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Showing posts from November, 2020

Monolith appears in Romania after a suspenseful disappearance of the structure from...

The newly discovered monolith in the heritage part of Romania has a mirrored surface and appears to be adorned graffiti as well. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37mNDqy

Rahm Emanuel could be Biden's pick for transportation secretary

President-elect Joe Biden weighs former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as his transportation secretary. Here is everything you need to know about Biden’s possible pick from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Vm1M1A

'America the Beautiful': Melania shares photos of Trumps' last Christmas at White...

“During this special time of the year, I am delighted to share “America the Beautiful” and pay tribute to the majesty of our great Nation. Together, we celebrate this land we are all proud to call home,” Melania posted from her official Twitter handle FLOTUS. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2HZ3Rxs

Mexico in 'bad shape' with Covid-19 pandemic, says WHO chief

Mexican President Andrés López Obrador has been criticized for often not wearing a mask and while not mentioning names or specific cases. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fXkBl5

Canada PM Trudeau expresses concern over farmers' protest in India

Trudeau made the remarks while participating in a Facebook video interaction to mark Gurupurab or the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36qBFwK

Macron's U-turn leaves French police chief to take heat over abuse

The mood on the streets of France has soured since a video was posted on social media last week showing three police officers beating Black music producer Michel Zecler during an arrest. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36qqdkK

Canada plans digital tax in 2022 on global tech giants such as Facebook, Google

The threat of digital services taxes has prompted threats of trade retaliation from outgoing US President Donald Trump’s administration. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37kIKhL

Joe Biden gets access to President's Daily Brief: Report

More than a decade ago, Biden read President George W Bush’s PDB during Biden’s transition into the vice presidency. After that, he read President Barack Obama’s PDB for eight years. Now, after a four-year break, he’s reading President Donald Trump’s PDB. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3qionuj

Indian national gets 20-year jail for running call centers that defrauded US ci...

44-year-old Hitesh Madhu Bhai Patel was sentenced for his role in operating and funding India-based call centers that defrauded American people of millions of dollars between 2013 and 2016. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3moHmRm

Fake news on Covid-19 vaccines a 'second pandemic,' says Red Cross chief

In a virtual briefing to the UN Correspondents Association on Monday, Red Cross president Francesco Rocca urged governments to combat “fake news” about Covid-19 vaccines. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fWatcy

Donald Trump's science adviser Scott Atlas leaving White House job

Dr. Scott Atlas joined the White House this summer, where he clashed with top government scientists, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, as he resisted stronger efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2HVeVf1

'Guru Nanak's message can help us heal': Joe Biden, Kamala Harris extend wishes...

The leaders hailed Sikhs around the world for speaking up for gender and racial equality, religious pluralism and fidelity to truth and justice. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JsTz9g

Engineers combine light and sound to see underwater

Engineers have developed an airborne method for imaging underwater objects by combining light and sound to break through the seemingly impassable barrier at the interface of air and water. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3qiCgs8

California at Covid 'tipping point' as Trump admin hopes for vaccines by Christ...

Governor Gavin Newsom said he may clamp new “stay-at-home” orders on California’s roughly 40 million residents in the face of infections and hospitalizations that are still rising weeks before emergency vaccines are predicted for release. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2VnfNw1

Japan bird flu outbreak spreads to farm in fourth prefecture

Avian influenza was discovered at an poultry farm in Hyuga city in Miyazaki prefecture on Honshu island in southwestern Japan, the ministry said on its website. There is no possibility that humans will contract bird flu from eating poultry or eggs, the ministry said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Jf87cV

Air strike kills Iranian commander at Iraq-Syria border: Officials

Iraqi security and local militia officials could not confirm the identity of the commander, who they said was killed alongside three other men travelling in a vehicle with him. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lpkOP5

Moderna files for US vaccine authorization, will seek EU nod

A shot developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE that was 95% effective in its pivotal trial is set to be reviewed by a panel of outside experts a week earlier. The FDA will decide on the emergency use authorizations (EUA)after the advisers make their recommendations. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33wGoLx

Taliban-Afghan government agreement marred by document's wording

Teams representing the Taliban and the Afghan government have been negotiating in the Qatari capital since September to reach a consensus on the modalities of peace talks, moving forward to help end decades of war in Afghanistan. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fSqj7L

Microfluidic system with cell-separating powers may unravel how novel pathogens attack

To develop effective therapeutics against pathogens, scientists need to first uncover how they attack host cells. An efficient way to conduct these investigations on an extensive scale is through high-speed screening tests called assays. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37mae6C

Researchers explore population size, density in rise of centralized power in antiquity

A group of researchers developed Power Theory, a model emphasizing the role of demography in political centralization, and applied it to the shift in power dynamics in prehistoric northern coastal societies in Peru. To test the theory, the team created a summed probability distribution (SPD) from 755 radiocarbon dates from 10,000-1,000 B.P. Researchers found a correlation between the tenets of Power Theory and power structure changes in early Peruvian societies. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/33s6sr6

An escape route for seafloor methane

A study has solved the mystery of how and why columns of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, can stream out of solid sea-floor formations known as methane hydrates. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2VhR5wY

The 'smell' of coral as an indicator of reef health

A study conducted in the southern Great Barrier Reef reveals the chemical diversity of emissions from healthy corals. The researchers found that across the reef-building coral species studied on Heron Island, the abundance and chemical diversity of their gas emissions fell significantly during heat stress experiments. With the increasing frequency of heat stress events, understanding coral emissions may prove to be a key reef conservation tool. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3o8S3rM

'Time is running out': UK minister says on Brexit trade deal

“I really do think we are now in to the final week or 10 days, of course if great progress were made this week and you’re nearly there it’s always possible to extend those negotiations,” Environment Secretary George Eustice said . from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2HQHUQZ

Twitter suspends Thai royalist account linked to influence campaign

The pro-monarchy @jitarsa_school account was suspended after Reuters sought comment on Wednesday from Twitter on the recent royalist campaign on the social media platform, where protesters have long had a strong presence. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3okNQl5

Covid-19 crisis widens gap between Russia's richest and poorest regions

The federal authorities are pushing regional governments to borrow more to help pay for rising health care and other social costs during the pandemic. Regions will increase their net borrowing by 400 billion rubles ($5.3 billion) next year, compared with almost zero in 2020, according to estimates from NKR, Russia’s national credit ratings agency. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fMQJrH

QAnon's 'independent and self-sustaining' rise in Japan shows the conspiracy theory's...

Like its US counterpart, Japan’s QAnon community centers on an unsubstantiated belief that Trump is battling to save the world from a cabal of pedophiles, including Democrats and “deep state” agents, and is perhaps most notable for its reverence of Michael Flynn. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3o82XhA

China stirs trouble with plan to hike retirement age from 60

The ruling party alluded to the change earlier this month when it released an outline of its five-year economic plan, which included a recommendation to “implement postponing the retirement age.” Specific measures in the plan are due to be unveiled in March. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2VjiKxr

Joe Biden looks to fill out economic team with diverse picks

Biden, who has placed a premium on diversity in his selection of Cabinet nominees and key advisers, is looking to notch at least a few firsts with his economic team selections. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39uIfUS

South Korea considers more vaccine buys as coronavirus cases surge

South Korea already plans to secure enough doses to vaccinate 30 million people, or about 60% of the population, but Democratic Party lawmakers said they would appropriate funds to buy doses for at least 44 million people. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3g0wJ57

Iran begins funeral for slain military nuclear scientist

State TV broadcast the ceremony showing the casket of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Officials, including Defense Minister Gen Amir Hatami, attended the ceremony. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KH3WGT

Pakistan passes grim milestone of 8,000 Covid-19 deaths

The total number of positive cases in Pakistan has surged to 398,024 and 2,839 persons tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3oajykW

Left bankless by sanctions, Hong Kong leader has 'piles of cash'

US President Donald Trump imposed the sanctions in August on Chinese and Hong Kong officials including Lam; Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China’s State Council; and Chris Tang, commissioner of the city’s police. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33rOOUt

US Congress returns with virus aid, federal funding unresolved

Covid-19 relief, a $1.4 trillion catchall spending package, and defense policy — and a final burst of judicial nominees — dominate a truncated two- or three-week session occurring as the coronavirus pandemic rockets out of control in President Donald Trump’s final weeks in office. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37ng5sn

Pandemic: Merriam-Webster's word of the year not a shocker

Pandemic, with roots in Latin and Greek, is a combination of “pan,” for all, and “demos,” for people or population. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3q8k70p

Brazil's Bolsonaro suffers wave of defeats in mayoral races

Only five mayoral candidates supported by Bolsonaro won their races. The president’s worst rebuff came in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, where Mayor Marcelo Crivella was battered in a runoff election losing to his center-right predecessor, Eduardo Paes, by 64% to 36%. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33KbBev

Volcano in eastern Indonesia erupts, thousands evacuated

Nearly 2,800 people from at least 28 villages were evacuated from the slopes of Mount Ili Lewotolok, which is located on Lembata island of East Nusa Tenggara province, as the volcano began erupting. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3leEvsY

China's factory activity expands at fastest pace in over three years

Upbeat data released on Monday suggests that China is on track to become the first to completely shake off the drag from widespread industry shutdowns, with recent production data showing manufacturing now at pre-pandemic levels. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fO8J4K

Chinese official tweets doctored image of alleged Australian war crime in Afghanistan,...

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian shared the image on his Twitter handle Monday morning in which a special forces soldier is seen slitting the throat of an Afghan child with a knife and its head wrapped in an Australian flag. “Don’t be afraid we are coming to bring you peace,” the image states. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3moVBFR

Biden to name Indian-American Neera Tanden to Cabinet in a historic first for D...

US President-elect Joe Biden is expected to name Neera Tanden director of the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the administration’s budget and federal agencies from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lmSIE2

Who is Neera Tanden? Joe Biden's possible Indian-American pick for budget chief

According to The Wall Street Journal, Tanden’s nomination is a part of Biden’s plan to build a team of liberal and centrist economic advisers to serve alongside planned Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33qstqe

Covid-19 vaccine updates: UK to purchase over 350 mn doses, US likely to see vaccine...

