Man asks Trump for pardon after storming Capitol
Washington, Jan 15 (IANS) A man who had his face painted blue and red and donned a fur hat with horns while storming the US Capitol building in Washington D.C. on January 6, has asked outgoing President Donald Trump to pardon him. Images of Jacob Anthony Chansley, also known as “QAnon Shaman”, went viral on […]
Read More‘Be careful not to prematurely discuss exiting easy monetary policy’
Washington, Jan 15 (IANS) US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said that the Fed should be careful not to prematurely discuss an exit from ultra-easy monetary policy as the US economy is “far from” the central bank’s goals. “Now is not the time to be talking about exit” from easy money policy, Powell said at […]
Read MoreGarima Verma named digital director for Jill Biden
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 15 (IANS) A media strategist, Garima Verma, has been named the digital director for Jill Biden, who will become the First Lady next week. Making the announcement about Verma and other additions to her staff, President-elect Joe Biden’ wife Jill Biden said, “Together, we will work to open the White […]
Read More‘US attempt to challenge one-China principle doomed to fail’
United Nations, Jan 15 (IANS) The Chinese mission to the United Nations (UN) tweeted that the US attempt to challenge the one-China principle is doomed to fail. In response to a phone call between US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft and Tsai Ing-wen, leader of China’s Taiwan, after Craft’s trip to Taipei this week […]
Read MoreBiden briefed on security concerns regarding inauguration
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden has been briefed by federal officials on the security concerns regarding his inauguration on January 20 in the wake of the January 6 Capitol violence, according to his transition team. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the team said: “President-elect Biden received a briefing from senior officials […]
Read MoreHumanitarians deeply concerned over lack of aid for Tigray: UN
United Nations, Jan 14 (IANS) There is deep concern about the plight of hundreds of thousands of the estimated 2.3 million people in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in need of life-saving aid, a UN mission said. “Humanitarian assistance continues to be constrained by the lack of full, safe and unhindered access to Tigray caused by both […]
Read MoreUS cancer death rate seens biggest single-year decline on record
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) The death rate from cancer in the US has dropped by 2.4 per cent from 2017 to 2018, the biggest single-year decline on record, the American Cancer Society said in its latest report. It was the second year in a row with a record-setting drop, and the progress continues gains that […]
Read MoreAirbnb to block Washington D.C. reservations during inauguration
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) Airbnb, the San Francisco-based online vacation rental company, has announced that it will cancel reservations in the Washington D.C. metro area during the week of US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration in response to various local, state and federal officials asking people not to travel to the capital city. “Additionally, we will […]
Read MoreTrump administration blacklists Iranian foundations
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) The US has blacklisted two Iranian foundations allegedly linked to the leadership, the latest move to reinforce its maximum pressure campaign against Tehran. In a statement on Wednesday, the Department said that its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned “two organisations, along with their leaders and subsidiaries, controlled by the […]
Read MoreNYC to cancel Trump Organization contracts: Mayor
New York, Jan 14 (IANS) Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that the City of New York is taking steps to terminate three Trump Organization agreements after the “deadly insurrection” at the US Capitol on January 6. The administration will be notifying the Trump Organization that the city will begin the process to cancel its […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 92 mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) The overall global coronavirus caseload has topped 92 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.97 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreTrump calls for ‘no violence’ during Biden’s inauguration
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) US President Donald Trump called on the Americans not to engage in violence next week, in which the inauguration ceremony will be held for President-elect Joe Biden. “In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be NO violence, NO lawbreaking and NO vandalism of any kind. That […]
Read MoreBiden names ex UN envoy Samantha Power as USAID chief
Washington, Jan 14 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden announced he has nominated former US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power as administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). If confirmed by the Senate, Power, 50, will head the agency which oversees US foreign humanitarian and development aid, Xinhua news agency reported […]
Read MoreTrump impeached for second time, 10 Republicans break ranks (Ld)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 14 (IANS) Another day for the history books as exactly a week after a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol in a violent bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory, Donald Trump has been impeached for a second time by the US House of Representatives. As the […]
Read MoreDonald Trump impeached for the second time
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 14 (IANS) Another day for the history books as exactly a week after a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol in a violent bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory, Donald Trump has been impeached for a second time by the US House of Representatives. As the […]
Read MoreHouse barreling towards Trump impeachment number 2
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 14 (IANS) Exactly a week after US president Donald Trump pumped up a mob of his supporters to “fight like hell” against the US election results and they ended up launching a deadly attack on the US Capitol, the House of Representatives is barreling towards impeaching Trump for a second […]
Read MoreMove to impeach Trump again: What to watch, how to track
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 13 (IANS) The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives is moving to impeach outgoing US President Donald Trump for the second time in his tenure, within the span of 12 months. That’s happening on Wednesday and here’s how the day is likely to shape up, give or take some time delays and […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 91 million: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 13 (IANS) The overall global coronavirus caseload has topped 91 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.96 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreCuba condemns US for adding it to terrorism blacklist
Havana, Jan 13 (IANS) Cuba condemns its inclusion in a US list of countries that sponsor terrorism, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said. Cuba condemns the US-announced “hypocritical and cynical designation” of the country as “a state sponsoring terrorism,” the minister said on Twitter on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. “The US political opportunism is […]
Read MoreTrump denies stoking violence, attacks impeachment move
Washington, Jan 12 (IANS) Outgoing US President Donald Trump, who is facing the prospect of an unprecedented second impeachment following the storming of the US Capitol last week, on Tuesday denied that he had any role to play in inciting the violence. “We want no violence,” he told reporters as he left the White House […]
Read MoreUS Capitol Police probing officers over riot
Washington, Jan 12 (IANS) The US Capitol Police (USCP) has confirmed that it was investigating some officers over their actions during the January 6 riot at the Capitol building staged by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. In a statement issued on Monday, Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said: “The Department has been actively […]
Read MoreNew US new tariffs on French, German items to take effect
Washington, Jan 12 (IANS) The US government has said that new tariffs on aircraft parts and other products from France and Germany will take effect on Tuesday. In a statement on Monday, the Customs and Border Protection said that it will start collecting an additional 15 per cent duties on certain parts of large civil […]
Read More‘US move to designate Houthis as terrorists may have repercussions’
United Nations, Jan 12 (IANS) The US government’s decision to designate Yemen’s Iran-backed Ansar Allah, more commonly known as the Houthi militia, as terrorists is likely to have serious repercussions, a UN spokesperson said. “It’s clear that the decision is likely to have serious humanitarian and political repercussions,” Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, spokesman […]
Read MorePink or blue, casual or formal? Vogue goes rogue with Kamala Harris cover picture
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 12 (IANS) US vice president elect Kamala Harris’ cover photograph on the latest edition of Vogue has lit up the internet with duelling interpretations of how she is represented even as Harris’ own team is said to be less than thrilled about the way things turned out. Harris wore a […]
Read MoreKamala Harris Vogue cover sparks online stir
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 12 (IANS) US vice president elect Kamala Harris’s team is unhappy about the picture of the country’s soon to be second in command which turned up on the cover of the latest Vogue magazine. Harris wore a powder blue suit for her cover shoot but the Vogue cover features Harris […]
Read MoreIndian origin man guilty in telemarketing scam targeting elderly
