WHO names COVID-19 variants first found in India as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’

WHO names COVID-19 variants first found in India as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’

Geneva: The B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 variants of the COVID-19, first identified in India, have been named as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’ respectively, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Monday as it named various variants of the coronavirus using Greek alphabets. “Today, @WHO announces new, easy-to-say labels for #SARSCoV2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) & Interest (VOIs). […]

Priyanka interrogated; says not involved in EMCC bomb attack

Priyanka interrogated; says not involved in EMCC bomb attack

Chathanoor: Film star and serial actor Priyanka is being interrogated in connection with the bomb attack conspired by EMCC president and Democratic Social Justice party candidate from Kundara Shiju Varghese on the eve of the election day. Chathanoor assistant police commissioner directed Priyanka to appear for quizzing based on the evidence of the telephonic talk […]

Minority Scholarship: Govt directs Law dept to study HC verdict for deciding further action

Minority Scholarship: Govt directs Law dept to study HC verdict for deciding further action

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government directed the law department to study the High Court verdict on minority scholarship and file a report to the Chief Minister. The government will decide on further action including an appeal over the verdict after examining the report. P Rajeev, minister for law declared that the government will take action over […]

Kerala lockdown: industries allowed to operate with 50 pc staff

Kerala lockdown: industries allowed to operate with 50 pc staff

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has extended the lockdown till June 9 with minor relaxations, informed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Industrial units including coir and cashew are allowed to operate with 50 percent staff. Shops that sell raw materials for the industries are permitted to open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday till 5 pm. Meanwhile, banks […]

Chelsea beats City to win Champions League

Chelsea beats City to win Champions League

PORTO: As Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta cradled the European Cup before thrusting it into the air to the backdrop of fireworks, Pep Guardiola and his distraught Manchester City players stood way behind the winner’s rostrum and looked on in anguish. Champions League glory once again for Chelsea, nine years after its first title and just […]

Kerala govt announces more lockdown relaxations |

Kerala govt announces more lockdown relaxations |

Thiruvananthapuram: Following a slight dip in daily COVID-19 cases and the test positivity rate, the Kerala government has announced a slew of lockdown relaxations. Here are some of the highlights: • Ophthalmologists, optical shops, shops selling and repairing hearing aid equipment, assistive devices and prostheses can open Tuesdays and Saturdays. • Gas stove repair shops […]

‘Minority schemes should be distributed in proportion to population’: HC quashes scheme allotting 80 percent minority scholarships to Muslims

‘Minority schemes should be distributed in proportion to population’: HC quashes scheme allotting 80 percent minority scholarships to Muslims

KOCHI: The High Court has ordered that the minority education and welfare schemes should be distributed in proportion to the population. A division bench headed by Chief Justice S Manikumar quashed the state government’s order setting aside 80 per cent for Muslims and 20 per cent for other minorities. From 2008 to 2015, the government […]

GST on Covid-related supplies exempted till August 31

GST on Covid-related supplies exempted till August 31

NEW DELHI: A Group of Ministers (GoM) will decide within 10 days the question of providing GST exemption on Covid-related items, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced at the end of the 46th GST Council meeting held via video-conferencing on Friday. “There were protracted discussions with varying viewpoints. So, I announced the formation of a […]

MHA invites applications for Indian citizenship from non-Muslim refugees from Afghan, Pak, Bangladesh

MHA invites applications for Indian citizenship from non-Muslim refugees from Afghan, Pak, Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday invited non-Muslims like Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists belonging to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and residing in 13 districts in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Punjab to apply for Indian citizenship. The Union home ministry issued a notification in this effect for immediate implementation of the order under the […]