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		<img align="" alt="A crowded market in Thiruvananthapuram (Photo: PTI)" class="imgCont" height="464" src="https://bsmedia.business-standard.com/_media/bs/img/article/2021-08/25/full/1629896068-0999.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #DDD; margin-right: 10px; padding: 1px; float: left; z-index: 0;" title="Thiruvananthapuram" width="620">
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		A crowded market in Thiruvananthapuram (Photo: PTI)</div></div>

Tamil Nadu govt announces reopening of physical classes for students of standard 1 to 12 from Feb 1, decides to lift night curfew from Jan 28

A crowded market in Thiruvananthapuram (Photo: PTI)

Thiruvananthapuram

<div>
	<strong>Live news updates:</strong>&nbsp;India&#39;s Tata Group took control of state-run carrier Air India on Thursday, finalising a $2.4 billion deal to regain ownership of the airline after nearly 70 years.</div>
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	The auto-to-steel conglomerate in October won the bid to take over Air India, seen as a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s government that for years struggled to privatise the financially troubled airline.</div>
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	Chandrasekaran called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday ahead of the official handover of Air India to the Tata Group.</div>
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<div>
	India recorded 286,384 new cases of Covid-19 and 573 deaths from the disease in the last 24 hours, said the health ministry on Thursday. Total Covid-19 cases increased to 40.37 million and death toll in the pandemic is at 491,700</div>
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<div>
	Prime Minister Modi will host the first India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format during which leaders are expected to discuss&nbsp; relations and the regional security situation.&nbsp;</div>

Covid LIVE: TN schools to re-open on Feb 1; Kerala logs 51,739 new cases

Business Standard

Covid-19 cases have risen to their highest level in around four months. From less than 200 cases across India at the end of February, India reported 1,134 cases on March 21st

PM Modi

Apple has already grabbed the tag of the largest smartphone exporter from India by value due to its premium and super premium segment


Surge in demand for Covishield led to a huge spike in its revenues and profits

Serum Institute

Long queues of people were seen outside the Apple store at Mumbai's BKC - India's first Apple store. People were also seen standing outside the Apple Store at Delhi's Select Citywalk Mall in Saket


Rama Rao also blamed PM Modi for doing favours to Gautam Adani by way of privatising government companies


Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against the chief minister for allegedly claiming Shakawat was involved in the Sanjeevani scam


Official sources claimed that the Bill did not need ratification from states, as mandated otherwise for Constitution amendments, since it had been introduced under specific provisions


Day 5 of the special session of the Parliament will commence today. Catch all the latest updates from the session here


Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched the Mission Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE) in the state, a global mass movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sarma said it promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle, focusing on utilisation instead of wasteful consumption.
Under this initiative, week-long activities will be carried out across all districts, addressing seven identified categories, including saving energy and water, reducing plastic and e-waste, and healthy lifestyles, he said.
Sarma said in known and unknown ways we work against nature creating problems for humanity, leading to challenges with which humans, plants and the animal kingdom have to deal.
Earlier, we could predict the seasonal changes but now things have changed mostly due to loss of green cover, wetlands and other natural bodies, and many research papers have pointed out that North East India will face severe impacts of climate change, the CM said.
Over the l

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma speaks during a press conference organised to commemorate the completion of 8 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP-led government at the centre, at BJP state office in Guwahati, Wednesday, Jun

Himanta Biswa Sarma

The proposal to ease foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in the space sector is "under inter-ministerial discussion," the official added


Nearly a month ago government sources told Reuters that India is expected to ban mills from exporting sugar in the next season beginning October, halting shipments for the first time in seven years

Russia-Ukraine War

The year 2022 is coming to an end and a lot has happened that shaped the world in the year. Let's have a look at some of these significant events

In February 2022, Russia attacked Ukraine&amp;#39;s capital, Kyiv, from the north in an attempt to overthrow President Volodymyr Zelensky&amp;#39;s government. In the months following, artillery bombardment and street fighting continued, with Russia seizing multiple cities.

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After a slew of scandals in his term spanning three years, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned from office in July. Johnson was succeeded by Liz Truss, who took over the office in September.
						
