COVID-19
2 made-in-India vaccines reflect scientists' hard work, PM's commitment to people's health: Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
India has not only taken care of the health and well-being of its own people during the coronavirus crisis, it has also helped other nations by them sending vaccines, the minority affairs minister said at a 'Nutrition and Covid Awareness Camp'. The camp has been organised by the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) under the corporate social responsibility programme for women from underprivileged sections of the society.
Formula E cancels Paris race, Sanya and Seoul uncertain
Formula E on Thursday cancelled its Paris race due to restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and said E-Prix races planned for Seoul and the Chinese resort of Sanya remained uncertain. The seventh season of the all-electric series, now an FIA-sanctioned world championship, starts in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26 and 27 with two night races in Diriyah.
India has capability to strengthen global supply chain: PM Modi at World Economic Forum
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India has braved all difficulties in fight against coronavirus pandemic and has the capability to strengthen global supply chains. Addressing the World Economic Forum's Davos Dialogue via video conferencing, Modi said that India launched 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' with the resolve of increasing the capacity of our economy.
In 2020 India showed ability to meet all challenges, be it from coronavirus or at borders: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India last year showed it is capable of taking all steps to meet challenges, be it from coronavirus or at its borders. According to government projections released earlier this month, India's GDP is estimated to contract by a record 7.7 per cent during 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What Indian industries want from Union Budget 2021
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to unveil plans to boost economic growth when she presents the 2021/2022 Union Budget on February 1. Corporates and industry lobby groups expect the government to announce greater spending on healthcare and infrastructure, as well as tax breaks for the automotive, manufacturing and tourism industries, reeling from the coronavirus crisis.
Kanika Kapoor on Bollywood remixes
Kanika Kapoor was one of the most searched names in India in 2020 after she became the first celebrity to have contracted Covid-19. Putting the controversy behind her, the popular singer is currently living it up in London with her family. From juggling parenting duties to sticking to her fitness regime despite the chilly winters, and also churning out hits, Kanika has her hands full. In an exclusive interaction with ETimes, the songstress opens up about her journey in the music industry, her take on remixes, and the much talked-about Covid controversy. Excerpts:
India has flattened its Covid-19 graph; 146 districts have no new cases for 7 days: Harsh Vardhan
A total of 146 districts across the country have no new cases for the last seven days, 18 for the last 14 days, six for 21 days and 21 districts have not reported fresh cases of the coronavirus infection in the last 28 days, Vardhan said.
Symptoms of new COVID variant and how they are different
While the world was already in a state of turmoil with COVID-19 disrupting the lives of millions of people all across the globe, the new COVID strain that emerged in the United Kingdom, added to the pre-existing panic and chaos in and around the world.
India's gift of 5 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines reach Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's president on Thursday welcomed the first 500,000 doses of a Covid-19 vaccine from India, which has donated the shots to eight countries in the region. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Sri Lanka said 150,000 health workers and 115,000 selected military and police troops will be the first to be inoculated at six hospitals in Colombo and its suburbs.
Tributes pour in for young Indian media entrepreneur who died in Sharjah
UAE|: Sharjah: Tributes have been pouring in for a young global media entrepreneur and journalist from India who died in Sharjah on Wednesday. Ansif Ashraf, 37, who hailed from the south Indian state of Kerala, was best known for owning the British Herald, a UK-based online news site and magazine, which he purchased in 2018. Prominent personalities from different walks of life in various countries posted condolence messages and paid tributes to Ansif. Vice-President of Somaliland Abdirahman Saylici, patron of British Herald Baron Raminder Ranger, who holds a life peerage at UK’s House of Lords, Islamic scholar from Zimbabwe, Ismail ibn Musa Menk, also known as Mufti Menk, were among those who expressed shock at the untimely demise of Ansif and paid tributes online. Long-term Indian expat in Sharjah K.V. Shamsudheen said Ansif’s death was a big loss to the Indian community. “He was a very successful entrepreneur, philanthropist, visionary and a great human being. He was in the process of launching a new publication here.” Shamsudheen said Ansif had started many charitable initiatives back home in Mattancherry in Kochi. “Several students are being sponsored under the scholarship initiative and many women are being empowered. My family members and I pray for him and his family.” Ansif is survived by his wife Ramzeen Ansif, their two children, mother Naseem Ashraf and brother Arshad Ashraf. Man of many hats Born in Thane of the western Indian state of Maharashtra, Ansif had