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WASHINGTON — In his seven months as president, Joe Biden has largely kept his party — from Bernie Sanders to Joe Manchin — on the same page.
Georgia inches toward possible takeover of Fulton elections
Georgia’s State Election Board has taken a step toward a possible eventual takeover of elections in the state’s most populous county.
apnews.com
Taliban militants violently disperse rare Afghan protest
Taliban militants have attacked protesters in eastern Afghanistan who dared to take down their banner and replace it with the country’s flag
Americans could owe $6.5 trillion for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq — and that's just the interest
In a departure from previous conflicts, the U.S. funded its recent wars in the Middle East through massive borrowing.
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Images of bloodied Afghans contradict Taliban's claims of moderation
The militants are trying to consolidate their control of the country in a campaign to paint a more moderate image.
www.nbcnews.com
UK's Johnson accused of complacency over Afghanistan retreat
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced accusations of needlessly abandoning Afghanistan to the whims of the Taliban and of undermining Britain’s position in the world.
apnews.com
US officials warn Biden's Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan will be 'challenging'
U.S. officials are privately warning that it will be "challenging" to meet President Biden's Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Fox News has learned.
Biden finds few Capitol Hill allies amid Afghanistan backlash
President Biden is getting little cover from Congress as he faces broad backlash over his handling of the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan. Some Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali…
thehill.com
Biden average approval rating dips below 50 percent for first time in office
President Biden’s approval rating has fallen to 49.3 percent in the FiveThirtyEight average of polls, the first time Biden has dipped below a 50 percent approval rating since entering office. …
thehill.com
U.S. plans to double number of asylum officers in Biden border overhaul
President Joe Biden's administration unveiled a plan to overhaul the U.S. asylum system on Wednesday, including a doubling of staff, to try to speed processing at the Mexico border where migrant arrests have soared to 20-year highs this year.
Biden’s Pentagon still enforcing Trump policy blocking citizenship path for troops, ACLU says
The Defense Department has “subjected service members to Kafkaesque ordeals that have further delayed their attempts to become U.S. citizens,” an ACLU lawyer said.
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Taliban tightens grip on Kabul airport as thousands of Americans await evacuation
U.S. says 3,000 people have been evacuated, but as many as 10,000 Americans still need to get out, and the militants now control the airport gates.
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Afghanistan updates: US, Taliban hold first direct talks since withdrawal
The US and the Taliban held their first direct talks since the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan at the end of August in Doha, Qatar, over the weekend.
China seeks greater control over its own ‘Big Tech’
Trump-era 5G initiatives live on under Biden — Facebook submits last-minute appeal for Khan recusal
www.politico.com
Pelosi, top House Dems won't budge in infrastructure tussle with moderates, tout Biden support for her 'rule'
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team are mounting a pressure campaign on centrist Democrats to get them to support their party's budget resolution without a vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
This bot has a lot of patients
Tobacco giant sees future in drug making — BlackBerry flaw leaves health devices vulnerable
www.politico.com
Afghan women express shock, fear, defiance under new Taliban rule
Women and girls in Afghanistan are facing a deeply uncertain and scary future with the Taliban in control of the country following the collapse of a U.S.-backed government and the exit of U.S. troo…
thehill.com
Georgia officials advance controversial review of Fulton County elections operations | CNN Politics
Georgia’s state elections board on Wednesday named a three-person review panel to examine election operations in the state’s most populous county – under a provision of a new state election law that voting rights activists have warned could lead to a partisan takeover of a Democratic stronghold...
www.cnn.com
The Memo: Democrats vent frustration with Biden on Afghanistan
President Biden is in the middle of his first unanticipated crisis, and even many members of his own party are appalled.The chaotic scenes in Afghanistan have transformed a popular decision by Bide…
thehill.com
'You've been served': Order about unpaid bill tossed at GOP candidate for Calif. governor at debate
A consultant wants businessman and candidate John Cox to settle an unpaid bill from 2018.
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McCarthy, aiming to regain House majority, likens 2022 midterms to ‘the 100-year storm’
House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, aiming to regain House majority, in an exclusive interview with Fox News compared the 2022 midterms to "the 100-year storm."
U.S. Justice Department says Missouri state gun law is unconstitutional
President Joe Biden's Justice Department is stepping up its fight against a new state law in Missouri that aims to invalidate many federal gun regulations, saying the measure has impeded law enforcement efforts to work with state and local police and is also unconstitutional.
Sen. Tuberville slams 'Squad' for not hearing 'one word' on protecting women in Afghanistan
Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tubervile slammed members of the left-wing “Squad” for being “closed-mouthed” about protecting women in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country.
Cuomo, Afghanistan one-two punch knocks out Biden's infrastructure wins in public eye
Two of President Joe Biden's most significant legislative wins, the Senate's advancement of historic physical and human infrastructure packages, have been overshadowed by two totally unrelated stories: the resignation of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Taliban's toppling of Afghanistan's…
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Outgoing Gov. Andrew Cuomo puts in for retirement. Here's how much his pension may be
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is ready to retire — at least in order to start collecting his public pension.
www.usatoday.com
Poll finds growing support for voter ID requirements
A large majority of voters support laws requiring photo identification, according to a new poll from an election integrity group conducted as Democrats push for sweeping elections reforms.A poll re…
thehill.com
Federal officials press GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert over apparent personal use of campaign funds
Federal officials are pressing Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., for answers on the apparent personal use of campaign funds.
The coming U.S. political fight over accepting refugees from Afghanistan
There's a desire among lawmakers to help some Afghans. But an early split over new refugee visas points to a looming battle over a politically heated issue.
