New Delhi, Nov. 13: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said in Melbourne that international students and travellers from India would soon be allowed to enter the country. “We’re looking forward to Indian students coming back to Australia…not too long now. We've recognised Indian-manufactured vaccines that will be facilitating the return of Indian students and Indian travellers to Australia,” said Morrison while speaking at the unveiling of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Melbourne's Rowville suburb on Friday. Canberra has already approved Covaxin and Covishield for travellers entering Australia. Morrison also pointed out that the government had expanded the definition of immediate family, which would benefit those who’ve been separated from their parents for some period of time. Education is a major foreign exchange earner for Australia and it is estimated that out of the over six lakh foreign students enrolled in universities there, one-fifth or well over one lakh students are from India. Besides, about four lakh tourists from India visit Australia every year. Morrison also praised the Indian diaspora for its commitment towards family and expressed admiration for PM Narendra Modi. “We first (PM Modi and Morrison) met here in Melbourne many years ago at the MCG when he came to Australia and I was fortunate enough. I was the Minister for Immigration at the time and I was seated next to him,” he recalled. “I wasn’t expecting because, you know, he's a rock star, but thankful to security that night, he and I had quite a nice and friendly chat. We’ve remained friends ever since,” he added.-Agencies

Wilmington, Aug. 8: US President Joe Biden praised US Olympians for navigating the difficulties of a coronavirus-tarnished games with “moral courage” that made Americans’ “hearts swell” with pride. Biden, along with first lady Jill Biden, spoke with Team USA in a Zoom call Saturday evening from their home near Wilmington,…

Kabul, Aug. 9: Provincial Afghan lawmakers say the Taliban have taken control of another provincial capital, the fourth to fall into insurgent hands in less than a week, in a punishing blow to government forces. The Taliban forces overran Taleqan, the capital of the northern Takhar province on Sunday, capturing…

New Delhi, Aug. 9: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a UN Security Council open debate on “Enhancing Maritime Security — A Case for International Cooperation” on Monday evening via video conferencing. The focus of the debate was to focus on ways to effectively counter maritime crime and insecurity,…

New Delhi, Aug. 10 : In an oblique reference to China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called for maritime disputes to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. Speaking at one of the best-attended UN Security Council debates (UNSC) where other members, barring China, fielded Presidents,…

Kabul, Aug. 10: Taliban fighters tightened their grip on captured territory in Afghanistan on Tuesday as civilians hid in their homes and a pro-government commander vowed to fight to the death to defend Mazar-i-Sharif, the biggest city in the north. President Ashraf Ghani called on regional strongmen to support his…

Kabul, Aug. 12: As the Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and a local army headquarters, a Defence Ministry official and local media reports said President Ashraf Ghani had replaced the country’s army chief. Sources said Gen Hibatullah Alizai had replaced Gen Wali Ahmadzai as the Afghan army…