Queen cancels virtual meeting as mild COVID symptoms persist

Queen Elizabeth will miss a planned virtual engagement on Tuesday because she is still experiencing mild cold-like symptoms after testing positive for COVID-19, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said.

Biden and Putin accept Macron’s proposal for summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Joe Biden have agreed in “principle” to hold a meeting to halt escalation of conflict in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said in a statement on Sunday night.

After weeks-long protest Canada’s capital cleaned up

Canadian police on Sunday secured the downtown core of the capital with fencing as city workers cleaned up trash and snow plows cleared streets after two days of tense standoffs and 191 arrests ended a three-week occupation of Ottawa.

Nepal police fire tear gas, water cannon to disperse protest over US ‘gift’

Police in Kathmandu fired teargas and water cannon to disperse protesters opposed to a U.S.-funded infrastructure programme that was presented in parliament for ratification on Sunday, witnesses and officials in Nepal’s capital said.

Russia and Belarus extend large military drills near Ukraine

Russia and Belarus are extending military drills that were due to end on Sunday, the Belarus defence minister said, in a step that further intensifies pressure on Ukraine as Western leaders warn of an imminent Russian invasion.

Israel sees Iran nuclear deal ‘shortly,’ warns it will be weak

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said Sunday that Iran may “shortly” agree a new nuclear deal with major powers but warned it will be weaker than the original 2015 agreement. Bennett was speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting following indications that the outline of a deal was taking shape at talks in Vienna.

Queen Elizabeth catches ‘mild’ Covid: Palace

Britain’s 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday but her symptoms are “mild” and she intends to continue with light duties at her Windsor Castle residence, aides said.

Putin to oversee nuclear war drills

Russian President Vladimir Putin will take direct command of scheduled ballistic missile training on Saturday, which will see the country’s military test its nuclear capabilities, Moscow has confirmed.

Canadian police start arresting protesters to end blockade

Canadian police on Friday started arresting protesters as part of an operation to end a three-week blockade of Ottawa by hundreds of truck drivers that crippled the capital and prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to assume emergency powers.

Fires rages on in Argentine, important wetlands burned

Wildfires in Argentina’s north have continued to spread through the province of Corrientes, burning more than 600,000 hectares, scarring farmlands and killing protected animals and plants in the major Ibera National Park, an important wetland area.

Putin makes inroads in pressure campaign against West, Ukraine

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has secured some wins in his confrontation with the West over Ukraine, but it’s too early to discern an end to a crisis that could yet morph into a new Cold War even if conflict is averted, Kremlin watchers said.

India protests Singapore PM’s remark on MPs with criminal cases

ndia on Thursday protested against Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s remarks that almost half the members of the Lok Sabha have criminal charges pending against them, describing the comments as “uncalled for”.

India reports outbreak of H5N1 bird flu - OIE

India reported an outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus on a poultry research farm in the northeastern state of Bihar, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Wednesday.

Tanks move away from Ukraine: Russia

Russia said more of its forces surrounding Ukraine were withdrawing on Wednesday but NATO said the troop buildup was continuing, questioning Moscow’s stated willingness to negotiate a solution to the crisis.

Ottawa Police Chief resigns amid Freedom Convoy pressure – media

Ottawa Feb 15 rt.com- Ottawa Police chief Peter Sloly has resigned amid criticism of the force’s handling of the ongoing Freedom Convoy trucker-led protest against federal Covid-19 vaccination mandates in the Canadian capital, local media said on Tuesday.

First woman reported cured of HIV

A US patient with leukemia has become the first woman and the third person to date to be cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to the virus that causes AIDS, researchers reported on Tuesday.

Queen to fund Prince Andrew’s rape case settlement – report

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, will pay Virginia Roberts Giuffre more than £12 million ($16.3 million) following an out-of-court settlement using money from the Queen, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday.

Pak-India talks only if special status of Kashmir restored:Imran Khan

There is currently “no relationship” between India and Pakistan and talks between the two countries can be held only if New Delhi restores the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday.

Yemen aid cuts to deepen as funds dry up: UN

Yemenis face more cuts in humanitarian aid in coming months because of funding shortages that could reduce food rations in a country where millions face starvation, the United Nations aid chief warned, as the war sees its biggest escalation in years.

Pollution causing more deaths than Covid: UN

Pollution by states and companies is contributing to more deaths globally than Covid-19, a U.N. environmental report published on Tuesday said, calling for “immediate and ambitious action” to ban some toxic chemicals.

China dumping US$ in trade & investment in Asia

The Chinese government is planning to work with other Asian nations to strengthen the use of local currencies in trade and investment as part of a broader plan to bolster regional economic strength, according to Yi Gang, the governor of the country’s central bank.

Pakistan permits India sending wheat, medicine to Afghanistan

Pakistan will allow India to use its territory to transport 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and medicine to Afghanistan, beginning this month, Pakistani customs officials said on Tuesday.

Hunger crisis threatens half of Somalia’s young children: UN

Severe drought risks pushing nearly half of Somali children under five into acute malnutrition this year, with hundreds of thousands needing life-saving treatment, the UN warned Tuesday, calling for urgent action.

NATO to consider new troops on southeastern flank

BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Reuters) - NATO defence ministers are expected this week to set in motion a plan that could establish four multinational battlegroups in southeastern Europe in response to Russia’s military build-up in Ukraine, four diplomats said.

India’s hijab dispute reaches its most populous state

LUCKNOW Feb 15 Reuters- A dispute over restrictions on the wearing of the hijab by female students in a southern Indian state has now reached India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, with a group of youngsters asking a college to ban the head covering.

Ukraine denies NATO U-turn plan

Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK was “taken out of context” when he suggested that Kiev may officially end its goal to join NATO as a means of averting war with Russia, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said.

Hong Kong city ‘overwhelmed’ by Omicron wave says leader

Hong Kong’s health facilities have been overloaded by an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections, its leader Carrie Lam said, as a rise in Omicron cases threatens to bring down the city’s “zero-Covid” policy.

Hijab ban forces choice of religion or education: Muslim students

Ayesha Imthiaz, a devout Indian Muslim who considers wearing a hijab an expression of devotion to the Prophet Mohammad, says a move by her college to expel hijab-wearing girls is an insult that will force her to chose between religion and education.

Canada protesters, police deadlocked as tensions simmer at border bridge

A tense standoff between Canadian police and protesters opposing COVID-19 restrictions was set to continue on Sunday, as a court order and threats of arrest failed to end a blockade of a key Canada-U.S. border crossing.

Diplomacy still open to end Ukraine standoff with Russia: US

The United States said the diplomatic path remained open to end a standoff with Moscow over Ukraine but said the risk of Russian military action was high enough to warrant pulling U.S. embassy staff out of Kyiv.