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 12 (IANS) An Indian origin man has admitted before a federal court that he was guilty of participating in a telemarketing scam targeting the elderly, according to John R. Lausch, the Chicago-based federal prosecutor for Northern Illinois. Hirenkumar Chaudhuri admitted that he used a phony Indian passport, false name, and […]
Read MoreDemocrats launch 2-pronged attack in Congress to oust Trump
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 12 (IANS) Democrats launched on Monday a two-pronged attack on US President Donald Trump to remove him from office by starting the process of impeachment and by introducing a resolution in the House of Representatives demanding that Vice President Mike Pence oust him by exercising his Constitutional authority. Republicans blocked […]
Read MoreDiplomat who guided India-US nuclear deal but critical of Modi named CIA chief
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 11 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday named William Burns, who guided the nuclear deal between India and the US but is a strong critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. A former Deputy Secretary of State and a senior director […]
Read MoreCapitol violence fallout: Top golf tourneys pull out of Trump courses
Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) In a setback to golf-loving outgoing US President Donald Trump, courses owned by him in the US and Scotland are unlikely to host any major tournaments soon with top sporting associations announcing their decision not to use them as venues. The decision comes in the wake of the storming of the […]
Read MoreUS to designate Yemen’s Houthi militia as ‘terrorist group’
Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that he would notify Congress of his intent to declare Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity”. In a statement issued on Sunday, Pompeo also said that he intended to designate three leaders of the militia, Abdul Malik […]
Read MoreMexico confirms 1st case of Covid-19 variant
Mexico City, Jan 11 (IANS) Mexican authorities have confirmed the first case of the new coronavirus variant as the country’s caseload and fatality toll continues to increase unabated. On Sunday, Secretary of Health of Tamaulipas Gloria Molina Gamboa said that the 56-year-old patient was identified when he arrived from Mexico City on December 29, 2020, […]
Read MoreBiden aims to release nearly every available Covid vaccine dose
Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden has recently announced a controversial shift in Covid-19 vaccination strategy, aiming to release all available doses as soon as possible. According to a CNN report, it could also be a risky strategy as both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna’s vaccines require two doses, administered at specific intervals and vaccine […]
Read MoreOust Trump or we’ll impeach: Pelosi serves notice to Pence (Ld)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 11 (IANS) US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has served a notice to Vice President Mike Pence and the cabinet that they should oust President Donald Trump using their constitutional powers within 24 hours or she will begin impeachment proceedings in the fallout from storming of the Capitol by […]
Read MoreBrazil registers over 8.1mn Covid-19 cases, 203,100 deaths
Brasilia, Jan 11 (IANS) Brazil’s overall coronavirus caseload and death toll have increased to 8,105,790 and 203,100, after the country reported 29,792 new infections and 469 fatalities in the past 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry. With the new tallies, Brazil’s Covid-19 caseload is the third highest in the world after the US and […]
Read MoreMexican presidential spokesman tests Covid-19 positive
Mexico City, Jan 11 (IANS) Mexican presidential spokesman Jesus Ramirez Cuevas said that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. In an announcement on Sunday, Ramirez Cuevas said that he is in good health and will be “working from home following all health protocols”, reports Xinhua news agency. Ramirez Cuevas, who worked as the […]
Read MoreThree suspected terrorists arrested in Barcelona
Barcelona, Jan 11 (IANS) Spanish police have arrested three suspected terrorists in Barcelona suspected to be members of the Islamic State (IS) militant group, a local media report said. The two Libyans and a Moroccan are reported to have previous combat experience in Syria, Xinhua news agency quoted the El Mundo newspaper report as saying […]
Read MoreVed Mehta, who overcame blindness with literary prowess, dies at 86
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 11 (IANS) Indian-American novelist Ved Mehta, who shone a bright literary light of evocativeness and imagery overcoming his blindness, has died here at the age of 86. The New Yorker magazine, where he had been a staff writer for 33 years, reported that he had died on Saturday. Mehta provided […]
Read MoreTwitter braces for pro-Trump rally at its US headquarters
San Francisco, Jan 11 (IANS) Angry at Twitter which permanently banned US President Donald Trump on its platform following the Capitol chaos last week, his supporters are planning a rally at the company’s headquarters here on Monday, the media reported. According to San Francisco police, Twitter’s headquarters may be the target of demonstrations on Monday, […]
Read MoreReady to start 2nd impeachment proceedings against Trump: Pelosi
Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Democrats are ready to start impeachment proceedings against outgoing President Donald Trump for a second time in just over a year. In a letter to her colleagues sent on Sunday, Pelosi said the House Democrats will introduce a resolution on Monday urging […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload surpass 90mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 11 (IANS) Setting yet another grim milestone, the overall global coronavirus caseload has surpassed the 90 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.92 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Monday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the […]
Read MoreUN chief calls for new type of multilateralism to address global challenges
United Nations, Jan 11 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a new type of multilateralism to address global challenges. In a virtual speech for the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the first meeting of the UN General Assembly on Sunday, Guterres said 97 per cent of respondents to a UN-sponsored global survey called […]
Read More4 killed in US shooting rampage
Chicago, Jan 10 (IANS) At least four people were killed and two others severely injured in a shooting rampage in the US state of Illinois, a media report said, adding the suspect was shot and killed by the police. The NBC Chicago report said the first shooting took place at a pharmacy in Chicago on […]
Read MoreBrazil’s Covid-19 death toll tops 202,000
Brasilia, Jan 10 (IANS) Amid an ongoing second wave of the pandemic, Brazil’s Covid-19 death toll reached 202,631, after 1,171 more patients died from the disease in the past 24 hours, official data revealed. In the last 24 hours, tests detected 62,290 new cases of infections, bringing the nationwide tally of confirmed cases to 8,075,998, […]
Read MoreHouse Democrats to introduce article of impeachment against Trump
Washington, Jan 10 (IANS) US House Democrats are set to introduce an article of impeachment against outgoing President Donald Trump on Monday over the deadly January 6 Capitol unrest. California Congressman Ted Lieu, a Democratic member of the House Judiciary Committee, tweeted on Saturday that the article of impeachment, which has so far had 180 […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 cases surpass 22 mn: Johns Hopkins University
Washington, Jan 10 (IANS) As the US is still struggling to contain the raging coronavirus pandemic, the country’s overall infection tally has surpassed the 22 million mark, while the death toll increased to over 372,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and […]
Read MoreCanada’s Covid-19 cases top 650,000
Ottawa, Jan 10 (IANS) Amidst a continuing second wave of the pandemic, Canada’s Covid-19 caseload has increased to 650,922, while the death toll stood at 16,788, according to health authorities. The country’s national-level data on January 1 to 7 indicated a daily average of 7,672 new cases, and many areas continued to experience high infection […]
Read MoreUS charges 3 Sri Lankans in 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 10 (IANS) A US federal prosecutor has charged three Sri Lankans at a Los Angeles court in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks on the island nation that killed 268 people, including five Americans. The Justice Department said on Friday that the three men, who are members of […]
Read MoreNY Covid-19 hospitalisations down to 8,527, positivity rate 6.57%
New York, Jan 10 (IANS) Total Covid-19 hospitalisations reached 8,527 in New York state in the past 24 hours, down from 8,561 a day earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced. Meanwhile, of the 258,031 Covid-19 tests reported on Friday in the state, 16,943 were positive, or 6.57 per cent of the total, down from 7.72 per […]
Read More3 dead as storm Filomena brings Spain to a halt
Madrid, Jan 10 (IANS) Three people have lost their lives as a storm named “Filomena” brought chaos to Madrid and vast areas of central Spain with the heaviest snowfall in 50 years, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska has confirmed. The Madrid regional government confirmed that one of the victims was a 54-year-old man who apparently died […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload top 89.5mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 10 (IANS) The overall global coronavirus caseload has topped 89.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.92 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreNYS discovers 3 more infections of Covid-19 variant: Governor
New York, Jan 10 (IANS) The New York State Department of Health (DoH) has confirmed three additional cases of the variant of Covid-19 (B.1.1.7) found in the United Kingdom, Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted. “Two cases are related to the first case in Saratoga County. An additional case in Nassau County was confirmed that appears to […]
Read MoreBoeing responds to Sriwijaya Air flight crash
