No indication Covid-19 variants can escape current vaccines: Expert
New York, Jan 28 (IANS) Study so far has proved that the current vaccines remained effective against the variants of the Covid-19, which already infected over 100 million people worldwide, Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU) news portal on Wednesday quoted an expert as saying. “Unfortunately, several recent mutations appear to have been beneficial to the […]
Read MoreUN chief calls for renewed approach to multilateralism
United Nations, Jan 28 (IANS) United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called for renewed approach to multilateralism and international cooperation through a new peacebuilding appeal. “An approach that goes beyond crisis response and boosts long-term investments in prevention and peacebuilding, hand-in-hand with our efforts to deliver the Sustainable Developments Goals,” the UN chief […]
Read MoreBrazil to airlift 1,500 Covid patients from Amazonas
Brasilia, Jan 27 (IANS) The Brazilian government is aiming to airlift 1,500 Covid-19 patients in the hard-hit northern state of Amazonas to other states for medical treatment, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello said. Pazuello on Tuesday addressed reporters at the opening of a field hospital in the Amazonas capital Manaus, where facilities have been overrun due […]
Read MoreUN ready to support Palestinian elections: Envoy
United Nations, Jan 27 (IANS) United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, on Tuesday told the Security Council that the world body stands ready to support the Palestinian elections scheduled for later this year. In his first briefing to the Council, the senior Norwegian diplomat said the elections will be […]
Read MoreBiden, Putin speak over phone on arms control, Ukraine
Washington, Jan 27 (IANS) US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Tuesday discussed arms control and other issues during their first phone conversation, said the White House. The White House said in a statement that Biden and Putin discussed both countries’ willingness to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases surpass 100mn: Johns Hopkins University (Lead)
New York, Jan 27 (IANS) Global Covid-19 cases surpassed 100 million on Tuesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. The global case count reached 10,00,32,461, with a total of 21,49,818 deaths worldwide, as of 2:22 p.m. local time (1922 GMT), the CSSE data showed. The US reported […]
Read MoreHuge relief for spouses of H1B workers, Biden nixes Trump plan to kill H4 work permits (Lead)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 27 (IANS) “Withdrawn”. A single word on a thick bureaucratic file on the seventh day of the Biden administration delivered a huge win for spouses of workers on H1B visas in the US who spent the last four years worried sick that their work authorisations would be killed off. The […]
Read MoreBiden admin delivers early win for H4 spouses of H1B workers
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 27 (IANS) “Withdrawn”. A single word on a thick bureaucratic file on the seventh day of the Biden administration delivered a huge win for spouses of workers on H1B visas in the US who spent the last four years worried sick that their work authorisations would be killed off. This […]
Read MoreSenate confirms Blinken as Secretary of State with mission to redirect US diplomacy
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 27 (IANS) Anthony Blinken has been confirmed as the Secretary of State to steer US diplomacy in a new direction of greater engagement with international organisations and recasting ties with allies. President Joe Biden’s nominee received the Senate confirmation on Tuesday with 78 votes to 22, the dissenters being Republicans […]
Read More200 million extra doses: Biden-led Covid-19 turnaround kicks off
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 27 (IANS) Within seven days of taking over as US president, Joe Biden on Tuesday declared that his government is “working to purchase” a total of 200 million additional doses of two authorised vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna which will be enough to vaccinate 300 million Americans by late summer […]
Read MoreBiden admin giving states 17% boost in vaccine supply next week
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 27 (IANS) US states wringing their hands at empty cupboards left by the Trump administration will be getting a 17 per cent boost in Covid-19 vaccine supply next week. Latest figures updated on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website Tuesday show that the Biden government plans to […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases surpass 100 million
New York, Jan 27 (IANS) Global Covid-19 cases topped 100 million on Tuesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Read MoreBlinken, Biden’s pick for Secretary of State, gets Senate nod
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Antony Blinken as President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State. Blinken, who was National Security Adviser to Biden when he was Vice President to President Barack Obama, got 78 votes for and 22 against. He also had served in the Obama administration as the Deputy Secretary […]
Read MoreBiden appoints 2 Indian Americans to leadership posts at US mission to UN
By Arul LouisUnited Nations, Jan 26 (IANS) President Joe Biden appointed two Indian Americans, Sohini Chatterjee and Aditi Gorur, to the leadership team of the US mission to the UN on Tuesday. The mission said that the appointments “reflect President Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris’s commitment to building a talented, experienced, and diverse administration […]
Read MoreAnyone who wants Covid vaccine could get it ‘this Spring’: Biden
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 26 (IANS) US President Joe Biden’s underpromise-overdeliver strategy on Covid-19 vaccine allocation landed its most optimistic message yet, pointing to vaccination for any American who wants a shot by “this Spring”. Responding to a reporter’s question on when ordinary Americans can hope to get the vaccine on demand, Biden said, […]
Read MoreIMF projects Indian economy to be fastest-growing next financial year at 11.5%
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 26 (IANS) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects India’s economy to bounce back by 11.5 per cent in the next financial year, making it the fastest-growing major economy, and attributed it to the effect of easing of lockdown measures last year. The World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update released in Washington […]
