Your morning briefing: What you should know for Tuesday, August 17

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Biden says he stands ‘squarely’ behind his decision to pull US troops out of Afghanistan

Joe Biden has said he stands “squarely” behind his decision to pull US troops out of Afghanistan, and that the government’s collapse was quicker than anticipated.

US President Biden traveled back to Washington from the Camp David presidential retreat to speak from the East Room on Monday.

Biden said he would not repeat the mistakes of the past”, adding that America’s mission was never about “nation building” but preventing a terror attack on US soil.

In a televised address, a defiant Biden said: “American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves.”

PM to unveil Afghan resettlement scheme amid calls to open borders to refugees

Boris Johnson is preparing to announce a “new and bespoke resettlement scheme” for Afghans, amid calls for borders to be opened to refugees.

The move could see the UK Government act on calls from campaigners to international leaders for a response to the refugee crisis that is likely to follow the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai - who was shot in the head by the extremist group in 2012 after enraging them with her campaign for girls’ schooling - became the latest high-profile figure to push for all countries to open their borders to Afghan refugees amid the Taliban resurgence.

Haiti earthquake death toll rises to almost 1,500

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Haiti over the weekend has risen to 1,419 - while the number of injured people has grown to 6,000, the Caribbean nation's Civil Protection Agency said.

The earthquake destroyed thousands of homes, offices, homes, churches and other structures.

And the devastation could soon worsen with the coming of Tropical Depression Grace, predicted to reach Haiti on Monday night with strong winds, heavy rain, mudslides and flash flooding.

No evidence coronavirus jabs raise risk of miscarriage, health experts say

There is no evidence to indicate Covid-19 vaccines affect fertility or the ability to have children, the UK’s medical regulator has said.

No pattern from any reports so far suggest any of the vaccines used in the UK, or reactions to them, increase the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth.

The MHRA said it is currently reviewing reports of suspected side effects of menstrual disorders and unexpected vaginal bleeding after being vaccinated, but has so far found nothing to support a link.

Piers Morgan among stars shortlisted NTA months after leaving Good Morning Britain

Piers Morgan is among stars shortlisted for a National Television Award, months after he left Good Morning Britain.

The presenter left the ITV show in March following incendiary comments about the Duchess of Sussex.

The 56-year-old has continued to host interview show Piers Morgan’s Life Stories for the channel, recently sitting down with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and actress Dame Joan Collins.

He will compete against Ant and Dec, Bradley Walsh and This Morning stars Holly Willoughby and Alison Hammond for the TV presenter prize at the NTAs.

The awards ceremony will also see all three stars of Line Of Duty vie for the drama performance prize.

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