Good morning, it's Tuesday, Aug. 17, and we're covering the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan, a water shortage declaration in the West, and much more. Have feedback? Let us know at [email protected].

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NEED TO KNOW

Chaos in Kabul

At least seven people are dead and dozens injured after crowds of Afghan citizens rushed the tarmac at the Kabul airport in a frantic attempt to escape impending Taliban rule in the country. Two people were reportedly shot and killed at the airport's perimeter by US forces attempting to keep order during the evacuation. At least three others were said to have fallen to their deaths as they attempted to cling to a departing US military transport jet. See footage of the chaos here.

The rush came one day after the Taliban seized Kabul, the country's capital, effectively completing a long guerilla campaign to retake Afghanistan (see photos). Roughly 3,000 US troops—rising to 6,000 in the coming days—are at the city's airport while officials process paperwork for those eligible to leave. Pictures of a packed C-17 transport plane went viral yesterday.

President Joe Biden yesterday stood by the decision to withdraw troops while admitting the speed of the Taliban takeover took his administration by surprise. 

The Taliban have called for calm, saying they would not exact revenge on those who assisted Western efforts. Experts are dubious, and the claim has been contradicted by emerging reports of atrocities.

Here's what may come next in the country as the Taliban assume power.

Western Water Cuts

Federal officials declared a water shortage at Lake Mead yesterday, the first time such a designation has been made within the Colorado River basin. The declaration is expected to trigger cuts in water allocation in southwestern states beginning next year. Under the Tier 1 cuts (paywall, WSJ), Arizona will see its allocation fall by 18%, Nevada by 7%, and Mexico by 5%. If water levels continue to fall, other states, including California, will see reductions.

The nation's largest reservoir by capacity, Lake Mead has become a visual symbol of the decadeslong drought affecting the broader region (see photos). The lake currently sits at 35% of its full capacity, the lowest on record. The Colorado River, which feeds the lake, recorded its driest 12-month period on record between May 2020 and April 2021. 

The river system fuels the Hoover Dam, producing hydroelectric power for roughly 1.3 million users. The dam will keep producing electricity—at lower efficiencies—until the water level hits 950 feet (current depth is around 1,070 feet, down from the maximum of 1,220 feet).

Bama Stays on Top

The annual Associated Press college football preseason rankings were released yesterday, with defending champion Alabama capturing the top spot after earning 47 of 63 first-place votes. It marks the fourth time in the past six seasons Alabama will begin the season ranked No. 1 and comes despite the Crimson Tide having to replace 11 starters, including starting quarterback Mac Jones and Heisman-winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith. 

Oklahoma, coming off its sixth straight Big 12 title—and eying a jump to the SEC—was ranked No. 2, followed by Clemson at No. 3, who must replace star QB Trevor Lawrence. Ohio State, who beat Clemson but fell to Alabama in last year's playoffs, came in No. 4, followed by Georgia at No. 5. The season formally kicks off Saturday, Aug. 28, with an abbreviated slate of games before getting into full swing the following week (see schedule).

This year is the first that athletes will be able to earn income under updated name, image, and likeness rules. See early data on compensation earned here.

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IN THE KNOW

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

Brought to you by Tenzo

> Bob Dylan sued for allegedly drugging, sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in 1965 (More) | The UK's Prince Andrew named as "person of interest" in Jeffrey Epstein investigation (More) 

> Madonna announces partnership with Warner Music Group to bring her entire catalog spanning 40 years under the label's umbrella (More)

> Soccer legend Carli Lloyd announces retirement from US women's national team after 16-year international career (More) | Tokyo Paralympics, which begin Aug. 24, to bar spectators over continued pandemic concerns (More)

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Science & Technology

> Study finds mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines like those from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech produce a strong response from the immune system's T-cells, which are capable of a more durable response than antibodies alone (More) | What are T-cells? (More)

> Facebook and Google partner on a subsea fiber-optic cable connecting Japan, Singapore, and other Asia-Pacific countries; network to launch in 2024 (More) | See a map of the world's undersea cable networks (More)

> Astronomers infer the size of Saturn's core from the movement of the planet's outer rings; core is roughly 50 times the size of Earth (More) | Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin sues NASA over the sole selection of rival SpaceX to develop a lunar lander under the agency's Artemis program (More)

Business & Markets

> S&P 500 index doubles from pandemic low on March 23, 2020; 354 days is the fastest doubling since data were first captured following World War II (More)

> US safety officials announce investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system; shares fall 4% (More)

> Chinese economy sees slowing growth with lower industrial output and decreased retail sales (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> Haitian earthquake death toll rises to 1,419, with 6,000 injured, as Tropical Storm Grace disrupts search and rescue efforts (More)

> Pfizer submits data seeking US authorization for a COVID-19 booster shot for the general population (More) | Average US COVID-19 cases at roughly 134,000 per day; total current hospitalizations fall slightly to 76,600, deaths pass 700 per day (More)

> New York lawmakers to continue investigating Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), despite Cuomo announcing his resignation amid a sexual harassment scandal (More)

IN-DEPTH

Letter From Kabul

Politico | Anonymous. An on-the-ground report from an Afghan journalist, now in hiding with his family in Kabul as the Taliban sweep through the country's capital. (Read)

... and read this letter from a female college student in Kabul.

America’s Diabetes Crisis

Reuters | Staff. Roughly 40% of COVID-19 deaths in the US occurred in patients battling Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The sobering statistic reveals Americans' struggle to fight the chronic disease well before the pandemic began. (Read)

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ETCETERA

America's incarceration rate hits a 25-year low.

Speaking in whistles.

Watch the Washington Monument get struck by lightning.

A visual history of Rickrolling.

Polluted pink lagoon tops this month's best science images.

Some tech workers are cashing multiple full-time paychecks.

US children get most of their calories from ultra-processed food.

Study confirms the obvious; finds cats prefer not to work for food.

Clickbait: Americans are suffering from the Sunday Scaries.

Historybook: Actress Mae West born (1893); HBD Robert De Niro (1943); "Animal Farm" published (1945); President Bill Clinton admits to improper relationship with Monica Lewinsky (1998); Michael Phelps becomes first person to win eight gold medals in single Olympics (2008).

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

- Mae West

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