
Carlos Barria / Reuters

Biden defends Afghanistan withdrawal: 'Not extending a forever exit'
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday gave a forceful defense of his decision to pull troops from Afghanistan as critics question the chaotic final chapter of the nation's longest war. "I was not going to extend this forever war, and I was not extending a forever exit," he said in his first public speech since the last U.S. troops left Afghanistan.
Biden: ‘No deadline’ for Americans still in Afghanistan who want to leave
President Biden on Tuesday vowed the federal government would remain committed to getting U.S. citizens who want to leave Afghanistan out of the country, estimating that up to 200 still remain…


Harris presides over Senate passage of bill to boost funds for Americans leaving Afghanistan
The bill increases temporary assistance for Americans returning from abroad.


Biden defends departure from 'forever war,' praises airlift
WASHINGTON (AP) — A defensive President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the U.S. airlift to extract more than 120,000 Americans, Afghans and other allies from Afghanistan to end a 20-year war an “extraordinary success," though more than 100 Americans and thousands of others were left behind.


Ida left more than 1 million without power, possibly for weeks. And now comes the scorching heat | CNN
The levees held. The power grid did not. Millions of Gulf Coast residents who survived Ida's devastating winds and deluge of rain face a new danger -- widespread power outages that are expected to last for weeks on end, coupled with a period of excessive heat.

Victorious Taliban focus on governing after US withdrawal
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban reveled in their victory after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, reiterating their pledge Tuesday to bring peace and security to the country after decades of war.


Biden gives a defiant defense of the withdrawal from Afghanistan: 'I was not extending a forever exit'
President Joe Biden on Tuesday offered a vigorous defense of his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan, defending the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul a day after the last American military planes left the country, marking the conclusion of the US' longest war nearly 20 years after it began.


No update from Biden admin on 24 Sacramento students trapped in Afghanistan
The office of Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., confirmed to Fox News that two dozen Sacramento-area students are stranded in Afghanistan and the Biden administration has not provided an update on their status.

Analysis: U.S. liberals see dwindling legal options to challenge voting curbs
During the bitter legal battles over the 2020 presidential election, conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices signaled an embrace of a once-marginal legal doctrine that largely gives state legislatures power to set election rules.


Paul Ryan says it’s ‘really clear’ Biden won election: ‘It was not rigged. It was not stolen’
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said it’s “really clear” that President Biden won the 2020 election, as fellow Republicans in his home state gear up for an audit of presidential …


Ida's sweltering aftermath: No power, no water, no gasoline
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve.


In Hurricane Ida's wake, search crews "trying to save lives" in Louisiana with over a million without power
More than 750 people are helping with the search and rescue efforts, while over 25,000 linemen are trying to restore electricity.


Texas Legislature sends sweeping GOP voting bill to governor
The Texas Legislature has signed off on a sweeping GOP rewrite of election laws after months of protests by Democrats

Democrats counter Republican-led voter restrictions with early, aggressive outreach
David Harris did not need an explanation when the two canvassers on his driveway asked him and his wife Jamie if they had heard about the new voting restrictions that the Republicans leading his state of Iowa had passed.


Drone video shows devastation in Lafourche Parish after Hurricane Ida
Residents of the community just south of New Orleans may return home Tuesday, but for some, there might not be much to pick up.


War-weary Afghans divided on Taliban rule as US forces depart
Many Afghans fear a potential economic collapse as the Taliban celebrates the withdrawal of the last US troops.

Pentagon: ‘We’re still obviously concerned’ about Americans left in Afghanistan
Roughly 100 American citizens remain in the country, under threat from the Taliban and ISIS-K.


USPS has shorted some workers’ pay for years, CPI finds
A Center for Public Integrity investigation finds that the U.S. Postal Service regularly cheats mail carriers out of their pay
Fox News accused of stoking violence after Tucker Carlson ‘revolt’ prediction
• Media watchdog raises alarm at primetime host’s comments • ‘Fox News, not Facebook, will be the driver of next insurrection’ Tucker Carlson said in Monday night’s monologue: ‘When leaders refuse to hold themselves accountable over time, people revolt. That happens.’ Photograph: Chip...

Former President Donald Trump says he will return to Iowa, adding grist to 2024 speculation
Trump's announcement on the show comes as other potential Republican presidential contenders are already making trips to Iowa.
www.usatoday.com

Woman testifies about R. Kelly prodding her to have sex
A woman testifying against R. Kelly at the R&B singer's racketeering trial said on Tuesday he pressured her to have sexual relations with him not long after they met, even though she was not ready.

Trump Reveals His Master Plan for Afghanistan: We Should’ve ‘Let It Rot’
Fox BusinessDonald Trump has had a lot to say about how Joe Biden has mishandled the withdrawal from Afghanistan—but, when given the chance to explain what he would have done differently, Trump’s master plan boiled down to leaving the country in smouldering ruins before leaving it forever.The...

What happened to the military equipment left in Afghanistan?
The U.S. "demilitarized," or rendered useless, nearly 170 pieces of equipment in Kabul.


Taliban members escorted Americans to gates at Kabul airport in secret arrangement with US
The US military negotiated a secret arrangement with the Taliban that resulted in members of the militant group escorting clusters of Americans to the gates of the Kabul airport as they sought to escape Afghanistan, two defense officials told CNN.


Zelenskyy heads to White House after featuring in US politics
The Ukrainian president’s visit will signify that his prominent role in Trump impeachment trial is behind him.

