The House voted to restore federal oversight of state election laws, a key part of Democrats' efforts to strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and combat voting restrictions in Republican-led states. It faces steep Republican opposition in the Senate.

By a narrow vote of 220-212, the House approved a $3.5 trillion budget blueprint that would allow Democrats to start drafting legislation encompassing many of the party's top priorities, including a vast expansion of the social safety net and funding to fight climate change.

Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, cited reports that the Taliban were executing civilians and noncombatant soldiers, violating the rights of women, recruiting child soldiers and repressing peaceful protests in Afghanistan.

On her first day in office, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York said she would order a universal mask mandate in the state's schools and push for Covid vaccine-or-test requirements for school employees.

House Democrats and Republicans held news conferences and pushed for the Biden administration to extend the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan past the Aug. 31 extension deadline, citing the need for a slow exit in order to not escalate the current situation with the Taliban.

Gov. David Ige of Hawaii asked visitors not to travel to the islands unless it is for essential business purposes, as high numbers of coronavirus cases strain the state's hospitals.

Waverly, Tenn., experienced deadly flooding and destruction that killed at least 18 people. A survivor of the disaster recalled how she escaped.

President Biden delivers remarks on the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan following a virtual meeting with Group of 7 nations.

Jake Sullivan, national security adviser for President Biden, said the Taliban agreed to moved its checkpoints farther from Kabul's airport to reduce crowding and allow more room for evacuations after talks with the U.S.

Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said every employee of the city's Department of Education must receive at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine by Sept. 27.