Read MoreEx-WH Press Secretary to run for Arkansas Governor
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) Former White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders has announced her candidacy for the post of Arkansas state Governor in 2022. In an almost eight-minute announcement video released on Monday, Sanders said: “With the radical left now in control of Washington, your governor is your last line of defense. In fact, […]
Read MoreUS Senate panel backs Blinken as Secretary of State
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted to approve President Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. On Monday, the panel approved Blinken’s nomination by a vote of 15-3, sending it to the full Senate for a final confirmation, reports Xinhua news agency. Three Republican Senators — Ted […]
Read More5,000 National Guard troops to remain in Washington till March
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) More than 5,000 National Guard troops will remain in Washington, D.C. through mid-March amid security concerns, acting Secretary of the Army John Whitley said. “There are several upcoming events, we don’t know what they are, over the next several weeks, and they’re concerned that there could be situations where there are […]
Read MoreCyclone Eloise kills 6, displaces 8,300 in Mozambique: UN
United Nations, Jan 26 (IANS) Preliminary reports have revealed that tropical cyclone Eloise has left at least six people dead, 12 injured and affected more than 176,000 people in Central Mozambique, according to the UN. Eloise made landfall on January 23, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding to the Beira City, the same area which was […]
Read MoreSpanish PM pledges renewed focus on jobs at virtual Davos Forum
Madrid, Jan 26 (IANS) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) first virtual Davos Forum that he intends to improve employment prospects in his country. On Monday, Sanchez participated via video conference in one of the forum’s round table events, reports Xinhua news agency. He said the high level of youth […]
Read More‘US Covid-19 cases, deaths increase with higher income inequality’
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) A new study has revealed that US counties with higher income inequality faced higher rates of Covid-19 infections and deaths in the first 200 days of the pandemic. The study by researchers at the University of Illinois (UI) and issued on Monday included 3,141 of 3,142 counties in the US with […]
Read MoreHouse delivers Trump impeachment article to Senate (Ld)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 26 (IANS) A team from the US House of Representatives ceremoniously walked across the Capitol, along the path of the mayhem that rocked Congress on January 6, to the Senate chamber and presented the chargesheet accusing former President Donald Trump of inciting the deadly riots. On Monday, Representative Jamie Raskin, […]
Read MoreUS detects 1st case of Brazilian Covid-19 variant
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The US has detected the first case of a new coronavirus variants which was first discovered in Brazil, according to authorities. The case was detected in the state of Minnesota, Xinhua news agency reported. In a statement on Monday, the state’s Department of Health said the infected person had recently travelled […]
Read MoreHouse delivers Trump impeachment article to Senate
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The US House of Representatives has delivered an impeachment article against fDonald Trump to the Senate, charging the former president with inciting insurrection leading to the deadly January 6 Capitol riot. On Monday, nine House Democrats, appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as impeachment managers who will serve as prosecutors in […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 99.6mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 99.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.13 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 Senate confirms Yellen as first female Treasury Secretary
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) The US Senate on Monday voted to approve President Joe Biden’s nomination of former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be the next US Treasury Secretary, making her the first woman to hold the job. Yellen, a 74-year-old economist, will also be the first person to have served as treasury secretary, […]
Read MoreCalifornia lifts regional stay-at-home order for all regions
Los Angeles, Jan 26 (IANS) California lifted all regional stay-at-home orders in the most populous state in the US, public health officials announced on Monday. Although three of California’s five designated regions, including 12-county San Joaquin Valley, 11-county Bay Area and 11-county Southern California, were still under the order, state officials said four-week intensive care […]
Read MoreLagarde predicts recovery with high level of uncertainty
Frankfurt, Jan 26 (IANS) Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), said on Monday that 2021 could be a year of recovery, but that would most likely be accompanied by a “very high level of uncertainty” before achieving the transition to a “new economy”. Joining an online panel discussion during the World Economic […]
Read MoreUS extends travel restrictions to S.Africa due to Covid-19
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) US President Joe Biden on Monday announced measures to ban most non-US citizens travelling from South Africa from entering the US, in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19. According to a proclamation issued by the White House, the travel restrictions on South Africa, where a new coronavirus variant had […]
Read MoreSpain reports 93,822 new coronavirus cases over weekend
Madrid, Jan 26 (IANS) Spain’s Ministry of Health on Monday reported 93,822 new cases of Covid-19 and 767 deaths over the period from 14:00 local time on Friday to 14:00 on Monday. Spain’s cumulative tally of coronavirus cases has so far risen to 25,93,382 and the total number of deaths stood at 56,208 since the […]
Read MoreCanada’s Covid-19 cases surpass 7,50,000
Ottawa, Jan 26 (IANS) Canada’s Covid-19 cases surpassed 7,50,000 on Monday morning, with the total hitting 7,50,546, including 17,847 deaths, according to media reports. Canada’s most populous province of Ontario reported 1,958 new cases of the Covid-19 on Monday, fewer than 2,000 new Covid-19 cases when the province marks the anniversary of detecting its first […]
Read MoreBiden moves to repeal Trump’s transgender military ban
