tom costello, Nbc News, las cruces, New Mexico up next for us tonight, inspiration from a 5yearold, right here on earth. Finally, the 5yearold boy who has been so brave, taking The Field at fenway and inspiring america. Reporter for anyone, a trip to the ballpark can be a special day. And for massachusetts native quinn waters, throwing out the first pitch for the Boston Red sox was a dream come true. Weve seen so many big, memorable moments at Fenway Park so for us to sequin sequin out there was a pretty surreal moment. Reporter the 5yearold even met bostons favorite green monster. Wally reporter quinn has been fighting a personal battle. Two years ago he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. After months of treatment, doctors found no new evidence of disease, but earlier this year, two new growths were discovered that was like getting hit by a truck, you know. Weve been through it all before reporter known by his supporters as the Mighty Quinn for the way hes dealt with it all. Its hard to quit with so many people behind you telling you to keep going. Hes teaching us all to be brave. Reporter by taking life one day at a time, always with a dream for tomorrow go to disneyland. All right, Mighty Quinn. Thats nightly news for this monday. Thank you for watching, everyone im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and Each Other. Good Night Delicia this is where all our recycling is sorted 1. 2 million pounds every day, helping to make San Francisco the greenest big city in america. But thats not all youll find here. There are hundreds of goodpaying jobs, with most new workers hired from bayviewhunters point. We dont just work at recology, we own it, creating opportunity and a better planet. Now, thats making a difference. Next on Nbc Bay Area news. Tonight, will you need that Booster Shot or not . The Delta Event in part fueling that debate. The Delta Variant is reaching around the world at a scorching pace. We are talking to our infectious Disease Expert about it. Were also looking at how prevalent the Delta Variant is here in the bay area. Plus. Theres no onesizefitsall approach. San joses mayor invited to the White House. Were talking to Sam Liccardo with the plan at that caught