UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, first in the world

Britain’s vaccine committee will decide which priority groups will get the jab first

New Zealand declares climate emergency, promises carbon neutral government by 2025

New Zealand joins 32 other countries including Japan, Canada, France and Britain that have declared a climate emergency

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine shows 100% success against severe cases

Moderna Inc will apply for U.S. and European emergency authorization for the vaccine

US to distribute 6.4 million Covid vaccine doses in first tranche

The figure includes another vaccine developed by Moderna and the NIH, which announced some preliminary efficacy results last week

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

Kabul University attack: Aghanistan in mourning after Islamic State strike kills 22

Outside Kabul University Tuesday a small group of demonstrators gathered demanding a cease-fire

Taiwan claims entrapment after China shows spy 'confession'

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly denounced Taipei for offering support to Hong Kong’s protests

Armenia, Azerbaijan clashes resume over separatist region

The fighting erupted September 27 and has killed dozens, marking the biggest escalation in the decades-old conflict over the region

Thailand cancels emergency decree in bid to calm protests

Wednesday marked the eighth straight day of demonstrations by a movement that was launched in March

Taiwan says military under pressure from China as missions mount

China, which claims democratic Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up its military activities near the island

Peace talks to begin between Taliban, Afghan government 19 years after 9/11 triggered war

The US-backed negotiations come six months later than planned owing to bitter disagreements over a controversial prisoner swap

Afghan's women negotiators face hardline Taliban in peace talks

Their presence at the negotiating table is significant in patriarchal Afghanistan, though they are outnumbered by the rest of the team

Little Amal, a puppet, is all set to traverse the world in support of refugees

Little Amal will travel 8,000km, starting from April 2021, crossing many contrasting terrains

UAE grants 10-year golden residency visa to more professionals

The decision aims to attract and retain experts and talented professionals from various fields and scientific disciplines, the report said

UAE suspends issuance of visiting visas to Pakistan, 11 other countries

Infections has been rising in Pakistan and authorities have declared that the country was witnessing the second wave of COVID-19

Mauritius oil spill ship operator to pay $9.4 million

More than 1,000 tonnes of oil is believed to have leaked from the ship, with the rest siphoned out before it spilled

Poorer and developing nations face vaccine wait as West locks down supply

Based on advance purchase agreements signed with Pfizer, it is calculated that 1.1 billion doses had been snapped up by wealthy nations

Ousted Mali president Keita leaves country as transition talks begin

West African leaders, fearing the coup could set a precedent that would undermine their power, initially insisted Keita be restored to power

African continent hits 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases

African health officials also worry that the continent will suffer as richer countries buy up supplies

Maduro announces arrest of 'American spy' near Venezuelan refineries

The arrest occurred after a 'plan to cause an explosion' was 'discovered and dismantled' at El Palito refinery, authorities say

Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to end fight in Nagorno-Karabakh

The pact signed with Russia calls for deployment of nearly 2,000 Russian peacekeepers and territorial concessions

Pope says same-sex couples should be protected by civil union laws

He made his comments in a new documentary “Francesco” by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky that was released on Wednesday

Seventeen OSCE nations appoint team to probe Belarus election

Minsk prevented the deployment of OSCE election observers by not inviting them and has ignored repeated offers by the OSCE chairman to visit

90-minute British DnaNudge COVID-19 test is accurate, Lancet study finds

The ability to correctly identify positive cases is at 94.4% and a specificity – correctly identifying those without the disease – at 100%

Johnson locks down England as UK COVID-19 cases pass 1 million

Johnson was criticised by political opponents for moving too slowly into the first national lockdown

Trump's defender: Pence's campaign role grows at key moment

With Trump hospitalized with COVID-19, his ever-loyal No. 2 will play an increasingly prominent role in the weeks ahead

Thousands rally behind Trump, believing he won the race he lost

A week after Democrat Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election, demonstrations in support of Trump took place in other cities

Trump asked aides about striking Iran nuclear site: Report

Iran has long been Trump's bete noire, and he had reintroduced sanctions and tightened them even further after scrapping the nuclear accord

Biden eases ahead in Georgia; Trump attacks election process

Americans enter their third full day after the election without knowing who would serve as president for the next four years

FDA allows emergency use of antibody drug Trump received

The FDA allowed its use in adults and children 12 and over who weigh at least 40 kilograms and who are at high risk of severe illness

New Zealand government to honour Maori New Year if reelected

Many people have argued that marking the day would help recognise the nation's indigenous people

Australia reports no COVID-19 deaths for third day, hotspot faces longer lockdown

Neighbouring New Zealand reported four new cases on Saturday, all returned travelers in quarantine

New Zealand to lift virus curbs in most of country on September 21

New Zealand on Monday reported one new case of coronavirus in the community, taking the total number of cases to 1,447 and 24 deaths

Humpback whales stray up tropical Aussie river

Park authorities have set up a partial exclusion zone to protect unwitting boaters and whales, which can grow up to 16 metres long

Poll says Jacinda Ardern poised for big win in New Zealand election

All recent polls have pointed to a victory for Ardern’s Labour Party, governing in a coalition with the Greens and New Zealand First