Washington, Jan 26 (IANS) US President Joe Biden on Monday signed an executive order seeking to repeal his predecessor Donald Trump’s ban on most transgender people serving in the military. The executive order “sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able […]
Read MoreGuterres hopes dialogue can dial down Sino-Indian border tensions
New York, Jan 26 (IANS) After reports of a confrontation between their troops along the border in the Sikkim region, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hopes that India and China can reduce tensions through dialogue, according to his Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. “We hope that through dialogue tension can be dialled down,” he said on Monday replying […]
Read MoreUN chief urges donor countries, banks to increase climate finance
United Nations, Jan 25 (IANS) United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged donor countries and banks to significantly increase the volume and predictability of their finance for climate change adaptation and resilience. “Donor countries and multilateral, regional and national development banks need to significantly increase the volume and predictability of their finance for adaptation […]
Read MoreCalifornia Covid-19 vaccine recipient dies after inoculation
San Francisco, Jan 25 (IANS) A person from the US state of California died hours after receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, authorities said, adding that an investigation is underway. Placer County Public Health and the Placer County Sheriff-Coroner Division were recently notified of the death of he individual who had tested positive for the virus last […]
Read MoreUS to impose travel restriction on South Africa
Washington, Jan 25 (IANS) US President Joe Biden’s administration will on Monday impose a ban on most non-American citizens from entering the country if they had recently travelled to South Africa, where a new Covid-19 strain has been detected. According to US media reports on Sunday, Biden is also expected to reinstate broader restrictions that […]
Read More‘Trump worst president ever’ banner flown near Mar-a-Lago
Miami, Jan 25 (IANS) A banner with with the words, “Trump worst President ever” was reportedly flown by a plane near the former US leader’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, according to a media report. A Twitter user uploaded a video on Sunday in which the banner can be seen trailing behind a plane, the New […]
Read More‘Canada’s fight against Covid-19 in critical stage’
Ottawa, Jan 25 (IANS) The fight against the novel coronavirus in Canada, which is currently under a second wave of the pandemic, is in a critical stage, the country’s chief public health officer Theresa Tam said. “We are at a critical point in the race. We are part-way through, but with the current momentum of […]
Read MoreGuterres calls for efforts to promote education for all
United Nations, Jan 25 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for efforts to promote education for all. In a video message to mark the International Day of Education on Sunday, Guterres paid tribute to the resilience of students, teachers and families in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, at its peak, forced almost […]
Read More3,600 fined for violating curfew in Netherlands
The Hague, Jan 25 (IANS) Some 3,600 people were fined and 25 others arrested for violating a curfew imposed in the Netherlands due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to police. In an effort to stem the spread of the virus, people are not allowed outside their homes between 9 p.m. and 4.30 a.m. without a […]
Read MoreProblems hamper Covid-19 vaccination in southern US states
Washington, Jan 25 (IANS) A little over a month since Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began reaching the southern US states, officials and the public have faced several problems such as miscommunication, technical issues and inaccurate data. Last week, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick sent a letter to the chair of the state’s Expert […]
Read MoreMexican President tests positive for Covid-19
Mexico City, Jan 25 (IANS) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Monday that he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, becoming the latest to join a long list of world leaders to be infected with the disease. Taking to Twitter, the President said: “I regret to inform you that I am infected […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid cases surpass 99 mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 25 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 99 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.12 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 MoreEx-Nikki Haley lawyer to defend Trump in impeachment trial
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 25 (IANS) A lawyer who helped clear Indian American Republican politician Nikki Haley of ethics charges nearly a decade ago is the man in charge of defending Donald Trump in his upcoming Senate impeachment trial. With talk of a possible Nikki Haley – Kamala Harris contest in 2024 already swirling, […]
Read MoreSee you at your trial: Big decision looms for Harris on Trump impeachment trial
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 25 (IANS) Impeachment politics is moving fast. America’s political pundits are all over the map on whether US Vice President Kamala Harris should, should not or could preside over the impeachment trial of former US president Donald Trump who is currently in Florida, licking his wounds and lawyering up. The […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 cases surpass 25mn: Johns Hopkins University
New York, Jan 25 (IANS) The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US topped 25 million on Sunday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. US Covid-19 case count rose to 2,50,03,695, with a total of 4,17,538 deaths, as of 10:22 a.m. local time (1522 GMT), according […]
Read MoreCanada needs continued efforts to fight Covid: Health official
Ottawa, Jan 24 (IANS) Stringent and consistent efforts are needed to sustain a downward trend in the coronavirus situation across Canada, which is currently under a second wave of the pandemic, the country’s chief public health officer Theresa Tam said. “This will not only prevent more tragic outcomes, but will help to ensure that new […]
Read MoreSpanish defence chief resigns for breaching vaccine protocol