						But after 45 days in the office, she resigned, becoming the shortest-serving PM in UK history. Her budgetary plans, at the centre of which were tax cut plans, had crashed the markets, making her lose the confidence of almost all her own MPs.
						
						In the days that followed, Rishi Sunak took over as Britain&amp;#39;s 57th prime minister and vowed to fix the mistakes made by his predecessor, Liz Truss.

Russia Invades Ukraine

In April, protests began in the nation following a sharp rise in food and fuel costs. Thousands demanded the resignation of now-ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The people faced long power cuts daily and shortages of basics, including fuel and food. Sri Lanka&amp;#39;s doctors said they were nearly out of life-saving medicines.
						
						Rajapaksa&amp;#39;s government was being blamed for the chronic mismanagement of the country&amp;#39;s finances. In July, protestors stormed Rajapaksa&amp;#39;s home, pushing him to flee the nation before resigning from office.

UK&amp;#39;s political crisis

In September, 22-year-old Iranian girl Mahsa Amini died after being detained for allegedly violating Iran&amp;#39;s laws requiring women to wear a headscarf. Authorities said she died of illness, but her family claimed she fell into a coma after being mistreated by the police. Sources said the police beat Amini with a baton and banged her head against a vehicle. At her funeral on September 17 in Saqez, women protested by ripping off their hijabs. Protests sparked by her demise have since roped in ethnic minorities and even school children. Thousands of women since then have been showing solidarity by cutting their hair and burning their hijabs in public.
						
						Now, the unrest has spread beyond a women&amp;#39;s right to a movement that is calling for an end to theocratic rule. The protests are now the most broadly supported movement in Iran in over four decades.

Sri Lanka economic crisis

In October, Chinese President Xi Jinping was handed a historic third term in office. He became the first leader of the ruling Communist Party after party founder Mao Zedong to get a third term in power.
						
						This came as China&amp;#39;s economy was running out of steam after decades of high growth. Many expect Xi&amp;#39;s third term may see China revert to more old-school economic management, focusing on shoring up the heavy industry and continuing a crackdown on big tech.

Uprising mounts again in Iran

In a historic first, rich countries agreed to pay for losses and damages caused by climate change. For 30 years, developing nations have been calling for developed countries to compensate for the costs of climate disasters caused by climate change. And rich nations that caused the pollution resisted the demand. But this changed in 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping starts record third term in power

In 2022, inflation was rising worldwide, with food and energy prices hitting record highs. The hike was mainly driven by pent-up consumer demand after the pandemic and Russia&amp;#39;s invasion of Ukraine. As the pandemic waned, people wanted to return to normalcy and spend more. This led to companies demanding higher prices. Companies also hired more to serve the pent-up demand. They had to increase wages to attract workers and raise prices to compensate for that.

A landmark deal UN Climate Change Conference (COP27)

In September, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain&amp;#39;s longest-serving monarch, died at 96 after reigning for 70 years. Many said her death would mark a turning point for commonwealth nations as many may disassociate themselves.

The global economy at crossroads

In October, Brazil&amp;#39;s former president, Luiz In&amp;aacute;cio Lula da Silva beat Jair Bolsonaro in the country&amp;#39;s closest presidential race in history. Silva&amp;#39;s win marked Latin America&amp;#39;s shift to the left and pointed to an extraordinary comeback for a man in jail for corruption three years ago.

Queen Elizabeth II dies

In October, billionaire Elon Musk closed his $44 billion deal to buy Twitter after months of dilly-dallying, drama and a lawsuit. The Tesla owner&amp;#39;s Twitter takeover is also one of the biggest tech acquisitions of all time. May fear that Musk&amp;#39;s takeover may turn the social media giant into a hotbed of hate speech.
					
						&amp;nbsp;

Brazil elections

Google Messages

In January, Google rolled out end-to-end encryption in group chats for messages app users enrolled in the beta programme

Blend launches Blend Studio: AI tool for ecommerce photography

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI/PNN): Blend, an AI-powered design and photography application for DTC brands and ecommerce sellers, recently launched Blend Studio - the Chat GPT for product photos.

Celebrity and Travel Photographer Rahul Lokare from Flamingo Productions creates waves of change in the world of photography.

