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TSA mask fines, flights out of Afghanistan, U.S. Open action: 5 things to know Friday

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Biden directs TSA to double fines on travelers who won't mask up on flights

A new executive order from President Joe Biden directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to double the fines faced by travelers who refuse to mask up in airports and "on certain modes of public transportation." The fines take effect Friday would be $500 to $1,000 for first offenders and $1,000 to $3,000 for repeat offenders. Children under 2 and those with certain disabilities are exempt. The TSA's mask mandate, which first went into effect in February and was recently extended through Jan. 18, requires masks on airplanes, trains, buses and in airports and train stations. "If you break the rules, be prepared to pay," Biden said Thursday. During his speech, the president laid out a "six-pronged strategy" focused on sweeping vaccination requirements for federal workers and companies with more than 100 employees, increasing school safety protocols and making coronavirus testing more accessible.

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Biden announces COVID vaccine mandates for businesses, federal workers
The president unveiled a new "six-pronged strategy" to contain COVID-19 in the U.S with the growing threat of the Delta variant.
Staff Video, Paste BN

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'Historic' commercial flights take off from Afghanistan

Another commercial flight will take off from Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan on Friday. The departure of 200 Westerners, including Americans, on a Qatar Airways flight to Doha from Kabul on Thursday was the first large-scale evacuation since U.S and NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of last month. It marked a significant breakthrough in the bumpy coordination between the U.S. and Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers. A foreign diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said another 200 foreigners would depart in the next couple of days. 

Hurricane season: Larry continues to linger, while Mindy moves out to sea 

Hurricane Larry is expected to continue its northerly track Friday. Notably, the center of Larry will move near or over southeastern Newfoundland on Friday night or early Saturday, the National Hurricane Center reported. A hurricane warning is in effect for a portion of the Canadian province. Though Larry isn't expected to make landfall in the U.S., significant swells from the storm still are reaching the beaches on the East Coast – and that will continue through Saturday. "These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the Hurricane Center said. In other storm news, Tropical Depression Mindy moved out to sea Thursday after dumping heavy rain on coastal South Carolina. 

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Tropical Storm Mindy douses Florida Panhandle in heavy rains
Mindy was expected to reach parts of GA and SC bringing heavy rainfall and possible flooding. Credit: Tropical Updater via Storyful
Storyful, Storyful

California assembly to hold final vote on spousal rape bill

California lawmakers will hold a final vote on a bill that would treat the rape of a spouse the same as the rape of a non-spouse. The bill removes an exemption to the rape law if the victim is married to the perpetrator. California is one of 11 states that distinguish between spousal rape and other forms of sexual assault. The bill’s supporters said the distinction lingers from a time when women were expected to obey their husbands. Currently, those convicted of spousal rape currently can be eligible for probation instead of prison or jail, although there is no difference in the maximum penalties. The bill passed the state's Senate earlier this week. 

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Disturbing sex trend 'stealthing' violates rights
"Stealthing" is when a man secretly removes a condom during sex.
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US Open semis: Djokovic looks to tie another record in chase of history

Novak Djokovic, the No. 1 player in the world, is two wins away from the first calendar-year Grand Slam in men's tennis since Rod Laver in 1969 and he will continue his quest for history Friday when he takes on No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev in the U.S. Open semifinals in New York City (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET). Earlier this summer, Zverev rallied from a set down to beat Djokovic in Tokyo at the Olympics, then went on to win the gold medal for Germany. Zverev has won 16 straight matches. If Djokovic is victorious, he will tie another record with Roger Federer with his 31st appearance in a Grand Slam final. In the early semifinal match, No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face No. 12 Felix Auger-Aliassime, the first Canadian to make the U.S. Open men's semifinals (ESPN, 3 p.m. ET). This is the third consecutive year Medvedev has at least reached the U.S. Open semifinals.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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