My fellow Americans, the war is over

President Joe Biden defended his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawl. And the Caldor Fire is making its way toward Lake Tahoe. It's Monday's news. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Short List   Tuesday, August 31 My fellow Americans, the war is over President Joe Biden defended his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawl. And the Caldor Fire is making its way toward Lake Tahoe. It's Monday's news. President Joe Biden defended the United States' exit from Afghanistan. Opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine is dropping among Americans. And the Caldor Fire in California is scorching its way toward Lake Tahoe. 👋 It's Laura. It's Tuesday. Here's the news you need to know. But first, working from home is great! 🥕 As long as your kid doesn't come in and wave around a suspiciously shaped carrot while you're in a Zoom meeting. The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here or text messages here. Biden defends US exit from Afghanistan After the last flight carrying United States forces departed Afghanistan on Monday, the country entered a new era as the 20-year war with the U.S. came to a close.  In an address to the nation on Tuesday, a defiant President Biden defended both his decision to end military operations and his handling of the evacuation that left some Americans behind. "I was not going to extend this forever war and I was not extending a forever exit," Biden said. "My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over." Read more from President Biden's speech. What happens next? The Taliban, now in control of the country, will have to contend with terror group ISIS-K as Biden and the United Nations urge the new government to allow for safe travel for Afghans and to uphold human rights. Between 100 to 200 U.S. citizens remain in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. So, what will happen to Americans and allies still in Afghanistan? Here's what you need to know. 👉 Afghanistan news: Biden addressed end of war in Afghanistan; Taliban declared victory; McCarthy blasted the White House. Catch up on the latest with live updates. • Pentagon denies reports that US left service dogs in Afghanistan. • What happened to US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan? • Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue: The last US soldier to leave Afghanistan. Ida death toll rises to 4 The death toll from Hurricane Ida rose to at least four after a highway collapsed in Mississippi, millions were still without power and flooding remained a threat Tuesday as remnants of the monster storm swept across the Southeast.  Two people died in Louisiana, including a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge and a driver who drowned in New Orleans. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said at least 671 people had been rescued from floodwaters by Monday afternoon. Power remained out Tuesday to more than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and another 75,000 in Mississippi, Alabama and Virginia. Ida roared onto the Gulf Coast near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Sunday with 1 mph winds before barreling toward Mississippi. With sustained winds at 30 mph, Ida quietened to a tropical depression status Tuesday, but the National Weather Service warned that the heavy rain and flooding threat would spread from the Tennessee and Ohio valleys up through the mid-Atlantic states on Wednesday. • In the wake of Ida, experts fear Louisiana is 'a pandemic tinderbox.' • Photos: Turmoil in Grand Isle after Ida ripped through ships and homes. • Man attacked by alligator in Louisiana floodwaters after Hurricane Ida. Fran Tribe and her dog Dave sit outside home destroyed by Hurricane Ida in Houma, LA. Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. SCOTT CLAUSE, USA TODAY Network What everyone's talking about • J.D. Power study: These are the 23 highest quality new vehicles of 2021. • Cawthorn calls Jan. 6 rioters 'political prisoners,' warns of 'bloodshed.' • Teen's death led to a professor. Now, he's admitted sex trafficking. • Who is Bishop Sycamore?  What we know about the mysterious team. • Illegal 80-lb. pet cougar removed from NYC apartment, taken to refuge. Fewer people now opposed to COVID-19 vaccine Amid surging COVID-19 cases largely propelled by the delta variant, and following the FDA's full approval of the Pfizer shot, vaccine opposition is dropping, a new poll suggests.  The latest Axios-Ipsos Coronavirus Index, released Tuesday, finds only 1 in 5 Americans say they're not likely to get vaccinated, the lowest level since the start of the index. The percentage of Americans who stand in hard opposition to getting the vaccine has also dropped to its lowest reported levels, at 14% of U.S. adults. The changes are particularly noteworthy among parents: 68% now say they're likely to get their children vaccinated; 31% oppose vaccinating their children. Mask use also continues to increase, according to the index: 69% now report using a mask some or all the time when leaving the home, up from 52% in the July 20 report. 👉 COVID-19 news: Hurricane Ida victims could swamp Louisiana hospitals; Many states already reporting more COVID-19 deaths in 2021 than in 2020. Catch up on the latest here. • State Department: Americans 'reconsider' trips to Canada due to COVID-19. Registered nurse Kevin Grellman prepares to give a third "booster" dose of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine to Jose Gomez, 80, (L) and his wife Armida Gomez, 81, during a vaccination clinic hosted by Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Department of Public Health on August 19, 2021 at Tournament House in Pasadena, California. Robyn Beck, AFP via Getty Images Caldor Fire scorching its way toward Lake Tahoe Bearing down on scenic Lake Tahoe, the Caldor Fire grew overnight after jumping a highway and prompting mass evacuations of the lakeside town,  California fire officials said Tuesday. For two weeks, firefighters have been battling the blaze, which has burned over 276 square miles, destroyed more than 470 homes and injured at least five people, but is only about 15% is contained. After the evacuation orders went into effect for South Lake Tahoe's 22,000 residents, the fire jumped Highway 89 and moved north on a ridge. Conditions on the ground have worsened since Sunday. Crews face low humidity and gusty winds as the fire races east and threatens to reach Lake Tahoe, but the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection expects full containment by Sept. 8. The Caldor Fire is one of 83 large fires and complexes burning more than 3,900 square miles across the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. • Before and after photos reveal intensity, horror of Caldor Fire. • Roads packed as South Lake Tahoe residents flee approaching wildfire. The Caldor Fire burns on both sides of Highway 50 about 10 miles east of Kyburz, California, as the fire pushes east prompting evacuation orders all the way to Echo Summit. The Caldor Fire, the nation's top priority for firefighting resources, grew to more than 213 square miles southwest of Lake Tahoe but containment remained at 12%, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Sara Nevis, AP Images Real quick • Patriots cut Cam Newton; rookie Mac Jones wins starting QB job. • Talk radio host who opposed vaccinations dies after battle with COVID-19. • Bank robbers in Brazil tied hostages to cars to use as human shields. • South Carolina Supreme Court hears arguments in student mask cases. • Chicago cop on desk duty after video shows him grab woman walking dog. Mike Richards fired from 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune'  Mike Richards, who stepped down as "Jeopardy!" host last week over accusations of past offensive comments, is also being removed from his role as executive producer.  Sony Pictures Television executive VP Suzanne Prete said Richards will no longer be the executive producer of the top-rated syndicated game show, "effective immediately." Richards, 46, had been selected for the hosting job this month, but sparked controversy when comments from a 2014 podcast, while he was a producer of CBS' "The Price is Right," resurfaced in a report from The Ringer. In the podcast Richards hosted, "The Randumb Show," The Ringer reported that Richards repeatedly used offensive language to describe and denigrate women's bodies, and also made an offensive comment about Jewish people.  • Mayim Bialik steps in as 'Jeopardy!' host after Mike Richards quits. Mike Richards was selected as the permanent syndicated host of "Jeopardy!," but stepped down after controversy. Jeopardy Productions, Inc A break from the news • 🍿 From 'Dune' to 'Halloween Kills': The 10 must-see movies of fall. • 💇‍♀️ Looking for a new hairstyle? Wig out over these reviewer favorites. • 🛀 Rub-a-dub-dub, destress in the tub! Baths could improve your mood. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Want this news roundup in your inbox every night? Sign up for The Short List newsletter here. MORE ARTICLES 'No option for us.' What happens to Americans, allies still in... 5 things you need to know Tuesday Hurricane Ida causes widespread damage across New Orleans metro area   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102