Madrid, Jan 24 (IANS) General Miguel Angel Villarroya, Spain’s Chief of Defence Staff, has resigned after it was claimed on that he and other high-ranking military officers had received a first dose of the anti-coronavirus vaccine in breach of protocol. Villarroya presented his resignation to Defence Minister Margarita Robles in a letter sent on Saturday, […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 98.6mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 98.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.11 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 MoreUS key Covid-19 metrics show decline this week
Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) The rates of new Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths across the US are on the decline this week, though some areas are still reporting wrenching death rates, according to a latest report of The COVID Tracking Project. Weekly new cases were down 20 per cent, the lowest number of new cases […]
Read MorePossible new combo therapy for head and neck cancer
New York, Jan 23 (IANS) Researchers have tested a new combination therapy that showed reduced growth of head and neck cancer in the animal-based study. According to the researchers, head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and while effective treatments exist, sadly, cancer often returns. “Head and neck cancer, like any […]
Read More‘US risks falling into economic hole without decisive action’
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) White House economic adviser Brian Deese said that the US risks falling into a “very serious economic hole” without decisive action, urging Congress to approve more Covid-19 relief as soon as possible. “It’s pretty clear we’re at a precarious moment for the virus and the economy,” Deese, who serves as director […]
Read MoreCalifornia reports record spike in daily Covid deaths
San Francisco, Jan 23 (IANS) In yet another grim milestone, California, the most populous state in the US, has once again reported its highest spike in the number of single-day Covid-19 deaths. In the past 24 hours, the state registered 764 new fatalities, which increased the overall death toll to 35,768, Xinhua news agency quoted […]
Read MoreMaduro stresses SC’s role in face of foreign aggressions
Caracas, Jan 23 (IANS) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has kicked off the 2021 judicial year, highlighting the power and resistance of the country’s Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in the face of foreign aggressions. “Venezuela has a powerful judicial system,” better than any other republican period, Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying at […]
Read MoreBiden admin to review US-Afghan Taliban agreement
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) The White House said that the administation of US President Joe Biden would review the country’s agreement with the Taliban, which was signed in February 2020. In a statement on Friday, the White House said that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had conveyed the decision to his Afghan counterpart Hamdullah Mohib […]
Read MoreSao Paulo to close bars, restaurants, shops at night, weekends
Sao Paulo, Jan 23 (IANS) The Brazilian state of Sao Paulo, the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, announced a return to the strictest phase of quarantine starting on Monday, with the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential businesses during nights and weekends due to the increase in cases. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Governor […]
Read MoreBoeing to deliver commercial planes on sustainable fuels by 2030
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) American airplane giant Boeing has announced that the company is setting a target to advance the long-term sustainability of commercial aviation, committing that its commercial airplanes will be capable and certified to fly on 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuels by 2030. Boeing has previously conducted successful test flights replacing petroleum […]
Read MoreNew Yorkers assured on supply of 2nd Covid vaccine dose
New York, Jan 23 (IANS) Governor Andrew Cuomo has assured New Yorkers that a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be available. “New Yorkers who have already received their first dose do not have to worry that they will not be able to get their 2nd dose. Second dose allocation is a separate process,” […]
Read MoreUN helps Africa prepare for cyclone Eloise
United Nations, Jan 23 (IANS) The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that it was supporting governments in southern Africa to prepare for and respond to tropical cyclone Eloise, which is expected to bring with it heavy rainfall, storm surge and flooding. The cyclone is expected to make landfall near Beira […]
Read MoreBolsonaro says ‘Dhanyavaad’ to Modi for vaccine exports
Brasilia, Jan 23 (IANS) Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said “Dhanyavaad” (thank you) to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping the South American nation with Covid-19 vaccine exports. Taking to Twitter on Friday night, the President said: “Namaskar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi… Brazil is honoured to have a great partner to overcome a global obstacle. […]
Read MoreBiden signs executive orders to expand food stamps, up federal pay
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) US President Joe Biden has signed two executive orders, one to expand food assistance to low-income Americans, and the other to raise minimum wage to $15 for federal employees. “We need to tackle the growing hunger crisis in American,” Xinhua news agency quoted Biden as saying before signing the orders on […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 98mn mark: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 98 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.1 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 […]
Read MoreTrump’s second impeachment trial to start in February
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 23 (IANS) The second impeachment trial of former US President Donald Trump will begin in the second week of February, although the process for it will start next week when the document with the charges will be received by the Senate and the Senators will be sworn in as jurors. […]
Read MoreOver 1,200 adverse events in US after receiving Moderna vaccine
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) Over 1,200 adverse events were reported after receipt of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine as of January 10, with 10 cases determined to be anaphylaxis, according to a report released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday. The US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization […]
