Top Items:
Axios:
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 …
Discussion:
NPR, Slate, justoneminute.typepad.com, Just Security, New York Post, Townhall and Liberty Unyielding
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Maureen Dowd / New York Times:
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.
Associated Press:
Taliban capture major northern city, approach Afghan capital — KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban have captured a large, heavily defended city in northern Afghanistan in a major setback for the government, and the insurgents are approaching the capital less than three weeks before the U.S. hopes to complete its troop withdrawal.
Discussion:
Radio Free Europe/Radio …, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Honolulu Star-Advertiser and National Review
Yaroslav Trofimov / Wall Street Journal:
How the Afghan Army, Built by the U.S. Over Two Decades, Was Overrun — Afghanistan's military was molded to match American operations and collapsed without U.S. air support and intelligence — KABUL—The Afghan government outpost in Imam Sahib, a district of northern Kunduz province …
Discussion:
France 24
Greg Jaffe / Washington Post:
From hubris to humiliation: America's warrior class contends with the abject failure of its Afghanistan project
From hubris to humiliation: America's warrior class contends with the abject failure of its Afghanistan project
Discussion:
New York Times and The United Nations
Jon Lee Anderson / New Yorker:
The Return of the Taliban — Their comeback has taken twenty years, but it is a classic example …
The Return of the Taliban — Their comeback has taken twenty years, but it is a classic example …
Discussion:
New York Times, Outside the Beltway and Liberty Unyielding
Washington Post:
Taliban advances closer to Kabul as U.S. seeks to avoid battles with its troops staging evacuations
Taliban advances closer to Kabul as U.S. seeks to avoid battles with its troops staging evacuations
Discussion:
Politico, New York Times, Forbes, New York Post, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, The Hill, Agence France-Presse, CBS News and Pajhwok Afghan News
Kamran Bokhari / Wall Street Journal:
The Taliban's Afghan Advance Spells Trouble for Pakistan and China
The Taliban's Afghan Advance Spells Trouble for Pakistan and China
Discussion:
New York Post
Deirdre Shesgreen / Yahoo News:
Reports: US Embassy in Kabul directs staff to destroy sensitive documents as many diplomats prepare for evacuation
Reports: US Embassy in Kabul directs staff to destroy sensitive documents as many diplomats prepare for evacuation
Discussion:
Insider Paper, Twitchy, CNN, Task & Purpose, USA Today, HotAir, Power Line and Bangor Daily News
Washington Post:
Taliban assault imperils slow-building U.S. effort to rescue Afghan allies
Taliban assault imperils slow-building U.S. effort to rescue Afghan allies
Discussion:
Reuters, RedState, NATO, Jihad Watch and Power Line
Rupam Jain / Reuters:
Afghan women forced from banking jobs as Taliban take control
Afghan women forced from banking jobs as Taliban take control
Discussion:
The Guardian, Lawyers, Guns & Money and Financial Times
Luke Kenton / The US Sun:
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.
Discussion:
CBS News, Breitbart, Cyprus Mail and HotAir
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Miami Herald:
Major 7.2 earthquake hits Haiti, at least 225 people dead — A major earthquake struck southwestern Haiti early Saturday, collapsing buildings and historical cathedrals in a nation still struggling to recover from a devastating quake that left more than 300,000 dead over a decade ago …
Discussion:
New York Times, Forbes, ABC13 and The Daily Beast
Maria Abi-Habib / New York Times:
Powerful Earthquake Strikes Haiti — Seismologists reported that a magnitude 7.2 quake struck in the west of the country, and heavy damage was reported in at least two cities. — PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Haiti on Saturday morning, seismologists said …
Discussion:
Financial Times
AnneClaire Stapleton / CNN:
At least 29 dead after 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Haiti
At least 29 dead after 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes Haiti
Discussion:
UPI, Joe.My.God., Al Jazeera, NPR and Common Dreams
Jose Pagliery / The Daily Beast:
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.
Discussion:
The Hill, Raw Story and Joe.My.God.
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Tom Boggioni / Raw Story:
Teen accused of assisting GOP strategist with sex trafficking arrested in Florida: report — According to a report from the Daily Beast, a 19-year-old woman who has been accused of assisting a GOP strategist with sex trafficking of underage f girls was taken into custody in Florida.
Shane Goldmacher / New York Times:
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 …
Discussion:
HotAir
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Shawna Chen / Axios:
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.
Discussion:
Politico, Mock Paper Scissors, RedState and Political Wire
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Andrew Atterbury / Politico:
Biden administration offers financial help to Florida school leaders defying DeSantis
Biden administration offers financial help to Florida school leaders defying DeSantis
Discussion:
Townhall, Washington Examiner, BizPac Review, The Center Square, Mother Jones, Mediaite, The Daily Caller, Fox News, KGUN-TV, Sun-Sentinel, HotAir, CBS Miami, Florida Politics, Insider, Forbes and Miami Herald
New York Times:
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?
Discussion:
Raw Story
WNCT-TV:
NC Rep. Keith Kidwell, wife in hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19 — WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT) — NC Rep. Keith Kidwell, who serves District 79 and Beaufort County, announced on Friday that he is in the hospital after his wife was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Discussion:
Crooks and Liars
Washington Post:
‘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.
Sharon LaFraniere / New York Times:
Biden Administration Plans for Vaccine Boosters, Perhaps by Fall — A policy has not been set. But nursing home residents and health care workers would most likely be first in line. — WASHINGTON — With a stockpile of at least 100 million doses at the ready, Biden administration officials …
Discussion:
Denver Post
Greg Jaffe / Washington Post:
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.