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‘Center of the maelstrom’: Election officials grapple with 2020’s long shadow
The annual gathering of the nation’s secretaries of state used to be a sleepy, bureaucratic affair. After 2020, they’re getting Justice Department briefings on death threats.
www.politico.com
Cuba spells out social media laws, forbidding content that attacks the state
The decree forbids spreading content that attacks “the constitutional, social and economic” rules of the state or that incite demonstrations or other acts “that alter public order.”
www.nbcnews.comInfrastructure plans inch forward
Crypto faces growing legal crackdown — Fed’s success on states and cities?
www.politico.com
McConnell predicts ‘plenty of inquiries’ into ‘botched’ Afghanistan withdrawal
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell excoriated President Joe Biden on Wednesday over the unfolding mayhem in Afghanistan that has followed the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. forces and subsequent Taliban takeover.
www.washingtonexaminer.comJohn Bolton said Trump 'fully supported' withdrawing from Afghanistan and would have done so if reelected, despite criticizing Biden for the decision
Trump criticized Biden for pulling US troops from Afghanistan. Trump's former national security advisor said Trump and Biden agreed on the decision.
U.S. regulator moving to restore federal oil and gas leasing program -official
A U.S. offshore regulator on Wednesday said efforts to resume a federal oil and gas leasing program are underway and would soon bear results following a court decision ending a suspension.
Kamala Harris has touted her role on Afghanistan policy. Now, she owns it too
The vice president says she was the last person in the room to advise President Biden when he decided earlier this year to pull out from Afghanistan.
Illegal border crossings set to be ‘worst in US history’
The nonstop surge of illegal immigrants across the United States-Mexico border this year, already breaking records month after month, is on a path to becoming the worst ever, according to the latest statistical analysis.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
The FBI Keeps Using Clues From Volunteer Sleuths To Find The Jan. 6 Capitol Rioters
In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, a group of volunteer sleuths came forward to assist law enforcement in an unprecedented effort to identify possible suspects.
www.npr.org
Mullah's rise charts Taliban's long road back to power
The Taliban's top political leader, who made a triumphal return to Afghanistan this week, battled the U.S. and its allies for decades but then signed a landmark peace agreement with the Trump administration.
apnews.com
Exploding Caldor Fire ravages one California town as huge Dixie Fire threatens another
Very few homes were left standing in Grizzly Flats. Susanville was warily eyeing the Dixie Fire. And PG&R was cutting power to 51,000 homes and businesses.
www.cbsnews.com
Afghanistan updates: Biden says troops could remain in Afghanistan beyond Aug. 31 deadline
U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan past August, if necessary, to ensure all Americans are evacuated, President Joe Biden said Wednesday.
www.usatoday.com
Pentagon officials rush to defend evacuation effort in Afghanistan
Gen. Mark Milley acknowledged the mission was complicated by the unexpected swiftness of the collapse of the Afghan security forces.
www.politico.com
RNC chairwoman slams Biden's 'disastrous decision-making' in Afghanistan
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said Wednesday that President Joe Biden's management of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan is an unforgivable failure.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
America's Security May Depend On Critical Minerals. But Mine Workers Are Scarce
As job openings increase to meet the growing demand for metals and critical minerals, there are fewer skilled employees to fill them.
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House Republicans warn prisoners freed by Taliban 'pose serious concern' to US security
The top Republicans on the House Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees are demanding the White House provide critical information related to the thousands of detainees released from Afghan prisons by the Taliban amid their takeover of Afghanistan, warning that the...
Democrats say they'll probe "worst-case scenario" in Afghanistan
Republicans are also demanding answers.
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Evacuations more important than U.S. Afghanistan withdrawal date -House panel chairman
The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee said on Wednesday the U.S. military should stay in Afghanistan beyond the planned Aug. 31 withdrawal date if needed to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies.
The Taliban want the world to think they've changed. But have they?
"When it comes to experience, maturity, vision, there is a huge difference between us in comparison to 20 years ago," a Taliban spokesman said.
www.nbcnews.com
The moral injury of abandoning Afghan allies | CNN Politics
In Afghanistan, thousands of translators, cultural advisers and other Afghan support staff who worked and fought alongside American troops will be left to the mercy of the Taliban if the US doesn’t get them out of the country.
www.cnn.com
Lawsuit alleges Wisconsin authorities' conspiracy with racists led to Kyle Rittenhouse killings
The family of a man fatally shot by U.S. teenager Kyle Rittenhouse during racial justice protests in Wisconsin last August filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the city of Kenosha and local law enforcement, citing their alleged relationship with white militia members.
NC lawmakers vote to outlaw child marriage, bill moves to governor's desk
North Carolina lawmakers on Tuesday voted in favor of a bill ending child marriages in the state.
US moves to cut backlog of asylum cases at US-Mexico border
The Biden administration is proposing changing how asylum claims are handled. The aim is to reduce the backlog of cases from the U.S.
apnews.comCIA director raised Chinese investment concerns with Israeli prime minister
While visiting Israel last week, CIA director Bill Burns told Prime Minister Naftali Bennett the U.S. was concerned about Chinese investments in Israel, particularly in the tech sector, and involvement in major infrastructure projects, Israeli officials tell Axios.Why it matters: That's the...
