China may have conducted low level nuclear tests: US

Washington (IANS) In a statement that could fuel US-Chinese tensions, the US State Department has said in a report that China may have secretly conducted low-level underground nuclear tests despite claiming to observe an international pact banning…

Trump alleges WHO cover-up with China on COVID-19, stops funding

New York (IANS) Accusing the World Health Organisation (WHO) of causing thousands of deaths by collaborating with China to initially cover up the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, US President Donald Trump has announced that he will stop funding…

New Zealand extends state of national emergency

Wellington (IANS) The state of emergency imposed in New Zealand to support the COVID-19 response will be extended a third time for a further seven days, Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare said on Tuesday.

The initial declaration was made…

US govt body warns Pakistan against religious discrimination

New Delhi (IANS) The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has reprimanded the Imran Khan government for denying food aid to Hindus and Christians in Pakistan amid the coronavirus pandemic and warned that it will trigger an additional…

Brazil's Christ the Redeemer lit up to honour medics

Rio De Janeiro (IANS) The iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil's Rio De Janeiro lit up to honour the healthcare staff working in hospitals across the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With churches closed due to the restrictions…

Japan rushes to house thousands of homeless people

Tokyo (IANS) Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Japanese authorities were rushing to house thousands of homeless people following the closure of internet cafes, a common destination for those without secure housing across the country, a media report said…

Putin's health remains excellent, says spokesman

Moscow (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in "excellent" health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

This can be proven by the President's tight schedule and heavy workload, Xinhua news agency quoted…

UAE has offered to fly stranded Indians: Ambassador

Abu Dhabi (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered to fly stranded Indians who wish to be repatriated if they test negative for COVID-19, the country's Ambassador to India Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Banna said.

Speaking to the Gulf…

UK PM Johnson discharged from hospital

London (IANS) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital after being treated for coronavirus, but he will not immediately return to work, Downing Street said.

Johnson, 55, was taken to St Thomas' hospital, in London,…

US agrees to help Mexico meet required oil production cuts

Mexico City (IANS) Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that the US has agreed to help his country comply with cuts to oil production required by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Mexico has promised…