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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

Khamenei calls for 'punishment' of scientist's murderers

Tehran (IANS) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for the "punishment" of the ones involved in the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the country's top nuclear scientist.

In a statement posted on Khamenei's…

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…

Saudi-led airstrikes hit Houthi camps in Yemen's capital

Sanaa (IANS) Warplanes of the Saudi-led coalition launched multiple airstrikes on Houthi militia-held military camps in Yemen's capital city of Sanaa on Friday.

The Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 14 airstrikes on Sanaa targeting the…

S.Korean troops banned from vacationing, off-base trips

Seoul (IANS) The South Korean military announced on Friday that it has enforced ban on troops from vacationing and taking off-base trips in an effort curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Under the new Level 2.5 social distancing guidance,…