Biden to visit Louisiana while dozens dead after Ida drenches US north-east – live

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Donald Trump will announce a run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 “any day now”, the Ohio congressman and prominent Trump supporter Jim Jordan reportedly said in Iowa on Thursday. A spokesman for Jordan denied he made the comment to The Undercurrent, a liberal website. The reporter who said he did, Lauren Windsor, tweeted … Read more

Sotomayor calls Texas abortion law ‘flagrantly unconstitutional’ in blistering dissent – live

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The Court’s order is stunning. Presented with an application to enjoin a flagrantly unconstitutional law engineered to prohibit women from exercising their constitutional rights and evade judicial scrutiny, a majority of Justices have opted to bury their heads in the sand. Last night [Tuesday], the Court silently acquiesced in a State’s enactment of a law … Read more

Biden condemns Texas abortion law that ‘blatantly violates’ constitution – live

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9.20pm BST21:20 White House says “no rush” to recognize Taliban as leaders of Afghanistan White House press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned once again this afternoon that the Biden administration is not in a hurry to acknowledge officially the Taliban as the governing authority in Afghanistan. But that very obviously is not ruling out a future … Read more

Biden to speak on Afghanistan as aide says US ‘shifted from military to diplomatic mission’ – live

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2.25pm BST14:25 Good morning, and welcome to today’s politics live blog. Washington is reeling from the official end of the Afghanistan war after the last US soldier left the country yesterday. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have been criticizing Joe Biden for the chaotic exit out of Afghanistan. Republicans are sensing an opportunity … Read more

US school students return amid threat of Delta disruption – live

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6.05pm BST18:05 Afternoon summary The Pentagon was questioned about civilian casualties from a drone strike on Kabul on Sunday. The Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby said: “We are not in a position to dispute it right now, and … we’re assessing, and we’re investigating.” The US is due to complete its troop withdrawal form Afghanistan in … Read more

Washington’s armchair generals urge Biden to continue war on terror – live

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2.32pm BST14:32 David Smith Joe Biden has warned the masterminds of a double suicide-bomb attack in Kabul that killed 13 US troops and 72 Afghan civilians: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.” On the darkest day of his presidency, Biden declined to extend his 31 August deadline for the withdrawal of US … Read more

Evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan ‘highest priority’, says Harris – live

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3.20pm BST15:20 At least three US troops have been wounded in the explosion outside the Kabul airport, according to Fox News. Reports indicate the explosion was the result of a suicide bomber. Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) BREAKING: At least 3 U.S. troops wounded in suicide bombing outside Abbey Gate at Kabul airport: U.S. officials August 26, … Read more

Johnson & Johnson touts Covid booster shot as US grapples with rise in hospitalizations – live

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5.29pm BST17:29 Joanna Walters US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to make public remarks at any moment, to update us on the latest situation with Afghanistan and US evacuations. People evacuated from Kabul wait to board a bus that will take them to a refugee processing center at the Dulles International Airport in … Read more

Joe Biden to speak about Afghanistan evacuation amid criticism – live

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Biden has decided, in consultation with his national security team, to stick with the August 31 deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, according to a senior administration official. Biden made the decision mindful of the security risks in remaining the country longer, the official said, and he has asked for contingency plans in case he … Read more

Biden’s approval rating falls below 50% for first time amid chaos in Kabul – live

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4.46pm BST16:46 Pentagon plans to issue vaccine requirement following FDA’s Pfizer approval The Pentagon will soon establish a mandate for all servicemembers to get vaccinated against coronavirus, following the Food and Drug Administration’s announcement that it was granting full approval to the Pfizer vaccine. Defense secretary Lloyd Austin had previously indicated he would add the … Read more