Wednesday, August, 25 2021

*) Biden sticks to August 31 Afghan withdrawal deadline President Joe Biden says the US is on pace to complete all its evacuations from Afghanistan by the end of the month. Biden emphasises that reaching that goal remains dependent on cooperation from the new Taliban rulers. He says staying in Afghanistan past the deadline would raise the “terror” threat against Americans and allied forces. *) Algeria breaks off diplomatic ties with neighbouring Morocco Algeria says it has snapped diplomatic ties with Morocco after accusing its neighbour of spying and supporting a separatist movement, a charge Morocco denies. Relations between the two nations have deteriorated since last year when the issue of Western Sahara sovereignty flared up after years of comparative quiet. Morocco regards the disputed territory as its own, while Algeria backs the independence movement there. *) UN says millions one step away from famine in Yemen The United Nations has warned that millions of people in Yemen are just a step away from famine. Around five million in the country are facing imminent starvation and the crisis has been aggravated by Houthi rebels who have blocked the delivery of supplies. The UN's Martin Griffiths told the Security Council that roughly two-thirds of the country's population relies on humanitarian aid. *) Four years after mass expulsion from Myanmar, plight of Rohingya continues It's been four years since Myanmar's military launched a deadly crackdown on the Rohingya minority living in Rakhine state. Hundreds of thousands of people fled to neighbouring Bangladesh following the brutal campaign of violence. The UN describes the Rohingya as one of the world's most persecuted minority groups, which has faced decades of discrimination and human rights abuses. And finally ... * ) Legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80 Charlie Watts, the drummer of the legendary rock'n'roll band the Rolling Stones has died at the age of 80. Publicist Bernard Doherty said Watts passed away pe