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.

‘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.

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?

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.

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.

‘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 …