Ousted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani 'welcomed' into United Arab Emirates
Ghani fled Afghanistan as the Taliban approached Kabul, the capital, on Sunday, less than 24 hours after he tried to rally his people.
www.nbcnews.com
House Dems plan budget vote next week, defying moderates
Top Democrats are planning House votes next week on a budget resolution that would clear a path for future passage of the party's ambitious plans for social and environment programs.
apnews.com
Withdrawing From Afghanistan May Be The One Thing Biden And Trump Agree On
The last four U.S. presidents have found themselves mired in Afghanistan. The last two saw the war as an unwanted inheritance and an albatross, and they were determined to end the American role.
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Mail has been showing up on time, but don’t be fooled: Slower days are coming
Despite a recent bump in on-time performance, data shows a decade long decline.
www.nbcnews.com
Court rejects 'shockingly low' 4-year sentence for NY woman who aided Islamic State
A U.S. federal appeals court on Wednesday threw out what it called a "shockingly low" four-year prison term for a Brooklyn woman who admitted to supporting Islamic State, and ordered that she be resentenced.
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton called Biden's claim that some Afghans didn't want to be evacuated 'utter BS'
Biden said in his speech defending his Afghanistan withdrawal that "some of the Afghans did not want to leave earlier."
Desperation, pressure for aid increase in Haiti after quake
Pressure for a coordinated response to Haiti's deadly weekend earthquake is mounting as more injured trickle into hospitals already overwhelmed with thousands of patients.
apnews.com
NRA's 'unabated' corruption justifies shutting it down, New York says
The National Rifle Association has failed to root out rampant internal corruption, even after a bankruptcy case designed to avoid that obligation was thrown out, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a court filing seeking to dissolve the gun rights group.
Team MAGA Goes Full Nativist on Afghan Refugees
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photos GettyAfter a few days of road-testing scattered messages, major players in the GOP and conservative media have started to coalesce around a unified message to Afghans seeking refuge in the United States: Stay the hell out of my country.As President...
R. Kelly prosecutor says this case is 'about a predator' as sex-abuse trial opens
A prosecutor in the trial against R. Kelly said the case was “about a predator” who used his fame to sexually abuse girls, boys and young women.
www.nbcnews.com
Cuba tightens control of internet after protests
Critics say the new rules are aimed at stifling dissent following mass anti-government demonstrations.
www.bbc.com
Chicago teachers at ‘impasse’ with district ahead of reopening, union president says
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is at an “impasse” with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) amid negotiations regarding the resumption of in-person learning in less than two weeks,&…
thehill.com
Critics mock Chuck Schumer after he raps, dances on stage during concert
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took the stage at a concert in the Bronx and put on a rap show for the audience, eliciting mockery from his critics.
Taliban fire into crowd, beat protesters: reports
Taliban fighters reportedly fired into a crowd and beat protesters in cities throughout Afghanistan on Wednesday, just days after the insurgent group took control of the country.Al Jazeera reported…
thehill.com
'Breaking point': Why the red state/blue city conflict is peaking over masks | CNN Politics
Political and population trends are colliding as the steadily escalating tension between red states and their blue cities across the Sun Belt is reaching a breaking point over the volatile issue of school masking.
www.cnn.com
U.S. intelligence warned Afghan forces were increasingly fragile in run-up to Taliban takeover
The warnings followed years of consistently pessimistic assessments of the Afghan military's resilience.
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Report: Census hit by cyberattack, US count unaffected
U.S. Census Bureau computer servers were exploited last year during a cybersecurity attack, but it didn't involve the 2020 census
GOP California recall candidates for first time target Elder, who skipped debate
Some of the Republican gubernatorial replacement candidates in the California recall election of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom take aim at conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, the frontrunner in many of the most recent public opinion polls in the September 14 election.
Refusal to treat, verbal abuse: Trans people face overwhelming health care discrimination
The onus of addressing discrimination against transgender people should fall on medical institutions, one of the report’s authors said.
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R. Kelly trial: Singer 'knew I was underage', accuser tells court
The US R&B singer is accused of sexual abuse, racketeering and bribery; charges which he has denied.
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Transgender victory over Hobby Lobby could have national impact
LGBTQ advocates say the "sweeping" ruling could be used to attack “bathroom bills” and trans sports bans across the country.
www.nbcnews.com
Chicago group asks Supreme Court to halt work on Obama presidential library
The group Protect Our Parks filed their request with Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Tuesday.
www.cbsnews.com
Fires harming California's efforts to curb climate change
California's top fire official says blazes raging across Northern California are wiping out forests that are central to plans to reduce carbon emissions and are testing projects designed to protect communities.
apnews.com
The Taliban Seized Her City. Now America's Red Tape Stops Her From Fleeing
Zainab filled out all the forms for a special immigrant visa but now can only watch as the Americans leave Afghanistan. Some 8,000 miles away in the U.S., all her husband can do is hope.
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Lithuania says Belarus officers illegally pushed migrants over border
Video shows 12 Belarusian officers in riot gear as migrants scramble towards Lithuanian territory.
www.bbc.com
Saturn’s rippling rings point to massive, soupy core hidden inside
Not only does the planet’s core seem sludgy, it also appears to extend across 60 percent of the planet’s diameter, according to new research.
www.nbcnews.com
Rocker Manson accused of spitting, blowing snot on woman
Documents in the New Hampshire criminal case of rocker Marilyn Manson allege that he spit and blew snot at a videographer during a 2019 concert
'It was very emotional on the plane out of Afghanistan'
Afghan businesswoman Hassina Syed speaks of her relief at getting out on a British military plane.
www.bbc.com
More than 130 dog deaths, 220 illnesses may be linked to Midwestern Pet Foods, FDA warns
Inspections "revealed evidence of significant violations" of regulations to keep pet food safe, officials said.
www.nbcnews.com
'American Idol' alum tearfully pleads for return of her children, says 'it just hurts so bad'
Syesha Mercado and her partner, Tyron Deener, denied doing anything wrong after their son and newborn daughter were taken by Florida authorities.
www.nbcnews.com
What the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia law means for Afghanistan
The Taliban on Tuesday said they were working to form a government that would be centered on Sharia law and urged Afghans to live "within the framework of Islam."