US has moral obligation to aid Afghanistan, Afghan Americans say
Activists urge Biden administration to welcome refugees, end drone attacks and provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Biden says U.S. committed to safe passage for last 100-200 Americans left in Afghanistan
The White House on Tuesday said 98% of Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were able to do so, and President Joe Biden affirmed that the United States remained committed to helping the remaining 100 to 200 U.S. citizens who had some intention to leave.


Social Security won't be able to pay full benefits by 2034, a year earlier than expected due to the pandemic | CNN Politics
Social Security will have to cut benefits by 2034 if Congress does nothing to address the program's long-term funding shortfall, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the Social Security and Medicare trustees.

Capitol riot lawyer John Pierce goes missing with Covid excuse and 17 pending cases, prosecutors say
Prosecutors warned a judge that Pierce associate Ryan Marshall — who has been appearing in Pierce's absence over the past week — "is not a licensed attorney."

Biden concedes no mistakes, but faults Trump peace deal in defending Afghanistan withdrawal
President Joe Biden defended the way his administration handled the Afghanistan pullout while heartily criticizing former President Donald Trump for helping the Taliban regain their "strongest military position since 2001."


New Taliban rulers face tough economic, security challenges
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers face tough economic and security challenges as they step back into power in a country that is vastly different from the one they left 20 years ago.


Bus driver shortage strands 2,100 Chicago public school students
Chicago is giving the families of stranded school children $1,000 to cover the cost of transportation for the next two weeks following a disastrous first day of classes that saw 2,100 students without a ride due to a bus driver shortage.


Biden administration to resume drilling auctions in setback to climate agenda
The Biden administration announced plans on Tuesday to open millions of acres for oil and gas exploration as the White House sought to comply with a court order requiring it to resume lease auctions.


GOP-led states challenge Biden administration on transgender rights
The suit is seeking to strike down directives allowing trans workers and students to use bathrooms and join sports teams that align with their gender identity.


Amid violent reprisals, Afghans fear the Taliban's 'amnesty' was empty
Reports suggest the Taliban are searching for, and allegedly killing, people they pledged to leave in peace.
www.bbc.com

Iran to investigate videos showing torture, inhumane conditions in prison
Former inmates at Iran’s Evin Prison describe a climate of brutality and punishment after hackers reportedly leaked videos showing torture and inhumane conditions.

McAuliffe holds narrow lead in Virginia as Democrats face enthusiasm test
A new Monmouth University poll shows the former Democratic governor slightly ahead of his GOP opponent, Glenn Youngkin.


Biden says the era of U.S. nation building is over as he marks the end of the Afghanistan war
President Joe Biden in an address to the nation Tuesday defended his decision to end the U.S. war in Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of conflict.
COVID recession pushed Social Security insolvency up a year
The sharp shock of the coronavirus recession pushed Social Security a year closer to insolvency but left Medicare’s exhaustion date unchanged, the government reported Tuesday in a counterintuitive assessment that deepens the uncertainty around the nation's bedrock retirement programs. The new...

Unresponsive lawyer for Jan. 6 defendants leaves cases at a standstill, prosecutors say
An attorney representing a number of those charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack has been unresponsive to prosecutors for a week, the government said.

GOP demands keeping troops in Kabul until all Americans evacuated
House Republicans on Tuesday called for a vote on legislation that would keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan until all Americans are evacuated, a day after the nation’s 20-year military engagement form…


Harris makes rare recess appearance to help pass Afghanistan evacuee bill
The legislation boosts repatriation funding to aid the more than 5,000 Americans who were evacuated from Afghanistan.


Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan in line for GOP backlash over Afghanistan crisis
President Joe Biden’s two closest foreign policy advisers, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, are coming into focus as the top targets of Republican anger over the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.


Defiant Biden rejects criticism of Afghan exit, points to Afghan military and Trump
President Joe Biden on Tuesday defiantly rejected criticism of his decision to stick to a deadline to pull out of Afghanistan this week, a move that left up to 200 Americans in the country along with thousands of U.S.-aligned Afghan citizens.


New Orleans institutes curfew as power outages remain after Hurricane Ida
Hurricane Ida destroyed communities, turned streets into rivers and left almost 1 million without power and thousands without water in the South.

A defiant Biden calls Afghanistan exit a ‘success’
The president’s speech capped a tumultuous month that brought an end to America’s longest war.


More than 11% of US households are homeschooling: Report
More than 11% of households in the United States are homeschooling rather than sending children to public or private institutions, according to census data.

Pentagon denies, criticizes viral reports that US left service dogs in Afghanistan
Posts about efforts to evacuate animals from Afghanistan led the Pentagon to strongly deny that any U.S. military service dogs were left behind.

Scientists detail role of climate change in Ida’s intensity
A combination of climate-related factors such as warm ocean temperatures and increased sea level rise helped fuel Hurricane Ida and its path of destruction, scientists said.The deadly storm made la…


These charts show which states will get the most money from Biden's infrastructure bill
CNBC used White House estimates to map which states could see the biggest infrastructure spending if President Joe Biden signs the legislation.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn promotes false election claims, warns of 'bloodshed' if fraud occurs in future
The 26-year-old freshman lawmaker made the remarks Sunday at an event at the Macon County Republican Party headquarters in Franklin, N.C.


Dems sweat Latino turnout in California recall
There are signs Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t locked in a once reliable and fast-growing Democratic voting bloc.


High winds threaten to whip up flames approaching Lake Tahoe
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — A day after an explosive wildfire emptied a resort city at the southern tip of Lake Tahoe, a huge firefighting force braced for strong winds Tuesday as some residents in neighboring Nevada were ordered to evacuate.


Paul Ryan: It's 'really clear' Trump lost 2020 election
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan slapped down assertions that former President Donald Trump lost in a fraudulent election, saying it is "really clear" President Joe Biden beat him fairly.


