Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V found safe in early human trials: Study
NEW DELHI: A Russian Covid-19 vaccine has shown no serious side effects and elicited an immune response in early human trials, said a study published in The Lancet on Friday. Russia last month registered the “Sputnik V”, becoming the first country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine. However, the country faced criticism for approving a vaccine […]
Banks allowed to operate on Saturdays in West Bengal
NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government has allowed banks to operate on working Saturdays as part of further relaxations in COVID-related restrictions, according to an order. Banks, which usually operate on alternate Saturdays, were asked by the state government to remain shut on weekends in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision to allow […]
As Coronavirus hits travel, Adani ready for India aviation growth
NEW DELHI: India’s Adani Enterprises says it is well placed to build the infrastructure needed to support the country’s expected aviation growth, which has been curtailed by the coronavirus crisis. The company’s chairman Gautam Adani made the comment on Wednesday, only days after Adani Airports said it had agreed to buy GVK Power & Infrastructure’s […]
No direction issued on wearing mask while driving alone: Health Ministry
NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry on Thursday clarified that no direction has been given by it on wearing a mask while driving or cycling alone. The clarification came after there were several reports of police penalising people for violating the mask rule even when driving alone in a car. It had invited a lot of […]
Finance Minister asks banks to roll out loan restructuring scheme by September 15
NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday asked banks and NBFCs to roll out loan restructuring scheme for COVID-19 related stress by September 15, and provide adequate support to the borrowers following the lifting of moratorium on repayment of debts. The minister urged lenders to immediately put in place a board-approved policy for resolution […]
Indian Railways to offer reliable, fast, affordable and easy to handle parcel services for logistics, courier agencies
NEW DELHI: Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry held a meeting with top courier service agencies to facilitate robust partnership with Railways Freight and Parcel service. During the meeting it was informed that Railways was set to offer reliable, fast, affordable and easy to handle parcel services for logistics / courier agencies. […]
Banks free to restructure loans, but can’t penalise borrowers availing moratorium benefit
NEW DELHI: Banks are free to restructure loans but they cannot penalise honest borrowers by charging interest on deferred EMI payments under the moratorium scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic, a petitioner opposing the move said in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, which commenced final hearing on a batch […]
Covid fallout: Fiscal deficit may rise over 8% of GDP in FY21
NEW DELHI: With economic disruptions set for a long haul due to Covid-19 pandemic, India could see its fiscal deficit this year to balloon to over 8 per cent of GDP, brokerages analysing the deficit numbers post release of August GST collection data have said. The Controller General of Accounts on Monday said that country’s […]
Coal India to invest over 1.22 lakh crore on 500 projects by 2023-24: Pralhad Joshi
NEW DELHI: With an aim to achieve 1 billion tonnes (BT) coal production by the year 2023-24 and make the nation Aatmanirbhar in Coal, National Miner Coal India Ltd (CIL) will invest over Rs. 1.22 lakh crores on about 500 projects related to coal evacuation, infrastructure, project development, exploration and clean coal technologies, said Union […]
GST revenue collection for August stands at Rs 86,449 crore
NEW DELHI: The gross GST revenue collected in the month of August, 2020 is Rs. 86,449 crore of which CGST is Rs. 15,906 crore, SGST is Rs. 21,064 crore, IGST is Rs. 42,264 crore (including Rs. 19,179 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is Rs.7,215 crore (including Rs. 673 crore collected on import […]
International air travel to remain suspended till September 30
NEW DELHI: The government of India has extended the suspension on scheduled commercial international flights to and from India till September-end. The government had last extended the suspension in July till August 31, Monday. A circular by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday said that it has further extended the suspension regarding […]
Monsoon Session to start from September 14
NEW DELHI: Parliament’s monsoon session will begin from September 14, a notification issued on Monday said. The notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat said President Ram Nath Kovind has called the lower house to meet on Monday, September 14 at 9 AM. Rajya Sabha is expected to meet at a different time on the […]
Indian economy shrinks record 23.9% in Q1
NEW DELHI: India’s economy suffered its worst slump on record in April-June, with the gross domestic product (GDP) contracting by 23.9 per cent as the coronavirus-related lockdowns weighed on the already-declining consumer demand and investment. The GDP contraction in the world’s fifth-largest economy compared with 3.1 per cent growth in the preceding January-March quarter and […]
China-backed AIIB approves 70 million euro loan to Turkey to fight COVID-19
BEIJING: Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) said on Monday it would lend 70 million euros ($83.37 million) to Turkey to help the country deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will be co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and aims to increase public hospital infrastructure capacity, according to a statement by […]
Scientists see downsides to top COVID-19 vaccines from Russia, China
Allison Martell, Julie Steenhuysen TORONTO/CHICAGO:High-profile COVID-19 vaccines developed in Russia and China share a potential shortcoming: They are based on a common cold virus that many people have been exposed to, potentially limiting their effectiveness, some experts say. CanSino Biologics’ vaccine, approved for military use in China, is a modified form of adenovirus type 5, […]
ICICI, Kotak Mahindra Bank lead six of 10 most valued firms to add over Rs 1 lakh crore in market capitalisation
NEW DELHI: The market valuation of six of the top 10 most valued firms zoomed by Rs 1,06,523.84 crore last week, with ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank leading the pack. During the last week, the BSE benchmark Sensex had gained 1,032.59 points or 2.68 per cent. Of these 10 most valued companies in terms […]