San Francisco, Jan 10 (IANS) Boeing said that the company was in contact with its airline customer and stands ready to support them after the Indonesian Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ-182 crashed. “We are aware of media reports from Jakarta regarding Sriwijaya Air flight SJ-182. Our thoughts are with the crew, passengers, and their families,” the […]
Read MoreBiden vows to lay out groundwork for next relief package
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden said that he would be laying out the groundwork for the next Covid-19 relief package next week, as the country’s economic recovery stalls amid the surging pandemic. “As I’ve said before, the bipartisan Covid relief package passed in December is an important step, but just a downpayment,” […]
Read MoreSpain’s Covid-19 caseload surpasses 2 mn
Madrid, Jan 9 (IANS) The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Spain has surpassed the 2 million mark after the Ministry of Health reported 42,160 new infections and 245 deaths for the period between January 5-7. The new figures have increased the overall caseload to 2,050,360, while the death toll stood at 51,874, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreWashington tightens security measures for legislative session
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) Washington Governor Jay Inslee said that the US state was tightening measures to ensure the safety and security of “Washingtonians, legislators, state employees and the buildings of the Capitol Campus” as the Legislature is set to convene the 2021 session on January 11. “As legislators begin their work on behalf of […]
Read More140,000 jobs lost in US in Dec 2020
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US employers slashed 140,000 jobs in December 2020, the first monthly decline in employment since April 2020, as recent Covid-19 spikes have stalled the recovery of the labour market, an official report said. “The decline in payroll employment reflects the recent increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and efforts to contain the […]
Read MoreLA County reports record spike in Covid-19 deaths
Los Angeles, Jan 9 (IANS) Los Angeles County, the most populous in the US, reported 318 new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, marking the first time that the single-day fatality count increased by more than 300. The new fatalities on Friday increased the county-wide coronavirus death toll to 11,863, reports Xinhua news agency. […]
Read MoreBrazil VP discharged from hospital after Covid-19 recovery
Brasilia, Jan 9 (IANS) Brazil’s Vice President Hamilton Mourao has been discharged from hospital after recovering from Covid-19 and will return to work on Monday, his press office said. After experiencing body aches and a headache, Mourao had spent 12 days in isolation at his official residence in Brasilia, before being diagnosed with Covid-19 on […]
Read MoreNY expands eligible pool of trainees for Covid-19 vaccination
New York, Jan 9 (IANS) New York is encouraging eligible residents to take the required training to become vaccinators and support the state’s Covid-19 inoculation program, according to an official statement. The statement issued on Friday said that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed an executive order expanding the eligible pool of trainees who can administer […]
Read MoreGuterres waiting for his Covid-19 vaccination: Spokesman
United Nations, Jan 9 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is waiting to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus, his spokesman said. “We plan to follow the protocols of our host city, of our host state. I think the staff that works in large duty stations, like New York or Geneva or Vienna, will rely on […]
Read MoreSan Francisco Mayor announces initiatives to combat human trafficking
San Francisco, Jan 9 (IANS) San Francisco Mayor London Breed has announced new initiatives to combat and prevent human trafficking in the US city. Starting this month, the Department of Public Health’s Environmental Health Inspectors will begin incorporating new anti-human trafficking training into their inspection process, Xinhua news agency quoted the Mayor as saying in […]
Read MoreTrudeau says state of Covid-19 pandemic ‘frightening’
Ottawa, Jan 9 (IANS) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that the country’s current coronavirus pandemic state was “frightening”, as the overall infection tally has increased to 642,548, while the death toll stood at 16,665. “Frankly, it’s frightening to see cases rise at home and around the world, day after day,” Xinhua news agency quoted […]
Read MoreUS sanctions Iraqi militia leader over human rights abuse
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) The US has announced sanctions against an Iraqi militia leader over “serious human rights abuse”. In a statement issued on Friday, the Treasury Department said that it had designated Iraqi Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC) Chairman Falih al-Fayyadh, who previously served as National Security Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, reports Xinhua […]
Read MoreCanada’s 2nd largest airline cuts jobs, flights
Ottawa, Jan 9 (IANS) WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, has announced that it would lay off 1,000 people and cut flights due to the official travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “Immediately following the federal government’s inbound testing announcement on December 31, 2020, and with the continuation of the 14-day quarantine, […]
Read MoreBrazil reports world’s 1st re-infection case with Covid-19 variant
Brasilia, Jan 9 (IANS) A Brazilian woman has become the first person in the world to be re-infected with a variant of the novel coronavirus known as E484K, state media reported. The case, discovered by researchers from the D’Or Institute for Research and Education in Bahia state, was detected in a 45-year-old woman who had […]
Read MoreWH Covid-19 Task Force warns of possible ‘USA variant’
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) The White House Coronavirus Task Force has warned of a possibility that there would be a more transmissible Covid-19 variant that evolved in the US. The new strain, in addition to the variant found in Britain, is already spreading in communities and may be 50 per cent more transmissible, according to […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload top 88.8mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) The overall global coronavirus caseload has topped 88.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.91 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read More‘Incredibly accomplished’ Indian Americans on Biden national security team
New York, Jan 9 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden, continuing to fill out top posts to align with a diverse country’s shifting demographics, on Friday appointed to his national security council “incredibly accomplished” Indian Americans who will serve under National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Tarun Chhabra, a first-generation American and a graduate of Stanford University, […]
Read MorePompeo meets with Biden’s secretary of state nominee
Washington, Jan 9 (IANS) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he had met with President-Elect Joe Biden’s Secretary of State nominee Antony Blinken to facilitate an orderly transition. “Today, I met with President-Elect @JoeBiden’s Secretary-Designate @ABlinken in order to facilitate an orderly transition, and to ensure American interests are protected abroad,” Pompeo tweeted […]
Read MoreTwitter bans Trump, citing risk of incitement of violence (Ld)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 9 (IANS) Social media giant Twitter announced that it is banning US President Donald Trump from its platform, citing “risk of further incitement of violence”. The Twitter ban comes two days after a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol, hoping to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. On […]
Read MoreTwitter permanently suspends Donald Trump handle
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 9 (IANS) Social media giant Twitter announced that it is banning US President Donald Trump from its platform, citing “risk of further incitement of violence”. On Twitter, Donald Trump’s handle is now an empty white page, frozen with 51 followed accounts and 88.7 million followers and two words on the […]
Read MorePelosi wants Trump barred from access to nuclear codes, starting wars
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 9 (IANS) In an unprecedented action, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said that she has asked the Pentagon about steps to prevent an “unhinged” President Donald Trump from accessing nuclear weapons launch codes or starting wars amid growing call for him to quit or be removed from office. Two members of […]
Read MoreTrump breaks tradition, to skip Biden’s swearing-in (Ld)
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) In a widely expected move and breaking an over century-and-a-half old tradition, US President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he will not attend his successor Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony. “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” tweeted Trump, who […]
Read MoreIndian American Sabrina Singh named White House Deputy Press Secy
New York, Jan 8 (IANS) Indian American Sabrina Singh, a long time aide to US Vice President elect Kamala Harris, has been named White House Deputy Press Secretary in the incoming administration, according to a statement released Friday by the Biden-Harris transition team. Singh was earlier a senior spokesperson on the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign […]
Read MoreInjured US Capitol police officer dies
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The US Capitol Police (USCP) has confirmed that an officer who was wounded during the violent protests that rocked Washington D.C., has succumbed to his injuries. Brian D. Sicknick “was responding to the riots on Wednesday at the US Capitol and was injured while physically engaging with protesters”, Xinhua news agency […]
Read MoreAustralian state approves copper mine
