The Hill Articles: August 15, 2021

Texas Supreme Court upholds Abbott’s ban on local mask mandates International community calls for ‘safe and orderly departure’ of foreign nationals and Afghans Evacuation of US Embassy in Kabul is complete, State Department says Taliban seize power as Washington debates what went wrong US says its working to secure Kabul airport, evacuate Americans and Afghans Toll from Haiti earthquake jumps to almost 1,300 dead, 5,700 injured Democrats look to state courts as redistricting battle heats up US evacuated 500 embassy staffers from Afghanistan Sunday University of Florida will hold in-person classes after considering going online McConnell slams Biden’s ‘botched exit’ from Afghanistan Afghanistan: Can we build bipartisan agreement out of bipartisan failure? Navajo Nation sees one coronavirus death, 37 new cases Afghan broadcasters for US government radio fear Taliban backlash Pentagon authorizes sending additional 1,000 troops to Afghanistan Afghan president says he left country to prevent more bloodshed Taliban fighters enter presidential palace in Kabul Iran implementing 6-day coronavirus lockdown Biden administration approves record permanent jump in food stamps Let’s merge basic income with school choice Israel recalls top diplomat from Poland over restitution law Graham told Biden attacks on Hunter didn’t satisfy Trump supporters: report Learn up to 14 languages with the highly rated Babbel app that’s 60% off Investing in low-emissions energy is the key to the climate crisis Trudeau calls for snap elections in Canada Naomi Osaka vows to donate tournament prize money to Haiti earthquake relief efforts Record number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 GOP lawmakers blast Biden over Afghanistan collapse American flag taken down at US Embassy in Kabul: report How to fix the semiconductor chip shortage (it’s more than manufacturing) Death toll rises to over 700 in Haiti earthquake Embassy in Kabul instructs US citizens to shelter in place Beltway reporting of Afghanistan withdrawal a disservice to Americans 57 injured in bus crash in New York Former health insurance executive says out-of-pocket costs are ‘outrageous’ Former CDC chief: Recent spike in COVID-19 cases won’t lead to shutdowns GOP has become a party heedless of public health, but that could change Sunday shows – Afghanistan dominates Top researcher: Current virus surge could sustain itself for another six weeks Scalise: ‘This is President Biden’s Saigon moment’ Fauci asks people to ‘put aside’ concerns of personal liberty and recognize ‘common enemy’ of COVID-19 Non-fungible tokens are going to space Cheney: What we’re seeing now in Afghanistan is actually the opposite of ending war NIH director: COVID-19 infections among children ‘very worrisome’ School officials say they have no regrets amid mask mandate tensions The sausage making ain’t gonna be pretty the next few months Afghanistan president leaves country as Taliban start entering Kabul: report Blinken on Afghanistan: ‘This is not Saigon’ Pompeo says Trump administration ‘never trusted the Taliban’ Hochul: ‘It won’t be difficult’ to move on from Cuomo’s legacy Eviction records: Long-term impacts of the COVID-19 housing crisis McCaul: Biden’s ‘gonna have blood on his hands’ over Afghanistan withdrawal New Ebola case identified in Cote d’Ivoire Democrats can keep stacking up wins by uniting progressives and moderates Blinken argues Taliban would have launched offensive even if US had stayed Become a better cook with 10 courses for only $20 Sasse knocks ‘Trump-Biden doctrine of weakness’ as situation deteriorates in Afghanistan Biden’s ‘fall of Saigon’ in Afghanistan presents worst moment yet of presidency Pope calls for peace in Afghanistan Republican rhetoric vs reality: Vaccination mandates are Constitutional Judge orders Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy to be reinstated Liz Cheney knocks ‘Trump/Biden calamity unfolding in Afghanistan’ Kamala Harris has an important job to do in Asia US pulling all personnel from embassy in Kabul: report Taliban enter Kabul as US Embassy staff evacuates Hochul seeks fresh start after Cuomo scandal Former NY governor predicts Hochul will be ‘effective’ taking over for Cuomo Senate backlog of Biden nominees frustrates White House