Read MoreUS Senate panel okays Yellen’s nomination as Treasury Secy
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) The US Senate Finance Committee on Friday unanimously approved President Joe Biden’s nomination of former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be the next US Treasury Secretary. The Senate panel approved Yellen’s nomination by a vote of 26-0, sending it to the full Senate for final confirmation, the Xinhua news agency […]
Read MoreUS House to deliver Trump impeachment to Senate on Jan 25
Washington, Jan 23 (IANS) US Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said on Friday that the House will deliver the impeachment article against former President Donald Trump to the upper chamber on Monday, January 25, triggering preparations for a trial that could start as early as next week. “Make no mistake, a trial will be held […]
Read MoreFormer US general Austin will be first African American Def Secy (Lead)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 22 (IANS) The United States Senate on Friday confirmed a former Army general, Austin Lloyd to become the Defence Secretary, making him the first African American to hold the job. He received the overwhelming support of both parties, overcoming reservations about a retired general becoming the Defence Secretary within the […]
Read MoreNext phase of Trump impeachment set for next week
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 22 (IANS) The next phase of the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump is set to be launched next week when the Senate receives the charges against him from the House of Representatives accusing him of instigating the January 6 storming of the Capitol by his supporters, Democratic Party’s […]
Read MoreLloyd Austin confirmed as US Defence Secretary
Washington, Jan 22 (IANS) Retired US Army general Lloyd Austin was on Friday confirmed as Secretary of Defence in the Joe Biden administration. Austin received 93 votes in the Senate, while two votes went against him. The second Biden pick to be confirmed after Avril Haines who becomes the first woman to be Director of […]
Read MoreGuterres hails Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty’s coming into force
United Nations, Jan 22 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday welcomed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty’s coming into force. “I am pleased to recognize today’s entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty […]
Read MoreUS sees record-high daily Covid-19 deaths
Washington, Jan 22 (IANS) The US has registered a record high of over 4,300 daily Covid-19 deaths as the new administration took office. A total of 188,156 new cases and 4,383 deaths were reported across the country on Wednesday, according to the data updated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thursday, […]
Read MoreFauci is back, America gets a Covid-19 reality check
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 22 (IANS) Dr. Anthony Fauci is back. After months of being sidelined and attacked by Donald Trump, America’s top infectious diseases expert returned to the White House briefing room and declared that the US could return to “a degree of normality” by the Fall if the Covid-19 vaccination campaign goes […]
Read MoreSpain’s daily coronavirus cases hit all-time high
Madrid, Jan 22 (IANS) The Spanish Ministry of Health on Thursday confirmed another 44,357 coronavirus cases in a 24-hour period, the highest daily count since the start of the pandemic. The one-day spike pushed the cumulative coronavirus cases in Spain to 2,456,675. Meanwhile, a further 404 deaths brought the national death toll to 55,041, Xinhua […]
Read MoreBiden’s defence chief-designate says cooperation with India to grow
New York, Jan 22 (IANS) US President Joe Biden’s nominee for defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, has said that he would continue to build on the “strong defence cooperation” with India and ensure that the militaries of the two countries can collaborate on shared interests. In written answers to questions from the Senate Armed Forces Committee, […]
Read MoreBatman fan becomes US Senate’s alternate presiding officer
Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) With the Democrats wresting control of the Senate, the US upper house’s President pro tempore, who presides over the proceedings in the absence of the Vice President, has a unique qualification. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the longest continuously serving Democrat Senator currently, has not only been a lifetime fan of Batman, […]
Read MoreWashington was peaceful on inauguration day, anarchists riot elsewhere
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 21 (IANS) The expected right extremist attacks on the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris did not materialise in the nation’s capital Washington, but leftist groups rioted in Washington state on the west coast and elsewhere turning their ire now on the Democrats. The protests happened […]
Read MoreUS Senate confirms Biden’s first cabinet nominee
Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) The US Senate has voted to confirm Avril Haines as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) within hours of President Joe Biden’s swearing in as the new President. On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Haines by a vote of 84-10, making her the first member of Biden’s cabinet to be installed by the […]
Read MoreNew York National Guard helicopter crash kills 3
New York, Jan 21 (IANS) A New York Army National Guard helicopter crashed while on a routine training mission, state Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement on Thursday. “Tonight we are devastated by the crash of a New York Army National Guard helicopter in the town of Mendon that killed three of New York’s […]
Read More3 killed in Madrid explosion
Madrid, Jan 21 (IANS) Three people were killed and several others injured after a large explosion destroyed a building in the centre of Madrid, according to authorities. Addressing reporters, the Spanish capital’s Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida said that an 85-year-old woman and man died in the blast, which occurred at Toledo Street close to the […]
Read MoreBrazil records 2nd highest daily Covid deaths since Aug
Brasilia, Jan 21 (IANS) Brazil registered more that 1,340 coronavirus deaths in the last 24 hours, marking the second highest single-day spike since August 19, 2020, the Health Ministry said. The highest single-day death toll was 1,524, registered on January 7, Xinhua news agency reported. The latest fatalities brought the nationwide death toll to 212,831, […]