American describes being left behind in Kabul: ‘I don’t believe in anybody anymore’
An American left behind after U.S. troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan on Monday described her fear and frustration during an interview with CNN. “I just found out tha…

Hillary Clinton's 'deplorables' speech shocked voters five years ago - but some feel it was prescient
Let's start with the obvious: "Basket of deplorables" is a weird turn of phrase. There are baskets and there are deplorable people, but pairing the two is the oddest of linguistic odd couples. Hillary Clinton said those three words in the final months of her 2016 presidential campaign, making...

The Latest: Milley praises those who served in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reflected on the Afghanistan war’s end and delivered an emotional tribute Tuesday to the 13 service members killed by a suicide bombing last week.


Judge rebuffs red states’ challenge to Biden’s ‘social costs’ of greenhouse gases
A federal judge rejected a challenge from 12 states with Republican attorneys general that attempted to block the Biden administration from using certain figures to calculate the climate benefits o…


Pakistan says 11 Islamic State militants killed in raid
Pakistan's counter-terrorism police say 11 militants of the Islamic State group were killed in a raid in restive southwestern Baluchistan province
Capitol Rioter Who Palled Around With Pa. Republicans Ordered Jailed Until Trial
Samuel Lazar, the Pennsylvania Trump fanatic known to online sleuths as #FacePaintBlowHard, was photographed with GOP politicians.

Taliban demand US diplomats return to Kabul
Taliban officials “expect” President Joe Biden to reopen the U.S. Embassy in Kabul despite U.S. insistence that future diplomatic relations will depend on Taliban behavior.


August was a tough month for Biden — and September could be worse
First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.


Texas' 6-week abortion ban lets private citizens sue in an unprecedented legal approach
A Texas state law that bans abortion after as early as six weeks into the pregnancy could provide the playbook for red states to pass extreme abortion restrictions -- without having to wait for the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade.


Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes' criminal trial begins
Jury selection starts in Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes' criminal trial. She faces 12 counts of fraud.

Afghanistan: How can the West stop terror bases?
The foreign secretary says the UK will fight ISIS-K by all means available - but what does that mean?
www.bbc.com
FBI examining $100M tax refund push by Arizona Gov. Ducey staffers after Arizona Republic/USA TODAY investigation
The FBI's Public Corruption Unit is investigating Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey's effort to give a $100 million tax refund to clients of a major GOP donor.

Ivanka Trump still focused on 'family time' as she's spotted on walk with daughter
Ivanka Trump stepped out for a walk with her daughter Saturday. The former White House adviser has been "focusing on family time" after serving four years in the Trump administration.

Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello says Afghan female guitar students are in "grave danger" and need to be rescued
"I'm writing on behalf of some very special girls in Afghanistan who are in grave danger," Morello said. "... Since the Taliban takeover their school has been destroyed and the girls are in hiding."


Father of Marine killed in Kabul blast says meeting with Biden ‘didn’t go well’
The father of a marine who was killed in Kabul criticized his meeting with President Biden, telling Fox News’s Sean Hannity that it “didn’t go we…


The Major Problems Blocking America’s Electric Car Future
The electric future is coming. But how quickly is less certain.


Black men executed in 1951 rape granted posthumous pardons
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has granted posthumous pardons to seven Black men executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman
Proposed deal could end fight over 2020 census documents
A House oversight committee and the Commerce Department have reached an understanding that could lead to a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the legislative panel after the Trump administration ignored subpoenas for records on how the 2020 census was conducted. Members of the House Committee on...

Satellite photo suggests North Korea back at work on nuclear arsenal
"The only reason this reactor operates is to make nuclear weapons. The fact it's running means they're going to add to their stockpile," said an expert.


Churches In Haiti Lie In Ruins After The Earthquake But Still Try To Comfort And Help
Hundreds of churches in the quake zone were damaged or destroyed. Services have resumed in many places, but rebuilding will be a lengthy process.


Taliban take control, promise religious rule amid reports of executions, forced marriages
Afghanistan’s first day under Taliban rule in nearly two decades has already been marked with fear and violence as officials with the new government are killing individuals as they vow to impose a strict Islamic way of life now that American forces have left the country.
Fortune CEO Postpones Major Event After Magazine Staffers Plan to Picket It
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero/The Daily BeastStaffers at the popular business publication Fortune planned to strike outside the magazine’s first in-person conference in years, ultimately forcing its postponement. Their plans allegedly had the support of Biden Cabinet members, according to...

Environmental group warns hydrogen is a ‘false solution’ for renewables
Environmental advocacy group Earthjustice warned in a report published Tuesday that hydrogen cannot serve as a “silver bullet” against climate change if it is derived from fossil fuels.In the …


Trump 'Kraken' lawyer Sidney Powell lands in Washington
The embattled attorney has purchased office space just outside the district.

El Salvador Congress backs $150 million fund for bitcoin ahead of adoption
El Salvador's Congress on Tuesday approved a law to create a $150 million fund to facilitate conversions from bitcoin to U.S. dollars ahead of the Central American country's planned adoption of the cryptocurrency as legal tender next week. With 64 votes in favor and 14 votes against, Congress...

Biden digs in with fervent defense of Afghanistan withdrawal
President Biden on Tuesday offered a full-throated defense of his decision to withdraw the U.S. military from Afghanistan, saying the 20-year war was no longer serving the national interest of the …

The US supreme court is deciding more and more cases in a secretive ‘shadow docket’
These emergency rulings – short, unsigned and issued without hearing oral arguments – undermine the public’s faith in the integrity of the court ‘It seems like the majority-conservative court has transformed a rarely used tool into a way to achieve its preferred outcomes without having to...

