No explosives found aboard Russian airliner in NYC

New York (IANS) No explosives were found onboard a flight of Russia's Aeroflot airline, which arrived from Moscow at the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) here, a media report said on Monday.

"There was a threat of a foreign object…

Nepal to reveal revised height of Mt Everest on Tuesday

Kathmandu (IANS) The Nepal government on Tuesday will reveal the revised height of Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, the media reported on Monday.

The announcement will be made by the Department of Survey on Tuesday afternoon during…

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…