Read MoreDutch govt to impose curfew, flight ban
The Hague, Jan 21 (IANS) The caretaker government of the Netherlands has decided to ban flights from the UK, South Africa and the whole of South America and also planned to introduce a night-time curfew to curb the spread of Covid-19, outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced. “This is a critical moment for national security […]
Read MoreDemocrats take control of US Senate
Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) The Democratic Party has taken control of the US Senate after Vice President Kamala Harris swore in three party Senators as new members of the upper chamber. Stepping onto the Senate floor for the first time as Vice President, which also makes her the President of the Senate, Harris on Wednesday […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 96.8 mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 96.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.07 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 […]
Read MoreUS rejoins Paris climate pact, WHO under Biden (Lead)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 21 (IANS) Getting to work soon after the inauguration festivities, President Joe Biden has signed orders for the US to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization (WHO) in the first set of actions to undo the policies of his predecessor Donald Trump. He signed 17 executive […]
Read MoreBiden reverses US withdrawal from WHO
Washington, Jan 21 (IANS) US President Joe Biden has reversed the US process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization (WHO). Hours after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order ceasing a withdrawal process that his predecessor Donald Trump initiated last year, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreUN chief welcomes US re-entry into Paris Agreement
United Nations, Jan 21 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the announcement of the new US administration to re-enter the Paris Agreement on climate change. “I warmly welcome President (Joe) Biden’s steps to re-enter the Paris Agreement on climate change and join the growing coalition of governments, cities, states, businesses and people taking ambitious […]
Read MoreBiden appoints Jagadesan as acting USIDFC head
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 21 (IANS) President Joe Biden as appointed Dev Jagadesan as the acting head of the US International Development Finance Corporation (USIDFC), the White House has announced. With all the senior political appointees in key positions leaving office after Donald Trump’s term ended on Wednesday, Biden made interim appointments pending the […]
Read MoreHarris breaks glass ceiling after three women failed
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 21 (IANS) Three women tried unsuccessfully to break the glass ceiling to reach the top positions of the US, one as president and two as vice presidents, and finally Kamala Harris has managed to smash it. Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2016 but was defeated by Donald Trump on […]
Read MoreUS President Joe Biden’s inaugural address: Full transcript
New York, Jan 21 (IANS) Below is the full text of US President Joe Biden’s inaugural address after he was sworn in as the country’s 46th president. Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans, This is America’s day. This is democracy’s […]
Read MoreHarris, Biden take over leadership of fractured US with call for unity (Ld)
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 21 (IANS) Kamala Devi Harris made history at the stroke of noon on Wednesday becoming the first vice president of Indian descent and Joseph Robinette Biden made a call for unity as he became president of a nation in the throes of a devastating Covid-19 pandemic and the “raging fire” […]
Read MoreDemocracy has prevailed, says US President Joe Biden
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) A few minutes before noon on Wednesday, Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” and urging Americans to “lower the temperaturea as he came to power in a deeply divided country riven by multiple crises. At age 78, Biden is […]
Read MoreBreaking barriers: Kamala Devi Harris is US Vice President (2nd Lead)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) Moments before 11.45 a.m. on Wednesday on a gorgeous winter morning, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the US’ first woman, first Indian and Black American Vice President. She is now the highest-ranking woman ever to serve in American government. Harris has shattered the barrier that has kept […]
Read MoreIn historic rite, Biden, Harris sworn-in to lead US
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) Joe Biden was sworn-in as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President in a historic ceremony to take the leadership of a nation ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic and riven by deep political hostility. The daughter of Shyamala Gopalan became the first Indian American, the first woman, and […]
Read MoreBidens, top Congress leaders attend Mass ahead of inauguration
Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) Joe Biden, who will become the second Catholic to be the US President after John F. Kennedy, attended mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle on Wednesday, ahead of his inauguration. In a show of unity, the Bidens, and Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, were […]
Read MoreTrump leaves Washington anti-climactically as ‘not regular administration’ ends
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) Uttering what could be the epitaph for his years in the White House, “We were not a regular administration,” President Donald Trump left Washington on Wednesday to face an abyss of uncertainty. His departure was anti-climactic after some media and pundits speculated that he would not leave the […]
Read MoreTrump leaves White House for the last time
Washington, Jan 20 (IANS) US President Donald Trump, who is breaking with a century-old tradition by skipping the inauguration of his successor, Joe Biden, left the White House for the last time early on Wednesday morning. Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, the outgoing President, whose term ends at 12 noon (US time), flew from […]
Read More‘Letters to Kamala’ pour in, Harris says they ‘fuel’ her with hope
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) “I have been waiting for a girl vice president since…forever,” girl scout Amelia Phillips tells Kamala Harris, in a handwritten note. Another child has drawn a dog, in red ink, “to keep you company”, yet another has sketched Harris standing in front of the Capitol, the scene of […]