The UK is poised to become the first country to approve the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE. The government had already indicated that it would move fast on any promising vaccine candidate and British doctors have been put on standby for a possible roll out before Christmas from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39q3nLX

Donald Trump says 2020 election was probably least secure ever

Earlier in his first post-election result interview, Trump told Fox News the entire world is watching over what is happening in the US. “I have to start by saying the whole world is watching, and nobody can believe what they’re seeing.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37ef71u

Joe Biden twists ankle while playing with his dog

In order to avoid disrupting regularly scheduled appointments on Monday, arrangements were made for President-elect Biden to receive an x-ray and then an additional CT Sunday afternoon, with the expected delays involved when opening closed offices and giving personnel time to set up, a Biden spokesperson said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3qe094k

New York City to reopen schools, even as Covid spread intensifies

The announcement marks a major policy reversal for the nation’s largest school system, less than two weeks after de Blasio announced that schools were shutting down because of a rising number of Covid-19 cases in the city. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3loVdpn

Joe Biden chooses an all-female senior White House press team

Kate Bedingfield will serve as Biden’s White House communications director. Jen Psaki, a longtime Democratic spokeswoman, will be his press secretary. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JvgL6Q

Sikh politicians, separatists in Canada wade into farmers' protest row

Pro-Khalistan separatist groups in Canada have also joined the chorus of opposition to the farm laws against which the protests are being held. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36mpW2t

Turkey's new virus figures confirm experts' worst fears

In an about-face, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government this week resumed reporting all positive coronavirus tests — not just the number of patients being treated for symptoms — pushing the number of daily cases to above 30,000. With the new data, the country jumped from being one of the least-affected countries in Europe to one of the worst-hit. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39qMpNp

At least 34 killed in separate suicide bombings: Afghan officials

In eastern Ghazni province, officials said 31 soldiers were killed and 24 others wounded when the attacker drove a military humvee full of explosives onto an army commando base before detonating the car bomb. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2VdFeA1

US reports several explosions heard in Eritrea's capital amidst Tigray conflict

The fighting has threatened to destabilise Ethiopia, which has been described as the linchpin of the strategic Horn of Africa, and its neighbours. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36jPiOq

Singaporean gives birth to baby with Covid-19 antibodies: Report

The baby was born this month without Covid-19 but with the virus antibodies, the Straits Times newspaper reported on Sunday, citing the mother. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Vb6EGG

Joe Biden announces 3 more members in Covid-19 task force

According to The Hill, The transition said in a statement that Jane Hopkins, Jill Jim and David Michaels are joining the team, which is co-chaired by David Kessler, former Indian American Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Marcella Nunez-Smith. The task force is charged with helping Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3qa3aCt

Iran's supreme leader vows revenge over slain scientist

After years of being in the shadows, the image of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh suddenly was to be seen everywhere in Iranian media, as his widow spoke on state television and officials publicly demanded revenge on Israel for the scientist’s slaying. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37lQH6p

Worse than Covid? Risks to UK economy as Brexit deadline nears

Gross domestic product will likely be smaller than what it would have been had the UK stayed in the European Union regardless of the outcome. But reaching an accord would help avoid major trade disruptions come Jan. 1. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3o5nV0l

Car bomb kills at least 26 Afghan security personnel: Officials

The attack occurred in the eastern province of Ghazni, which has seen regular fighting between the Taliban and government forces. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fIr57q

North Korea toughens rules of entry to sea to fight Covid-19

Officials were building firm anti-epidemic measures along border areas to prevent the coronavirus from entering the country, reported Korean Central News Agency. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2VdAr1t

China trade curbs hurt global confidence, says Australia Trade Minister

China has imposed anti-dumping duties of up to 212% on Australian wine, the latest in a raft of measures that have affected imports from coal to copper to barley. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lbTzaM

UK secures 2 million more doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine

Moderna’s experimental vaccine is 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19 based on interim data from a late-stage trial. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36i3ck8

China finds Covid-19 virus on Chilean seafood packaging

China has been vocal about finding traces of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen on packaging and food, raising fears that imported items are linked to recent virus resurgences. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mnyCuQ

Payrolls in US set to tread higher in pandemic slog: Report

Payrolls probably rose by about a half million during the month after a 638,000 gain in October, according to the median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists ahead of government data due on Friday. The jobless rate is seen easing to 6.8% from 6.9%. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39qaCDy

Man killed dad's cat with frying pan on Thanksgiving: Police

The Daily News reports that the man’s father called police in Piscataquis County on Thursday to report that he had found his cat’s body after he let his son stay with him the night before. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36hGyYR

Pennsylvania high court rejects lawsuit challenging election

The state Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, threw out the three-day-old order, saying the underlying lawsuit was filed months after the expiration of a time limit in Pennsylvania’s expansive year-old mail-in voting law allowing for challenges to it. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36f9PUc

How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?

The accord’s restrictions on Iran’s atomic work had one objective: to extend the “breakout time” for Tehran to produce enough fissile material for a bomb, if it decided to make one, to at least a year from about two to three months. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JrdftP

Asteroid, nearly as big as Burj Khalifa, to fly by earth today

Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building with a height of 829.8 metre and asteroid 2000 WO107, which was discovered in 2000, has a diameter is 820 metre. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36lXzS1

Ex-Trump campaign aide sues over Russia probe surveillance

The suit from Carter Page alleges a series of omissions and errors made by FBI and Justice Department officials in applications they submitted in 2016 and 2017 to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to eavesdrop on Page on suspicion that he was an agent of Russia. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Ji7jUr

Donald Trump vows to press on in Wisconsin despite recount setback

“The Wisconsin recount is not about finding mistakes in the count, it is about finding people who have voted illegally, and that case will be brought after the recount is over, on Monday or Tuesday,” tweeted Trump on Saturday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36dCmtg

Thousands in Argentina march against new move to legalize abortion

The largest group congregated in Buenos Aires before the Congress, which is expected in the coming week to begin debating legislation on a matter that has bitterly divided the traditionally Catholic South American nation. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3q7FfUl

Severe fire danger for Australia as temperatures smash records

Sydney CBD surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) on Saturday while swathes of western New South Wales, South Australia and northern Victoria baked through even higher temperatures nearing 45 degrees. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39qfB7o

UK, France agree on new plan to curb illegal migration across English Channel

The agreement also will boost surveillance using “drones, radar equipment, optronic binoculars and fixed cameras,” the U.K. said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36iv1IS

US aircraft carrier deploys to Gulf, Navy says unrelated to 'specific threats'

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the Iranian scientist suspected by the West of masterminding a secret nuclear bomb programme, was killed in an ambush near Tehran on Friday, threatening to provoke a new confrontation between Iran and its foes in the last weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V8DQP4

Iranian scientist killing could trigger serious confrontation with Israel. Here's...

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called for “definitive punishment” of those behind the assassination of the scientist, calling Fakhrizadeh as “the country’s prominent and distinguished nuclear and defensive scientist.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JneytM

Protests to erupt over security law as France reels from police violence

Trade unions are expected to join the demonstrations, with members of the yellow vests -- whose sometimes violent protests in 2018 and 2019 shook the country -- also expected. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39oH1KH

Cosmos Malabaricus: India, Netherlands to release 'treasure trove' of Dutch archival...

The Indian embassy in the Netherlands, in a tweet, said the Cosmos Malabaricus project was a seven-year-old collaboration and initiatives have been taken to discuss the project with various stakeholders. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36fjBWj

UK testing error wrongly tells 1,300 people they have coronavirus

The NHS Test and Trace system has been heavily criticised after a series of high-profile failures since its launch earlier this year, and ministers concede it has not performed as well as they had hoped. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37jU7q0

Former head of US election security calls Trump team fraud allegations 'farcica...

Chris Krebs, the former director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told the CBS 60 Minutes program that allegations of US voting machines being manipulated by foreign countries were baseless. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mtvzl3

Joe Biden's win means some Guantanamo prisoners may be released

Saifullah Paracha, a 73-year-old Pakistani with diabetes and a heart condition, had two things going for him that he didn’t have at previous hearings: a favorable legal development and the election of Joe Biden. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Jhb2S3

England's hospitals could be overwhelmed without new tier lockdown system, says...

More than 20 million people across large swathes of England will be forced to live under the toughest category of Covid-19 restrictions when a national lockdown ends on Dec. 2. Lawmakers are due to vote on the restrictions the day before. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36f3iZH

Japan condemns China's claim of sovereignty over Senkaku islands

Motegi made the comments condemning Wang’s remarks in the Diet in response to ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Hiroshi Yamada, who asked why the minister did not immediately respond to the remarks in the press event. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36d9FfW

Iran's supreme leader vows revenge over slain scientist

Iranian officials have blamed Israel for the killing. Israel, long suspected of killing scientists a decade ago amid tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program, has yet to comment on the killing Friday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mhXEeH

Wisconsin AG calls attempt to overturn election 'undemocratic'

“The people of Wisconsin have been entrusted to select our state’s presidential electors, and they made their decision on November 3, 2020,” Attorney General Joshua Kaul said in court filing Friday. “In a representative democracy like ours, that choice must be respected.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33lcaLd

Justin Trudeau's office mistakenly sends out statement rebuking Oppn leader in a...

The actual account of the conversation was far more amicable, as it read that they “discussed the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as vaccine distribution in Canada” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3ljLOj0

'Joe Biden will be a president who represents the best in us': Kamala Harris

“Know that” Biden “will be a president who represents the best in us. A leader the world will respect and our children can look up to,” Harris said in a tweet. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nVtVsC

US imposes sanctions on Russian, Chinese companies for supporting Iran missile ...

The companies are Chengdu Best New Materials Co Ltd and Zibo Elim Trade Co, Ltd. in China and Nilco Group, which is also known as Nil Fam Khazar Company and Santers Holding and Joint Stock Company Elecon in Russia for transferring sensitive technology and items to Iran’s missile programme. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33pE2hw

Los Angeles virus restrictions to halt nearly all gatherings

The order affecting the United States’ second-largest city will take effect Monday and last at least three weeks, until December 20, the county’s public health department said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lg9xRg

Iran accuses Israel, US in assassination of nuclear scientist

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was the head of research and innovation at Iran’s Ministry of Defense and widely seen as having a major role in the country’s nuclear program. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lfg7Ya

Nepal's PM Oli stuns China, tells envoy Yanqi to steer clear of party politics

HT learns that Oli has told his supporters he is open to a split in the party – an eventuality China has been working to avert. China has been seen as playing the role of a peacemaker in the NCP in the past. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36ca2HA

French president 'very shocked' by alleged police beating of Black music producer:...