DeSantis top donor invests in COVID drug governor promotes
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been criticized for efforts to ban mask mandates and vaccine passports.
apnews.com
Ex-defense secretary: Trump's push to get US troops out of Afghanistan possibly 'undermined' deal with Taliban | CNN Politics
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that he was concerned that then-President Donald Trump “undermined” the US’ 2020 agreement with the Taliban by pushing for US forces to leave Afghanistan without the Taliban meeting the conditions of the deal.
www.cnn.com
'This will be a tough year': Thousands of kids are in COVID-19 quarantine across the US, and school has just begun
Schools have been in session for only days, and already thousands of students are in quarantine and some schools are shutting down.
www.usatoday.com
Biden faces increasing questions from lawmakers on messy Afghan exit
The Biden administration for a second day in a row on Tuesday sought to swat away criticism of its botched withdrawal from Afghanistan as the U.S. military worked to ramp up evacuation flights out …
thehill.com
Judge grills lawyers for Fox News, Powell, Giuliani about election fraud claims in $2.7 billion Smartmatic defamation suit
Smartmatic accuses the defendants of spreading the false story that it rigged the race against former President Donald Trump.
Desperation, pressure for aid increase in Haiti after quake
Pressure for a coordinated response to Haiti's deadly weekend earthquake is mounting as more injured trickle into hospitals already overwhelmed with thousands of patients.
apnews.com
Texas Supreme Court rules state House Democrats can be arrested to force attendance at Capitol | CNN Politics
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the state House may compel the attendance of its members by civil arrest, overturning a lower court order from earlier this month.
www.cnn.com
Democrats stunned by prospect of losing 2 biggest governors within weeks
By next month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo could be political exiles.
www.politico.com
Taliban vow to respect women, despite history of oppression
The Taliban have vowed to respect women’s rights, forgive those who fought them and ensure Afghanistan does not become a haven for terrorists.
apnews.com
Texas Supreme Court says law allows arrest of absent lawmakers
The court ruled that under the state constitution, the state House of Representatives can physically compel members' attendance.
www.nbcnews.com
Fueled by winds, largest wildfire moves near California city
Pacific Gas & Electric says it has begun shutting off power to about 51,000 customers in 18 Northern California counties to prevent wildfires.
apnews.com
Democratic Sen. Menendez rips Biden administration for 'flawed' Afghanistan withdrawal, vows hearings
Sen. Robert Menendez, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, vowed to hold hearings on the Biden administration's Afghanistan withdrawal.
'Best laid plans require adjustment': WH says US is prioritizing evacuations from Kabul
Evacuation flights resumed at Hamid Karzai International Airport. They were suspended after thousands of people rushed the airport.
www.usatoday.com
CIA warned of rapid Afghanistan collapse. So why did U.S. get it so wrong?
With U.S. officials struggling to explain why America’s longest war ended in chaos, a series of interviews revealed there’s plenty of blame to go around.
www.nbcnews.comEx-defense secretary: Trump's push to get US troops out of Afghanistan possibly 'undermined' deal with Taliban | CNN Politics
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday that he was concerned that then-President Donald Trump “undermined” the US’ 2020 agreement with the Taliban by pushing for US forces to leave Afghanistan without the Taliban meeting the conditions of the deal.
www.cnn.com
Pence says Taliban takeover of Afghanistan reflects Biden's 'weaknesses'
Former Vice President Mike Pence diagnosed the situation in Afghanistan as a reflection of President Joe Biden's "weaknesses" and called the Taliban's ascendancy in Kabul the most humiliating foreign policy event since the Iran hostage crisis.
www.washingtonexaminer.comPence: Biden "weakness" toward Taliban, delayed U.S troop withdrawal caused Afghanistan crisis
Former Vice President Mike Pence accused President Biden in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Tuesday of showing "weakness" toward the Taliban and insisted the crisis in Afghanistan wouldn't have happened if U.S. troops left the country sooner.Why it matters: There's a hot debate about which U.S...
'Do not give up': Americans help Afghans in new homeland
Across the U.S., the agencies that resettle refugees and volunteers are scrambling to help Afghan citizens who are fleeing their country after helping the U.S. during the 20-year war there.
apnews.com
Taliban encounter Afghan cities remade in their absence
Ezanullah, one of thousands of young Taliban fighters from the countryside who rode into Afghanistan's capital over the weekend, had never seen anything like it.
apnews.com
About 5,000 to 10,000 Americans are still "near Kabul," Pentagon estimates
The Taliban continues to solidify their control of Afghanistan as the US ends its military's combat mission in the country. Follow here for the latest news.
I don't believe Taliban pledge on women's rights, Priti Patel says
The bulk of Afghans resettled in the UK will be persecuted minorities, the home secretary says.
www.bbc.com
Democrats splinter over how best to move forward with Biden's economic agenda
House Democrats have to balance competing interests as they try to pass a bipartisan infrastructure bill and broader spending plan.
