COVID-19 vaccination Day 2: 2.25 lakh inoculated; 447 adverse events reported A total of 2,24,301 beneficiaries have been inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine so far, out of which only 447 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) were reported, the Union Health Ministry said on day two of the nationwide vaccination drive on Sunday. Out of the 447 adverse events following immunisation, only three required hospitalisation. India has approved two vaccines -- Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech...

Pfizer must conduct local study for vaccine approval: VK Paul Any vaccine maker, including Pfizer, which has sought emergency-use authorisation for its Covid-19 shot in India, must conduct a local \"bridging\" safety and immunogenicity study to be considered for the country's immunisation programme, a senior government official told Reuters. Serum Institute of India, the local manufacturer of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, has done a similar study on more than 1...

The new year began for the country with the spread of avian flu in 9 states so far, with Delhi and Maharashtra being the latest to confirm the outbreak

The bird flu outbreak has already been confirmed in Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh

Centre-farmers' talks inconclusive; next meeting on January 8 as agitation continues The seventh round of talks between protesting unions and three central ministers ended inconclusively on Monday, January 4, as farmer leaders insisted on the repeal of the three contentious farm laws right from the beginning, even as the government listed various benefits from the Acts. The next meeting will take place on January 8, farmer leaders said. GST compensation shortfall: Centre releases 10th ins...

Coronavirus impact: Govt extends deadline for income tax filing, GST compliance The government has extended various tax compliance deadlines, including Income Tax Returns, tax audit reports and declaration under 'Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme, in view of the challenges faced by taxpayers in meeting the statutory and regulatory compliances due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers protest: Consensus between unions, govt on 2 issues, next talks on Jan 4 The sixth round of talks between t...

Auto industry to see stronger growth in 2021-22: Nomura The Indian auto industry is expected to see stronger growth in 2021-22, after recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with electric vehicle sales, especially two-wheleers, also likely to see positive movements, according to Nomura Research Institute Consulting & Solutions India. However, in the personal vehicles segment, the levels reached in 2018-19 would be reached only in 2022-23, it added. New Covid-...

Second COVID-19 mutant found in UK; even more infectious than previous strain Another mutated strain of COVID-19 has been discovered in the United Kingdom, even as countries around the world intensified efforts to prevent transmission of an earlier mutated strain of the virus from the island nation. British Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the development public on Wednesday, adding that this new variant of coronavirus possibly originated in South Africa. Airtel connects 13.6 million ne...

Walmart to triple annual exports from India to $10 billion by 2027 Endorsing India's rise as a global hub of manufacturing, US-based retail major Walmart on Thursday said it will triple its exports of Indian goods every year to $10 billion by 2027. The new export commitment is expected to provide a significant boost to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India, alongside ongoing efforts such as the Flipkart Samarth and Walmart Vriddhi supplier development programs, Walmart ...

Extend restructuring window till March 2021, banks appeal to RBI The Reserve Bank of India has received a request from the Indian Banks' Association to extend the restructuring window recommended by the KV Kamath committee till March 31, 2021. The recast window is set to lapse on December 31. L&T on track to sell non-core assets to reduce liabilitiesEngineering and construction giant Larsen and Toubro (L&T) is on track to divest its non-core assets to cut its consolidated debt of...

Auto sector revival hits a speed breaker in November With the end of the festive season in the middle of November, revival in demand for automobiles in India has started to wane. Three continual months of growth led many to believe a strong revival was well and truly on. Instead, it slowed down 8.92 per cent on annual basis. This confirms auto sector's worst fear that the revival was merely on the back of pent up demand which would be unsustainable beyond festive season.OYO has $1 billion ...

While some conspiracy theorists are of the view that he is leading a class of global elites, others believe Gates is at the forefront of efforts to depopulate the world

India second worst-hit major economy in Q2; UK tops the list India has been the second worst performer among major economies during July-September quarter as COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact businesses. India's GDP fell 7.5 per cent during the September quarter, albeit much slower than the 23.9 per cent decline registered in the June quarter, signalling a rebound. India's GDP contracts 7.5%, sequential growth at new high of 23.2%While the economy contracted for the second successive...

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced that it has completed private placement of 4.63 per cent of its equity shares worth Rs 81.64 crore; the CBI has booked Delhi-based Amira Pure Foods Pvt Ltd and its top executives including promoter Karan Chanana and Managing Director Rajesh Arora for allegedly cheating a consortium of a dozen banks led by Canara Bank; the Enforcement Directorate has arrested Ajay Ajit Peter Kerkar, the promoter of bankrupt travel company Cox & Kings, in connection with a money laundering case. Watch this and more news on News Blast.

Govt-industry synergy can help India beat China at low-cost manufacturing: Maruti Chairman India has the potential to surpass even China in low-cost manufacturing if the government and industry work in a cohesive manner, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chairman RC Bhargava said. Bhargava also said the government should focus on increasing the competitiveness of the Indian industry. Cashless treatments worth Rs 17,500 crore provided under Ayushman Bharat: Centre More than 1.4 crore cashless tr...

ICICI Bank introduces 'Cardless EMI' facility; only mobile number, PAN required ICICI Bank has launched a fully digital EMI plan, to be made available at leading retail stores, in partnership with Pine Labs. Formally called 'ICICI Bank Cardless EMI,' the bank stated on Thursday that this facility replaces debit or credit cards and digital wallets with mobile phones and PAN, making it easier for their pre-approved customers to purchase appliances of their choice. GDP contraction to narrow ...

Bill Gates stated that 50 per cent of business travel and 30 per cent of days in office shall wither away in the post pandemic world

Australian TV mathematician Matt Parker made several assumptions to come up with the figure but says that even at the upper end of his estimates, all the Covid virus on the planet would fit inside a shot glass

Netflix to make television debut with subscription-based channel 'Direct' Netflix is ready to make its debut on television in France with a subscription based channel called 'Direct'. The decision to choose France is a result of the country's consumption of traditional TV. This new linear feature may also appeal to older demographics that make up a significant portion of households in France. According to reports from Variety, the channel will air French, international and US feature films ...

Netflix to make television debut with subscription-based channel 'Direct' Netflix is ready to make its debut on television in France with a subscription based channel called 'Direct'. The decision to choose France is a result of the country's consumption of traditional TV. This new linear feature may also appeal to older demographics that make up a significant portion of households in France. According to reports from Variety, the channel will air French, international and US feature films ...