CIA Director William Burns held secret meeting in Kabul with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar  —  CIA Director William J. Burns held a secret meeting in Kabul on Monday with the Taliban's de facto leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in the highest-level face-to-face encounter between the Taliban …

Democrats near deal to break budget impasse  —  Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a band of Democratic centrists are finalizing a deal that would clear the way for passage of the party's $3.5 trillion budget framework and set a Sept. 27 House vote on infrastructure — an offer both sides hope will end their weekslong standoff.

Hawaii governor tells tourists to stay home as coronavirus surges across islands  —  Hawaii Gov. David Ige (D) is telling tourists to stay away from the islands amid a surge in COVID-19 infections.  —  In a news conference on Monday, Ige encouraged visitors and residents to reduce travel to essential business activities.

Maryland's Kimberly Klacik sues conservative commentator Candace Owens for defamation, asks for $20 million in damages  —  Kimberly Klacik, a former Republican congressional candidate in Maryland, is suing conservative commentator Candace Owens for $20 million in damages over an Instagram video Owens …

Cuomo Grants Clemency to Weather Underground Member Serving Time for Murder  —  San Francisco district attorney Chesa Boudin lobbied governor on behalf of father, David Gilbert  —  As one of his last acts before resigning from office on Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D., N.Y.) …

Conservative Bill Kristol endorses McAuliffe in race for Virginia governor  —  RICHMOND — Bill Kristol is just like all the other disaffected Virginia Republicans whom gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin needs to win over, only famous.  —  The longtime conservative commentator …

Possible case of ‘Havana syndrome’ in Vietnam delays Vice President Harris' visit  —  Vietnam is the latest country where a mysterious incident has been reported.  —  Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Vietnam on Tuesday was interrupted by a report of an “anomalous health incident,” …

Monsoon Rains Just Washed Away Trump's ‘Impenetrable’ Border Wall  —  Photos show rusted steel border bollards along the Arizona border ripped from their hinges by the recent rains.  —  JE  —  Monsoon rainfall in southeast Arizona damaged sections of the multi-billion dollar border wall whose construction …

Exclusive: Americans' harsh judgment on Afghanistan costs Biden's approval, down to 41%  —  Susan Page Matthew Brown Mabinty QuarshieUSA TODAY … Was the longest war worth it?  —  After two decades of combat, Americans by more than 2-1 say the war in Afghanistan, launched in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, wasn't worth it.

Arizona's sham election ‘audit’ report delayed after Cyber Ninjas CEO and others test positive for Covid-19  —  (CNN)The report detailing the findings of contractors who conducted Arizona's sham “audit” of last year's election results — which had been expected Monday …

Republican Lobbyist Barry Bennett Comes Under DOJ Scrutiny  —  One-time Trump campaign adviser faces probe into whether he set up an undisclosed lobbying effort to embarrass Qatar's adversaries, people familiar with the matter say  —  WASHINGTON—Federal prosecutors are investigating Barry Bennett …

NEW POLL: Veterans strongly support withdrawal from Afghanistan; Republicans out of step with rest of America on Afghan refugees  —  WASHINGTON, DC - A new poll commissioned by VoteVets shows that American veterans overwhelmingly support President Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, along with all Americans.

Elitist Democrats want you to shut up and obey  —  'We're seeing now what happens when countries tolerate authoritarians, even for a moment'  —  Tucker: You don't need a mask if you're a rich Democrat  —  Ever get the feeling we've been here before?  We have.

Even Amid a Crackdown, the Proud Boys Are Still Agitating  —  At least two dozen members of the Proud Boys face federal charges in the U.S. Capitol siege.  But on Sunday, members of the group were mobilizing once again in Oregon.  —  PORTLAND, Ore. — In the months since the siege …

Hochul, NY's 1st female governor, inherits vast challenges  —  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Kathy Hochul became the first female governor of New York on Tuesday, inheriting immense challenges as she takes over an administration facing criticism for inaction during Andrew Cuomo's distracted final months in office.