Darwin, Jan 8 (IANS) The government of Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) state has approved a proposed A$200 million ($155 million) Outback copper mine. KGL Resources has been given the green light for its Jervois Copper Project, which chairman Denis Wood said would become a major supplier in the global copper market as demand increases, reports […]
Read MoreVenezuelan Parliament forms commission for national dialogue
Caracas, Jan 8 (IANS) Venezuela’s National Assembly voted to form a Special Commission for Dialogue, Peace and National Reconciliation, during its first ordinary session since the newly-elected lawmakers were sworn in on January 5. “It has to be a commission that quickly, peremptorily, begins to offer proposals to be consulted with the people of Venezuela […]
Read MoreUS weekly unemployment claims slightly drop
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) Initial unemployment claims in the US fell slightly to 787,000 last week, the lowest level in a month, the Labor Department reported. In the week ending on January 2y, the number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits decreased by 3,000 from the previous week’s upwardly revised level of 790,000, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreSenior-level Biden nominee Vanita Gupta recalls experience of racial bigotry
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 8 (IANS) US President-Elect Joe Biden’s pick to be associate attorney general, Vanita Gupta, has recalled her experience of racial bigotry as a four-year-old while she pledged her commitment to civil rights and justice reform. Speaking on Thursday after Biden introduced her as “one of the most respected civil rights […]
Read MoreUS Transportation Secy resigns in protest over Capitol violence
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has announced her resignation in protest over the chaos and violence that rocked Capitol Hill. With her resignation announced on Thursday, Chao, who is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, became the first member of outgoing President Donald Trump’s cabinet to step down in […]
Read MoreNY frontline healthcare workers priority group for Covid-19 vaccination
New York, Jan 8 (IANS) The US state of New York has clarified that frontline healthcare workers should be the priority group, classified as “1A” in its distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccination, according to an official statement. “The rules of the Covid vaccine distribution have been clear for many weeks and agreed to by […]
Read MoreNow TikTok removes videos of Trump inciting supporters
San Francisco, Jan 8 (IANS) Facing the ire of the Donald Trump administration, Chinese short-video making platform TikTok has removed videos of President Trumps speech inciting supporters to mob the US Capitol, stressing these violate the misinformation policy. “Hateful behaviour and violence have no place on TikTok. Content or accounts that seek to incite, glorify, […]
Read MoreBrazil’s Covid-19 death toll tops 200,000
Brasilia, Jan 8 (IANS) Amidst a second wave of the pandemic, Brazil’s coronavirus death toll increased to 200,498 on Friday, after 1,524 more patients died of the disease in the last 24 hours, official data revealed. According to data released by the Ministry of Health, the new fatality figure was the second highest single-day spike […]
Read MoreUS suspends proposed tariffs on French products
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office said that it has decided to suspend proposed tariffs on about $1.3 billion worth of French products amid a dispute over digital service taxes (DSTs). The additional 25 per cent tariffs on certain French products were announced in July 2020 in response to France’s DST […]
Read MoreIndian flag seen at pro-Trump rally which some Indian-Americans joined
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 8 (IANS) An Indian flag was seen amid a sea of American and Trump flags in a footage, as well as images, of the violent protests at the US Capitol that went viral on social media. An Indian-American Republican political activist, Vincent Xavier, tweeted on Thursday pictures of the flags […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload nearly 88mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The overall global coronavirus caseload has increased to nearly 88 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.89 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death […]
Read MoreUS suffers record-high daily cases, deaths, hospitalizations
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) The US witnessed another grim milestone on Wednesday amid the chaos at the Capitol, with the country’s daily Covid-19 cases, deaths as well as total hospitalisations all set new world records over the course of the pandemic. A total of 2,99,904 new cases and 3,844 deaths were reported across the nation […]
Read MorePelosi, Schumer, Republican Congressman join calls to oust Trump from office
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 8 (IANS) Reeling from the mob attack on Congress, the nation’s two highest-ranking Democrats and a Republican Congressman have demanded that Vice President Mike Pence act to remove President Donald Trump from office. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Party leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday said that he could pose […]
Read MoreSpain’s coronavirus cases surpass 2 million
Madrid, Jan 8 (IANS) The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Spain surpassed 2 million on Thursday after the Ministry of Health reported 42,160 new infections and 245 deaths for the period between 2 p.m. on January 5 and 2 p.m. on January 7. The country has registered 20,24,904 cases of Covid-19 since the start […]
Read MoreUS confirms over 50 Covid-19 variant cases
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) A total of 52 cases of a coronavirus variant first identified in Britain have been confirmed in the US, according to data updated Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes 26 cases in California, 22 cases in Florida, two cases in Colorado, and one case […]
Read MoreUS homeland security official urges Trump to ‘strongly condemn’ violence at Capitol
Washington, Jan 8 (IANS) Acting US Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Thursday urged President Donald Trump to “strongly condemn” the violence that took place at the Capitol when his supporters stormed the building a day earlier. “What transpired yesterday was tragic and sickening,” Wolf said in a statement. “While I have consistently condemned political […]
Read MoreFacebook bans Trump for rest of term, could bar permanently (2nd Ld)
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Facebook, which had removed a video in which US President Donald Trump urged his supporters, who forced their way into the Capitol, “to go home” but repeated his allegations of fraud in the presidential elections, and blocked his account, announced on Thursday that the restrictions will continue till the end of […]
Read MoreTrump finally concedes after Congress affirms Biden’s win (Ld)
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) For the first time since the November 2020 election, US President Donald Trump on Thursday conceded against President-elect Joe Biden, saying that there would be an “orderly transition of power” on January 20, shortly after Congress affirmed the Democrat’s Electoral College victory. “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome of […]
Read MoreTrump finally concedes against Biden
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) For the first time since the November 2020 presidential election, US President Donald Trump on Thursday confirmed that he will leave office on January 20, promising an orderly transition of power, while conceding defeat against President-elect Joe Biden. In a statement, Trump said: “Even though I totally disagree with the outcome […]
Read MoreCongress affirms Biden’s win over Trump after Capitol chaos (Ld)
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Hours after unprecedented violence and chaos rocked Washington D.C., the US Congress on Thursday morning affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over sitting President Donald Trump. At about 4 a.m., Vice President Mike Pence announced before a joint session of Congress that Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris had won […]
Read MoreUS Congress affirms Biden’s Electoral College victory over Trump
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) The counting of Vermont’s three electoral votes has placed US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris over the 270-threshold needed to win the American presidency. On Wednesday night after violent protests rocked Washington D.C., the Senate and House rejected objections to throw out Georgia and Pennsylvania’s electoral votes for […]
Read More3 White House aides resign after Capitol violence
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Three White House aides, including First Lady Melania Trump’s chief of staff Stephanie Grisham, have resigned from their posts in the wake of the violent protests that rocked Washington D.C. Grisham submitted her resignation Wednesday afternoon, effective immediately, reports Xinhua news agency. In a statement posted on Twitter early Thursday, Grisham […]
Read MoreCongress rejects Republican-led challenge to Biden’s win in Arizona
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Following the violent protests at the Capitol building, the US Congress has voted to reject Republican lawmakers’ objection to President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over sitting President Donald Trump in the state of Arizona. The objection was overturned by the Senate in an overwhelming vote of 93 to 6 late Wednesday night, […]
Read MoreCongress adjourns joint session after Trump-backers object to Pennsylvania votes
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) The reconvened joint session of the US Congress to count and ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College votes, adjourned early Thursday when objections were raised by a Senator and a House of Representatives member to the ballots from Pennsylvania, dashing hopes that President Donald Trump’s supporters chastised by the violent attack […]
Read More4 killed, 52 arrested after Washington violence