French authorities are investigating allegations that the music producer, who has given his identity as Michel, was assaulted and racially abused during a police check after CCTV footage of the incident was released. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JkW25o

'10 Covid-19 vaccines could be available by mid-2021': Global pharma group

Vaccines by Pfizer and BioNtech, as well as Moderna and AstraZeneca have shown promising results in large clinical trials, but there is no question of “cutting corners”, said Thomas Cueni, director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39zDr0L

4 French cops held after black music

Images published by the Loopsider website showed how music producer Michel Zecler was repeatedly beaten by police for several minutes and subjected to racial abuse as he tried to enter his studio on Saturday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mfXYe6

Canada PM Trudeau expects most of Canada to be vaccinated by September

Trudeau said earlier this week Canada will have to wait for a vaccine because the first ones are likely to be given to citizens of the countries they are made in. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2VhkC9T

Court tells Donald Trump: 'Calling vote unfair doesn't make it so'

In a scathing review of the Trump campaign’s arguments that the president was cheated in his November 3 reelection bid, three appeals court judges unanimously said that allegations of unfairness were not supported by evidence. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36e6Jje

UK asks regulator to assess vaccine

The letter asks the MHRA to assess the vaccine for authorisation under Regulation 174 of the Human Medicines Regulations, which enables the temporary supply. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37hACyf

Philippines secures 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine

The supply, to be paid for by the private sector, will inoculate just over 1 million Filipinos as the British drugmaker’s vaccine requires two doses, as per a government business adviser. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V7bwN1

Saudi-led coalition carries out air raids on Houthi barracks in Sanaa area, say...

Cross-border attacks by Houthi forces, who control most of north Yemen, have escalated since late May when a ceasefire arrangement prompted by the coronavirus pandemic expired. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3q7cgA8

Indonesia's new bill seeks to expand central bank mandate, formalise bond purch...

The new bill, drafted by the government and parliament’s financial committee, calls for pursuing sustainable economic growth and employment to be added to Bank Indonesia (BI)’s tasks. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lcNnzk

Surreal Californian oilscape wins climate change photography award

This unreal landscape captures the environmental price of intensive oil exploitation paid by a desert in Kern County, California. The image was taken by David Gardner and won a prize at the 2020 BarTur Photo Award from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/36cWRGC

North Korea executed people, shut Pyongyang to fight Covid: South Korea spy age...

The pandemic forced North Korea to seal its border with China, its biggest trading partner and aid benefactor, in June. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3q7cDKQ

North Korea executed people, shut capital: South Korean agency

North Korea’s government also ordered diplomats overseas to refrain from any acts that could provoke the United States because it is worried about President-elect Joe Biden’s expected new approach toward North Korea, lawmakers told reporters after attending a private briefing by the National Intelligence Service. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33o9cFX

Pakistan Cabinet approves chemical castration of rapists, special courts for rape...

It is up to the court to decide the punishment. The judge may order chemical castration or the punishment under the Pakistan Penal Code. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mbcXWN

Census gives Trump a final Supreme Court showdown on immigration

In an argument set for Monday, the Trump administration will seek the right to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census count used to divvy up congressional seats and federal funds. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3o255Y8

Germany passes 1 million Covid cases since start of pandemic

Germany recorded 21,951 new infections in the 24 hours through Friday morning, taking the total to 1,017,830, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The number of deaths rose by 430, the biggest gain since April 16’s record of 510. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39iOafN

Brazil President Bolsonaro says he will not take Covid-19 vaccine

Brazil has the second highest number of coronavirus deaths in the world, and Bolsonaro has for months played down the seriousness of the pandemic despite being infected with the virus in July. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fDbk1o

Australia's toughest lockdown pays off with no Covid-19 cases for 28 days

Australia will be among a handful of western nations that can look forward to Christmas with limited restrictions on family gatherings and what authorities are calling a Covid-normal summer. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V9FG26

China to impose temporary anti-dumping measures on Australian wine imports

Australia’s trade minister Simon Birmingham said the tariffs were unjustifiable and it was a distressing time for hundreds of wine producers because it “will render unviable for many businesses, their wine trade with China”. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lcjkb0

Trump says will leave White House, but under one condition

“Certainly, I will, and you know that,” Trump said when asked by reporters if he will leave the White House. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V9mkdD

Germany plans nearly 180 billion euros in new debt for 2021

Germany’s parliamentary budget committee of lawmakers agreed after 17 hours of talks, saying it is the second largest amount of net new borrowing in the history of post-war Germany. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3od5CGT

Brazil's Sau Paulo could roll out China's Covid-19 vaccine without approval

Sau Paulo governor Joao Doria in an interview on Thursday said Sinovac could be rolled out without approval from the national health regulator, in comments described by health experts as ‘empty threat.’ from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JeSnpJ

UK asks regulator to assess AZ-Oxford vaccine amid questions

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had asked the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to determine whether the vaccine “meets rigorous safety standards.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36aR4kU

Empty seats, delivered feasts as coronavirus 'changes' Thanksgiving

Americans are marking the Thanksgiving holiday amid an unrelenting pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than a quarter of a million people in the United States. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33haP8k

The dazzling winners of the British Ecological Society’s photo awards

Images of the extraordinary, but endangered, Dalmatian pelican and weaver ants caring for their young are among those awarded in this year's British Ecological Society’s "Capturing Ecology" photography competition from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/3q2bCDP

Angry Donald Trump promises rally in battleground state of Georgia

Donald Trump took questions for the first time since Election Day and angrily denounced officials in Georgia and Pennsylvania.Trump said he would hold a rally with thousands of supporters in Georgia on Saturday to support a pair of Republican candidates from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fEb6qN

Kim Jong Un likely to let his missiles do the talking with Joe Biden

Kim Jong Un is one of the few world leaders who has yet to congratulate -- or even acknowledge -- the president-elect, particularly after Chinese President Xi Jinping did so on Wednesday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/369Zl8w

Amazon will spend $500 million on holiday employee bonuses

The company said on Thursday that it would pay full-time operations workers $300, and part-timers $150, if they are employed by the e-commerce giant for the entire month of December. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33kIpKG

Donald Trump says he will leave office if Joe Biden's victory confirmed

Trump has made an unprecedented attempt to defy the results of the November 3 vote, spreading wild theories about stolen ballots and launching baseless legal challenges that have been thrown out by courts across the country. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/368dx1K

Donald Trump says coronavirus vaccine deliveries to begin next week

Speaking to US troops overseas via video link to mark the Thanksgiving holiday, Trump said the vaccine would initially be send to front-line workers, medical personnel and senior citizens. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37fcI6u

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tests positive for Covid...

“I have tested positive for Covid-19 & am self-isolating with mild symptoms. I’ll continue working from home & will be addressing PPP foundation day via video link. Wear a mask everyone,” Bilawal tweeted on Thursday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nW5yLl

Birds that rapidly moult feathers are more likely to become flightless

When birds moult feathers on both their wings at once, they must find food and avoid being hunted without flying – which could make them prone to becoming flightless from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/377FtSN

America up for cheapest Thanksgiving this year. Know why

Turkey, the gem of the feast, will also be cheaper by seven per cent in comparison to its cost last year with an average cost of $19.39 for a 16-pound Turkey. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V68gl7

US Supreme Court rules against New York Covid-19 restrictions on houses of wors...

The court’s action was a victory for the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Jewish synagogues that had sued to challenge state restrictions announced by Gov Andrew Cuomo on Oct 6. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m9eBbn

Kashmir not on OIC meet agenda, in apparent snub to Pakistan

In August, Pakistan foreign minister Qureshi had asked the OIC to “stop dilly-dallying” on the convening of a meeting of its Council of Foreign Ministers on Kashmir, angering the OIC’s Saudi leadership. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KIX3oH

Disney to lay off about 32,000 workers in first half of 2021

The layoffs will be in the first half of 2021, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pWQ1gd

Fears of booming black market rises amidst Covid-19 vaccine rush in China

The pressure on limited supply will likely be acute in India, that has enormous wealth disparities and the second-worst outbreak globally with more than 9 million infections. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2HDKIkv

Crazy, Not Insane review: Why do people become murderers?

True-crime shows focusing on the act of murder are booming. Alex Gibney's new documentary Crazy, Not Insane instead looks at what might spawn a killer from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/33jN1R9

Despite tensions, China buying computer chips made by Taiwan firms

Chinese importers bought more than one-third of the USD 32.9 billion in Taiwanese exports from the grouping of products that include semiconductors. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3ma5Bm7

Best EU economy in year of Covid was bloc's worst-hit after 2008

Lithuania was lightening quick to respond to the virus’s first wave, imposing a lockdown with only seven confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country to make it one Europe’s least-affected. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3mlAHYp

Violent protests continue in Gilgit Baltistan against 'rigged' elections by Imran...

The protesters burnt tyres and blocked the roads to show their anger and frustration. Pakistan PM Khan’s PTI has won a majority of the 23 assembly seats and is poised to form the government. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/366OJas

Sudan's former PM Sadiq al-Mahdi dies from Covid-19 in UAE

84-year-old Mahdi passed away three weeks after being hospitalised in the United Arab Emirates. He was Sudan’s last democratically elected prime minister and was overthrown in 1989 in the military coup. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JeZJtc

Xi Jinping seeks to 'manage differences' as he congratulates Joe Biden

Biden appreciates the congratulations he’s receiving from world leaders, including Xi, a spokesman for the president-elect’s transition office said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3o3EOZz

US makes last-ditch bid to derail Donald Trump rape accuser case

It’s unclear what President-elect Joe Biden’s Justice Department and a presumably very different attorney general will do with the legal action when his new administration gets underway in January. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/366GsDq

Democracy was tested this year, people up to the task: Joe Biden

Observing that the country faces a long, hard winter, Joe Biden said Americans have fought a nearly year-long battle with a virus in this nation. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39hUHHG

Amazon's cloud service sees widespread outage

Amazon’s cloud service business is thriving on higher demand from companies switching to virtual offices due to the Covid-19 pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fAOhUV

Rising US weekly jobless claims, Covid-19 cases point to slowing economic recov...

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 30,000 to a seasonally adjusted 778,000 for the week ended Nov. 21, the Labor Department said. That was the second straight weekly increase in claims and exceeded economists’ expectations for 730,000 applications in a Reuters poll. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JeiMEh

Australia seeks to break China coal stalemate as tensions rise

Beijing has placed crippling tariffs on Australia’s barley exports, halted beef imports from several large meat plants, warned its citizens against holidaying or studying in Australia. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nUVvWU

Germany extends partial shutdown to curb virus spread

Germany embarked on a so-called “wave-breaker” shutdown on Nov. 2, closing restaurants, bars, sports and leisure facilities but leaving schools, shops and hair salons open. It was initially slated to last four weeks. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33hUDUd

Trump administration denies nod for planned mine near Alaska fishery

The Army Corps of Engineers denied a permit to build the Pebble Mine after concluding that the “proposed project is contrary to the public interest.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3l9ogNL

AstraZeneca manufacturing error clouds vaccine study results

In a surprise, the group of volunteers that got a lower dose seemed to be much better protected than the volunteers who got two full doses. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37a13WB

White House considers lifting entry restrictions on Europeans

The organizations, which participate in the White House Coronavirus Task Force, have signed off on lifting the restrictions, said two people who were briefed on the discussions. The limits have helped lead to a more than 90% reduction in the lucrative trans-Atlantic flight market. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JexESQ

Donald Trump calls into Pennsylvania event, urges overturning election

Trump had planned to travel to the hearing in Gettysburg on Wednesday, people familiar with the matter said, but scrapped the trip earlier in the day. The hearing included a series of witnesses raising suspicions or allegations or wrongdoing, with few specifics. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/374qd9c

Jaishankar hails contributions of Indian diaspora in Bahrain for strengthening bilateral...