Interior Department posts new lease sales a week after resumption announcement
The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday posted new leases for oil and gas drilling on 16,500 acres in five states, one week after the Interior Department announced that leasing in the areas would …


New Orleans Levees Passed Hurricane Ida's Test, But Some Suburbs Flooded
The levees, floodwalls and floodgates that protect New Orleans held up against Hurricane Ida's fury, passing their toughest test since an upgraded system was put in place after Hurricane Katrina.


Death of woman found after hiking date with officer ruled an accident
Angela Tramonte, 31, of Massachusetts, was found dead on July 30 near a trail on Camelback Mountain in Arizona.


Irish population tops 5m for first time since 1851 census
There were also 742,300 people living in the Republic Ireland aged 65 and over in April, figures show.
www.bbc.com

Opinion | The Clamor to Prosecute Trump for Election Interference Is Misguided
His behavior is so unprecedented that it outstrips existing statutes. That’s where Congress needs to step in.


Pompeo says Afghanistan ‘will be on people’s minds’ in 2022 midterms
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thinks the tumultuous U.S. exit from Afghanistan this month will remain a top issue in next year’s midterm elections, when Republicans aim to recapture lost majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Dolphin swims through Louisiana neighborhood in Hurricane Ida floodwaters
A resident caught the unexpected sight on video.


South Korea bans Google, Apple payment monopolies
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s National Assembly approved legislation on Tuesday that bans app store operators such as Google and Apple from forcing developers to use their in-app payment systems.


Sarah Rainsford: My last despatch before Russian expulsion
The BBC's Moscow correspondent files her final despatch after more than 20 years reporting in Russia.
www.bbc.com
South Dakota Attorney General Who Killed Man in Crash Gets Speeding Ticket
Jason Ravnsborg/Wikimedia CommonsJust four days before he was set to stand trial for a fatal road accident, South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg got a speeding ticket—for going 57 mph in a 35 mph zone.It was Ravnsborg’s seventh speeding infraction in seven years, according to local...

Home prices rose 18.6 percent annually in June, a third straight record high
A closely watched gauge of housing prices rose nearly 20 percent year over year in June, according to data released Tuesday, setting a new record high for the third consecutive month.The S&P Co…


The I-word looms: McCarthy faces internal pressure to go harder at Biden on Afghanistan
The House GOP leader has resisted an impeachment call, and the Freedom Caucus isn't going there yet. But some see the debate as inevitable.


Biden lauded Afghan military in last call with Ghani, discussed ‘perception’ problem: report
President Biden lauded the Afghan military and discussed the government’s “perception” problem in his final call with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani before the Taliban takeover.Biden and Ghani …

GOP Rips Biden For Working With Taliban After Supporting Trump Doing It
“We had an unconditional surrender,” lamented GOP Rep. Mike McCaul, who last year said it was time to give the violent Afghan military group a chance.

US commits to $60 million in aid to Ukraine before WH visit
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is promising up to $60 million in military aid to Ukraine in advance of a White House meeting on Wednesday between President Joe Biden and his counterpart in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.


Ida collapses Mississippi road; kills 2, injures at least 10
Two people were killed and at least 10 others were injured when their vehicles plunged into a large, muddy pit after a roadway collapsed in Mississippi

After stranding Americans in Afghanistan, Biden admin warns 'all areas' of country 'unsafe'
The Biden administration on Tuesday warned that "all areas" of Afghanistan are "unsafe" after an unknown number of Americans were left stranded in the country after the last U.S. troops left on Monday evening.

Pentagon denies leaving service dogs in cages at Kabul airport
The Pentagon is denying reports that the U.S. military left service dogs behind in cages at Kabul airport after pulling its last troops out of the country.“Photos circulating online were …


Small Louisiana communities bear brunt of Hurricane Ida
New Orleans largely escaped catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Ida, but nearby communities were not so lucky

Here's How Presidents Have Responded To Terrorism
Presidents' reactions have consistently combined outrage with promises of revenge. The language is remarkably similar. But there has been far less consistency in the delivery of actual retaliation.


Louisiana hospitals brace for victims of Ida amid regional Covid surge
"Ida was a rough ride yesterday," the chief of a Louisiana hospital system said.


OxyContin-Maker Purdue Pharma Launched A Stealth Campaign To Sway U.S. Officials
With a federal judge poised to approve Purdue Pharma's controversial Chapter 11 plan, the company is working behind the scenes to preempt a legal challenge by the DOJ.


Videos show altercation between police officer and Black woman walking dog
Videos show altercation between White Chicago police officer and Black woman as she is walking her dog along the beach saturday morning

These 7 Black Men Were Executed For An Alleged Rape. Now, They Have Been Pardoned
Gov. Ralph Northam said pardoning the "Martinsville Seven" was the state's way of acknowledging that the men were executed without due process.


House Republicans call for Afghanistan accountability and demand Biden resign
House Republicans pledged to hold the Biden administration accountable for the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal as the Freedom Caucus formally demands President Biden resign.

Starbucks workers launch rare campaign to form a union
Employees at three stores in New York state say they face chronic understaffing and unpredictable scheduling.


Defiant Biden takes 'responsibility' for decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, touts mission success
President Biden, in a defiant address to the nation Tuesday, said that he takes “responsibility” for the decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, while blaming former President Trump and the Afghan security forces for the crisis leading to the Taliban takeover of the country.

The Story Of J.P. Morgan's 'Personal Librarian' — And Why She Chose To Pass As White
For the Code Switch podcast, we talked to authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray to discuss The Personal Librarian — the fictionalized account of the very real Belle da Costa Greene.


