The U.S. military pilots and aircrew who made the final flights out of Afghanistan say the sky was lit up with fireworks and sporadic gunfire and the airfield littered with battered shells of airplanes and destroyed equipment.

As governments, corporations and charity groups rush to get their citizens and employees out of Afghanistan, dozens of Afghan people got help to flee their country from Instagram influencer Quentin Quarantino.

Jannik Sinner became the first teenager to win an ATP 500 event, beating Mackie McDonald 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 to take the Citi Open title.

Over nine days at the near-empty Olympic Stadium, the women of track and field delivered a memorable show.

The image of Communist China’s founding leader Mao Zedong has made an unscheduled appearance at the Tokyo Olympics.

The face and the voice of the Tokyo Olympics could very well be found in Raven Saunders.

An Alaska Native artist has created a new stamp for the U.S. Postal Service.

This week’s new entertainment releases include new music from producer and multiinstrumentalist Jack Antonoff and Billie Eilish, whose upcoming “Happier Than Ever” is the second studio album from the 19-year-old superstar.

The success of Olympic gymnastics champions Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles has created a spike in interest in the sport in Black communities.

The success of Olympic gymnastics champions Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles has created a spike in interest in the sport in Black communities.

State health officials say coronavirus cases in California remain low but have ticked up since the state reopened two weeks ago.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has posthumously pardoned 34 victims of racial lynching in the state between 1854 and 1933 who were denied legal due process.

James McBride’s latest honor for the novel “Deacon King Kong” is a real New York story.

FILE - Author Maggie O'Farrell poses for the media at the Costa book awards in London on Jan. 25, 2011. O'Farrell's "Hamnet," an imagined take on the death of Shakespeare's son from the bubonic plague, has won the National Book Critics Circle prize for fiction. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)NEW YORK – Maggie O'Farrell's “Hamnet,” an imagined take on the death of Shakespeare's son from the bubonic plague, has won the National Book Critics Circle prize for fiction. “Hamnet,” an unfortunately well timed story for the current pandemic, explores the impact of the boy's illness and death on his family. The book critics circle was founded in 1974 and has hundreds of members around the country.

Pridgeon is in custody as a suspect, after six people, including five young children, were shot to death early Tuesday at a home in Muskogee, Okla. (Muskogee County Sheriff's Office via AP)MUSKOGEE, Okla. – A 25-year-old Oklahoma man was charged with murder Wednesday in the killings of his brother and five young children, police said. Jarron Deajon Pridgeon of Muskogee was charged with six counts of first-degree murder, shooting with intent to kill and possession of firearms during probation, court records show. Police identified the slain children as Jalaiya Pridgeon, 1; Jaidus Pridgeon, 3; Harmony Anderson, 5; Neveah Pridgeon, 6; and Que’dynce Anderson, 9. Neighbors told the Muskogee Phoenix that they had only recently moved to the home but that the children were often outside playing. Raven Anderson, who is an aunt to the children, told Tulsa TV station KOTV that Pridgeon was the father of three of the slain children.

The only other players with at least 400 touchdown passes are Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Dan Marino and Philip Rivers. He has 36 touchdown passes this year and is the first player to throw at least 35 in five separate seasons. Rodgers doesn't have the footballs from his 100th, 200th or 300th touchdown passes. His 400th touchdown pass was a 9-yarder to Adams that capped a 99-yard drive in the third period. Philadelphia’s rally started with Hurts' 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Ward on fourth-and-18.

Indianapolis Colts middle linebacker Anthony Walker (54) celebrates with teammates after he recovered a fumble by Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)HOUSTON – With their offense sputtering in the second half Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts turned to their defense to seal a win over the Houston Texans. Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes in the first half and the defense dominated after that, lifting the Colts to the 26-20 victory. Their offense didn't score after that, but the defense held Houston (4-8) scoreless in the second half and Justin Houston added a safety with a sack of Watson in the end zone. With Sunday's shutout in the second half, the Colts are allowing an average of 7.33 points in the second half of games this season.