Lawmakers scrap qualified immunity deal in police reform talks
The doctrine shielding most police officers from civil liability has been one of the main sticking points in negotiations.
www.politico.com
Former Afghan vice president declares himself 'legitimate caretaker' president
Amrullah Saleh, the former vice president of Afghanistan, declared Tuesday that he is the "legitimate caretaker president" as he is in the process of bringing together military leaders to oppose the Taliban.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Tracking a trio of tropical systems: Latest forecasts for Fred, Grace and Henri
Fred, now a tropical depression, is delivering more rain to the East Coast.
Ghani defends departure amid anti-Taliban protests in Jalalabad
UAE confirms hosting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani – updates as they happened.
Afghanistan: Who's who in the Taliban leadership
What we know about the top figures in the militant group that has taken control of Afghanistan.
www.bbc.com
Planned Parenthood sues Montana over new abortion laws
Planned Parenthood of Montana filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to block four new laws restricting access to abortion in the state.
Victory after Marine’s tireless battle to rescue translator from Kabul
“He wasn’t just a translator, he was my brother, basically one of my Marines."
A Mission To Give Afghans Democracy Became A Bid To Repair America's Own
The United States inadvertently took on a mission to democratize Afghanistan and instead undermined democracy at home, as unpopular wars tend to do.
www.npr.orgTexas Supreme Court: GOP can have Dems absent from state Capitol arrested
The Texas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday evening the state's House Democrats can be arrested if they don't attend the state Capitol due to their efforts to stop a Republican push to pass voting restrictions.Why it matters: While the court has already blocked lower court orders in Travis and Harris...
Mental health counselors and chaplains meet crew after body parts found in landing gear during Air Force flight from Kabul: Report
The crew of an Air Force plane, on which human remains were discovered following takeoff from a chaotic scene at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, reportedly were met by mental health counselors and chaplains after landing.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
He opposes gun control, the minimum wage — and could be California’s next governor
Libertarian Larry Elder could well ride soaring conservative enthusiasm to become the first Black governor of deeply Democratic California.
www.politico.com
GOP senator rips Biden over Afghanistan: ‘The biggest terrorist victory since 9/11’
Republican Sen. John Kennedy (La.) ripped President Joe Biden for his withdrawal in Afghanistan, saying it is the biggest win terrorist have had since the Sept. 11 attacks that killed more than 2,0…
thehill.com
White House ramps up Afghan policy defense as criticism mounts
President Joe Biden's remarks Monday did little to blunt criticism from some allies and former national security officials, amid deafening silence from many Democrats in Congress.
www.nbcnews.com
Democrat on Biden’s claim some Afghans didn’t want to leave earlier: ‘Utter BS’
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) rebuked President Biden’s claim that some Afghans weren’t evacuated from the country sooner because they didn’t want to leave.“That’s utter BS,” Moulton said a…
thehill.com
House introduces voting rights bill, citing 'urgently needed' federal oversight
House Democrats, warning that “federal oversight is urgently needed” at the nation’s polling places, introduced a measure aimed at enhancing government control of elections and plan to consider it at a special August session that will convene next week.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Robert Durst testifies he would lie to get out of trouble
Robert Durst has testified he would lie to get out of trouble and had lied during sworn testimony in the past, but said he told the truth during five days of testimony at his murder trial.
apnews.com
Cuomo issues five pardons, commutes five sentences during last week in office
Outgoing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued five pardons on Tuesday and also commuted five sentences as he prepares to leave office next week after resigning in the wake of a sexual harassment scandal.
Salt Bae steakhouse chain — home of the $275 wagyu tomahawk — sued for unpaid overtime pay by grill men
Salt Bae, who runs the Nusr-Et steakhouse chain, settled a claim by waiters over tips filed by the same lawyer now suing him in an overtime lawsuit.
Malaysia on knife-edge as parties submit choice for next leader
Ismail Sabri gets nod from UMNO and its allies, as opposition considers Anwar Ibrahim or Sabah’s Shafie Apdal.
The ‘hidden player’ in Biden’s Jobs Cabinet
www.politico.com
Democrats play game of chicken over Biden agenda
Democratic leaders are doubling down on their strategy to advance President Biden’s domestic agenda next week, daring a bloc of centrists in their party to object and risk derailing trillions in fe…
thehill.com
Border Patrol agents shot at from Mexico several times this month
Border Patrol agents have come under fire several times in recent weeks from shooters in Mexico, a development taken as a sign that cartels are becoming increasingly reckless and desperate to smuggle people and drugs into the United States.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Ohio Senate: Tim Ryan gets challenge from the left in progressive activist Morgan Harper
The GOP primary for the open seat already has five candidates who are positioning themselves as loyal defenders of former President Donald Trump.
www.nbcnews.com
Dem Senate panels demand answers on Biden’s ‘failures’ in Afghanistan
Three Democratic chairs of Senate committees have pledged to get a full accounting of “what went wrong” as the Taliban seizes control of the country.
www.politico.comTim Ryan gets progressive challenger in Ohio Senate Democratic primary
The GOP primary for the open seat already has five candidates who are positioning themselves as loyal defenders of former President Donald Trump.
Pelosi presses moderate Democrats amid budget standoff
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday pressed members of her party to move forward on a $3.5 trillion budget bill amid a standoff with moderate Democrats who want to first vote on the $1…
thehill.com
‘Next 24 hours critical’, as crews battle largest wildfire in US
Strong winds are complicating US firefighters’ battle against California’s Dixie Fire, less than one-third contained.