Hate Crimes Reach The Highest Level In More Than A Decade
The 6% spike in hate crimes reported by the FBI for 2020 follows a recent upward trend in incidents. But some experts and advocacy groups say the true number is probably even higher.


Pro-Antifa teacher brags about turning students into 'revolutionaries,' undercover video shows
A pro-Antifa teacher in California bragged about turning his students into far-left “revolutionaries,” according to a new video released by James O'Keefe's Project Veritas.

Asian, Black households more likely to donate to racial justice causes
“A lot of the attention ... has been on foundations and the corporate side, but it’s also important to realize that everyday donors ... have been part of this,” one researcher said.


Court Backs A Teacher Who Refused To Use Transgender Students' Pronouns
Virginia's Supreme Court upheld a ruling that ordered the reinstatement of a teacher who said he won't refer to trans students by their pronouns. The teacher cited his religious convictions.


US consumer confidence falls in August to 6-month low
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumer confidence fell in August to the lowest level since February amid rising concerns about the rapidly spreading delta variant of the coronavirus and worries about higher inflation.


Mike Richards is out as executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune"
Richards stepped down from hosting "Jeopardy!" earlier this month after after past insensitive comments he made on his podcast resurfaced.


Kiss postpones tour dates as Gene Simmons tests positive for COVID-19
Gene Simmons has become the second member of Kiss to contract COVID-19, causing the rock band to postpone upcoming tour dates, it announced on Twitter on Tuesday.In a statement …


Louisiana hospitals brace for victims of Ida amid regional Covid surge
"Ida was a rough ride yesterday," the chief of a Louisiana hospital system said.


Blinken pledges support to Americans left in Afghanistan after withdrawal: 'We will help them leave'
Secretary of State Tony Blinken pledged ongoing support to what he described as the “small number of Americans” still in Afghanistan after the last U.S. troops departed the country on Monday.

Americans left behind in Afghanistan despite Psaki claim it was 'irresponsible' to say some are 'stranded'
Psaki last week that it was 'irresponsible' to say Americans were stranded in the country

Victorious Taliban focus on governing after US withdrawal
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban reveled in their victory after the American withdrawal from Afghanistan, reiterating their pledge Tuesday to bring peace and security to the country after decades of war.


Kerry in Japan to discuss effort to cut emissions
He is also scheduled to visit China.


Analysis: War is over but not Biden's Afghanistan challenges
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the final stream of U.S. cargo planes soaring over the peaks of the Hindu Kush, President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise to end America’s longest war , one it could not win.


Uncertainty lingers for Americans trying to leave Afghanistan after U.S. withdrawal
Secretary of State Antony Blinken says between 100 and 200 Americans who want to leave are in Afghanistan.


As US military leaves Kabul, many Americans, Afghans remain
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the final five U.S. military transport aircraft lifted off out of Afghanistan, they left behind up to 200 Americans and thousands of desperate Afghans who couldn't get out and now must rely on the Taliban to allow their departure.


Rep. Cawthorn talks of 'bloodshed' over future elections as he pushes voting lies | CNN Politics
Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn on Sunday suggested there could be "bloodshed" over future elections as he pushed false claims about election security and voter fraud.

‘Reap what you sow’: US commander says Taliban will have ‘their hands full with ISIS-K’
With the U.S. military having completely withdrawn from Afghanistan, the Taliban will have their hands full dealing with ISIS-K, according to Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., U.S. CENTCOM commander.


Caldor Fire Nearly 50% Contained, As Crews Continue Battling 'Troublesome' Spots | KQED
Since the Caldor Fire first erupted on Aug. 14, the blaze has devoured nearly than 217,000 acres and destroyed at least 776 homes, forcing mass evacuations. As of Tuesday morning, it was 49% contained.

This is the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan
Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, was one of the commanders on the ground running the evacuation mission.

Alabama football coach Nick Saban says Nancy Pelosi 'probably has a more important job than me'
"I don't think of age as an issue," the 69-year-old six-time national champion told The New York Times. "I mean, how old's Nancy Pelosi?"

Ida's sweltering aftermath: No power, no water, no gasoline
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of Louisianans sweltered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Tuesday with no electricity, no tap water, precious little gasoline and no clear idea of when things might improve.


Kamala Harris: The absentee VP by design
Since Harris took office, she has yet to hold even one formal press conference. Not one.

Homeland Security to oversee entry of Afghans. Refugee agencies brace for mammoth task
The Biden administration designated the Department of Homeland Security to oversee entry of vulnerable Afghans into the U.S.

'I hope I'm wrong': GOP lawmaker explains mixed feelings over leaving Afghanistan in Taliban control
Republican Congressman and US military veteran Adam Kinzinger on Monday reflected on the closing of America's longest war, saying that while he's relieved, Afghanistan now being under Taliban control has left him with mixed emotions.


Blinken outlines path to legitimacy for Taliban
Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the prospect of additional diplomatic contact with the Taliban in a speech marking the end of a dangerous evacuation effort and the withdrawal of the last U.S. forces from Afghanistan.


Pelosi backs bill to expedite rental aid after eviction ruling
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is throwing support behind legislation aiming to expedite federal rental aid to tenants and landlords, an issue that has taken on particula…


Americans give Biden low marks on Afghanistan pullout: Reuters/Ipsos poll
Less than 40% of Americans approve of President Joe Biden's handling of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, and three quarters wanted U.S. forces to remain in the country until all American civilians could get out, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Monday.

Trump: US should get 'every penny' of abandoned equipment or 'bomb the hell' out of it
Former President Donald Trump called on the present Biden administration to get "every penny" of U.S. equipment out of the region or "bomb the hell" out of the country.

