Coronavirus Lockdown in Telangana extended to May 7
NEW DELHI: The Telangana government Sunday decided to extend the lockdown till May 7 and not to give any relaxation. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao made the announcement Sunday night after the cabinet meeting. The state had earlier extended the lockdown till April 30. Though the Centre subsequently extended the nation-wide lockdown by May 3, […]
Amazon, Flipkart can’t deliver non-essentials during coronavirus lockdown, MHA changes rules
NEW DELHI: The government of India on Sunday revised its lockdown guidelines which allowed e-commerce companies to operate fully and even sell non-essential items to customers during the lockdown. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), “Supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies to remain prohibited during lockdown.” MHA issued an order to exempt […]
No guarantee coronavirus vaccine will be developed: WHO envoy
NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) special envoy David Nabarro has warned that there is no guarantee that a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine can be successfully developed in coming months. Nabarro who is one of the world”s leading experts said that people have to live with the threat of coronavirus “for the foreseeable future” and […]
First time in 250 years, Mumbai’s iconic Ramzan food market to be off menu
MUMBAI: What blood-thirsty terrorists couldn”t succeed in doing, the invisible coronavirus pandemic has achieved. For the first time in its nearly 250 years history, Mumbai”s world-renowned and iconic ”Mohammed Ali Road street food bazaar” is poised to wear a deserted look this Ramzan month, starting April 23. Incidentally, it was working normally even after the […]
Walmart to hire 50,000 more workers in coronavirus-driven hiring spree
NEW DELHI: Walmart Inc (WMT.N) said on Friday it would hire 50,000 more workers at its stores, clubs and distribution centers to meet a surge in demand for groceries and household essentials from consumers stockpiling during the coronavirus outbreak. The retailer said it had reached its earlier target of hiring 150,000 workers six weeks ahead […]
Rahul Gandhi thanks Narendra Modi government for changing FDI norms after his warning
NEW DELHI:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi thanked the government on Saturday for amending the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy after his warning on takeover of Indian companies by foreign players during the COVID-19 crisis. “I thank the Government for taking note of my warning and amending the FDI norms to make it mandatory for Government approval […]
Firm, individual from country sharing border with India can invest only after government approval: DPIIT
NEW DELHI: A company or an individual from a country that shares land border with India can invest in any sector here only after getting government approval, according to DPIIT. The decision, which is likely to impact foreign investments from countries like China, has been taken to curb “opportunistic takeovers or acquisitions” of domestic firms […]
U.S. announces $19 billion coronavirus aid for farmers, food buys for poor
By P.J. Huffstutter, Karl Plume CHICAGO: USA President Donald Trump on Friday announced a $19 billion relief program to help U.S. farmers cope with the impact of the coronavirus, including $16 billion in direct payments to producers and mass purchases of meat, dairy, vegetables and other products. The U.S. Agriculture Department is partnering with regional and […]
Safe sex under lockdown: Argentine official has some advice for digital lovers
BUENOS AIRES: An Argentine official has given some on-air sex education for onanistic lovers in the time of the coronavirus, underscoring how the pandemic and lockdown in response to it are shaking up every aspect of people’s lives. Jose Barletta, a doctor with the country’s health ministry, said in a televised broadcast that people needed […]
RBI announces measures to preserve financial stability,help put money in hands of needy and disadvantaged
NEW DELHI: “…In the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists, in the midst of darkness light persists.” – Mahatma Gandhi, during his famous Kingsley Hall, London address in October 1931. It is with these words that the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Shaktikanta Das began his […]
Aviation sector to take 6-24 months to recover from COVID-19 blow: Survey
NEW DELHI: The aviation industry may take between six months to two years to recover from the severe blow dealt by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey carried out by global consultancy ICF. The survey, conducted among senior and mid-level executives from across the world between late March and early April, also revealed that […]
E-commerce platforms to sell mobiles, TV, fridge after April 20 amid lockdown
NEW DELHI: Mobile phones, televisions, refrigerators, laptops and stationary items will be allowed to be sold through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal from April 20 during the lockdown, officials said on Thursday. The clarification from a senior home ministry official came a day after Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued revised guidelines for […]
Creditors may offer debt relief to virus-stung poor countries
Major international creditors will suspend debt payments this year for the world’s poorest countries, who will be hit hardest by the rapidly spreading coronavirus pandemic that has sparked the steepest downturn in the global economy since the 1930s. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said 76 countries, including 40 in sub-Saharan Africa, would be eligible […]
India issues fresh guidelines for coronavirus lockdown 2.0
NEW DELHI: Fresh guidelines were issued by the government of India on Wednesday for enforcing the second phase of the coronavirus lockdown, with the Union home ministry barring all kinds of public transport and prohibiting opening of public places during this period. Inter-state, inter-district movement of people, metro, bus services continue will be prohibited till […]
India Inc stands by lockdown extension call; seeks stimulus package to rebuild economy
NEW DELHI: India Inc on Tuesday said the nationwide lockdown extension was necessary to avert a humanitarian crisis, but insisted on the need for a stimulus package to rebuild the economy hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May […]
Developers need to compromise prices to sell off inventory post Covid-19: Deepak Parekh
NEW DELHI: HDFC Ltd Chairman, Deepak Parekh has urged Real estate developers to compromise on the property pricing to sell-off unsold inventory to generate liquidity rather than going in for costly borrowings post the COVID crises at the Housing For All 2020 knowledge series webinar organized jointly by the real estate industry body NAREDCO and […]