Scoop: Biden braces for brutal loss  —  The Biden administration is preparing for the fall of Kabul and a retreat from any U.S. diplomatic presence in Afghanistan — a stunning reversal of expectations.  — It's looking increasingly likely to high-ranking aides to President Biden that the U.S …

HAITI HORROR Haiti earthquake - Huge magnitude 7 quake strikes in Caribbean as THOUSANDS feared dead after buildings collapse  —  THOUSANDS are feared dead and many more injured after a major earthquake struck western Haiti on Saturday, forcing people to flee their homes amid fears buildings might collapse.

Behold Barack Antoinette  —  WASHINGTON — Jay Gatsby gave big, lavish, new-money parties at his sprawling mansion on the water because he wanted to seem cool.  He wanted Daisy to notice him.  —  Barack Obama gave a big, lavish, new-money party at his sprawling mansion on the water because he wanted to seem cool.

How Andrew Cuomo's Exit Tarnished a Legacy and Dimmed a Dynasty  —  For 40 years, the Cuomo name has been synonymous with Democratic power in New York.  Now it could mean something else.  —  Andrew M. Cuomo always cared about his place in history.  —  And so, early in his governorship …

Police Arrest Teen Accused of Helping GOP Strategist's Underage Sex Trafficking  —  Shortly after arresting GOP strategist Anton Lazzaro for underage sex trafficking, police say they've caught up with his 19-year-old associate, who now faces the same charges.

Biden administration offers aid to Florida schools defying DeSantis order  —  The Biden administration is stepping in to offer financial assistance to Florida educators defying Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) law banning local K-12 mask mandates.  —  Why it matters: The battle over mask mandates in schools has been brewing for weeks.

The strange summer land rush in Peoria's dying south end  —  Buyers from all over America — some of whom had never heard of the Illinois town — came searching for wealth amid the Rust Belt ruins  —  PEORIA, Ill. — A block that had once been home to more than 100 people was down to six who lived amid the ruins of another era.

Tap Dancing With Trump: Lindsey Graham's Quest for Relevance  —  The senator went from Donald J. Trump's public enemy to his impassioned defender.  Now he's a golfing regular at Mar-a-Lago, advising the former president on his future.  What is behind one of the unlikeliest partnerships in politics?

‘Outsider’ Buttigieg plays a skillful inside game, positioning himself for the future  —  Over Mexican food one recent evening, Pete Buttigieg told war stories from his presidential run to a small group of senators — including one who would have been an implausible dinner companion 18 months ago.

Family of D.C. officer who died by suicide after Capitol riot files lawsuit against alleged attacker  —  The lawyer for a D.C. police officer who fatally shot himself nine days after he was injured confronting rioters at the Capitol on Jan. 6 says a group of cybersleuths has identified one of his attackers.

‘Like Choosing a Pope’: How Succession Got Messy at ‘Jeopardy!’  —  The decades-old game show, TV comfort food for many, has been rocked by drama over who would replace the late Alex Trebek.  —  When Ken Jennings arrived at the “Jeopardy!” studios in November for the first day of his audition …

Gov. Reeves For Vaccinations, But Chides Against ‘Virtue-Signaling’ About Mask Need  —  Hours after the worst report of new COVID-19 cases in the pandemic thus far, Gov. Tate Reeves gave Mississippi a full-throated endorsement of vaccinations—but offered inconsistent and hostile messaging on the subject of masks.