Read MorePossible allergic reactions to Moderna Covid vaccine under probe
New York, Jan 20 (IANS) US-based drugmaker Moderna has confirmed that it has received a report from California’s health department that several individuals at one vaccination centre in San Diego were treated for possible allergic reactions after vaccination from one lot of the company’s Covid-19 vaccine. The company is “fully cooperating” with the California Department […]
Read MoreExperts critical of White House after record Covid deaths
Washinton, Jan 20 (IANS) The Trump administration’s incompetence in handling Covid-19 has drawn harsh criticism from the academia as the country’s death toll from the disease topped another chilling mark of 4,00,000 on Tuesday. Never before in the recent century has an American President witnessed such a tragic loss of lives. The number is fast […]
Read MoreBlinken indicates US to continue backing India against China incursions
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 20 (IANS) Anthony Blinken, who is President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to be the secretary of state has indicated that the US would continue to back India against challenges to its sovereignty from China and work with it in the fight against terrorism. Speaking at the confirmation hearings before the Senate […]
Read MoreTrump grants clemency to over 100 people, including Bannon
New York, Jan 20 (IANS) US President Trump on Wednesday granted clemency to more than 100 people in one of his final acts as commander-in-chief, including his former Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon. Trump announced a wave of pardons and commutations shortly after midnight on Wednesday. Bannon, rapper Lil Wayne, GOP fundraiser Elliot Broidy and former […]
Read MoreGreet new US Prez Biden via Snapchat lens from home
San Francisco, Jan 20 (IANS) The Joe Biden team has launched a Snapchat lens that will virtually take users to the Capitol Hill as the new US president is sworn-in on Wednesday. The Snapchat lens will also play a message from Biden addressing Snapchatters: “Hey Snapchat!! It’s me, Joe. Welcome to inauguration!” “Once the inaugural […]
Read MoreBrazil sees 1,192 new Covid-19 deaths
Rio de Janerio, Jan 20 (IANS) Brazil registered 1,192 deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, raising the nationwide tally to 211,491, the Ministry of Health said. Tests detected 62,094 new cases, bringing the national caseload to 8,573,864, it said on Tuesday. The state of Sao Paulo, the most populated in the country, is […]
Read MoreUS Covid-19 deaths top 400,000: Johns Hopkins University
New York, Jan 20 (IANS) The US reached the grim milestone of 400,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. With the national case count topping 24.16 million, the death toll across the US rose to 400,022, according to the CSSE data, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreKamala Harris to take oath of office on ‘second mother’s’ Bible
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 19 (IANS) A Black woman’s Bible has featured in every single big moment of Kamala Harris’ political career up till now. She laid her left hand upon it as she took the oath of office to be Attorney General of California, and it was there when she swore to defend […]
Read MoreJoe Biden’s to-do list on Day One of Presidency
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 19 (IANS) Day One of Joe Biden’s presidency will kick off with a rash of executive orders. Covid-19 will overshadow everything else for the first 100 days but subsumed within will be efforts to push forward quick fixes on immigration, healthcare and a battered economy. First up, on January 20, […]
Read MoreIn saga of immigration, Indians travel from exclusion to Vice Presidency
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 19 (IANS) The first Indian recorded to have reached the shores of the US is a man from Madras (now Chennai), the area from where the family of Shyamala Gopalan, mother of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, hails. From the time of his long journey on a sailing ship in 1790 […]
Read MoreUNSC condemns attack on Mali peacekeeping mission
United Nations, Jan 19 (IANS) The UN Security Council (UNSC) has strongly condemned last week’s attack against a peacekeeping mission in Mali, which killed one personnel from Egypt. In a statement on Monday, the members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim, as well as to […]
Read MoreBrazil launches mass Covid-19 vaccination campaign
Brasilia, Jan 19 (IANS) Brazil, currently one of the hardest-hit countries in the world by the pandemic, has launched its mass vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus, Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello said. The initial plan was to begin nationwide vaccination on Wednesday, but the date was moved up on Monday in response to the […]
Read MoreKamala Harris resigns from Senate ahead of inauguration
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS) Ahead of her inauguration as the 49th Vice President of the US on Wednesday, Kamala Harris has formally resigned from the Senate. After she takes over as Vice President, Harris will preside over the upper chamber of Congress, Xinhua news agency. “Thus, as I leave the United States Senate, this is […]
Read MoreCanada to lift Boeing 737 MAX flight ban
Ottawa, Jan 19 (IANS) The Canadian government has decided to allow the globally grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft fleet to fly again in the country’s airspace starting from Wednesday, the Transport Ministry announced in a statement. In the statement issued on Monday, the Ministry said it has completed its nearly two-year review of the aircraft […]
Read MoreMelania Trump asks to choose ‘love over hatred’ in farewell speech
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS) With just one day left for Joe Biden to be inaugurated as the 46th President of the US, outgoing First Lady Melania Trump bode farewell to the nation, asking every American to “always choose love over hatred, peace over violence, and others before yourself”. She made the remarks in a six […]
Read MoreUS Covid cases top 24mn ahead of Biden’s inauguration (Ld)