NEW YORK – Author James McBride and editor Chris Jackson were among those honored Thursday night by the Center for Fiction. Jackson, whose authors range from Ta-Nehisi Coates to Bryan Stevenson, was given the Medal for Editorial Excellence Award. Jackson runs the One World imprint of Penguin Random House. The Center for Fiction awarded its First Novel Prize to Raven Leilani for “Luster,” the story of a young Black woman's affair with a married, middle-aged white man. Finalists included this year's Booker Prize winner, Douglas Stuart's “Shuggie Bain.”

(Sealaska Heritage Institute via AP)ANCHORAGE, Alaska – When a Tlingit elder dies, leaders from the Alaska Native tribe’s two houses, the Raven and Eagle clans, typically come together along with family and well-wishers for a memorial ceremony featuring displays of traditional tribal regalia. We also wanted to honor Kingeisti in our traditional way,” Sealaska Heritage Institute president Rosita Worl said, using Katzeek's Tlingit name. Katzeek, 77, died unexpectedly Oct. 28, according to the Juneau-based institute, an Alaska Native nonprofit that promotes Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures. The clan regalia was visible in the background of those who spoke instead of being displayed in front of a coffin or held in person as at a traditional memorial. She said the memorial was an innovative and successful merging of traditional rites with modern technology and the public health and safety requirements demanded by the pandemic.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is congratulated by running back Aaron Jones (33) after throwing a touchdown pass to Marcedes Lewis during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Aaron Rodgers threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns and the Green Bay Packers overwhelmed the undermanned San Francisco 49ers 34-17 on Thursday night. Rodgers and the Packers, who were missing three players on the COVID-19 list, took advantage of the opportunity. DEPLETED ROSTERThe run of injuries and coronavirus rules left the 49ers with a shell of a roster, especially on offense. 49ers: CB K’Waun Williams (ankle) and S Jaquiski Tartt (foot) left the game and didn’t return.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay has cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bears: WR Ted Ginn Jr., DB Duke Shelley, RB Artavis Pierce, OL Cody Whitehair, WR Riley Ridley, LB Trevis Gipson. Seahawks: RB Chris Carson, RB Carlos Hyde, DE Benson Mayowa, CB Ugo Amadi, SS Jamal Adams, CB Shaquill Griffin. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL A’Shawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Cleveland receiver Odell Beckham and Washington safety Landon Collins will have more tests Monday to determine the extent of what could be season-ending injuries. Beckham injured his left knee while attempting to make a tackle after Baker Mayfield threw an interception on the team's opening pass play. Collins injured his left ankle/Achilles tendon in noncontact fashion early in the second quarter. Phillips was carted off the field early in the second quarter. — Carolina left tackle Russell Okung (calf) left in the second half against New Orleans and did not return.

NEW YORK Elena Ferrante, James McBride and Isabel Wilkerson are among the nominees for the Kirkus Prize, a $50,000 honor for the best fiction, nonfiction and children's books. The nominees, six each in the three categories, were chosen by panels of writers, critics, booksellers and librarians. Other nominees were Tola Rotimi's Black Sunday," Juliana Delgado Lopera's Fiebre Tropical," Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain" and Raven Leilani's Luster." Wilkerson is a nonfiction finalist for another Winfrey pick, her study of racism in the U.S., Caste." In young people's literature, nominees include a children's version of Ibram X, Kendi's award-winning study of race, Stamped from the Beginning," co-authored with Jason Reynolds.

FILE - In this July 9, 2019 file photo, Raven-Symone arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles. The actor said online she was married this week to Miranda Maday, posting photos that showed the couple embracing. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FIle)LOS ANGELES Raven-Symon says shes single no longer. I love you Mrs. Pearman-Maday! wrote Raven-Symon, whose birth name is Raven-Symon Pearman. In another post, she offered thanks to those who helped with the wedding and to those who understand why it was small during this time."

FILE - In this July 9, 2019 file photo, Raven-Symone arrives at the world premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles. The actor said online she was married this week to Miranda Maday, posting photos that showed the couple embracing. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FIle)LOS ANGELES Raven-Symon says shes single no longer. I love you Mrs. Pearman-Maday! wrote Raven-Symon, whose birth name is Raven-Symon Pearman. In another post, she offered thanks to those who helped with the wedding and to those who understand why it was small during this time. The photos indicated the ceremony was held in a homes backyard.