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) At least four people were killed and 42 others arrested in the wake of the violent protests that took place inside the US Capitol in Washington D.C. Addressing the media here on Wednesday night, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert Contee confirmed that a woman was shot and killed, while the three […]
Read MoreCurfew imposed in Washington D.C. following chaos
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) In the wake of the unprecedented chaos which unfolded in the US capital city after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building, a curfew has been imposed in Washington D.C. In a statement late Wednesday, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the curfew, which came into effect at 6 […]
Read MoreUS reports nearly 2.13 mn child Covid-19 cases
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Nearly 2.13 million children in the US have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic early last year, according to the latest data. Data by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association issued on Wednesday revealed that about 128,000 new child Covid-19 cases […]
Read MoreUN welcomes swap of detainees between Libyan factions
United Nations, Jan 7 (IANS) The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on Wednesday welcomed the exchange of dozens of detainees between the rival factions of the east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Accord (GNA). “UNSMIL warmly welcomes the news today about an exchange of 35 detainees facilitated by the (5+5) […]
Read More4,400 adverse events reported in US after receiving Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Nearly 4,400 adverse events were reported after people received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the US, with 21 cases determined to be anaphylaxis, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization for Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine […]
Read MoreCovid-19 variant might have been in US by Dec 2020: Report
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) The new more transmissible coronavirus variant which was was first discovered in Britain, was likely to have been present in the US by December 2020, and could already be in every American by state now, a media report said. The report posted on the Business Insider website on Wednesday said that […]
Read MoreDemocrat Jon Ossoff projected to win Georgia Senate runoff (Ld)
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Democrat Jon Ossoff is on track to defeat Republican incumbent David Perdue in the US Senate runoff in the state of Georgia, which would the Democratic Party control of the upper chamber, multiple media outlets have projected. On Wednesday, NBC News, CNN and ABC News projected Ossoff to be the winner […]
Read MorePeru extends ban on European flights for 15 more days
Lima, Jan 7 (IANS) Peru has extended a ban on flights to and from Europe for another 15 days to in an effort to prevent the new coronavirus variant from reaching the country. The new decision was published on the Ministry of Transport and Communications website on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. The original suspension […]
Read MoreCongress defiantly resumes ratifying Biden’s victory after violence (Ld)
By Arul LouisWashington, Jan 7 (IANS) After a deadly attack on the citadel of American democracy, Congress defiantly resumed its constitutional task of tallying the electoral colleges votes to plant the final seal on Joe Biden’s election as the 46th US President and Kamala Harris as Vice President. Sitting President Donald Trump was roundly condemned […]
Read MoreUS Congress reconvenes hours after Capitol breach
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) The US Congress has reconvened for proceedings to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the November 2020 election, hours after sitting President Donald Trump’s supporters violently stormed the Capitol building. “We condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms,” Xinhua news agency quoted Vice President Mike Pence, who is presiding over […]
Read MoreTwitter, FB block temporarily block Trump following Capitol chaos (Ld)
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Social media giants Twitter and Facebook have temporarily blocked US President Donald Trump from further posting after his supporters violently stormed the Capitol building in Washington D.C. In a video on Wednesday, Trumpurged his supporters, who forced their way into the Capitol earlier in the day, to go home, but repeated […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases surpass 87 mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 87 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.88 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload […]
Read More1 person shot as Trump supporters storm US Senate, chaos in Washington
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) One person has been shot at the US Capitol as President Donald Trump’s die hard supporters clashed violently with local police and law enforcement officers on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol campus into utter chaos and forcing evacuation of lawmakers from the building. The Virginia Governor is sending […]
Read MoreTwitter suspends Trump’s account for 12 hrs over policy violations
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump’s personal Twitter account has been locked for 12 hours as he violated the platform’s violent threats policies and will be permanently suspended if he continues to do so, the micro-blogging site said. Among Trump’s tweets that were deleted was a video addressed to his supporters who violently […]
Read MoreWoman killed by gunfire in Capitol as Trump supporters launch assault on Congress (2nd Ld)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) A woman was killed in gunfire inside Capitol building after President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the building to disrupt the democratic functioning of Congress as it was in the middle of ratifying the election of Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President. The woman was […]
Read MoreDemocrat Jon Ossoff projected to win US Senate runoff in Georgia
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) Democrat Jon Ossoff is on track to defeat Republican incumbent David Perdue in the US Senate runoff in the southeastern state of Georgia, which would give Democrats control of the upper chamber, multiple US media outlets projected Wednesday afternoon. NBC News, CNN, and ABC News have projected Ossoff to be the […]
Read MoreBiden condemns ‘insurrection’ at US Capitol
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden condemned what he called “insurrection” at the US Capitol on Wednesday, after protesters broke into the building and forced proceedings to formally count the Electoral College votes to halt. “This is not protest, it’s insurrection,” Biden said in Wilmington, Delaware. “This is not dissent. It’s disorder. It’s […]
Read MoreTrump urges supporters to ‘go home’ after US Capitol stormed amid demonstrations
Washington, Jan 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump urged his supporters to “go home” after some of them stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, where lawmakers were certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. “You have to go home now. We have to have peace,” Trump said in a video clip posted on […]
Read MoreBiden to name civil rights activist Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general: Reports
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) President-elect Joe Biden is planning to name civil rights activist Vanita Gupta to be the associate attorney general, according to several media reports quoting unnamed sources close to him. The reports on Wednesday also said that he will name Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge, as the […]
Read MoreTrump supporters storm Congress building disrupting democratic process (Lead)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol, which houses the Congress, firing shots inside the building as the legislature was preparing to seal the election of Joe Biden as the next President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President. In a direct assault on the democratic process, […]
Read MoreNational Guard being rushed into Washington, one person shot at in US Congress (Lead)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) One person has been shot at the US Capitol as President Donald Trump’s die hard supporters clashed violently with local police and law enforcement officers on Wednesday, sending the US Capitol campus into utter chaos and forcing evacuation of lawmakers from the building. Virginia and Maryland governors have […]
Read MoreProtesters storm US Senate, chaos in Trump backyard
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump’s die hard supporters clashed violently with local police and law enforcement officers Wednesday, sending the US Capitol campus into utter chaos and forcing evacuation of lawmakers from the building. Crowds waving “Trump” flags , “Stop the Steal!” signs with some of the members wearing […]
Read MoreTrump vows not to concede; Congress faces first objection to Biden’s election (Ld)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 7 (IANS) Minutes after the Congress joint session took up the final stage of the confirmation of Joe Biden as the next President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President, it adjourned after President Donald Trump’s supporters objected to the electoral college votes from Arizona State. The Senate and the […]
Read MoreTrump vows not to concede as Congress takes up final OK of Biden’s election
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 6 (IANS) The US Congress has launched the final stage of the confirmation of Joe Biden as the next President and Kamala Harris as the Vice President while President Donald Trump vowed he would “never concede” and his supporters in Congress prepared to challenge the electoral college votes. Before the […]
Read MoreGeorgia changes everything for Biden and Harris: Here’s how (Ld)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 6 (IANS) What a night. And what a morning in America. Democrats are within reach of a Senate majority after a historic win for first time candidate Raphael Warnock in one of Georgia’s two Senate runoffs. The 100-member Senate is now 50-49 in Republicans’ favour. If Democrats level, they will […]