Biden and Congress are setting 'a 5-alarm fire' by letting federal unemployment benefits expire in a week as Delta surges, an expert says
Federal jobless aid expires in a week. Congress isn't renewing it. "A lot of people will be harmed by this," said Andrew Stettner, a policy expert.

Biden pledges a vast federal response to Hurricane Ida for 'as long as it takes'
The federal government is doing everything in its power to aid Louisiana and Mississippi in recovering from Hurricane Ida, President Joe Biden said Monday.

U.S. drone strikes an ISIS-K vehicle packed with explosives in Kabul
The U.S. carried out a military strike on Sunday against an ISIS-K target in Kabul.

Biden sees Dem support dwindle over Afghanistan withdrawal
President Biden has faced mounting criticism from lawmakers within his own party in recent days as the last U.S. forces depart Afghanistan following a chaotic evacuation mission.
Ida carves path of destruction across Louisiana, leaves low-lying towns stranded
Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast, knocked out power to over 1 million homes in Louisiana on Monday and prompted rescue operations in flooded communities around New Orleans as the weakening storm churned northward.


Ida topples New Orleans jazz landmark where Armstrong worked
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A storied New Orleans jazz site where a young Louis Armstrong once worked toppled when Ida blew through Louisiana as one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever hit the U.S.


Saints working 500 miles from home after displaced by Ida
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Displaced by Hurricane Ida, the New Orleans Saints went back to work Monday about 500 miles away in the stadium of another NFL team. Coach Sean Payton stood on the star logo in the middle of the home field of the Dallas Cowboys as the Saints stretched out for their first...

Everything you need to know about Larry Elder
Conservative talk show host Larry Elder has emerged as the Republican front-runner in the race to replace Gavin Newsom if voters recall the governor.

'Hundreds' of US citizens left behind as troops leave Afghanistan
There were "hundreds" of Americans left behind in Afghanistan when U.S. troops departed for good on Tuesday morning local time.


House Panel Investigating The Capitol Attack Orders 35 Companies To Preserve Records
The Democratic-led committee is targeting the communication records of individuals who've been charged with crimes related to the attack, and those who participated in a rally preceding the riot.

Afghanistan latest: Taliban leaders walk across airport runway to mark triumph; US finishes withdrawal
The last US military plane has left Kabul; the Taliban are now in charge. Biden will address America as evacuation — and a 20-year war — ends.
www.usatoday.com

Illinois Democrats OK new legislative maps over criticism
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Democrats were poised to set new legislative boundaries over objections from Republicans and some community groups that the process was unnecessarily rushed and maps were drawn behind closed doors to keep Democrats' grip on power in the state Legislature.


Colonial Williamsburg adds gay and transgender reenactments
Colonial Williamsburg is bringing a slice of gay and transgender history to life this Fall.


Split U.N. Security Council urges Taliban to allow travel, aid
The vote came shortly before the U.S. moved its last troops out of Afghanistan.


Blinken: Taliban must earn ‘international legitimacy and support’
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday laid the groundwork for how the U.S. will engage with an Afghanistan led by the Taliban, following the full American military withdrawal from the country…

Election-fraud conspiracy theorist Sidney Powell pressed by Australian reporter: 'Do you ever hear yourself and think that it sounds ridiculous?'
Powell faces defamation lawsuits over her baseless claims that widespread election fraud stole the presidency from Donald Trump.
U.S. urges lawyers to volunteer to fight feared surge of evictions
The U.S. Justice Department on Monday urged attorneys across the legal profession to volunteer their time to assist the crush of tenants expected to be forced out of homes now that a COVID-19 pandemic-related eviction moratorium has ended. The move came four days after the U.S. Supreme Court...

School board members look for exits as meetings get heated over CRT, other topics
Heated school board meetings on topics that include critical race theory have prompted some school board members to look for the exit due to the clashes that some say lead to threats and harassment, according to a report.

Cuomo legal woes continue, could cost public at least $9.5M
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Resigning from office probably didn’t end former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legal problems, and no matter what happens next, taxpayers are likely to wind up with a hefty bill. The state has already agreed to pay up to $9.5 million to lawyers representing and investigating Cuomo and...


Family urges Biden to press Taliban for release of hostage as withdrawal nears
The family of a man being held hostage by the Taliban is begging the Biden administration not to leave him behind when the military withdrawals from Afghanistan on Tuesday.


Capitol riot defender reportedly has Covid, bringing cases to a standstill, DOJ says
A prominent lawyer has not been appearing at recent court hearings on behalf of some of his nearly 20 US Capitol riot clients after reportedly becoming ill with Covid-19, the Department of Justice said in court filings in multiple cases on Monday.


Almost 800 rescued in St. John the Baptist Parish after Hurricane Ida
At least three people have died as a result of the storm.

GOP lawmakers demand House consider Afghanistan bill requiring evacuation plan, updates on Americans
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called Monday for the chamber to return from its recess to consider legislation that would mandate reports on Americans left behind in Afghanistan following President Biden’s decision to stick to an Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline.

The New Israeli Leader's Game Plan: Charm And Muddling Through
In their first meeting, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and President Biden appeared eager to move on from the contentious years of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Serious environmental harm": Federal judge throws out Trump rule limiting waterways protections
A federal judge on Monday tossed out a Trump administration rule that rolled back protections for streams, marshes and wetlands across the U.S.Why it matters: Environmental and tribal groups have pushed the court to vacate the rule, which the Biden administration has kept in place while coming...

Giuliani's communications director resigns as legal problems mount | CNN Politics
Rudy Giuliani's communications director has resigned from her position, ending a nearly two-year stint as the former New York City mayor faces mounting legal problems.