According to the website of the Indian Embassy in Bahrain, the country has around 350,000 Indian nationals, which comprise a third of Bahrain’s total population of 1.4 million. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3l1VFK3

First EU citizens may be vaccinated against Covid-19 by December end

“There is finally light at the end of the tunnel ... Vaccines are important, but what counts is vaccination,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told the European parliament. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39cvf66

Car seen crashing into gate of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office

A car was seen crashing into the gate of the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, a Reuters witness said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33g64Mt

British royal Meghan Markle speaks about miscarriage in New York Times article

Meghan, Britain’s Duchess of Sussex, has revealed in an opinion article published in the New York Times on Wednesday that she had a miscarriage, an extraordinarily personal disclosure coming from a high-profile British royal. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V01GfU

Michael Flynn could be pardoned. Here's the politics behind it

Here’s everything you need to know about Michael Flynn and the politics of his pardon from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35ZPCSa

Angela Merkel set to extend Germany's partial shutdown well into December

Germany began on November 2 a ‘wave-breaker’ shutdown, shutting restaurants, bars, sports and leisure facilities but leaving schools, shops and hair salons open. It was initially slated to last four weeks. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2JaAA36

Sri Lanka digs moat around Ampara landfill to keep out hungry elephants

Dozens of elephants lumber out of the forest daily into a garbage dump near the eastern town of Ampara, rummaging through mounds of rubbish for wilted vegetable scraps. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33hn0lv

Covid-19 pandemic could be stopped if at least 70% public wore face masks consistently:...

The research was conducted by scientists from the National University of Singapore and was published in the journal Physics of Fluids. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/379SpHR

Storms trigger tornado warning in north Texas, reports of buildings collapsing in...

The Arlington Fire Department and police said they were assisting each other in relief work. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V38ycc

America is ready to lead, says Biden as he unveils his foreign policy team

Biden’s nominee for ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, an African American diplomat with 35 years in the foreign service, summed up the new team’s ethos and purpose with a similar sentiment: “America is back. Multilateralism is back. Diplomacy is back.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33dccVq

China weighs legal steps against 'diehard' supporters of Taiwan independence

Chinese media have said the 2005 Anti-Secession Law, which mandates the use of force if China judges Taiwan to have declared independence, as well as national security legislation, could be used to charge the supporters. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m5ETem

President-elect Joe Biden presents security and foreign policy team

Biden, 78, presented his picks for secretary of state, national security advisor, homeland security secretary, intelligence chief, UN ambassador and climate change envoy. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fDxC39

Chinese vaccine maker seeks approval for public use of Covid-19 shot

With the application, CNBG will likely become the first developer outside of Russia to see its shots made available for general public use, underscoring China’s determination to be a major player in supplying inoculations to countries around the world. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/362HFvu

'Remember Abbottabad': India slams Pak for presenting 'dossier of lies' at UN

Pakistan has given to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres a dossier accusing India of ‘stoking’ terrorism in Pakistan. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39bUFAO

Russia says vaccine 95% effective, roll-out in Jan

Countries are hoping to begin inoculating their populations by year’s end or in early 2021 to stop a pandemic that has claimed the lives of nearly 1.4 million people. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fxCRBm

Donald Trump puts out 'poll results', says nearly 99% not in favour of conceding...

According to the results of the ‘poll’ in which Trump claimed 192,774 people voted, 98.9% or 190,593 were not in favour of conceding to Biden while 1.1% or 2,181 voted in favour. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2V1uwwi

Canadians won't be among the first to get vaccine: PM Justin Trudeau

The issue was discussed at the G-20 this past weekend and Trudeau said he’s working with allies to make sure there is a free flow of contracts. He said countries recognize that “no one place gets through Covid-19 until all places are through Covid-19” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KHxZ1r

Rishi Sunak to pledge $5.7 billion to help UK unemployed find work

The Chancellor of the Exchequer will lay out the plan in his spending review on Wednesday, the Treasury said. It includes a 2.9 billion-pound, three-year program to help one million unemployed people find new roles, and 1.4 billion pounds to increase the capacity of job centers from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/362Jj01

Early mutation made Covid-19 harder to stop: Report

Citing new studies, the report says that the virus has been picking up “random alterations to its genetic sequence” during the early days of the outbreak. While most of the mutations didn’t make much of a difference, one of them, however, turned out to be crucial, helping Covid-19 spread faster. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nXdADw

Biden welcomes national security team, says 'America is back'

The appointees, all experienced in their fields, will work with Biden on his goal of restoring US relations with international organizations that Trump spurned in his “America First” approach to foreign policy. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UXtkdB

Man pleads guilty in plot to attack White House, Trump Tower

Matthews acknowledged that since May 2019, he had conspired with 22-year-old Jaylyn Christopher Molina of Cost, Texas, to share bomb-making information for the purposes of domestic and foreign attacks on behalf of IS, and to radicalize and recruit other individuals to support the Islamic militant organization. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39jpzYl

Mosquitoes carry more malaria parasites depending on when they bite

When a malaria-infected bird is bitten by mosquitoes over the course of 3 hours, the first insects to feed end up carrying fewer malaria parasites than those that bite later from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/2UY1MEH

Climate change has revealed a huge haul of ancient arrows in Norway

An extraordinary number of arrows dating from the Stone Age to the medieval period have melted out of a single ice patch on a Norwegian mountainside in recent years because of climate change from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/33fLQSL

What is GSA and its role in the US presidential transition process

Here’s everything you need to know about the GSA and its role in the US presidential transition process from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/398QENx

US charities raise millions in wake of Beirut port blast

Santa Barbara, California-based humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief has sent more than $20 million in medicine, personal protective equipment and supplies to Beirut. More than half of that amount was delivered via a FedEx-donated airlift that also included relief supplies from the American Task Force on Lebanon and the Lebanon Relief Project. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3frnFpv

Japan to express concern over China maritime activities, Hong Kong during Chinese...

Japan also wants to reaffirm with China the importance of high-level communication between the countries in order to build stable bilateral ties. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3ftZKpx

Janet Yellen as treasury secretary sets up Biden to go big on stimulus

US President-elect Joe Biden has selected Yellen, a former Federal Reserve chair, as the next treasury secretary. Her selection, experts say, signals that Biden plans to act aggressively to revive the world’s biggest economy from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IUhQVP

Hundreds of flights cancelled as Shanghai tackles Covid-19

China -- where the virus first emerged late last year -- has largely brought the pandemic under control through travel restrictions and lockdowns, but it is now battling a number of domestic outbreaks in different cities. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m3Mg64

The meat of protected African animals is being sold in Belgium

The meat of several protected species, including the red-tailed and De Brazza’s monkeys, is being illegally sold in Belgium from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/3pQjdp7

NYC's first African-American mayor, David Dinkins, has died

Dinkins died Monday, the New York City Police Department confirmed. The department said officers were called to the former mayor’s home in the evening. Initial indications were that he died of natural causes. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3ftNKEv

Bottlenose dolphins may control their heart rates to avoid the bends

Bottlenose dolphins may consciously vary their heart rates depending on how far they want to dive, in an effort to avoid decompression sickness from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/2UV09HZ

Australia opens up more borders in domestic travel boost, eyes vaccine

Queensland state, a popular holiday destination, will allow visitors next week from the country’s two most populous states, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, after closing its borders in August. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m19HNp

Elon Musk overtakes Bill Gates to grab world's second-richest ranking

Musk’s milestone marks only the second time in the index’s eight-year history that Microsoft Corp. co-founder Gates has ranked lower than number two. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UVOdG4

Trump relents finally, tells officials to cooperate with Biden transition team

The president insisted he was not giving up. “Our case STRONGLY continues, we will keep up the good fight, and I believe we will prevail!” he wrote in a tweet. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UUSB87

Carl Bernstein says 21 GOP senators contemptuous of Donald Trump

Bernstein’s post was condemned Monday by some of those involved. It was an eyebrow-raising modern twist on journalism from the former Washington Post reporter who, with partner Bob Woodward in the 1970s, penned scoops that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2USHAUD

Joe Biden adds Barack Obama administration veterans to top staff

Cathy Russell, who was Jill Biden’s chief of staff during the Obama administration, will serve as director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, evaluating applicants for administration roles. Louisa Terrell, who served as a legislative adviser to the president in the Obama administration and worked as deputy chief of staff for Biden in the Senate, will be director of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35YMZAb

Covid-19 vaccine updates: UK begins assessing Pfizer's data, SII hopes for early...

Governments across the globe apart from testing their citizens for Covid-19 are also racing against time to find a vaccine, which perhaps is the most effective way to fight the disease. Vaccine manufacturers, both at the government and private level, have seen effective results from their human clinical trials and await a license for emergency use so that their doses can be provided to those most in need of it. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39avnTN

EU and Canada along with 11 other nations push trade plan to help in Covid-19 b...

The group, which does not include the United States or China, wants WTO members to commit to removing export restrictions on medical supplies - some 70 still have them in place, according to EU officials from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kX0WTq

Trump relents after steady drumbeat of Republicans urge start of Biden transiti...

Twenty days after Election Day, most members of Trump’s party still refused on Monday to refer to Biden as president-elect, or question Trump’s insistence - without evidence - that he only lost on Nov. 3 because of fraud. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lUHyaO

The woman behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Professor Sarah Gilbert was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire in April 1962, both her parents were not in STEM fields. She started working on vaccine research in 1994 with Adrian Hill, who is now the director of the Jenner Institute from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3l0rX8v

Joe Biden to get his delayed presidential transition aid: Donald Trump

Trump’s tweet that the General Services Administration should “do what needs to be done” came after the agency’s head, Emily Murphy, said she was releasing the long-delayed assistance. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lYiTlG

French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy's trial for corruption suspended

Sarkozy is accused of having tried to illegally obtain information from a magistrate about an investigation involving him in 2014. This is the first trial for the 65-year-old politician, who has faced several other judicial investigations since leaving office in 2012. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pVw8pF

US agency ascertains Joe Biden as winner, lets transition begin

Donald Trump, who had refused to concede the election, said in a tweet that he is directing his team to cooperate on the transition but is vowing to keep up the fight. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m1E5at

Covid-19 on rampage, east to west

As temperatures drop, large-scale measures are being enacted in the cities of Tianjin, Shanghai, and Manzhouli, despite the low number of new cases compared to the United States and other countries that are seeing new waves of infections from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m0RY8O

White House planning holiday parties despite warnings against gatherings during...