Read MoreUS Congress set to certify Biden’s victory amid protests
Washington, Jan 6 (IANS) US lawmakers are set to meet on Wednesday to confirm Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election amid protests from President Donald Trump’s supporters. A joint session of Congress will count and confirm electoral college votes, the BBC reported. Some Republicans have pledged to support Trump’s efforts to overturn the result […]
Read MoreDemocrats win 1 Senate seat in Georgia, lead in another
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 6 (IANS) In the runoff elections from Georgia that will determine the future of the US Senate, a Democratic Party candidate won one of the two seats on Wednesday morning and another had a with a razor-thin lead in the other. A Christian priest, Rafael Warnock, who is the Democratic […]
Read MoreWhy routine eye scans are important for older adults
New York, Jan 6 (IANS) Routine eye imaging can identify changes in the retina that may be associated with cognitive disorders in older people with Type-1 diabetes, researchers say. According to them, people with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders than are people without diabetes. These results may open […]
Read MoreTrump, supporters prepare for doomed effort to overturn Biden’s election
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 6 (IANS) US President Donald Trump and his supporters prepared to make one final, already doomed effort on Wednesday to overturn Joe Biden’s election when Congress will put its seal on his victory in the November election. Members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives will meet in […]
Read MoreBrazil sees over 1,000 Covid deaths in 24 hours
Rio de Janeiro, Jan 6 (IANS) Brazil has recorded 1,171 more deaths from the novel coronavirus disease, raising the total death toll to 197,732, the Ministry of Health said. According to the ministry, tests detected on Tuesday 56,648 new cases of infection in the last 24 hours, bringing the accumulated caseload to 7,810,400 since the […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 86 million: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 6 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 86 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.86 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death […]
Read MoreIndia calls for global efforts against terrorists acquiring chemical weapons
By Arul LouisUnited Nations, Jan 6 (IANS) India has expressed concern over the possibility of terrorists getting hold of chemical weapons and called for unrelenting global action against them. At a Security Council session on Tuesday on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti, said, “India remains concerned about the […]
Read MoreChina calls for caution in dealing with Syria chemical weapon issue
United Nations, Jan 6 (IANS) A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for caution in dealing with the issue of Syria’s chemical weapons. China notes that Syria has expressed on many occasions its strong willingness to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the two parties have, […]
Read MoreNew study estimates US Covid-19 infections about 4 times of officially reported
Washington, Jan 6 (IANS) The number of Covid-19 infections in the US may have been about four times of the figure officially reported, according to a new study. As of November 15, about 11 million Covid-19 cases were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the study, published on Tuesday, suggested […]
Read MoreSpain sees 90.2% drop in international tourists in November 2020
Madrid, Jan 6 (IANS) Spain received a total of 4,56,956 international tourists in November 2020, down by 90.2 per cent year-on-year, the Spanish Statistics Office (INE) said on Tuesday. In the first 11 months of 2020, just 18.3 million international tourists visited Spain compared with 79.2 million in 2019, according to the INE. In November […]
Read MoreIndia will raise voice against terrorism at UNSC: Tirumurti
By Arul LouisUnited Nations, Jan 5 (IANS) India will be the voice against terrorism at the UN Security Council, but will also act a healer and a bridge-builder within the polarised body, according to India’s Permanent Representative T.S. Tirumurti. Outlining New Delhi’s “very ambitious agenda” for its two-year term, Tirumurti told IANS on Monday: “We […]
Read More4 US states report cases of Covid-19 variant
Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) Four US states — New York, Colorado, California, Florida — have reported cases of the new and more transmissible Covid-19 variant, which was first discovered in Britain last month. The latest case was discovered in New York state on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. In a statement, Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed […]
Read MoreIndian-American Republican sworn in as Ohio state Senator
Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) Indian-American Republican Niraj Antani, who was elected to the Ohio state Senate from the 6th District, has been sworn in as a Senator, the media reported. Taking to Twitter on Monday, Antani, who served as a state Representative since January 2015, said: “Truly honoured to have been officially sworn-in as state […]
Read MoreMexican President offers Assange political asylum
Mexico City, Jan 5 (IANS) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has offered political asylum to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, after a UK court blocked the latter’s extradition to the US, citing concerns over his “mental health and “risk of suicide”. Addressing a press conference on Monday, the President said he will ask the Foreign […]
Read MoreUS’ largest transit operator tries to keep riders safe from Covid-19
New York, Jan 5 (IANS) New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the largest transit operator in the US, has been attempting to keep riders safe amid the Covid-19 pandemic by applying new technologies, a media report said. However, “some solutions are proving challenging as the science surrounding the virus shifts”, Xinhua news agency quoted The […]
Read MoreNY confirms first case of Covid-19 variant
New York, Jan 5 (IANS) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said that a laboratory has confirmed the state’s first case of the new Covid-19 variant, which was first discovered in Britain last month. “An individual from Saratoga County, New York, tested positive for the strain. The individual had no known travel history,” Xinhua news agency […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 85.6mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 5 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 85.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.85 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Tuesday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death […]
Read MoreUS Houston launches online registration for Covid-19 vaccine
Houston, Jan 5 (IANS) The Health Department in the US city of Houston on Monday launched online registration allowing people at the highest risk of coronavirus disease to schedule appointments to receive free Covid-19 vaccinations. According to a press release, people aged 65 and older and people aged 18 and older with at least one […]
Read MoreSpain reports over 30K new Covid-19 cases during New Year period
Madrid, Jan 5 (IANS) Spain’s Ministry of Health on Monday reported 30,579 new coronavirus cases and 241 deaths during the New Year period between December 31 and January 4. The country now has a total of 19,58,844 cases since the start of the pandemic, while 51,078 people have lost their lives to the virus, the […]
Read More1 mn Covid-19 vaccinations in New York by end of Jan attainable but challenging: Report
New York, Jan 5 (IANS) New York City officials plan to administer 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of January, as the city starts to vaccinate communities hit hard by the virus after front-line health workers and first responders, according to The Wall Street Journal. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the goal […]
Read MoreIndia takes its place on UN Security Council pledging ‘human-centric’ agenda (Ld)
By Arul LouisUnited Nations, Jan 5 (IANS) With a pledge to “bring human-centric and inclusive solutions” to world problems, India has taken its place on the UN Security Council, the organisation’s highest decision-making body. India’s membership was celebrated on Monday at a flag ceremony when its banner went up outside the Council chamber after the […]
Read More‘Proud moment’: India begins 2 year stint at UN Security Council
United Nations, Jan 4 (IANS) India kicked off its two year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with the country’s tricolour being installed at the indoor stakeout area during a special ceremony on a wintry afternoon at the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Monday. “This is […]
Read MorePelosi retains US Speakership with narrow majority, Senate undecided (2nd Lead)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 4 (IANS) Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been re-elected by a narrow margin in a US House of Representatives with a diminished Democratic Party majority. While she was elected with 216 votes in a 435-member House on Sunday, the fate of the Senate hung in the balance with its future to […]
Read MoreAll eyes on Jan 5 Georgia elections as Biden, Harris meet 2021’s defining political test
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 4 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris meet an early 2021 political test as two of their Democratic party colleagues seek to win knife edge special elections in Georgia on January 5 which will decide Senate control in the incoming administration. Two Senate races in Georgia […]
Read MoreUS aircraft carrier to remain in Middle East: Pentagon
Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) The Pentagon said that US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz would remain in the Middle East waters due to “threats from Iran”, reversing a previous decision to order the warship to return home. “Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President (Donald) Trump and other US government officials, I […]