Man testifies R. Kelly sexually abused him when he was 17
A man on Monday said in court that singer R. Kelly used his fame to sexually exploit and groom him, The Guardian reports.The witness, who didn’t provide his real name, said on the e…


How to help Hurricane Ida victims with donations, volunteering
How to help with Hurricane Ida relief efforts through remote volunteering and donations.

About 1.6 mln more Americans had health insurance in 2020 - CDC
About 1.6 million more Americans had some form of health insurance coverage despite the COVID-19 crisis last year, helped mainly by enrollment growth in government-sponsored health plans, early data from a U.S. government office showed.


Afghanistan: Fleeing the Taliban into Pakistan and leaving dreams behind
The BBC speaks to Afghans fleeing the Taliban into Pakistan at the Chaman Spin Boldak border.
www.bbc.com
Ukraine's president is visiting the White House. Biden can't afford to play nice anymore.
President Joe Biden won't do himself or Ukraine any favors if he continues to back up Kyiv's maximalist positions.

Ida Updates: Neighboring states send assistance to Louisiana
The Latest on Hurricane Ida : JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that state and local emergency responders conducted 20 rescues from flooded areas in the state’s three coastal counties.


A long night, then relief: Mississippi dodges worst of Hurricane Ida
As daybreak brought a clearer picture of the damage, it was clear that Ida had scarred but not severely damaged Mississippi.


Displaced by Ida: Low on funds, family of 7 looks for refuge
For Shelly Savoie, time is running out at the Motel 6 in Bossier City, Louisiana. So are diapers and dollars. Savoie and her family of six fled their home in a New Orleans suburb on the West Bank of the Mississippi river as powerful Hurricane Ida hit the region, knocking out power for...

Fact check: Posts misrepresent Biden kneeling for photo with Seattle Storm at the White House
President Joe Biden again was criticized after being photographed while kneeling. But these posts have taken an image out of context.

Power surge disrupts NYC subway system for hours
An “unprecedented” power surge in New York disrupted the city’s subway system for hours on Sunday, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).Hochul, during a news conference on Monday, said one half…


Students hit by Ida turn to TikTok to share their experiences
Students said making TikToks and finding ways to laugh during the storm helped them cope with the reality of what was happening outside their windows.


Gunfire as Taliban celebrate US leaving Afghanistan
Gunfire rang out as the BBC's Lyse Doucet reported on US troops' departure from Kabul.
www.bbc.com

U.S. winds down Kabul mission after helping evacuate 116,000 people in just over 2 weeks
The U.S. is a day away from ending its evacuation mission in Kabul, marking the apparent end of a 20-year attempt to create a stable democracy in Afghanistan.

Years later, California voters still wait on water projects
SITES, Calif. (AP) — In 2014, in the middle of a severe drought that would test California's complex water storage system like never before, voters told the state to borrow $7.5 billion and use part of it to build projects to stockpile more water.


Mollie Tibbetts: Farm worker gets life for murdering Iowa student
Cristhian Bahena Rivera was found guilty in May of the 2018 killing that stoked political debate.
www.bbc.com

US won't seek death penalty in California synagogue shooting
Federal prosecutors say they will not seek the death penalty for a 22-year-old former nursing student charged in a deadly shooting at a Southern California synagogue on the last day of Passover in 2019

Man who pled guilty in 4 spa deaths was in court for other 4
A man accused of killing eight people at Atlanta area massage businesses who has already pleaded guilty in four of those killings appeared briefly in court Monday but did not enter a plea in the other four slayings

Residents, tourists scramble to evacuate as California fire nears Lake Tahoe
Residents and tourists in communities near Lake Tahoe fled on Monday as a fierce, 2-week-old wildfire roared closer to the popular resort destination through drought-parched forests in northern California's Sierra Nevada mountains.


Aerial video, images illustrate scale of damage left by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana
Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds Sunday. At least two people have died, and more than 1 million were without power.

Explainer: What happens now that U.S. troops have left Afghanistan?
For the first time since 2001 there are no American troops in Afghanistan after the United States completed the evacuation of most of its citizens and thousands of at-risk Afghans. More than 114,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul airport in the past two weeks as part of the U.S. effort...

Children's Hospital New Orleans preps for weeks without power
Ida is now a tropical depression and storm activity in Louisiana caused New Orleans to lose power. More tropical storms after Hurricane Ida are possible later this week.


Flood-ravaged Tennessee community braces for Ida remnants
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Emergency workers and volunteers in rural Tennessee pushed to clean up as much debris as possible from recent deadly flooding Monday as the remnants of Hurricane Ida threatened to interrupt recovery efforts with another dousing expected overnight through Tuesday.


These Researchers May Have Just Found The Planet's Northernmost Island
The scientists initially thought they had arrived at Oodaaq, an island discovered in 1978. They instead wound up on an undiscovered island further north.


Jersey Shore lifeguard killed by lightning, 7 others injured
Three other lifeguards were among those injured by the strike Monday in Berkeley Township.


Authorities investigate apparent alligator attack in Ida floodwaters
A 71-year-old Louisiana man was reported to have been attacked by an alligator while in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Ida, officials said. The man was dragged to safety but was not there after his wife went to get help, and searchers could not find him.


After Lionshead, threat of megafires looms large on Warm Springs reservation
The increasing size and severity of wildfires is producing anxiety on the Warm Springs reservation about the next big fire.
www.opb.org


COVID-19 updates: 345 children currently hospitalized with coronavirus in Texas
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

Moderna vaccine creates twice as many antibodies as Pfizer: research
A study into the immune responses of the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines found that Moderna’s vaccine created twice as many antibodies as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.Researchers analyzed the antibody le…


J&J: Potential HIV vaccine falls short in mid-stage study
Johnson & Johnson says its potential HIV vaccine did not provide protection against the virus in a study of young women in sub-Saharan Africa

McConnell urges Americans to get vaccinated in new PSA
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is expanding his efforts to convince more Americans to get vaccinated against Covid-19 with a new public service announcement available for TV stations to air nationwide.