OnPolitics: America's forever war comes to an end

U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years in the country. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

On Politics   Tuesday, August 31 OnPolitics: America's forever war comes to an end U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years in the country. It finally happened, OnPolitics readers.  The last U.S. forces left Afghanistan Monday, after 20 years of war, more than 2,400 U.S. troops killed in combat and a frenetic evacuation. The military retreated one minute before the clock struck midnight on the Aug. 31 deadline.  President Joe Biden delivered remarks Tuesday afternoon to mark the end of the nation's longest war. I'll get to that below.  It's Mabinty, with the day's top news.  The war is finally over  During his address to the nation, Biden defiantly defended his handling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Biden said the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline was not "arbitrary." "It was designed to save American lives," Biden said. The pullout capped a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops that was upended after the Taliban quickly took over the Afghan government this month. It turned deadly when a  terrorist attack killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 169 Afghan civilians on Thursday as the U.S. scrambled to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies in the final days.  Biden took responsibility for his decision to leave Afghanistan on Tuesday but reiterated it was necessary to leave. "I was not going to extend this forever war and I was not extending a forever exit," Biden said. Afghan observers said the U.S. exit was an abrupt, full-circle moment that left the Taliban declaring victory over the world's leading super power. The last soldier: Maj. Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, based in Fort Bragg, N.C., was the final soldier to leave Afghanistan as U.S. troops boarded a C-17 aircraft in Kabul. The Pentagon tweeted a photo recognizing Donahue as the final soldier in America's longest war, which saw more than 775,000 American troops serve over two decades. Real quick: Stories you'll want to read  • Goodbye, Afghanistan: From George W. Bush to Joe Biden, no celebration as America's longest war ends • Biden meets with families of service members killed in Kabul suicide bombing • What is ISIS-K? Islamic State terror group carried out Kabul attack that killed 13 U.S. troops • Rep. Madison Cawthorn calls Jan. 6 rioters 'political prisoners,' warns of 'bloodshed' at GOP event • Michigan Republicans plan to launch petition drive to pursue voting overhaul What happens next Now that the withdrawal is complete, refugee groups, experts and advocates are bracing for a refugee crisis and economic calamity. The Taliban now in control of the country will have to contend with terror group ISIS-K as the United Nations and Biden urge the new government to allow for safe travel for Afghans and to uphold human rights. Women and girls will likely be trying to flee the country in droves, despite the Taliban's pledges to rule with a more moderate hand. When the militant Islamic group last ruled the country, its leaders barred girls from attending school and prohibited women from working outside the home. Appearing in public without a male relative was illegal.  Between 100 to 200 U.S. citizens remain in Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. Blinken said the U.S. will continue to try to get Americans and Afghans out of the country, and will work with Afghanistan's neighbors to secure their departure, either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens. Biden reinforced Blinken's remarks saying, "For those remaining Americans, there is no deadline. We remain committed to get them out if they want to come out." Please keep Louisiana and everyone hurt by Hurricane Ida in your thoughts. — Mabinty  Discover more with our newsletters: Get the latest headlines, things to do and more in your inbox. Sign up here.   FOLLOW US Problem viewing email? View in browser Unsubscribe • Manage Newsletters • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights • Privacy Notice • Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy • Feedback © 2021 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102