Read More12 injured in 2 separate shootings in Florida
Miami, Jan 4 (IANS) At least 12 people were injured in two separate shootings that took place in the US state of Florida’s Miami-Dade County, officials said. In the first shooting, two gunmen, who have not been identified yet, started shooting at people near a basketball court in Little River Park on Sunday, injuring eight […]
Read MoreEfforts to challenge US Electoral College results divide Republicans
Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) US Senate Republicans were divided amid efforts to challenge the 2020 Electoral College results, which affirmed Democrat and former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory over sitting President Donald Trump. On Sunday, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, dismissied a plan by a group of his Republican colleagues to […]
Read MorePastor killed in Texas church shooting
Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) A pastor was killed and two others were injured during a shooting at a church in the US state of Texas, police said, adding the perpetrator was arrested and charged. The incident took place at around 9.20 a.m. on Sunday at the Starrville Methodist Church in Winona, about 360 km north […]
Read MoreCanada’s Covid-19 cases surpass 600,000
Ottawa, Jan 4 (IANS) Canada’s coronavirus cases surpassed 600,000, with the total hitting 606,076, including 15,880 deaths, according to health authorities. Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, reported 2,964 new cases and 25 additional deaths on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency. There has been an average increase of 2,792 new cases per day over […]
Read MoreArgentine Prez concerned over Covid-19 cases spike
Buenos Aires, Jan 4 (IANS) Argentinean President Alberto Fernandez has expressed concern over the accelerating spike in the number of coronavirus cases across the country and urged citizens, especially young people, to follow preventive measures to curb the pandemic’s spread. “The vaccine will give us, as the months go by, immunity, but in the meantime, […]
Read MoreBrazil registers 293 new Covid-19 deaths
Brasilia, Jan 4 (IANS) Brazil registered 293 new fatalities due to the novel coronavirus, increasinf the national death toll to 196,018, the Ministry of Health announced. Besides the fatalities on Sunday, the Ministry also confirmed 17,341 new cases, taking the nationwide infection tally to 7,733,746, Xinhua news agency. Brazil currently accounts for world’s second highest […]
Read MoreShootings, murders in Chicago rose 50% in 2020
Chicago, Jan 4 (IANS) Shootings and murders in the US city of Chicago increased by more than 50 per cent in 2020, official figures revealed. City officials attributed the rise in violence in 2020 to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic and the civil unrest that took place in the middle of the year against racism and […]
Read MoreNancy Pelosi re-elected as US House Speaker for 4th time
Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) Veteran Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has been re-elected as Speaker of the US House of Representatives for a fourth time, but she has vowed that this will be her last term. On Sunday, Pelosi, 80, received support from 216 Democrats, with two of her colleagues voting for someone else and three […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases surpass 85mn mark: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 4 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 85 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.84 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Monday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload […]
Read MoreRecovery plan pivotal for revival of NYC from Covid-19: Expert
New York, Jan 4 (IANS) An expert has called on New York City to set up a comprehensive plan, positively respond to economic crisis together with health emergency and help communities play a bigger role in the fight against the 10-month-long Covid-19, so that the city can recover from the pandemic better and stronger, New […]
Read MoreUN chief saddened at passing of Brian Urquhart
United Nations, Jan 4 (IANS) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday expressed his “deep sadness” at the passing of legendary long-time UN official Brian Urquhart, who died Saturday at the age of 101. “I am deeply saddened at the passing of Sir Brian Urquhart, the legendary long-time United Nations official. I offer condolences to […]
Read MoreLA County Covid-19 cases top 800,000
Los Angeles, Jan 3 (IANS) Los Angeles County, the most populous in the US with more than 10 million residents, has hit a grim milestone of 800,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases in total. The county’s Department of Public Health reported 15,701 new cases and 138 fatalities in a on Saturday, which increased the overall infection tally […]
Read MoreNine killed in California head-on collision
San Francisco, Jan 3 (IANS) Nine people, including seven children, were killed in a severe head-on collision on Highway 33 in California, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said Saturday. Ina statement on Saturday, CHP Central Division Cpt. Kevin Clays said the accident occurred at about 8 p.m. on January 1, when a Dodge travelling southbound […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 deaths top 350,000: Johns Hopkins University
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) The US has hit another grim milestone as the country’s overall coronavirus deaths have surpassed the 350,000 mark, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the country’s overall death toll currently stood at 349,933, while […]
Read MoreUN announces establishment of Libyan Political Dialogue Forum’s advisory committee
United Nations, Jan 3 (IANS) The UN Support Mission in Libya has announced the establishment of the Advisory Committee of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF). “The committee’s mandate will be strictly time-bound and its main mission shall be to discuss outstanding issues related to the selection of a unified executive and to put forward […]
Read MoreBrazil registers 314 new Covid-19 deaths
Brasilia, Jan 3 (IANS) Brazil has registered 314 new coronavirus fatalities, which increased the country’s overall death toll to 195,725, the Ministry of Health said. Besides the new fatalities, the country on Saturday reported 15,827 new cases, bringing the number of the total infections to 7,716,405, Xinhua news agency reported. Brazil currently accounts for the […]
Read MoreHouston opens first public Covid-19 vaccination site
Houston, Jan 3 (IANS) The Houston Health Department opened the US city’s first public Covid-19 vaccine site. “The vaccine is our best shot to help prevent people from getting sick and potentially suffering severe consequences,” Xinhua news agency quoted Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as saying said on Saturday. “We are working efficiently to vaccinate eligible […]
Read MoreNY Covid-19 hospitalisations down to 7,814, positivity rate 7.45%: Cuomo
New York, Jan 3 (IANS) The total coronavirus hospitalisations stood at 7,814 in New York state in the last 24 hours, down from 7,886 the previous day, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo. On Saturday, Cuomo once warned that a post-holiday spike of Covid-19 hospitalisations was expected, because people would usually travel and gather during this […]
Read MoreFour killed in Canada helicopter crash
Ottawa, Jan 3 (IANS) Four people died when a helicopter crashed into a field in Alberta, Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said. In a statement on Saturday, the RCMP said that the private helicopter crashed into the field at about 8.50 p.m. on Friday, killing the four victims, who were a couple and […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 vaccine rollout falls short: Report
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) Three weeks into the most ambitious vaccination campaign in modern US history, far fewer people than expected are being immunised against Covid-19 as the process has moved slower than officials projected and is beset by confusion and disorganisation in many states, a media report said. “As a result, the federal government […]
Read MoreUS states shutting down prisons due to Covid-19
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) Battered by an unabated spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths, local jails and state prison systems across the US have resorted to a drastic strategy to keep the virus at bay: shutting down completely and transferring their inmates elsewhere, a media report said. “From California to Missouri to Pennsylvania, state and […]
Read MoreGroup of Republican Senators to object to Electoral College certification
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) A group of Republican senators have said that they will object to the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results later this week, but the move will not change President-elect Joe Biden’s victory against sitting President Donald Trump, according to media reports and poll pundits. However, Ted Cruz of Texas […]
Read MoreUS hotel owners continue to reel from Covid-19: Report
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) US hotel owners are bracing for a difficult 2021, as the sector continues to reel from a historic drop in bookings due to the raging coronavirus pandemic, a media report said. “The start of Covid-19 vaccinations in the US and Europe raised the prospect that people would start traveling again and […]
Read MorePandemic battle highlighted in NYC Mayor’s photo collection
New York, Jan 3 (IANS) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has promoted a collection of 42 pictures posted on social media by the Mayor’s Office under the title of “2020-NYC The Year In Photos”, at least 12 of which are about fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. “In 2020, our city faced some of the […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 84.5mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 84.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.83 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death […]
Read MoreCalifornia reports record spike in new Covid-19 deaths