The decision to move forward with indoor gatherings and project a sense of normalcy comes as the CDC, top White House advisers, and public health professionals continue advising Americans not to travel or spend the holiday with people from outside of their households from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/39aTRwk

Hong Kong campus rocked by protest becomes 'prison' a year later

On a recent weekday, uniformed security guards stood at entrances blocked by gates. To enter, students, faculty and staff must tap their university ID cards, while visitors are not allowed unless they receive permission in advance. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nO1AV2

Vaccine results show we can end the pandemic, but hurdles lie ahead

Promising early results from vaccine trials offer hope of defeating covid-19, but vaccines may be less effective in the real world and people's safety concerns could hamper take-up from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/3nOgpXM

Coronavirus restrictions drag French economy back into a slump

IHS Markit’s monthly index of private-sector activity dropped to 39.9 in November from 47.5 in October, a third straight month below the key 50 level. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pVPydU

Amid rising coronavirus cases, states in US impose new pandemic restrictions

With more than 12 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, governors of various states in the country are issuing area-specific restrictions to control the pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pVyXab

70% efficacy: Astrazeneca to seek emergency use listing from WHO, focus on low-income...

The vaccine can be stored, transported and handled at normal refrigerated conditions for at least six months and administered within existing healthcare settings, the company said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nO5pcH

Astra-Oxford vaccine prevents average of 70% of Covid-19 cases

The findings were reviewed after 131 trial participants contracted Covid-19, and are based on two different dosing regimes. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lXuIIP

Anthony Blinken, likely secretary of state, is positive on US-India ties

Blinken, who served as deputy secretary of state in the Obama-Biden administration, had been a frontrunner for the position of Biden’s top diplomat. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lZOJhS

China in final preparations for latest lunar mission

China’s space program has progressed cautiously, with relatively few setbacks in recent years. The Long March-5 rocket, nicknamed “Fat 5” because of its bulky shape, failed on a previous launch attempt, but has since performed without a glitch, including launching Chang’e 4. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/395Hu4m

2 dead in stabbing at church in California's San Jose

“Our hearts go out to the families of the two community members who have succumbed to stabbing wounds in the attack at Grace Baptist Church downtown,” San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said in a tweet late Sunday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kWuaS4

'Certainly a weak president': Chinese government advisor thinks Biden could start...

Zheng said Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fpW5ZD

Hong Kong's pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to plead guilty to protest charg...

Those found guilty of taking part in an unlawful assembly could face as long as five years in prison depending on the severity of the offense. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pS15v0

Joe Biden to name longtime aide Antony Blinken as secretary of state

Biden’s incoming White House chief of staff Ron Klain said Sunday the president-elect would be making his initial cabinet announcements on Tuesday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IRe9jK

In latest China jab, US drafts list of 89 firms with military ties

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his actions in recent months against China. Ten days ago, he unveiled an executive order prohibiting US investments in Chinese companies that Washington says are owned or controlled by the Chinese military. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kWwQPU

In latest China jab, US drafts list of 89 firms with military ties

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his actions in recent months against China. Ten days ago, he unveiled an executive order prohibiting US investments in Chinese companies that Washington says are owned or controlled by the Chinese military. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kWwQPU

Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson dies of Covid-19

Dhupelia’s sister Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie confirmed that her brother had died of Covid-19 related complications after he contracted the disease in hospital where he had been under treatment for a month due to pneumonia. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3345tgH

Covid-19: UK to unveil a 'tougher' 3-tiered system after lockdown

While more areas are expected to be placed into higher tiers to keep the virus under control and tiers are to be strengthened to safeguard lockdown progress, the 10pm closing time for pubs and restaurants is going to be relaxed, according to a BBC report. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/33aVPc3

US hopes to start virus vaccines in December as pandemic surges

The beginning of vaccinations could be a crucial shift in the battle against a virus that has claimed more than 1.4 million lives worldwide, including 255,000 just in the US, since emerging from China late last year. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/373ITGh

Meat-free diets linked with greater risk of breaking bones

Vegetarians, vegans and pescetarians are more likely to break their hips than those who eat meat, possibly due to lack of calcium and protein in their diet from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/2IYMvku

Joe Biden to unveil first Cabinet picks on Tuesday, envisions scaled-down inaug...

Biden received 6 million more votes nationwide than Trump and prevailed 306-232 in the state-by-state Electoral College system that determines the election’s victor. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fAkewV

At least 13 die in two massacres in Colombia: Officials

The killings took place in Antioquia department in the northwest and Cauca in the southwest, areas hit hard by violence this year. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2J2QagU

Earth had a minimoon for nearly three years before it drifted away

Astronomers spotted a minimoon orbiting Earth in February and have confirmed it was there for nearly three years before drifting away. We should be able to find many more like it in the future from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/35UCvBR

UNICEF says to ship 2 billion Covid vaccines to poor nations in 2021

UNICEF said it was working with over 350 airlines and freight companies to deliver vaccines and 1 billion syringes to poor countries such as Burundi, Afghanistan and Yemen as part of COVAX, a global Covid-19 vaccine allocation plan with the World Health Organization (WHO). from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35RG3Vl

Germany may start Covid-19 vaccine programme in December: Health minister

Germany has secured more than 300 million vaccine doses via the European Commission, bilateral contracts and options, Spahn said, adding that this was more than enough and even left room to share with other countries. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nMBMsj

Biggest Australian states reopen borders as coronavirus cases ease

New South Wales and Victoria closed their borders in early July, the first time in more than a century, to contain a Covid-19 outbreak in Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city. The borders were last shut in 1919 during the Spanish flu pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35RWO2K

Sputnik V priced lower than Pfizer and Moderna vaccines

On November 11, Russia had said that its vaccine Sputnik V is 92 per cent effective at protecting people from Covid-19 according to the first interim analysis. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35Tiw6j

G20 to back 'equitable' access to coronavirus vaccine: Report

The leaders also struck a unified tone on supporting “multilateral” trade as well as the global fight against climate change, but the closing document lacks firm details on many of the issues dominating the virtual summit hosted by Riyadh. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2HmSJtM

Jill Biden s policy director Mala Adiga has roots in Karnataka's Udupi

Mala Adiga belongs to the family of K Suryanarayana Adiga, founder of the erstwhile undivided Dakshina Kannada districts private sector Karnataka Bank Limited, and Aravind Adiga, who won theMan Booker prize in 2008. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nMMGhW

Frequent, rapid testing can curb Covid-19 transmission within weeks: Study

According to the scientists, including those from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the US, the sensitivity levels of the different types of Covid-19 tests currently used across the world vary widely. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fnFUfn

Boris Johnson to end England's coronavirus lockdown on December 2

Boris Johnson’s office also confirmed plans to begin a nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program next month, assuming regulators approve a vaccine against the virus. The government also will increase mass testing in an effort to suppress the virus until vaccines can be rolled out. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nIsk9t

Indian-origin homeless man arrested for pushing woman onto subway tracks in front...

The incident led the president of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to draw attention to the mental health problems in the city that carry over to subway platforms. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lYCjHa

Opposition Pakistan Democratic Movement calls Imran Khan's PTI govt 'illegitimate',...

The PDM on Friday had vowed to defy the government ban on its public gathering in Peshawar on Sunday and warned the district administration that the use of force to stop the protesting citizens could spark street battles. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fmA0Lr

Violence erupts in Brazil after Black man beaten to death at Carrefour store

The killing, which has sparked protests across Brazil, occurred late on Thursday when a store employee called security after the man threatened to attack her, cable news channel GloboNews said, citing the Rio Grande do Sul state military police. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kR5fPR

WHO Covid envoy fears third wave, calls Europe response 'incomplete'

Europe briefly enjoyed sinking infection rates that are now surging again: Germany and France on Saturday saw cases rise by 33,000 combined, Switzerland and Austria have thousands of cases daily, while Turkey reported a record 5,532 new infections. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lOQNt4

Trump skips G20 session on Covid-19 to play golf

Trump delivered his main speech virtually at around 8 am local time, according to the daily guidance issued by the White House of his schedule. Shortly after, he was tweeting about the election, and around 10 am, his motorcade was rolling for the Trump National Golf Club. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nGJjc0

Pompeo meets Taliban, Afghan negotiators in Doha

This was the first meeting of the top American diplomat with the Taliban and the Afghans representatives after the US’ recent announcement that it will reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq to 2,500 each by January 15 next year. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/394mNpz

Trump wants courts to step in, maintain US 'integrity' as Biden set to form cab...

