UK's Queen Elizabeth II 'to wait in line' for Covid vaccine

London (IANS) The UK's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will not get preferential treatment, but will instead "wait in line" during the first wave of the Covid-19 vaccines reserved for the over-80s and care home residents, a media…

Guterres hails Kuwait's efforts to defuse Gulf crisis

United Nations (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed Kuwait's mediation efforts to defuse tension between Qatar and several other Gulf countries.

"The Secretary-General is encouraged by the statement by the foreign minister…

Afghan national reconciliation council holds 1st meeting

Kabul (IANS) Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Saturday inaugurated the first meeting of the country's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) after its establishment a few months ago.

"We held this historic meeting today…

US Senate passes bill to clear epic Green Card backlog, Indians thrilled

New York (IANS) After more than a year of intense political tangling, the US Senate has passed a bill that lifts the existing per-country cap on the number of employment based permanent-residency permits or 'Green Cards' issued to legal immigrants,…

France inspects dozens of mosques, many could face closure

Paris (IANS) French authorities have started the inspection of mosques believed to be fomenting Islamist fervour and encouraging "separatism" and Islamic extremism.

Announcing the crackdown, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, said some mosques…

Afghan-Taliban negotiators agree on procedural rules for Doha talks

Kabul (IANS) Negotiators from the Afghan government, as well as the Taliban, have agreed on procedural rules to continue the peace talks in the Qatari capital of Doha, it was confirmed by both the sides.

"Today (Wednesday), the plenary meeting…

UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

London (IANS) Britain on Wednesday approved the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on independent advice of its medicines regulator.

The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week.

"The Government has today accepted the…

Biden announces 'crisis tested' economic team, Neera Tanden to head Budget office

New York (IANS) US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced key members of his "crisis tested" economic team including Janet Yellen as Secretary of the Treasury, Neera Tanden as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and Wally Adeyemo…

Guterres looks forward to working with Biden

United Nations (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "looks forward to" working with US President-elect Joe Biden, according to the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Guterres "was pleased to speak (over phone) with President-elect…

UN calls for restraint following Iranian scientist's assassination

United Nations (IANS) A UN spokesman has called for exercising restraint and avoiding escalation in the Middle East region following the assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

"We have noted the reports that an Iranian…