Morning news brief: Olympic flame has been lit as games kick off in Japan and more

We bring you the biggest stories of the day so far. FromIraqi officials discussing US military presence on Washington visittoUS House approving bid to add 8,000 visas for at-risk Afghans,we have it all.

We also bring live updates fromTokyo Olympics, whereOlympic flame has been lit as games kick off.You can alsoread abouttheAfghan military overhauling war strategy to limit lossesas Taliban advances. And also see reportonAlgeria launching probe into Pegasus spyware claim.

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Tokyo Olympics Live: Olympic flame has been lit as games kick off in Japan

Tokyo Olympics 2021 LIVE Score:Follow along as Indian archers Deepika Kumari, Atanu Das, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav compete in the Yumenoshima Ranking Field's individual ranking round.

Iraqi officials discuss US military presence on Washington visit

US President Joe Biden is set to host Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi at the White House on Monday, and Kadhemi is expected to push for a concrete timetable of foreign troop withdrawal.

US House approves bid to add 8,000 visas for at-risk Afghans

As UStroops complete their pullout from Afghanistan after a 20-year war,the USHouse of Representatives approved a plan on Thursdayto allow an extra 8,000 special immigration visas for Afghans, who helped the United States and are at risk of retaliation.The bipartisan bill, which passed with a vote of 407 to 16, will now be considered by the Senate.

As Taliban advances, Afghan military overhauls war strategy to limit losses

Afghanistan's military is overhauling its war strategy against the Taliban to concentrate forces around the most critical areas like Kabul and other cities, border crossings and vital infrastructure.The politically perilous strategy will inevitably cede territory to Taliban insurgents.

Algeria launches probe into Pegasus spyware claim

The foreign ministry denounced what it termed an "inadmissible, systematic attack on human rights and fundamental freedoms" and singled out neighbouring Morocco for "spying on Algerian officials and citizens".

As COVID-19 surges, more US Republicans urging vaccinations

COVID-19deaths and hospitalisation rates are rising nationwide, with the vast majority of new fatalities and serious cases among the unvaccinated.

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