Trump on Sunday said that his investigators had found ‘hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes’ which would be enough to “flip” at least four States and added that he hopes the courts would maintain the integrity of elections by doing ‘what has to be done’. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/335tWlL

Donald Trump skips G20 session on Covid-19 pandemic to visit golf club

It was unclear all week whether Trump would even be present for the year’s G20, which is being mostly virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IZwSt2

Regeneron gets emergency US clearance for Covid-19 therapy

The treatment, administered to President Donald Trump after he contracted the coronavirus in October, consists of two monoclonal antibodies that target the spike protein used by the virus to enter cells. Trump was treated with the drug based on a compassionate-use request by his doctors. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/37cS5rZ

9 Iraqi security personnel, civilians dead in IS ambush: Police

A police source said a roadside bomb hit a car and that jihadists opened fire on a rescue team of policemen and state-aligned paramilitary forces when they arrived at the scene, about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from the capital. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KvgBwF

Explorers livestream footage from Earth's deepest underwater valley

The “Fendouzhe”, or “Striver”, descended more than 10,000 metres (about 33,000 feet) into the submarine trench in the western Pacific Ocean with three researchers on board, state broadcaster CCTV said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lS4oju

UK's Prince Harry welcomes Princess Diana interview inquiry

A former Supreme Court justice is leading a new inquiry into how the broadcaster obtained the interview and whether executives covered up any wrongdoing after accusations that the late princess was tricked into taking part. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pQniJN

Covid-19 cases in California climb to a record as state curfew begins

The cases topped Friday’s record of 13,005 infections, bringing the total to almost 1.1 million. The number of deaths increased by 86 to 18,643, state data showed. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IOUbGk

Judge throws out Trump bid to stop Pennsylvania vote certification

US Middle District Judge Matthew Brann in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, turned down the request for an injunction by President Donald Trump’s campaign, spoiling the incumbent’s hopes of somehow overturning the results of the presidential contest. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/336FfKB

Moderna to charge $25-$37 for Covid-19 vaccine, CEO tells paper

On Monday, an EU official involved in the talks said the European Commission wanted to reach a deal with Moderna for the supply of millions of doses of its vaccine candidate for a price below $25 per dose. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36Vb3TH

Rocket attack in Kabul by Islamic State kills 8

In a statement on its Telegram channels, IS said 28 Katyusha rockets fired by “soldiers of the caliphate” hit Kabul’s heavily fortified Green Zone that houses “the presidential palace, embassies of Crusader states, and the headquarters of Afghan forces”. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kTN1xo

Joe Biden poised to name cabinet

Biden has already decided on who will lead the treasury department. That pick, along with his nominee for secretary of state, may be announced before Thanksgiving, which falls on November 26. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lUq2U3

Covid-19: Donald Trump's eldest son tests positive; Europe at risk of third wave

The US reached new record for daily cases with more than 195,000 infections from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35RzbHk

Tibetan political leader visits White House for first time in 6 decades

Lobsan Sangay, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, was invited to the White House to meet the newly appointed US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Robert Destro, on Friday, the CTA said in a press release from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36Tzvol

Normal Christmas out of question, says Trudeau as Toronto set to enter lockdown

Latest modelling figures from health authorities projected that Canada could see 60,000 cases per day if the current level of contact between people increased, and around 20,000 if they were maintained. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pMX6je

Away review: An exquisite animated film created entirely by one person

Feature-length animation Away was created solely by film-maker Gints Zilbalodis. The writing, animation and soundtrack are all uncomplicated, and the storytelling is all the better for it, says Simon Ings from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/35OV7CV

Recent breakthroughs on Covid-19 vaccines offer ray of hope: UN chief Guterres

This week, global drugmakers Pfizer and BioNTech said their Covid-19 vaccine candidate is 95 per cent effective, including in adults over 65 years of age. “The recent breakthroughs on Covid-19 vaccines offer a ray of hope. But that ray of hope needs to reach everyone,” Guterres said at a news conference on Friday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nJvYjd

Indian-American uses Bollywood music to spread message of Biden and Harris during...

Earlier this year, entrepreneur Ajay Jain Bhutoria voluntarily designed an innovative multi-lingual campaign based on some popular Bollywood numbers with the idea that Indian-Americans will feel more connected with Biden when campaign volunteers reach out to them in their language. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kRaxLx

Taiwan 'confident' over trade deal with new US government under President-elect...

Last month, Frank Jannuzi, a key Biden aide when the President-elect was in Congress, wrote that Washington should prioritise free trade negotiations with Taiwan and encourage others, including Britain, the European Union and Japan, to follow suit. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kOyZNy

Multiple blasts rock Kabul, casualties feared: Report

Alarms could be heard blaring at embassies and businesses in and around the Green Zone, a massive, heavily fortified quarter that houses dozens of international companies and their workers. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35POdxq

Twitter to hand @POTUS account to Joe Biden on inauguration day

Donald Trump’s frequent habit of abruptly announcing new policies on the platform has led to long-standing complaints of governing by tweet. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nJm0P4

Fed governor Lael Brainard, frontrunner for new US Treasury secretary, falls behind...

According to people familiar with the matter, Brainard has had little contact with President-elect Joe Biden’s transition officials. Biden is yet to announce a nominee for the post. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IYhP2w

As some countries rush to buy Covid-19 vaccine in advance, will others be left ...

Many have pinned their hopes on vaccines as reports of two of them, including the candidates of Pfizer and BioNTech and Moderna, being highly effective and others clearing advanced stages of trials come in. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kOSBkv

As Hong Kong witnesses 'fourth stage' of Covid-19, concerns rise over air travel...

Hong Kong has announced several measures to control the latest surge in its Covid-19 cases. The travel bubble with Singapore, meanwhile, is scheduled to commence from Sunday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lSyP90

Indian-American doctor identifies possible Covid-19 treatment

The phrase cytokine storm has been used to describe the dramatically elevated cytokine levels in the blood and other immune changes that have also been observed in Covid-19, sepsis and inflammatory disorders such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), St Jude’s said in a statement. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UJ6giq

Google, Facebook and Twitter threaten to leave Pakistan over new rules

The coalition said it was “alarmed by the scope of Pakistan’s new law targeting internet companies, as well as the government’s opaque process by which these rules were developed.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nJyRRf

Donald Trump to participate in virtual G20 summit amid Covid-19 surge

The G20 summit is held at a time when coronavirus cases are raging around the globe, with more than 57 million cases reported worldwide and nearly 1.37 million deaths. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/394eaLx

Indian-American Mala Adiga appointed as Jill Biden's policy director

Mala Adiga has served as a senior advisor to Jill and a senior policy advisor on the Biden-Kamala Harris campaign. Previously, Adiga was director for Higher Education and Military Families at the Biden Foundation. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/393FBoM

Douglas Stuart's Shuggie Bain wins Booker for fiction

Stuart dedicated his book, which was turned down by 32 publishers before being picked up, to his mother, who died when he was 16. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3m4gUMZ

Singapore man faces action for holding up smiley outside police station

Police said on Thursday that Jolovan Wham, 40 - who has had several run-ins with authorities in the city-state that tightly controls public assembly - would be formally charged in court on Monday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lRQe1M

Mike Pompeo visits Israel museum honoring Christian Zionists

The museum visit came a day after Pompeo became the first secretary of state to visit an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UN7w4c

Europe still epicentre of Covid-19 crisis

With 264,100 new daily cases, Europe is still the most-affected region - far ahead of the US and Canada where new cases averaged 172,200 per day. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36TYZ53

After Georgia recount, Joe Biden tightens grip on presidency

Biden and his team have maintained a public posture of confidence in the outcome. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2J0SmG0

Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $120 million damages in New York baby powder c...

Justice Gerald Lebovits of the state supreme court in Manhattan reduced the payout from the $325 million a jury awarded Donna Olson, 67, and Robert Olson, 65, in May 2019 following a 14-week trial. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fhQ9Sk

Donald Trump's son tests positive for coronavirus

Trump Jr’s positive test follows infections for a list of others connected to the White House, including his father, the president’s wife Melania and Trump’s youngest son Barron. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pOdaRS

8 injured in US mall shooting: Police

Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride said in an afternoon statement that a suspect remained at large after the shooting at Mayfair Mall, where witnesses told WISN-TV that they had heard what they believed to be eight to 12 gunshots. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fmVTdQ

China's carbon neutrality pledge hurt by new coal power plans, says climate rep...

The Chinese government’s plans to build more coal-fired power plants “contradicts” its carbon neutral targets, Draworld Environment Research Centre of Beijing and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in Finland said in the report from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IVL4DF

New effective and safe antifungal isolated from sea squirt microbiome

By combing the ocean for antimicrobials, scientists have discovered a new antifungal compound that efficiently targets multi-drug-resistant strains of deadly fungi without toxic side effects in mice. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pM8Fr2

Researchers recommend more transparency for gene-edited crops

To gain trust, researchers recommend a wide-ranging coalition that would provide more transparency on the presence and use of gene editing in food supplies. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fejFbR

Can animals use iridescent colours to communicate?

A new paper sheds light on the colorful world of animal communication, highlighting the challenges of studying accurately how iridescent colors work in nature. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/36PqL2A

Georgia affirms Joe Biden's victory as Trump attempts to undermine election

The result of the six-day hand recount of the state’s 5 million ballots had been widely expected, despite baseless allegations from Trump and his allies that Georgia’s vote tallies were suspect because of widespread fraud. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UICDhb

Letters contaminated with Covid-19 likely to be sent to political leaders, says...

Interpol has said that instances of individuals spitting and coughing in the faces of law enforcement officers, health practitioners and essential worker to intimidate them have been reported from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fjQUdU

Pfizer and BioNTech to seek emergency Covid-19 vaccine approval in US Friday

The scientific head of the US operation to develop a vaccine, Moncef Slaoui said Monday that the green light would probably come in December -- a timeframe echoed by Sahin. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38ZwSUQ

US House passes bipartisan resolution on 'autonomous Tibet'

The resolution also noted that there is overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support for the Tibetan people’s aspirations for internationally recognised human rights and freedoms and the protection of their distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nDLBZA

Giant aquatic bacterium is a master of adaptation

The largest freshwater bacterium, Achromatium oxaliferum, is highly flexible in its requirements, as researchers have now discovered: It lives in places that differ extremely in environmental conditions such as hot springs and ice water. The adaptation is probably achieved by a process which is unique to these bacteria: only relevant genes are enriched in the genomes and transcribed, while others are archived in cell compartments. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pMyvLB

The secret social lives of giant poisonous rats

The African crested rat is the only mammal known to sequester plant toxins for chemical defense. A new study confirmed that the rabbit-sized rodent licks poison from the bark of Acokanthera schimperi, known as the poison arrow tree, into specialized fur. The researchers also discovered an unexpected social life -- the rats appear to be monogamous and may even form small family units with their offspring. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2UW5nmZ

Understanding lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis

For young people with cystic fibrosis, lung infection with Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, is common and is treated with antibiotics in the hope that this will prevent a decline in lung function. However there has recently been debate over the role S. aureus plays in CF lung disease. Researchers have used a new model of CF lungs which could be used to make better decisions about future use of antibiotics. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nGGpEh

In one of world's toughest lockdown in South Australia, only one family member allowed...

