A10 | FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 FROM PAGE ONE WACO TRIBUNE-HERALD Top US diplomat talks relocation of Afghan allies in Kuwait ISABEL DEBRE “The United States is commit- world powers. Khamenei’s ap- Associated Press ted to helping those who helped parent call for a more adversarial DUBAI,United Arab Emirates — us during our time in Afghanistan approach to the West on Wednes- The United States is negotiating over the last 20 years,” Blinken said day came as his hard-line protege, with Kuwait and other countries at a joint press conference with his President-elect Ebrahim Raisi, is whether they can host Afghans Kuwaiti counterpart. “We’re ac- set next week to become head of who supported the American war tively engaged in that process and the country’s civilian government. effort and could face Taliban re- notably in relocation planning for Hopes for a quick revival of the venge attacks if they stay in Af- those brave Afghans and their fam- accord, which granted Iran sanc- ghanistan,America’s top diplomat ilies.” tions relief in exchange for curbs said Thursday. The evacuation planning,which on its nuclear program,have faded During a visit to tiny, oil-rich could affect tens of thousands of further since the last round of indi- Kuwait, U.S. Secretary of State Afghans, comes as the Taliban rect talks between Iran and the U.S. Antony Blinken did not announce gain more ground throughout Af- in Vienna broke last month. any deal or disclose critical details ghanistan, seizing swaths of the “I think we have clearly demon- about the process, such as who countryside and fueling fears of a strated our good faith and desire to would be eligible for relocation or violent future. Civilian casualties return to mutual compliance with where they would be housed. surged in the first half of the year, the nuclear agreement,” Blinken As American troops complete according to a United Nations re- JONATHAN ERNST, ASSOCIATED PRESS said. “This process cannot go on their withdrawal from Afghan- port. Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah indefinitely.” istan, the Biden administration Afghan allies have complained of and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrive for a joint news He added: “The ball remains in has come under heavy pressure a bureaucratic nightmare as they conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Iran’s court.” to quickly evacuate Afghan inter- try to obtain the special immigrant Thursday. Iran has rejected that assertion, preters, drivers and other workers visas offered to foreign nationals insisting that because the U.S., who helped U.S. forces during the deemed to be in need of protection applications pending, some for as tollah Ali Khamenei that America’s under former President Donald two-decade war and now find because of their cooperation with long as nearly three years. “stubborn”stance was to blame for Trump, scrapped the landmark themselves at risk of retribution the U.S. government. On Iran,Blinken dismissed crit- stalled negotiations over Tehran’s 2015 deal, it should move first to by the Taliban. There are more than 18,000 visa icism from Supreme Leader Aya- now-tattered nuclear deal with lift its crippling sanctions. New Russian lab briefly knocks space station out of position SETH BORENSTEIN nauts on board; software problems Nauka will require many ma- Associated Press botched the first test. neuvers, including up to 11 space- A newly arrived Russian science Russia’s long-delayed 22- walks beginning in early Septem- lab briefly knocked the Interna- ton (20-metric-ton) lab called ber, to prepare it for operation. tional Space Station out of posi- Nauka arrived earlier Thursday, The space station is currently tion Thursday when it accidentally eight days after it launched from operated by NASA astronauts fired its thrusters. the Russian launch facility in Mark Vande Hei, Shane Kim- For 47 minutes, the space sta- Baikonur, Kazakhstan. brough and Megan McArthur; tion lost control of its orientation The launch of Nauka, which will Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov when the firing occurred a few provide more room for scientific of Russia’s Roscosmos space hours after docking, pushing the experiments and space for the corporation; Japan Aerospace orbiting complex from its nor- crew, had been repeatedly delayed Exploration Agency astronaut mal configuration. The station’s because of technical problems. It Akihiko Hoshide and European position is key for getting power was initially scheduled to go up in Space Agency astronaut Thomas from solar panels and for commu- 2007. Pesquet. nications. Communications with In 2013, experts found contami- In 1998, Russia launched the ground controllers also blipped ROSCOSMOS SPACE AGENCY PRESS SERVICE PHOTO