Montana governor urges schools to give parents say on mask requirements
Montana's Republican governor introduced a rule Tuesday that encourages schools in the state to take "parental concerns" into account when determining if students will be required to wear masks for in-person learning.


Georgia anti-vaxxers shut down mobile vaccine event
Anti-vaccine protestors in Georgia have disrupted several mobile COVID-19 vaccination drives and caused one to shut down completely, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.The office of Georgia …


Why the COVID-19 origin report came up inconclusive
The U.S. intelligence community was unable to reach a conclusion about the origins of COVID-19 after a 90-day review of available data and interviews with top health experts and officials.If anyone…


Texas school temporarily closes after two teachers die of coronavirus complications
A school district in Texas will temporarily close all of its campuses this week following the death of two teachers from COVID-19.As the Waco Tribune-Herald reported, two teache…


Covid-19 cases at this Texas school are spiking, yet officials buck local mask mandate | CNN
Michelle Woodard's voice broke and her body shook with emotion as she described the moment she learned her 8-year-old daughter Cara tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

Pennsylvania governor issues mask mandate for schools, child care facilities
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf on Tuesday issued a mask mandate for all K-12 school and child care facilities to protect against the spread of COVID-19, three weeks after the Democrat said he would leave the decision to individual districts.


The Memo: COVID-19 frustrations rise alongside delta surge, school reopenings
A nation exhausted by 18 months of the pandemic is trying to figure out what lies ahead.Frustratingly, there may not be a nationwide answer.The latest figures show a flattening of new COVID-19 case…

Mississippi Sen. Wicker says he has recovered from COVID-19
Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi said Tuesday that he is feeling well, less than two weeks after being diagnosed with COVID-19. “To everyone who has asked, I have recovered fully from my bout with COVID-19, and I have a clean bill of health,” Wicker posted Tuesday on Twitter...

Mormon vaccine push ratchets up, dividing faith's members
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After more than a year of attending church virtually, Monique Allen has struggled to explain to her asthmatic daughter why people from their congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t wear masks.


Health officials defend boosters after top FDA scientists announce retirements
Top federal health officials on Tuesday defended the Biden administration’s approach to coronavirus vaccine booster shots after two senior scientists in the Food and Drug Administration’…


These 5 states have less than 10% of ICU beds left as Covid-19 overwhelms hospitals | CNN
As Covid-19 cases surge across the US, particularly among unvaccinated Americans, hospitals have been pushed to their limits treating the influx of patients -- and five states are nearly out of ICU beds.

Colorado requiring vaccinations for health care workers
The Colorado Board of Health on Monday voted to implement a vaccine mandate for workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other state health care facilities following a request earlier this month fro…


Manhattan DA charges 15 in fake COVID-19 vaccination card conspiracy
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has filed charges against 15 individuals for their alleged involvement in a scheme to provide fake COVID-19 vaccination cards and alter state immunization d…


From increased hospitalizations to long Covid, children can get hit hard by Covid-19. Here's why doctors say kids should be protected | CNN
Covid-19 hospitalizations among children are rising. Doctors say keeping kids Covid-free is critical to ensure in-person learning, prevent long-term complications and help stave off more aggressive variants for everyone.

Where to buy Covid vaccination card holders
Storing your vaccination card in a holder, wallet or wristlet prevents it from getting damaged.


Mormon vaccine push ratchets up, dividing faith's members
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — After more than a year of attending church virtually, Monique Allen has struggled to explain to her asthmatic daughter why people from their congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t wear masks.


Florida withholds funds from two school districts over mask mandates
The Florida Department of Education said on Monday it has withheld funds from two school districts that made masks mandatory in classrooms this fall.


The EU Is Advising Its Members To Restrict U.S. Travelers Over Rising COVID Cases
The EU is removing the U.S. from its safe travel list — a reversal from a decision in June to add the country. The bloc does not have a unified tourism policy for the coronavirus.


COVID-19 updates: 345 children currently hospitalized with coronavirus in Texas
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.

Demand for antibody treatment used by Trump grows in states where delta is surging
Officials in states with skyrocketing hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 delta variant have touted underutilized monoclonal antibody treatments as the best way to avoid serious illness. Still, they stand by their decisions to ban vaccine mandates.


Judge restores unvaccinated mother’s rights to see son
Cook County, Ill., Judge James Shapiro has restored Rebecca Firlit’s rights to see her 11-year-old son after previously revoking the privilege until she got vaccinated against the c…


Las Vegas store requires proof-of-horse photo to deter customers seeking ivermectin for COVID-19
A store in Las Vegas is requiring any customer who wants to buy ivermectin, a drug primarily intended to treat parasitic worms in animals, to bring a photo with their horse.


Cardinal to begin rehabilitation after contracting COVID-19
A top-ranking Roman Catholic cardinal says he will soon begin rehabilitation after contracting COVID-19

Vaccine inequality could cost the global economy trillions, report finds
The world economy could lose $2.3 trillion because of delayed vaccinations, with developing nations losing the most, the Economist Intelligence Unit said.
A GOP candidate in Pennsylvania called for '20 strong men' to remove school boards that impose mask mandates on students
Steve Lynch, a Republican candidate for Northampton County Executive in Pennsylvania, also asked men to 'wake up" and "make men great again."
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