Biden cuts vacation short, returns to the White House
President Joe Biden returned to the White House from Camp David Tuesday night a day before originally scheduled as he faces vocal criticism from both sides of the aisle over the chaos unfolding during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
An Ex-Senior Afghan Official Is Hiding From The Taliban, And Growing Angry At America
"I am not safe," a former high-ranking Afghan official texts from a hidden location, saying the Taliban have sent killers after them.
www.npr.org
Group asks Supreme Court to block construction of Obama library in historic Chicago park
A federal judge and an appeals court, however, both recently declined to stop the project.
www.nbcnews.com
Taliban pull men with black-painted faces with nooses around their necks: Photos
The Taliban apparently paraded men with painted black faces through an Afghanistan street with nooses around their necks, photos showed.
www.washingtonexaminer.comCuomo files for retirement to receive state’s lifetime pension, report says
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the New York Democrat who said he will resign from his position amid numerous sexual harassment allegations, has filed retirement paperwork that will allow him to receive $50,000 a year for the rest of his life, a report said.
Biden approval drops to lowest level this year after Taliban takeover
President Joe Biden's approval rating dropped by 7 percentage points and hit its lowest level so far as the U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed over the weekend in an upheaval that sent thousands of civilians and Afghan military allies fleeing for their safety, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Fact check: Sen. John Cornyn falsely claims there are '30,000' US troops in Taiwan | CNN Politics
President Joe Biden’s withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has been widely criticized across the political spectrum, with a focus on the administration’s miscalculation of the speed with which the Taliban would take over and its failure to act faster to extract US personnel and thousands of...
www.cnn.com
Amid school bus driver shortages, one school offers parents $700 to drive their kids
A lack of bus drivers is prompting schools to delay the first day of classes, while others plead for help.
www.cbsnews.com
Democratic-led committees line up to probe ‘flawed execution’ in Afghanistan withdrawal
President Joe Biden and his top military and intelligence brass could soon face the scrutiny of Congress led by members of Biden’s own party after a chaotic exit from Afghanistan that left Americans stranded and Afghan allies swarming military planes taking off from Kabul.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Scientists discover a way to ‘sweat’ off fat
Scientists get mice to sweat out fat and lose extra weight in experiments.
thehill.comFrantic rescue is underway in Kabul, but White House can't say how long it will last
Biden administration says rescue operation is proof of its commitment to vulnerable citizens, but won't promise effort will continue past Aug. 31.
Biden, Johnson discuss military withdrawal in Afghanistan
The president and the U.K. prime minister spoke Tuesday in Biden's first conversation with a foreign leader since the Taliban took control of Kabul.
www.nbcnews.com3 Top Senate Democrats Pledge To Probe 'Flawed' Afghanistan Withdrawal
"I am disappointed that the Biden administration clearly did not accurately assess the implications of a rapid U.S. withdrawal," Sen. Bob Mendendez said.
Fact-checking Biden's assertion that the Afghan military was '300,000 strong' | CNN Politics
Defending his withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden and his administration have emphasized how many people served in the Afghan military before its collapse.
www.cnn.com
Navy SEALs say the Biden administration is failing Afghanistan
Two Navy SEALs criticized President Joe Biden and his administration Monday following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the country's capitulation to the Taliban.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
With unruly passenger incidents on the rise, flight attendants turn to self-defense training
The FAA has received over 3,000 reports of unruly passenger incidents this year.
Texas Dem who fled state went to Portugal to get married
One of the Texas lawmakers who fled the state in order to avoid voting on a controversial election integrity confirmed that she also traveled to Portugal.
Democratic activist Steven Olikara enters Wisconsin Senate race
Activist Steven Olikara has formally entered the crowded Democratic primary race to be the next U.S. senator from Wisconsin.”We’re going to need a different kind of polit…
thehill.com
Haiti's Political Unrest And Troubled History May Slow Aid To The Earthquake Victims
Nonprofit groups and philanthropy experts cite the assassination last month of the president and accusations that money raised following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti never reached those in need.
www.npr.org
Utah ‘eager’ to assist with resettling Afghan refugees: governor
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) sent a letter to President Biden saying he is ready to assist with resettling Afghan refugees in his the state.“I’m deeply saddened by the human tragedy currently unf…
thehill.com
US lab stands on threshold of key nuclear fusion goal
A US science institute is on the verge of achieving a longstanding goal in nuclear fusion research.
www.bbc.com
Lawsuit seeks to block Arizona ban on Down syndrome abortion
Abortion-rights advocates have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn parts of a new Arizona law set to take effect next month
Haiti is reeling from a devastating earthquake, COVID-19 pandemic and political instability. Here's how to help.
Haiti has been struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake as it faces an approaching storm and the coronavirus pandemic. Here's how to help.
www.usatoday.com
Powell: Delta variant’s impact on economy ‘not yet clear’
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday he’s unsure if the delta variant of the coronavirus will take a serious toll on the broader U.S. economy, citing the resilience of consumers and …
thehill.com
As The Taliban Made Their Way To Kabul, Biden Ordered Troops Into Afghanistan
President Biden gave the order last week to send U.S. troops into Afghanistan as it became clear the Taliban were overrunning Afghan government forces on their way to taking the capital of Kabul.
www.npr.org
Haiti earthquake: Devastation and more than 2,000 dead
A few dozen survivors have been pulled alive from under the rubble but hundreds are still feared trapped.
www.bbc.com
Spike in traffic to DC tunnel website caused operator to contact FBI before Jan. 6
A spike in traffic to a Washington, D.C.-based website on tunnels and other underground infrastructure caused an operator to call the FBI before the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, CNBC reporte…
thehill.com
Afghans watch nervously as Taliban regime takes shape, and US and its allies continue frantic exit
Thousands of desperate Afghans remain stranded under Taliban rule in Kabul on Tuesday, as the US and its allies -- still frantically evacuating their personnel from the city's airport -- reckon with the sudden breakdown of their two-decade effort in Afghanistan.