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS) Reaching yet another grim milestone, the overall number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US, currently the hardest-hit country, has surpassed the 24 million mark, about 24 hours ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. In its latest update on Tuesday morning, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 95.5 mn: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 19 (IANS) The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 95.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.03 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 Covid-19 catastrophe is Biden’s problem now
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 19 (IANS) At noon on January 20, 2021, almost a full year after the first coronavirus case was reported in the US, Covid-19 will no longer be Donald Trump’s problem to solve. It will be incoming US president Joe Biden’s. The pandemic’s winter surge is raging, pushing the total death […]
Read MoreUS Covid cases surpass 24 million: Johns Hopkins University
New York, Jan 19 (IANS) The total number of Covid-19 cases in the US topped 24 million on Monday, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University. US Covid-19 case count rose to 24,018,793 with a total of 398,307 deaths, according to the CSSE tally, Xinhua news agency reported. […]
Read MoreFearful Washington hunkers down; fire disrupts inauguration rehearsal
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 19 (IANS) The Capitol area of Washington hunkering down under a pall of fear was put in a lockdown on Monday when a fire broke out in a camp of homeless people near the site of Wednesday’s inauguration of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president. A […]
Read MoreFrom Shyamala Gopalan to Kamala Devi Harris: A timeline of two audacious journeys (Ld)
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 18 (IANS) When Kamala Harris takes oath as America’s Vice President, it will be a moment without equal in the country’s history. Harris will be the first Indian and Black American, first woman and first woman of colour to ever win election to America’s highest political office. Her journey was […]
Read MoreInauguration Day dinner features Harris’ favourite dish
San Francisco, Jan 18 (IANS) Robert Dorsey, an San Francisco Bay Area-based chef who is catering the dinner on US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ Inauguration Day, has incorporated the latter’s favourite dish as part of the entree. Dorsey is serving Harris’ favourite dish, the seafood gumbo, which is a soup that […]
Read MoreRoll call: Indian names bloom in White House power circle
By Nikhila NatarajanNew York, Jan 18 (IANS) Kamala Devi Harris, Vivek Murthy, Gautam Raghavan, Mala Adiga, Vinay Reddy, Bharat Ramamurti, Neera Tanden, Celine Gounder, Atul Gawande are some of the Indian names that are blooming more now than at any other time in the innermost circles of the White House and that too within weeks […]
Read MoreBrazil to begin mass Covid-19 vaccination this week
Brasilia, Jan 18 (IANS) Brazil will begin a mass vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus starting from Wednesday onwards, according to Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello. The Brazilian government will begin the distribution of the vaccines throughout the country starting early Monday morning, Xinhua news agency quoted Pazuello as saying at a press conference on Sunday. […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 cases top 95 mn mark: Johns Hopkins
Washington, Jan 18 (IANS) In yet another grim milestone, the total number of global coronavirus cases has topped the 95 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.02 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 […]
Read MoreCalifornia coronavirus cases close to 3mn
San Francisco, Jan 18 (IANS) California counties reported 32,904 new cases of Covid-19 and 418 new deaths for a total of 2,951,682 cases and 33,391 deaths in the state. The total number of cases stood at 334,505 in the Bay Area and 3,342 people have died from the virus, according to a report on Sunday. […]
Read MoreWashington DC mayor concerned about attacks on residential area
Washington, Jan 18 (IANS) Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser on Sunday expressed concern about possible attacks on the city’s residential area as President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration approached. “I’m not only concerned about other state capitols. I’m also concerned about other parts of Washington, DC,” Bowser said during an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press, […]
Read MoreBiden releases plan for first 10 days to ‘unTrump’ US
By Arul LouisNew York, Jan 17 (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden has announced a masterplan for his first 10 days in office to “un-Trump” the country and focus on the battle against Covid-19, the economy and immigration. His Chief of Staff Ron Klain sent a memo to the senior staff giving details of the plan […]
Read MoreIndian-American Democrat running for Cincinnati Mayor
Washington, Jan 16 (IANS) Aftab Pureval, an Indian-American Democrat, has announced his candidature for the Mayor of the US city of Cincinnati in Ohio state. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Pureval said: “It’s been a challenging week after a very difficult year. Our country is at a critical moment, and our city is too. And […]
Read MoreTrump administration slaps fresh sanctions against Iran
Washington, Jan 16 (IANS) The United States designated three Iranian entities over conventional arms proliferation, doubling down its maximum pressure campaign against Tehran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement on Friday announced sanctions against Iran’s Marine Industries Organization (MIO), Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), and the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), Xinhua news agency […]
Read MoreBiden appoints Sameera Fazili to National Economic Council
New York, Jan 16 (IANS) Sameera Fazili, who traces her family’s roots to Kashmir, is among the latest wave of Indian American nominees to be named to US president Joe Biden’s A-team. Fazili has been appointed as Deputy Director, National Economic Council. Days before the new administration takes over, Fazili’s profile made it to the […]
Read MoreDutch gov’t resigns over child benefits scandal
The Hague, Jan 16 (IANS) The Dutch government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte offered its resignation as a result of the so-called child benefits scandal, in which parents were wrongly accused of fraud. The decision was made during Friday’s cabinet meeting. On Thursday evening, all parties in the coalition government — VVD (rightist liberals), CDA […]
Read MoreMan 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 […]
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