nation in its fuel system, resulting station’s first compartment, out twice for a few minutes. The Nauka module is seen prior to docking with the International Space in a long and costly replacement. Zarya, which was followed in 2000 Flight controllers regained con- Station on Thursday. Other Nauka systems also under- by another big piece, Zvezda, and trol using thrusters on other Rus- went modernization or repairs. three smaller modules in the fol- sian components at the station to Montalbano said the crew didn’t Kathy Lueders called it “a pretty Stretching 43 feet (13 meters) lowing years. The last of them, right the ship, and it is now stable really feel any movement or any exciting hour.” long, Nauka became the first Rassvet, arrived at the station in and safe, NASA said. shaking. NASA said the station The incident caused NASA to new compartment for the Rus- 2010. “We haven’t noticed any dam- moved 45 degrees out of attitude, postpone a repeat test flight for sian segment of the outpost since Russian space officials down- age,” space station program man- about one-eighth of a complete Boeing’s crew capsule that had 2010. On Monday, one of the older played the incident with Dmi- ager Joel Montalbano said in a circle. The complex was never been set for Friday afternoon from Russian units, the Pirs spacewalk- try Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, late afternoon press conference. spinning, NASA spokesman Bob Florida. It will be Boeing’s second ing compartment, undocked from tweeting: “All in order at the ISS. “There was no immediate danger Jacobs said. attempt to reach the 250-mile- the station to free up room for the The crew is resting, which is what at anytime to the crew.” NASA’s human spaceflight chief high station before putting astro- new lab. I advise you to do as well.” salaries themselves. And while Workers Republicans have been less vocal From A1 as a group about their staff sala- ries, the potential pinch has not employees who take calls and gone unnoticed. emails from constituents, help “The implications to the opera- research and write bills and oth- tions of the House are significant,” erwise keep a legislative session Republican Rep. William Metcalf, moving won’t be working when who chairs the Committee on the new budget starts Sept. 1. House Administration, said in a Rodriguez and others say it feels memo this week. like their livelihoods are collateral Beyond payroll, the memo said, damage in the nation’s most visi- Abbott’s veto means staff will be ble standoff over voting rights. responsible for fully funding their “There is always somebody who own health insurance. Leases and feels left out, who feels betrayed, phone lines for lawmakers’ dis- by the governor when he chooses trict offices will be canceled. And to veto legislation,” Rodriguez cleaning and disinfection services said. “Unfortunately, it really hits for the House Chamber will stop home this time.” as COVID-19 infection and hos- Democratic lawmakers sued pital rates are rising again in Texas Abbott over the June line item and much of the U.S. veto of more than $400 million in For now, Rodriguez will carry salary funds, claiming the action on. On a recent workday, his wife was unconstitutional. Rodriguez, and 15-moth-old daughter joined who makes $73,000 annually, was him on the 70-mile trip from their named in the suit, which is pend- home in San Antonio to his office ing before the Texas Supreme at the Capitol in Austin. At one Court. Abbott’s office declined point he held the toddler on one comment but previously said the side and a phone on the other, Texas Constitution grants the gov- speaking softly on a work call as ernor the “power to disapprove his wife set up a crib. He likes to any bill.” keep them nearby — a family unit It’s not clear when the court that appreciates the value of hard might make a decision, keeping work and public service. the state employees in limbo. Rodriguez’s boss, Rep. Ray Abbott’s move is unprece- Lopez, is one of the Democrats dented, at least in recent Texas currently in Washington seeking ROD AYDELOTTE, TRIBUNE-HERALD history, and sparks an unusual support from Congress and Pres- The historical marker acknowledging the lynching of Jesse Washington is set to be cast at a foundry in the constitutional debate about sep- ident Joe Biden to take federal ac- coming months and placed near Waco City Hall between GiGi Mygdal’s “Friendship” sculpture and the hall’s aration of powers, according to tion to block voting restrictions, front entrance. Joshua Blank, director of research with Abbott pledging to continue for the non-partisan Texas Politics scheduling special sessions until Toni Herbert, an organizer of number of markers approved this Project at the University of Texas his agenda is approved.