www.cnn.com
California utility shutting off power to 51K customers to prevent wildfires
Pacific Gas & Electric on Tuesday evening said it has begun shutting down power to around 51,000 California customers to prevent wildfires.The shutoffs will affect around 18 counties in norther…
thehill.com
Americans spent less in July as COVID-19 cases surged
Americans cut back on their spending last month as a surge in COVID-19 cases kept people away from stores
Afghanistan: Mysterious Taliban spokesman finally shows his face
The spokesman has appeared in public for the first time. But is there more than one Zabihullah Mujahid?
www.bbc.com
US left to depend on the Taliban for a safe exit from Afghanistan defeat | CNN Politics
The depth of the mess the United States finds itself in Afghanistan is encapsulated by the fact that it must now effectively rely on its enemy, the Taliban, as it extricates itself from the humiliating endgame of its longest war.
www.cnn.com
Afghanistan: 'All female staff have left my Kabul hotel'
The BBC's Malik Mudassir says Taliban fighters are now providing security at his hotel in central Kabul.
www.bbc.com
Kamala Harris plans Vietnam visit – just as Afghanistan draws comparisons to fall of Saigon
Kamala Harris’ planned trip to Vietnam next week comes as the current crisis in Afghanistan has drawn comparisons to the fall of Saigon in the 1970s.
Aspirin may help treat aggressive breast cancer
Doctors hope it could boost the anti-cancer power of other drugs to fight hard-to-treat tumours.
www.bbc.com
Kenosha law enforcement enabled armed civilians to "wreak havoc and inflict injury" against protesters last summer, lawsuit claims
The lawsuit says police "deputized these armed individuals, conspired with them, and ratified their actions by letting them patrol the streets, armed with deadly weapons, to mete out justice as they saw fit."
www.cbsnews.com
US left too quickly, says Afghanistan bank governor
Afghanistan central bank governor, Ajmal Ahmady, tells the BBC he thinks country's economic situation will deteriorate.
www.bbc.com
California's Caldor Fire grows to 30,000 acres, triggering evacuation orders
The Caldor Fire is rapidly expanding through Northern California, prompting mandatory evacuations for residents in El Dorado County.
www.cbsnews.com
After Kabul, China exploits perceptions of American weakness
China’s regime this year has highlighted themes intended to intimidate others into submission, and Beijing doubled down on this approach in the wake of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
thehill.com
Mastercard to end magnetic strip on cards
The company sets an expiry date of 2033 for the decades-old technology.
www.bbc.com
Laura Prepon reveals she stopped practicing Scientology: 'It's no longer part of my life'
Former "That '70s Show" star Laura Prepon has revealed that she stopped practicing Scientology about five years ago.
www.usatoday.com
Over 10,000 students in Florida school district isolated or quarantined a week into school year
Just a week into the school year, over 10,000 students and staff in the Hillsborough County Public Schools district in Florida have been isolated or quarantined.
US health officials call for booster shots against COVID-19
U.S. health officials have announced plans to dispense COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans to shore up their protection amid the surging delta variant and evidence that the vaccines’ effectiveness is falling.
apnews.com
Biden administration to begin rolling out booster shots the week of Sept. 20
The Biden administration is prepared to begin rolling out booster shots for many Americans the week of Sept. 20, the nation's top health officials announced Wednesday.
U.S. reports more than 1,000 COVID deaths in single day
The United States reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, equating to around 42 fatalities an hour, according to a Reuters tally, as the Delta variant continues to ravage parts of the country with low vaccination rates.
Data of 40 million plus exposed in latest T-Mobile breach
The names, Social Security numbers and information from driver’s licenses or other identification of just over 40 million people who applied for T-Mobile credit were exposed in a recent data breach, the company said Wednesday.
apnews.comFour things to know about getting the COVID-19 booster shot
The Biden administration says it will offer booster shots to many people who are already fully inoculated against COVID-19. We answer your questions.
People with both COVID-19 shots are fully vaccinated without booster, surgeon general says
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Wednesday that people who received two Moderna or Pfizer shots are considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, even though federal officials will encourage third shots to bolster immunity to the disease.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Texas school district bucks Abbott's ban on mask mandates, changes dress code for students
The board of trustees at a public school district in Texas changed its dress code to include face masks in a bid to get around Gov. Greg Abbott’s ban on face mask mandates.
Arizona governor blocks schools from grant program if they impose mask mandate
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday announced schools that impose mask mandates in the state will not have access to a $163 million grant program backed by coronavirus relief funds he controls.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
'Frozen in time': Lobbyists, lawmakers and mayors plead with the White House to ease Covid travel restrictions | CNN Politics
Lobbyists, lawmakers and border mayors are imploring the Biden administration to ease restrictions on nonessential travel put in place 18 months ago at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. But officials haven’t budged even as other countries gradually open to Americans.
www.cnn.com
US, UK, other countries ask 'those in positions of power' in Afghanistan to guarantee safety for women, girls
The State Department issued a joint international statement Wednesday essentially asking the Taliban to "guarantee" the protection of women and girls in Afghanistan following the hard-line Islamic militant group’s rapid takeover of the country since the U.S. withdrawal of troops.
Pope Francis says getting vaccinated is ‘an act of love’
Protecting yourself against COVID-19 is also about loving your neighbor, the pope says.
thehill.comBoosters Are Coming, and America’s Vaccine Rollout Is Set to Get Even Messier
Pacific Press/GettyThe Biden administration on Wednesday endorsed booster shots for millions of Americans already vaccinated against COVID-19, proposing they begin in earnest by late September as the ultra-contagious Delta variant wreaks national havoc.The FDA and CDC were still due to sign off...