begun his career as a graphic designer in 2000 and went on to become a man of many hats-- an award-winning businessman, an e-commerce savant and a philanthropist. In 2006, he established Paradise Group, a trading company that dealt in rubber and carbon black. Two years later, he founded AGI Holdings - a company that sold centrifuge separators. In 2012, Ansif took over the reins of Cochin Herald which his father, Dr S.A. Mohamed Ashraf, had founded as a weekly newspaper in Kochi, Kerala, in 1992. He transformed it into an English business magazine published once in two months. Ansif was instrumental in instituting the Kerala State Business Excellence Awards. In 2018, he became the secretary general of the Kerala chapter of APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation, launched by family members of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India. It was in 2017 that Ansif acquired the intellectual property rights of the British Herald. He then launched it as an online news and information delivery platform. The following year, Ansif launched a bi-monthly e-magazine with same moniker, featuring prominent world leaders on its cover. In 2017, Ansif launched ‘Fly With Me’ mobile application that connects flyers travelling on the same flight and from the same airport. Having done his post-graduation in journalism in London School of Journalism, Ansif was a member of the London Press Club, and the National Union of Journalists in the UK. He was also a patron of British Library. Ansif had won World’s Top e-Business Champion Award from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2008. In 2013, he was awarded as a Brand Icon of the year by the Time of India newspaper. Ansif was the founder president of Young Chamber of Commerce and also the former e-coach and mentor of Youth Employment Network, which was a partnership of the United Nations, World Bank and International Labour Organisation. Having penned several articles in English and Malayalam journals and magazines, Ansif had also authored a book in Malayalam. Insan Charitable Trust under him conducts philanthropic activities by tying up with reputed organisations. In his Facebook posts in December, 2020, Ansif said the Trust in association with Abdullah Aid UK distributed winter supplies in Syria and heaters, blankets and beds in Gaza, Palestine. Ansif was also the global COVID-19 awareness ambassador for a unit of the government of Karnataka.
Abu Dhabi allows barbecues in 23 designated public parks
UAE|: Abu Dhabi: Following a lengthy prohibition on barbecuing in Abu Dhabi’s public parks, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality has once again permitted grilling in designated facilities across the capital. The prohibition was implemented last year as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19. Now, a total of 23 public parks have been designated for barbacuing, the Abu Dhabi City Municipality has announced. “Abu Dhabi Municipality is pleased to call on the public to adhere to public gardens specified for grilling,” the Municipality said in a social media post, before providing a list of the public parks. Barbecuing is a popular winter activity in the UAE, as families head out to enjoy the pleasant weather and share a meal. Many of the parks where grilling is permitted have built ovens, and a number have recently been refurbished. In Abu Dhabi, it is prohibited to grill or cook food in non-designated areas, and doing so is subject to spot fines of Dh500. While once again permitting outdoor grills, the Municipality also called upon park visitors to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures, including maintaining adequate social distance, and avoiding group gatherings and activities. List of parks with BBQ facilities Abu Dhabi island -Park No 1 on Khaleej Al Arabi St, right side in the outbound direction -Park No 2 on Khaleej Al Arabi St, right side in the outbound direction -Park No 4 on Khaleej Al Arabi St, right side in the outbound direction -Park No 5 on Khaleej Al Arabi St, right side in the outbound direction -Dolphin Gate on Sheikh Zayed St, right side on the inbound direction upto the intersection with Al Saada St -Zaafarana Garden on Muroor Road -Family Garden A on Hamdan Street, in the blocks between 26th St and Tarek Bin Ziyad St -Family Garden B on Corniche St, in the block between Tarek Bin Ziyad St and Khaled bin Al Waleed St -Narjeel Garden in the extended zone between Nation Towers to Al Bateen St -Official Garden, between Muroor Road and Fatima bint Mubarak St -Heritage Garden on Corniche St, between 10th St and its intersection with Al Mina Road Mainland -Al Wathba Garden in Al Wathba -Al Khatam Garden in Al Wathba -Al Adla Garden in Al Wathba -Garden 4 in Al Shamkha -Garden 5 in Al Shamkha -Garden 6 in Al Shamkha -Garden 7 in Al Shamkha -Northern Yas Gateway park in Al Shahama -Bain Al Jisreen Garden in Zayed City -Garden SE02 in Zayed City -Garden SE24 in Zayed City -Garden SW03 in Zayed City
COVID-19: Negative test result required to enter RAK government office
Health|: Ras Al Khaimah: A negative COVID-19 test result valid for 72 hours is required before visitors and customers can enter the Ras Al Khaimah – Department of Economic Department (RAK-DED) beginning Sunday (January 31), the government authority announced on Thursday. RAK-DED posted on its official social media account: “In light of the current situation and in implementation of the precautionary measures taken to combat coronavirus (COVID-19), starting from Sunday, January 31, customers shall be prohibited to enter the RAK-DED headquarters without showing a ‘negative’ COVID-19 test result, issued within 72 hours by one of the approved authorities in the UAE.”