Victoria is proof that hard lockdowns do work. The state, which saw a daily peak of around 700 infections in August, has now gone 20 days without new cases. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pI63KF

Covid-19 could disrupt global recovery, says IMF director

Last month, the IMF forecast that the global economy would contract by an historic 4.4% this year and then mount a partial and uneven recovery, with global growth rebounding by 5.2% next year. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38TXu9I

Joe Biden denounces 'irresponsible' Donald Trump fight to reverse election

The recount showed Biden had won by 12,284 votes, according to figures posted on Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger’s website -- slightly fewer than the approximately 14,000 he originally led by. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2ISBIIL

Oxford scientists expect Covid-19 vaccine data by Christmas

Oxford is developing its vaccine in conjunction with the drugmaker AstraZeneca. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lItelH

Climate change and 'atmospheric thirst' to increase fire danger and drought in NV and CA

Climate change and a 'thirsty atmosphere' will bring more extreme wildfire danger and multi-year droughts to Nevada and California by the end of this century, according to new research. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3lS57RC

Engineered immune cells elicit broad response to HIV in mice, offering hope for vaccine

Unlike so many other deadly viruses, HIV still lacks a vaccine. The virus has proven especially tricky to prevent with conventional antibodies, in part because it evolves so rapidly in the body. A solution would require coaxing the body into producing a special type of antibody that can act broadly to defeat multiple strains of the virus at once. Scientists have moved closer to attaining that goal with an approach that would rely on genetically engineered immune cells from the patient's body. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/36OVAod

Insights in the search for new antibiotics

A collaborative research team published an opinion article that addresses the gap in the discovery of new antibiotics. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2IRct9K

First map of bee species around the globe

There are over 20,000 species of bee, but accurate data about how these species are spread across the globe are sparse. However, researchers have now created a map of bee diversity by combining the most complete global checklist of known bee species with the almost 6 million additional public records of where individual species have appeared around the world. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pNh8dg

Conspiracy film about vaccines grabs eyeballs

The video, which is more than two hours long, suggests the global response to Covid-19 is a plot hatched by big drug companies and governments to create a surveillance state and a submissive population. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pNkfls

Joe Biden says he's decided on treasury secretary nomination

Joe Biden’s treasury secretary would lead his economic team as many businesses and Americans struggle while the pandemic continues. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lQYkHK

US Elections 2020: In Wisconsin, long shot recount may just be prelude to court

Trump’s recount petition makes clear he plans to attack absentee ballots, used far more heavily by Joe Biden’s supporters, in the partial recount that covers just Milwaukee and Dane counties — Wisconsin’s biggest and most liberal. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IXt5fx

WHO advises against Gilead's Remdesivir for all hospitalised Covid-19 patients

The advice is another setback for the drug, which grabbed worldwide attention as a potentially effective treatment for Covid-19 in the summer after early trials showed some promise. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/330Gpak

China perceives rising India as 'rival'; wants to constraint its partnership with...

“China perceives rising India as a rival and seeks to impel it to accommodate Beijing’s ambitions by engaging economically while constraining New Delhi’s strategic partnership with the US, Japan, Australia and its relations with other democracies,” the report said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36Om6hh

Elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghans, report finds

The victims included Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians, the report said. Unveiling the findings of the report, Australian Defence Force Chief General Angus Campbell said the illegal killings began in 2009, with the majority occurring in 2012 and 2013. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lMkPgW

UK announces biggest military investment since Cold War

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology and defend our people and way of life.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36Rm0FB

Samoa records first Covid-19 case, patient found negative in second test

Prime Minister of the Pacific island, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, addressed the nation live on television and radio, urging people to remain vigilant with their virus precautions. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lKrRDd

'Get Covered 2021': Coalition seizes on Covid-19 pandemic to boost 'Obamacare' ...

About 26 million people were uninsured last year, even before the wave of layoffs that followed the coronavirus shutdown this spring. Experts agree that number has risen, perhaps by 5 million to 10 million. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nGmiWX

Chinese American sentenced to 38 months for exporting sensitive military technology...

According to federal prosecutors, from December 2018 to January 2019, Sun travelled from the United States to China on a personal trip. On that trip, Sun brought along unclassified technical information in his company-issued computer, including data associated with an advanced missile guidance system that was controlled and regulated under the AECA and the ITAR. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35LV9vD

China will avoid decoupling amid tension with US, Europe, says Xi Jinping

The Chinese President made these remarks via video link from Beijing to a meeting of Asia-Pacific CEOs. Xi also dismissed suggestions China might respond to US sanctions on its fledgling technology companies. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KiHrI9

Pfizer, BioNTech offer Brazil Covid-19 vaccination plan for 2021

The final analysis of the data from clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech showed its effectiveness at 95%. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2KnQ5Ft

US Election 2020: Georgia to release report on presidential race hand tally

Georgia election officials say they expect the hand tally to affirm Democrat Joe Biden’s narrow lead over Republican President Donald Trump. The tally has about five million votes. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fbMDca

First time in decade, US names ambassador to Venezuela amid tension

James Story’s nomination as ambassador was confirmed by a US Senate voice vote. But relations between the two countries have been bitter for the past decade, more so under President Trump. Could the Biden administration change that? from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35K0pjq

Ray of hope? Study claims Hepatitis C drugs can be effective against Covid-19

The study, conducted by the US’ Department of Energy, found that drugs used to treat Hepatitis C can be effective against Protease, a protein enzyme which has the ability to help Sars-Cov-2 spread in human cells. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36K09Qy

US vaccination plan could lose 'weeks or months': Biden on transition delay

In a virtual roundtable with healthcare workers on Covid-19, Biden alleged that his transition team has not been receiving any cooperation from the Trump administration. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lKqowl

Covid-19 negative report gives false hope, don't go out yet: Experts

The incubation period for Covid-19 is up to 14 days. And before that, a person can test negative and have no symptoms at all. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lXXgCh

BBC names ex-judge to lead probe into 1995 Diana interview

The announcement came after Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, made renewed claims this month that BBC journalist Martin Bashir used forged statements and false claims to convince Princess Diana to agree to the interview. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38XHVhk

UAE suspends visit visas for Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, 9 other countries amid rising...

Besides Pakistan, the UAE government suspended the issuance of visit visas to Turkey, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Kenya, and Afghanistan among others. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38Snbrf

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine deliveries could start 'before Christmas'

The vaccine’s efficacy was found to be consistent across different ages and ethnicities - a promising sign given the disease has disproportionately hurt the elderly and certain groups including Black people. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UEtOVR

Will Joe Biden be a one-term president?

When asked by ABC News in August if the idea of serving for eight years was on his internal radar, Biden replied: “Absolutely.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lWNC2o

After 95% efficacy, what's next for Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine candidate

The news of the final analysis of the trial’s data came as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to worsen across the world. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nzPQFy

Covid-19: What are clinical trials and how do they work?

The only way of knowing whether a vaccine works is by providing a “control”, which is a demonstration of what would happen in its absence. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36O0UYT

US Elections 2020: Joe Biden approaches 80 million votes in historic victory

Joe Biden currently has an Electoral College lead of 290-232. But that does not include electors from Georgia, where Biden leads Trump by 0.3 percentage points as officials conduct a hand tally. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nCUv9S

'Tired to the bone': Hospitals in US overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases

The number of people in the hospital with Covid-19 in the US has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week. As of Tuesday, nearly 77,000 were hospitalized with the virus. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32XYfuz

US Covid-19 deaths surpass 250,000 mark as infections surge

Over a seven-day average, the United States is reporting 1,176 daily deaths, more than the daily average deaths in India and Brazil combined - the two countries next most affected. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nFmjKq

The bull Y chromosome has evolved to bully its way into gametes

Scientists present the first ever full, high-resolution sequence of the Y chromosome of a Hereford bull. The research, more than a decade in the making, suggests that bulls' Y chromosomes have evolved dozens of copies of the same genes in a selfish attempt to make more males -- a move that is countered in the female-determining X chromosome. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nI9P57

NATO chief warns of high price if troops leave Afghanistan

NATO has fewer than 12,000 troops from dozens of nations in Afghanistan helping to train and advise the country’s national security forces. More than half are not US troops, but the 30-nation alliance relies heavily on the United States for transport, air support, logistics and other assistance. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pOPJYK

US government announces troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, Iraq

By January 15, five days before the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the US, the number of American forces in Afghanistan will come down from the current level of 5,000 to 2,500. The number of soldiers in Iraq will also be reduced, from the existing 3,000 to 2,500 from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36RDsKu

Nancy Pelosi likely to be nominated for 2 more years as Speaker

However, if elected, Pelosi, the first female speaker of the US House of Representatives, will lead a smaller Democratic majority over the Republicans, with the two sides divided along ideological lines. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UG06iU

US approves first self-testing kit for detecting Covid-19

The Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization to Lucira Health Inc.’s rapid-result All-In-One Test Kit, according to a statement from the government agency Tuesday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fbjGgC

Thai Parliament to vote on constitution as protests turn violent

Lawmakers will vote on how to amend the charter, one of the key demands of pro-democracy groups, who are also calling for monarchy reform and the resignation of Prime minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36GCb8O

Indian Americans Vivek Murthy, Arun Majumdar among likely in Biden's Cabinet: r...

President-elect Joe Biden has said that his Cabinet would be the most diverse ever. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lI7m9Z

South Australia imposes six-day lockdown to curb outbreak

From midnight, only one person from each household will be allowed to leave home each day, and only for specific purposes, authorities said. Schools, universities, cafes and restaurants will close and mask-wearing will be mandatory. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lTov0o

Chapare virus: All about the deadly virus that can spread between humans

The United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Monday that the deadly virus, which causes haemorrhagic fever like Ebola, can now also be transmitted through human-to-human contact. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38RgsxJ

Australia, Japan to bolster defense ties amid China's rise

The deal is the first of its kind for Japan since its 1960 status of forces agreement with the United States, which set the terms for the basing of about 50,000 American troops to operate in and around Japan under the Japan-US security pact. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pBcUFD

'Democracy is so much bigger than anybody's ego': Michelle Obama calls for smooth...

Recalling the transition process, Michelle Obama wrote: “My husband and I instructed our staffs to do what George and Laura Bush had done for us: run a respectful, seamless transition of power—one of the hallmarks of American democracy.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pE66ao

Joe Biden names top White House aides as doctors urge Trump to cooperate on Cov...