Jesse Jackson, wife hospitalized with COVID-19
The United States is facing a COVID-19 surge this summer as the more contagious delta variant spreads.
The Latest: Australia also records new COVID-19 highs
Australia’s two most populous states have recorded new benchmark highs in COVID-19 infections
More than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths recorded as US returns to April levels
The U.S. recorded more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday as numbers reach levels last seen in April, largely due to the highly infectious delta variant spreading rapidly throughout the cou…
thehill.com
Disney World loosening outdoor mask requirements
Disney World is loosening its outdoor mask requirements, leaving it up to customers whether they want to wear a mask in most outdoor areas of the park.Starting Aug. 19, masks will no longer be requ…
thehill.com
A Shot Against COVID For Kids Under 12 — Your Questions Answered
A COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 is not yet available, but research is well underway and the first shot for some kids in this age group is expected in the fall, doctors say.
www.npr.org
CDC says vaccine protectiveness slipped amid Delta variant
New data confirms that vaccine protection against COVID-19 has decreased for the Delta variant of the virus, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday.
Education secretary says he's spoken with schools defying mask mandate bans
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says he's in touch with superintendents who are actively defying Florida and Texas governors' orders not to mandate masks.
A Pharmacist Is Charged With Selling COVID-19 Vaccine Cards For $10 On eBay
Tangtang Zhao, 34, allegedly sold 125 authentic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination cards to 11 buyers in March and April.
www.npr.org
Biden: Troops will stay in Afghanistan to evacuate Americans
President Joe Biden says he’s committed to keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, even if that means maintaining a military presence there beyond his Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawal.
apnews.com
Israel extends Covid restrictions to three-year-olds as cases surge
Young children must show proof of a negative test to enter many indoor spaces, as infections surge.
www.bbc.com
Pandemic fiction: Fall books include stories of the virus
The fall book season will be packed with new works by such high-profile authors as Jonathan Franzen, Sally Rooney and Colson Whitehead.
apnews.com
Florida to decide whether to punish school districts that mandated masks
The Florida Board of Education suggested Tuesday it could remove local school officials who broke state rules and required masks for students amid COVID-19 pandemic.
5 things to know about Biden's plan to roll out COVID boosters this fall
Here's what to know about Biden's plan to begin rolling out vaccine boosters to the broader public this September, assuming regulators at the FDA agree its necessary.
Grace strengthens into hurricane near Cayman Islands, says U.S. NHC
Storm Grace has strengthened into a hurricane just west of Grand Cayman island, and is expected to make landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday morning, the U.S National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory on Wednesday.
Cardinal in serious condition after contracting COVID-19
A high-ranking Catholic cardinal who has COVID-19 is in serious condition and has been sedated
The Proclamations Used To Incite The Sand Creek Massacre Have Been Officially Rescinded, 157 Years Later
The Sand Creek Massacre is one of the worst mass murders in U.S. history.
www.cpr.org
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for Covid
The Republican governor, who is fully vaccinated, is not currently experiencing any symptoms.
www.politico.com
Texas governor tests positive for COVID-19, in 'good health'
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19. His office said Tuesday that Abbot is in good health and experiencing no symptoms.
apnews.com
Florida sanctions school districts for mandating that students wear masks
The DeSantis administration contends the Alachua and Broward county public schools do not allow parents to opt their children out of the mask mandate.
www.nbcnews.com5 things to know about Biden's plan to roll out COVID boosters this fall
Here's what to know about Biden's plan to begin rolling out vaccine boosters to the broader public this September, assuming regulators at the FDA agree its necessary.
Texas and Florida hospitals gear up for worst-case scenarios with mobile morgues
Hospitals in Texas and Florida straining to care for the wave of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients have procured fleets of mobile mortuary trailers in anticipation of swelling fatalities due to the delta strain.
www.washingtonexaminer.com
Arizona governor issues order banning cities, counties from enacting vaccine mandates
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) issued an executive order Monday banning cities and counties from enforcing vaccine mandates for their employees, days after Tucson voted to require the shot for its wor…
thehill.com
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday despite being fully vaccinated.
Biden risks global backlash on COVID-19 booster shots
Global health advocates are pushing back on the Biden administration’s anticipated plans to start offering Americans a booster dose of coronavirus vaccine, arguing it will only deepen global …
thehill.comHitting the vax ceiling
www.politico.comIndiana notifying 750K after COVID-19 tracing data accessed
Indiana health officials say they are notifying nearly 750,000 residents that a cybersecurity company “improperly accessed" their personal data from the state’s online COVID-19 contact tracing survey
New Mexico indoor mask mandate returns with new vaccine requirements
New Mexico is reinstating a face mask mandate in all public indoor buildings and issuing a vaccination mandate for workers in hospitals, nursing homes and other “certain medical close-contact…
thehill.comEducation secretary says he's spoken with schools defying mask mandate bans
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says he's in touch with superintendents who are actively defying Florida and Texas governors' orders not to mandate masks.
Unvaccinated couple die of COVID-19 hours apart, leaving behind 2 teens
Martin and Trina Daniel, married for over 20 years, both died of COVID-19 within hours.
Mississippi eighth grader dies a day after positive coronavirus test | CNN
A 13-year-old Mississippi girl has died just one day after testing positive for coronavirus, according to Smith County School District Superintendent Nick Hillman.
www.cnn.com
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