Biden doesn't plan to fire anyone over Kabul chaos, sources say  —  Biden isn't inclined to fire any senior national security officials over the chaos in Kabul unless the situation drastically deteriorates.

Cuomo's dog Captain left at mansion after governor departed  —  ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who has been staying with one of his sisters in Westchester County in the final days of his third term, recently has asked staff members at the Executive Mansion if anyone would like to keep his dog …

Let's take the win.  Let's do infrastructure first.  —  The authors are Democratic members of the House of Representatives from Georgia, Hawaii, California, Texas, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon.  —  Time kills deals.  This is an old business saying and the essence of why we are pushing …

Did the War in Afghanistan Have to Happen?  —  In 2001, when the Taliban were weak and ready to surrender, the U.S. passed on a deal.  Nearly 20 years later, the Taliban hold all the cards.  —  Taliban fighters brandished Kalashnikovs and shook their fists in the air after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks …

Afghanistan: Taliban warns there will be ‘consequences’ if Biden delays withdrawal of US troops  —  The Taliban meets Sky News in Doha to discuss what happens next - and issues a stark warning about the withdrawal of troops from the country.  —  Created with Sketch.

'I'd Follow Him Through Hell With Gasoline Pants On': Outlaw Platoon's Sean Parnell Surges in PA as Biden Fails in Afghanistan  —  Sean Parnell, the Afghanistan war veteran who led the infamous “Outlaw Platoon” for more than a year of heavy fighting against the Taliban and terrorists …

Democrats trust the Taliban more than their fellow Americans  —  Now that the Taliban are going door to door, hunting and executing Afghans who worked for the United States, Democrats want everyone to know that conservatives in the U.S. are just as dangerous — or even worse.

Russian Journalists Meet a Crackdown With Dark Humor, and Subscribers  —  Meduza, a leading independent news site, fights back with jokes and a stunning donation campaign.  But can it stand up to the Russian state?  —  RIGA, Latvia — There's a certain kind of American podcast …

How to prevent Democrats from digging their own grave in 2022  —  Earlier this month a coalition of progressive groups announced they were going to spend upwards of $100 million on television and digital ads to boost President Biden and the Democrats.  When in doubt, flood the airwaves.  What a waste!

Exclusive: First U.S. COVID deaths came earlier — and in different places — than previously thought  —  Death records indicate that virus contributed to previously unknown January 2020 fatalities in California, Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin

Why Mass Immigration Is the Key to American Renewal  —  Our economy, politics, and culture all need the revitalization only immigrants can provide.  —  Becoming the most welcoming country on Earth for migrants—breathing new life into our most flattering, if too often inaccurate self-image—could be our salvation.

Deadlines burn Biden  —  President Joe Biden speaks on the continuing situation in Afghanistan and the developments of Hurricane Henri on Aug. 22, 2021, in Washington, D.C. |  If Joe Biden's withdrawal plan from Afghanistan has appeared chaotically rushed, it's a product of his own making.

Third Pfizer dose significantly lowers risk of infection in seniors, Israeli data shows … PLEASE NOTE  —  The Washington Post is providing this important information about the coronavirus for free.  For more free coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, sign up for our Coronavirus Updates newsletter where all stories are free to read.