Thursday, August 5 2021

*) UN concerned with safety of Afghan civilians The UN says it's deeply concerned about the safety of tens of thousands of civilians in Afghanistan who are trapped by fighting between govt forces and the Taliban. The insurgents have stepped up attacks in multiple provinces since US and NATO forces began withdrawing from the country. Fighting has been particularly heavy around the city of Herat, near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south. *) Kashmiris warned not to strike on annexation anniversary Indian police are warning Kashmiri businesses not to take part in a shutdown to mark the second anniversary of India's annexation of the disputed Himalayan region. Syed Ali Geelani, a 91-year-old pro-freedom leader, put the call out for today's mass action. Two years ago, New Delhi unilaterally changed the semi-autonomous status of disputed Kashmir. *) Tunisia’s Ghannouchi makes political turnaround In an eyebrow-raising turnaround, Tunisia's Speaker of Parliament and opposition leader Rached Ghannouchi says he and his Ennahda Movement party support reform efforts by President Kais Said. Last week, the president fired the prime minister and dissolved the government. Many, including Ghannouchi, heavily criticised Said's actions, saying it amounted to a coup. Ghannouchi now says he sees this an opportunity for the country. *) Anti-govt protests in Ghana Thousands have protested in Ghana, calling on the govt to improve the country's economy. They're blaming the president for the economy's poor performance. Protesters say rising prices and the coronavirus pandemic is making life very hard for citizens, especially the youth. And finally ... *) Parchment beats Holloway to gold in 110m men’s hurdles Jamaican Hansle Parchment has beaten US world champion Grant Holloway to win gold in the men's Olympic 110m hurdles. Parchment clocked 13.04s, with Holloway taking silver and another Jamaican, Ronald Levy, winning bronze. The 31-year-old Jamaican made no mistake as he won t