Tuesday, August, 24 2021

*) NATO diplomat says Kabul evacuation continuing on war footing Evacuations at Kabul airport are taking place on a "war footing", NATO says as foreign forces try to meet an August 31 deadline to leave Afghanistan. Taliban officials have been briefed about the evacuation and logistics at the airport, a NATO official said. The official stated better crowd management was still required even though the situation outside Kabul airport was relatively calmer. *) Tunisia's president extends suspension of parliament Tunisia's President Kais Saied has extended the suspension of parliament until further notice, a month after granting himself greater powers in what activists have called a "purge". Saied also extended the suspension of parliamentary immunity, justifying his intervention as necessary to save Tunisia from collapse. The Tunisian president has not yet appointed a new prime minister or announced a roadmap demanded by allies and key players. *) Harris rebukes China in major speech on Indo-Pacific US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused Beijing of continuing to "coerce" and "intimidate" in the South China Sea during her trip to Singapore. She also pledged Washington would pursue a free and open Indo Pacific. The area has growing importance to the Biden administration, which has made countering China’s influence globally a centrepiece of its foreign policy. *) California firefighters battle a dozen large wildfires More than 13,500 firefighters are working to contain a dozen large California wildfires that have forced thousands of people to flee to safety. After an extensive review of fire damage, Governor Gavin Newsom requested a presidential major disaster declaration for eight counties. The Caldor Fire, just 9 percent contained, has become the nation's number one priority for firefighting resources. And finally ... * ) Tokyo Paralympics to open as Japan battles virus surge Tokyo's Paralympic Games will open as Japan battles a surge in Covid-19 cases. The Games will officially be decla