US: Khalistan supporters vandalise Mahatma Gandhi’s statue outside Indian embassy in Washington

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (NNN-PTI) — A violent group of Khalistani separatists has desecrated Mahatma Gandhi’s statue outside the Indian embassy here during a demonstration by Sikh-American youths in support of farmers protesting against the recently enacted agriculture laws in India. Hundreds of Sikhs from in and around Greater Washington DC…

Covid-19: Pfizer vaccine reach hospitals across US on Monday

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine reach hospitals and other sites across the United States by Monday morning, a top official said, ready to be injected into the arms of millions of the most vulnerable Americans. The shots left the Pfizer factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Sunday,…

US unrest: Four stabbed and one shot after pro-Trump rallies

WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four people were stabbed and one shot as rallies backing President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud led to clashes in major US cities. Scuffles broke out in many places between rally-goers and counter-protesters who turned up to criticize the president, who lost the…

Covid-19: German authorities agree to declare strict lockdown

BERLIN, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Germany’s federal and regional authorities agreed to announce a major new nationwide lockdown no later than Wednesday following talks involving chiefs of staff of the federal and local governments. According to the Business Insider portal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s administration insists on introducing a new…

Ukraine seeks World Heritage status for Chernobyl zone

CHERNOBYL (Ukraine), Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A soft snow fell as a clutch of visitors equipped with a Geiger counter wandered through the ghostly Ukrainian town of Pripyat, frozen in time since the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986. More than three decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced thousands…

Libya 4WD road warriors on bumpy ride to revive tourism

TRIPOLI, Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A road trip through Libya’s desert would long have sounded like a holiday in hell but, two months into a ceasefire, adventurous travellers are exploring the Sahara by four-wheel drive. Foreigners are still staying clear of the country after a decade of war — but…

DR Congo: Six killed, 24 abducted in militant attack

BENI (DR Congo), Dec 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Six people were killed and 24 others abducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s troubled east, local officials said after an attack blamed on the notorious ADF militia. The violence happened in Beni, North Kivu province, territorial administrator Donat Kibwana said. Twenty four…

Covid-19: WHO warns Christmas celebrations could turn to Covid tears

People shop for a Christmas tree at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox church in Washington, DC, two weeks before Christmas GENEVA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) –: The World Health Organisation warned that Christmas celebrations could turn to tears if people fail to keep up their guard against Covid-19 during the festive season.…

Covid-19: Peru suspends clinical trials of Chinese vaccine

LIMA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Peru has temporarily suspended clinicaltrials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm afterdetecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers. The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided tointerrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their…

Covid-19: Canada, US border to stay closed until Jan 21

OTTAWA, Dec 12 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The longest international border in theworld, between Canada and the United States, will remain closed until Jan21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcedFriday. “Canada and the United States agreed today to keep our shared border closed until Jan 21,” Trudeau told…