San Francisco, Jan 2 (IANS) California reported its highest increase in single-day coronavirus fatalities on New Year’s Day since the onset of the pandemic. A total of 585 new coronavirus deaths were reported on Friday, shattering Thursday’s record of 428 deaths by a significant amount, Xinhua news agency quoted the latest data released by the […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 cases surpass 20mn mark: Johns Hopkins University
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) In yet another grim milestone, the overall number of coronavirus cases in the US, the hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, has surpassed the 20 million mark, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) […]
Read MoreUS Congress votes to override Trump’s veto of defence bill (Ld)
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) In a first during his four years in office, the US Congress voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a massive $740.5 billion defence policy bill. The Republican-led Senate voted 81 to 13 in a rare New Year’s Day session on Friday to join the Democrat-majority House of Representatives, in […]
Read MoreBrazil registers 462 new Covid-19 deaths
Brasilia, Jan 2 (IANS) Brazil’s overall coronavirus death toll has increased to 195,411 after 462 more patients succumbed to the disease in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said. Besides the new fatalities, the country on Friday also reported 24,605 new cases, bringing its total to 7,700,578, reports Xinhua news agency. With the […]
Read MoreCuba starts monetary overhaul amid Covid-19 pandemic
Havana, Jan 2 (IANS) Cuba has introduced a monetary overhaul which will eliminate the dual currency system in place on the island nation since 1994, in hopes of improving the country’s economic performance amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the tightening of US sanctions. The reform, which came into effect on Friday, will also increase salaries, […]
Read MoreNYC shootings soar 97% in 2020, highest in 16 yrs
New York, Jan 2 (IANS) There was a 97 per cent jump in the number of shootings and a nearly 45 per cent surge in murders, including 15 consecutive weeks of gunfire, as Covid-19 ravaged New York City in 2020, according to the latest statistics from the New York Police Department (NYPD). Official sources said […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 83.9mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 83.9 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.82 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death […]
Read MoreUS Congress overrides Trump’s defence spending bill veto
Washington, Jan 2 (IANS) The US Congress has overturned President Donald Trump’s veto of a defence spending bill — the first time this has happened in his presidency. The Republican-controlled Senate held a rare New Year’s Day session to debate the move, which had already been voted for by the House of Representatives. The $740 […]
Read MoreNYC Covid test positivity rate tops 9 %: Mayor
New York, Jan 2 (IANS) New York City’s Covid-19 test positivity rate on a seven-day average topped 9 per cent, reaching 9.41 per cent, compared with 8.87 per cent one day earlier, Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted on Friday. The rate was announced to top 8 percent on December 31 and 7 per cent on […]
Read MoreSpain extends entry ban on travellers from UK
Madrid, Jan 2 (IANS) Spain announced on Friday that entry for passengers travelling from the UK by air and sea will be prohibited till January 19, according to the Official State Gazette. Spanish nationals and those with legal residency in Spain, however, will be allowed entry. Due to the “uncertainties… about the scope of the […]
Read MoreNew mutations in malaria parasite found boosting drug resistance
New York, Jan 1 (IANS) New mutations in the malaria parasite that enhance resistance to a drug used to prevent the disease in pregnant women and children are already common in countries fighting the disease, says a new study. Malaria is caused by parasites (Plasmodium species) which enter the blood when infected mosquitoes feed. “We […]
Read MoreHave food allergy? Pfizer, Moderna Covid jabs safe, say experts
New York, Jan 1 (IANS) A team of experts led by allergists at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in the US has assured that people with food or medication allergies can be vaccinated safely with Covid-19 jabs produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, comes […]
Read MoreIndia joins UNSC as world confronts changing reality (News Analysis)
By Arul LouisUnited Nations, Jan 1 (IANS) India became a non-permanent member of the Security Council on Friday taking a seat at the UN’s highest decision-making body at a time of changing reality even as it presses ahead with its quest for a permanent seat. As a member, India will be able to push its […]
Read MoreSenate majority leader again rejects vote on $2k stimulus checks
Washington, Jan 1 (IANS) US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has rejected again to hold a vote on a standalone bill to boost stimulus checks to $2,000 for individuals from $600, which had been approved by the Democrats-held House of Representatives. “Washington Democrats took President Trump’s suggestion and skewed it so the checks would benefit […]
Read MoreMarch 14 named as NYC’s Covid-19 Remembrance Day
New York, Jan 1 (IANS) March 14 will be Covid-19 Remembrance Day in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Thursday. The city reported its first novel coronavirus fatality on March 14, 2020, and the event will recognize all the people who have died from the lethal virus, said the mayor, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreTrump cuts short Florida trip
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has cut short his trip to Florida, where he celebrated Christmas with his family, and will now return to Washington D.C. on Thursday, according to a media report. According to the President’s daily schedule released late Wednesday, Trump and First Lady Melania Trump “will be leaving Florida […]
Read MoreAlmost 1 in 4 Americans describe 2020 as awful: Survey
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) When Americans were asked to describe the year 2020 in a single word in a recent survey, nearly one in four of them said “awful”, “terrible”, or “horrible” as the US is still reeling under the raging Covid-19 pandemic. Released on Wednesday, the USA Today/Suffolk University poll of 1,000 registered voters […]
Read More130 asylum seekers evacuated from Libya to Rwanda: UNHCR
United Nations, Dec 31 (IANS) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has announced the evacuation of 130 asylum seekers from Libya to Rwanda. “The UNHCR has successfully evacuated a group of 130 vulnerable asylum seekers out of Libya to safety in Rwanda in the fourth and last evacuation flight in 2020. Next flights will resume in […]
Read MoreWashington Governor announces extension of restrictions
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) Washington Governor Jay Inslee has announced a one-week extension of the “Stay Safe-Stay Healthy” order, along with the state-wide restrictions on in-person gatherings and business activities due to an unabated Covid-19 resurgence. The extension of the state-wide restrictions will expire on January 11, 2021, while no changes were made in the […]
Read MoreUS sanctions Venezuelan officials over trial of American oil executives
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) The US has announced sanctions against a Venezuelan judge and a prosecutor involved in the trial of six executives of US refiner Citgo last month. The Treasury Department said in a statement on Wednesday that it had designated Lorena Carolina Cornielles Ruiz, a judge in the Venezuelan Supreme Court who presided […]
Read MoreNY transit hub Penn Station to expand capacity by 50%
New York, Dec 31 (IANS) The long-awaited expansion of Penn Station, a major city and interstate rail-transit hub in New York, into the James A. Farley Post Office Building will be completed by New Year’s Eve and trains will roll into the new Moynihan Train Hall starting January 1, according to New York State Governor […]
Read MoreUN confirms closure of Darfur peacekeeping mission
United Nations, Dec 31 (IANS) The joint UN-African Union mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (UNAMID) will officially end operations on Thursday, when the government of the African country will take over responsibility for the protection of civilians in the area. In a statement released on Wednesday, UNAMID confirmed the decision to close the […]
Read MoreFirst major winter storm hits Chicago
Chicago, Dec 31 (IANS) Morning commuters in Chicago experienced icy roads and slow traffic as the first major winter storm hit the third largest US city. The snow started to blanket Chicago on Tuesday afternoon and ended on early Wednesday, with lingering drizzle through 10 a.m. to noon, reports Xinhua news agency. “Some drizzle may […]
Read MoreOver 10 mn children to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021: Unicef
United Nations, Dec 31 (IANS) More than 10 million children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), northeast Nigeria, the Central Sahel, South Sudan and Yemen will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021, the UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) said. All of these countries and regions are experiencing “dire humanitarian crises”, while also grappling with […]
Read MoreBiden announces additional nominations for Pentagon posts
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden announced additional nominations to fill the posts in the Department of Defence, days after he blamed current Pentagon officials for obstructing the presidential transition. On Wednesday, the Biden transition team announced on its website that Kathleen Hicks has been nominated for Deputy Secretary of Defence, and that […]
Read MoreUS flies B-52 bombers to Middle East as ‘show of force’
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) The US military said that it had sent two strategic bombers to the Middle East as a “show of force” to deter attacks against American interests in the region. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday that the deployment, which was executed by two B-52H strategic bombers, aimed […]
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