Longtime advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti will join as senior adviser to the president and counselor to the president, respectively. Dana Remus, the campaign’s top lawyer, will be counsel to the president. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lG5ZZn

Donald Trump fires US election security official who rejected fraud claims

Trump, who refuses to acknowledge that he lost his bid for reelection to Democrat Biden, has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the voting and count were replete with fraud. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35FshFa

Twitter launches disappearing tweets called Fleets that vanish in a day

Twitter tested the ‘Fleets’ feature in Brazil, Italy, India, and South Korea, before rolling it out globally. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nwzBck

First Saudi, now UAE is tightening the screws on Imran Khan government

Abu Dhabi’s probe into the 2017 Kandahar bombing that killed 5 UAE diplomats revealed the involvement of the Haqqani Network and Pakistan’s ISI, people familiar with the matter said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32ULMb1

A lost dog's journey across the Canadian border and back

Michaud posted a plea for help on Facebook, saying the dog had crossed the border. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2ILdbW2

Donald Trump to nominate bank watchdog in potential blow to Joe Biden

Most of the major regulations for US banks are written and approved in collaboration among the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the OCC. Having Trump people atop any of those agencies could have a major impact on how much rulemaking could be done by Biden’s apointees. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35H4aWs

US to drop drugs case against ex-Mexican defence minister

US authorities said Salvador Cienfuegos, accused of using his power to protect a faction of the Beltran-Leyva drugs cartel in Mexico while ordering operations against its rivals, had agreed to voluntarily return to Mexico if the US case against him was thrown out. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36JZEWK

Toilet paper limits, empty shelves are back as Covid-19 surges

The biggest supply issue seems to be paper products: 21% of shelves that stock paper towels and toilet paper are empty, the highest level in at least a month, according to market research company IRI. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3f9eREp

US judge skeptical of Donald Trump bid to halt Joe Biden win in Pennsylvania

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said during the hearing that there was “widespread, nationwide voter fraud” in the Nov. 3 election, as the Republican president also has claimed, but offered no evidence. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3fb87Go

China gives explanation for pummeling Australia on trade

In a sign some senior members of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s government want to find a circuit-breaker to ease the tensions, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will deliver a speech on Wednesday saying his nation is ready to re-engage in dialogue with Beijing after ministerial contacts were put on ice. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lBxdQZ

Hurricane Iota roars onto Nicaragua as second blow in two weeks

The extent of the damage was unclear because much of the affected region was without electricity and phone and internet service, and strong winds hampered radio transmissions. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UDvfnq

Turkish parliament approves peacekeepers for Azerbaijan

In a show of hands, legislators voted in favor of a one-year mandate allowing the government to send troops to Azerbaijan, where they would observe possible violations of the truce from a joint Turkish-Russian monitoring center. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32SFdWz

Toads on tropical islands are rapidly shrinking as they evolve

Toads that were introduced to two tropical islands in the 1920s are now a third smaller than their mainland peers, possibly a sign of remarkably rapid evolution from New Scientist - Home https://ift.tt/2IGv08h

SpaceX capsule with 4 astronauts reaches space station

The capsule docked in the International Space Station with the three Americans and one Japanese astronaut aboard who will remain at the orbiting lab until their replacements arrive on another Dragon in April. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pCzoWY

Pakistani opposition parties to defy govt ban, to go ahead with mega rally on November...

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of the country’s opposition parties against PM Imran Khan, will hold its next rally in Peshawar. Khan’s govt had banned ‘jalsas’ citing the Covid-19 pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32RVUBl

Moderna Covid-19 vaccine progress lifts stock markets

Not only Moderna’s shares but US stocks also jumped nearing a record 30,000 on the Dow as the news comes amid rising coronavirus cases in the country. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32TBFmG

'Spent childhood years listening to Ramayana and Mahabharata': Barack Obama

In “A Promised Land”, Obama gives an account of his journey from the 2008 election campaign to the end of his first term with the daring Abbottabad (Pakistan) raid that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2UFtCoZ

'My fascination with India largely revolved around Mahatma Gandhi': Barack Obama...

However, Obama, the 44th US President, in his book, titled ‘A Promised Land,’ also wrote that Gandhi was unable to successfully address the caste system or prevent the partition of India based on religion. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lHgGej

Pfizer to start pilot delivery program for its Covid-19 vaccine in four US stat...

Pfizer picked Rhode Island, Texas, New Mexico and Tennessee for the program after taking into account their differences in overall size, diversity of populations, immunization infrastructure, and need to reach individuals in varied urban and rural settings. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32QSf6C

PM Modi to attend BRICS summit: All you need to know about the 5-nation bloc

BRICS is an acronym which stands for its five member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This year’s summit, the group’s 12th, will take place virtually due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32R4YGE

Moderna vaccine results 'stunningly impressive,' says Anthony Fauci

Fauci leads the National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which began co-developing the vaccine with the US biotech company in January, shortly after China shared the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/338mbf1

Covid-19: Pfizer, Moderna plan to supply millions of vaccine doses

As both of the vaccines are two-dose regimen, the companies claim they will be able to vaccinate 25 million and 10 million people around the world, respectively. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35CJDCv

Hurricane Iota makes landfall on Nicaragua coast

Iota had intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm early in the day, but the US National Hurricane Center said it weakened slightly to Category 4, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph). from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36M1NkR

Moderna says its Covid-19 vaccine stable at refrigerator temperatures for 30 da...

A first analysis of data from more than 30,000 volunteers showed Moderna’s vaccine prevented virtually all symptomatic cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, the company said in a statement on Monday. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lDUthi

British diplomat Stephen Ellison saves drowning student in China

Stephen Ellison, the 61-year-old British consul-general in Chongqing, jumped into the water at a scenic spot in the municipality on Saturday after spotting the struggling female student, who had fallen in by accident, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kATDRa

'In many respects, modern-day India is counted as a success story,' says Barack...

“In many respects, modern-day India is counted as a success story, having survived repeated changeovers in government, bitter feuds within political parties, various armed separatist movements, and all manner of corruption scandals,” Obama writes in his book “A Promised Land”. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38LL7fT

Pandemic politics leave Washington in gridlock as Covid-19 surges

The urgency of the nationwide surge in virus cases, spiking hospitalizations and increasing death tolls has hardly resonated in the nation’s capital as its leaders are vexed by transition politics and trying to capitalize on the promise of a coming vaccine. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nwUvrG

In absence of coordination with Trump, there is risk of many more dying: Joe Bi...

According to media projections, Democrat Biden has won the November 3 presidential election. However, Trump, a Republican, has alleged election fraud and mounted legal fights in a number of battleground states. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38Qf1zm

Coronavirus curbs return across United States

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered a ban on in-person high school and college classes as well as indoor dining service for three weeks starting on Wednesday as increasingly cold weather drives people indoors where the virus can spread more easily. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35CjK5R

Hurricane Iota nearing Nicaragua as catastrophic Category 5

Iota was hitting the Caribbean coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras with torrential rains and strong winds while the western edge began battering the Nicaraguan coast. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35BI1sC

'US, allies need to set global trade rules to counter China's influence': Joe B...

Asked at a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware, whether the United States would join the Asian-focused 15-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, Biden said he could not yet discuss US trade policy because he had not taken office “and there’s only one president at a time.” from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3pEejLU

Henderson island fossils reveal new Polynesian sandpiper species

Fossil bones collected in the early 1990s on Henderson Island, part of the Pitcairn Group, have revealed a new species of Polynesian sandpiper. The Henderson Sandpiper, a small wading bird that has been extinct for centuries, is formally named Prosobonia sauli after Cook Islands-based ornithologist and conservationist Edward K Saul. from Top Environment News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2IBctuy

US logs one million new Covid-19 cases last week, deaths up 12%

Several states, including Michigan, North Dakota and Washington, imposed new restrictions on public gatherings and indoor dining to try to slow the spread of the virus. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35DDTs4

Trump asked for options for attacking Iran last week, but held off: Official

Trump made the request during a meeting on Thursday with his top national security aides, including Vice President Mike Pence, his new acting defense secretary Christopher Miller, and General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the official said. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/38JPUym

UNSC has become an impaired organ: India

Speaking at the Assembly, TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, also highlighted that the IGN (Intergovernmental Negotiations) has become like a platform for debate in the university rather than a serious result-oriented process in the UN consisting of sovereign member states. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3ptV5s2

US hate crimes rate reached decade high in 2019: FBI

The FBI said this is the largest number of hate crimes since 2008 when 7,783 such cases were reported. In 2017, 7,175 hate crime incidents were reported and 7,120 in 2018. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3kAvKcb

Covid-19: Easier to spread indoors than outdoors; winter perfect set-up for contagion,...

The 43-year-old former US surgeon general, who co-chairs the Covid-19 advisory board of Biden, told Fox News on Sunday that people are tired from the pandemic fatigue. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2H5uuQJ

UN-led Libya talks end without naming interim government

UN acting envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams told reporters in Tunisia that the 75-member forum did not discuss names during their week-long talks. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nnQGF6

Peru left without president as Merino resigns after protest deaths

Merino announced he was stepping down Sunday, following an ultimatum from Congress for him to quit or face censure after a police crackdown on protesters left at least two dead and scores injured. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36IPSUV

Britain expects to roll out Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine before Christmas

Asked how many vaccines Britain would need, he said it depended on how effective they were at preventing transmission. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nt9Qtr

Americans across party lines, regions embrace marijuana

The 2020 election helped prove how broadly accepted marijuana has become throughout the United States, with measures to legalize recreational pot also breezing to victory in progressive New Jersey, moderate Arizona and conservative Montana. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3nwqRmD

Australia races to contain Adelaide virus outbreak

Fearful of case numbers spiralling, authorities snapped back a swathe of coronavirus restrictions and suspended international flights into Adelaide. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36GM7iy

Obama urges media to rebuild social trust; 'the country is divided'

Obama said that not just politicians, even the voters are divided now as the priority is to “beat the other guy” rather than discussing issues, facts and policies, and the current media environment adds to that greatly. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/35AoKYG

Europe needs its own sovereignty in defence, even with new US govt: Emmanuel Ma...

Gross domestic product grew an annualized 21.4% in the three months through September from the prior quarter, the Cabinet Office said Monday, reporting the fastest growth since 1968. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2IBC5Hc

Donald Trump's campaign drops claim of illegal absentee ballots in Pennsylvania...

Ahead of a Tuesday hearing in the case, Trump’s campaign dropped the allegation that hundreds of thousands of mail-in and absentee ballots, 682,479, to be precise, were illegally processed without its representatives watching from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/2Uv7wph

India will miss the bus to economic development by not joining RCEP: Chinese state...

Signed after eight years of negotiations, the RCEP has created the world’s largest trading bloc, aiming to boost the member nations’ economic growth that has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lvla7I

Vaccine optimism makes Asian stocks hit record peak; dampens virus fears

Japanese economic growth, better-than-expected industrial output in China as well as the signing of the RCEP trade deal are being seen as the major reasons for the rise in Asian stocks. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3lEQDo4

Covid-19 pandemic: Vaccine frontrunners and other latest developments

Here’s all you need to know about the vaccine frontrunners from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/32PWTSx

Gunmen in western Ethiopia kill at least 34 people in bus attack, says rights b...

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said the number of people killed was likely to rise after what it called a “gruesome” attack on the passenger bus in the Benishangul-Gumuz region. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/3prbe1z

Cases filed by people show 'unconstitutionality' of election: Donald Trump

In a tweet, President Trump said that the cases filed against the 2020 election have been filed by people who faced ‘horrible abuses’. from Hindustan Times - world https://ift.tt/36CcV3r