Xiaomi 13 Pro

Priced at Rs 79,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB on-board storage, the Xiaomi 13 Pro offers a novel imaging experience on top of a premium package

India, central Asian countries pitch for boosting trade, connectivity

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	Leaders of five central Asian countries on Thursday welcomed India&#39;s proposal to establish a joint working group to boost connectivity to the region through the Chabahar port in Iran.</div>
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	During the India-Central Asia Summit hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, the leaders emphasised that connectivity projects could be a force multiplier for trade and economic cooperation and contacts between countries and people.</div>
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	The leaders also stressed on making concerted efforts to boost trade and investment in sectors such as medicine, healthcare, education, information technology, business process outsourcing, infrastructure, agriculture and agri-processing, energy, space industry, textiles, leather and footwear industry, gems and jewellery.</div>

EU regulator recommends Pfizer's Covid pill be authorised

<div>
	The European Medicines Agency has recommended that Pfizer&#39;s coronavirus antiviral drug be authorised for use in the 27-nation European Union, the first time the agency has recommended a pill for treating COVID-19.</div>
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	&nbsp;</div>
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	In a statement on Thursday, the EU drug regulator said giving the green light to Pfizer&#39;s Paxlovoid could help people infected with COVID-19 avoid more serious disease and being hospitalised. EMA&#39;s expert committee recommended the pill be given to adults who don&#39;t require oxygen and who are at higher risk of severe disease.</div>
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	&nbsp;</div>
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	The drug was cleared by regulators in the US and Britain in late December, although authorities noted that supplies would be extremely limited.</div>

Nashik records 4,696 new Covid cases in 48 hrs; seven casualties

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	With the addition of 4,696 new COVID-19 cases over the last two days, the tally of infections in Maharashtra Nashik district has reached 4,59,328, an official said on Thursday.</div>
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	At least seven patients died of the infection in the last 48 hours, raising the toll to 8792, he said.</div>
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	As many as 5,385 patients have been discharged from hospitals since Wednesday, taking the count of recoveries to 4,33,215, leaving the district with 17,321 active cases, the official said.</div>
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	&nbsp;</div>
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	Of the total number of cases reported so far, 2,63,554 were from Nashik city, 1,70,357 from other parts of the district, 13,685 from Malegaon and 7,816 from outside the district, the administration said.</div>

Karnataka reports 38,083 fresh Covid cases

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		Karnataka reports 38,083 fresh COVID cases, 67,236 recoveries, and 49 deaths today<br />
		<br />
		Active cases: 3,28,711<br />
		Today&#39;s positivity rate: 20.44% <a href="https://t.co/h63auHmroD">pic.twitter.com/h63auHmroD</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486716993789071367?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Maharashtra reports 25,425 fresh Covid cases

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Maharashtra reports 25,425 fresh COVID cases, 36,708 recoveries, and 42 in the last 24 hours<br />
		<br />
		Active cases: 2,87,397 <a href="https://t.co/Vt6JvEULlw">pic.twitter.com/Vt6JvEULlw</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486716409522491393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Tamil Nadu Govt announces reopening of physical classes for students of standard 1 to 12 from Feb 1, decides to lift night curfew from Jan 28</p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486710982516699139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Delhi reports 4,291 COVID cases, 9,397 recoveries, and 34 deaths in the last 24 hours<br />
		<br />
		Active cases: 33,175<br />
		Today&#39;s positivity rate: 9.56% <a href="https://t.co/uUCg6K855h">pic.twitter.com/uUCg6K855h</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486694021581864962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Will ask Congress workers to decide Punjab CM candidate: Rahul

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>| Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi&amp; State Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu assured me that whoever will lead (CM face) Punjab the other person will support him. Party workers will decide (name of CM face): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Punjab <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabAssemblyelections?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabAssemblyelections</a> <a href="https://t.co/BlW5edXIBb">pic.twitter.com/BlW5edXIBb</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486693275671023616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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'There is no fight between us': Punjab CM on Sidhu

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		There is no fight between us. Announce chief minister face for Punjab polls, we (Punjab Congress) will stand united: Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi said during a gathering where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present <a href="https://t.co/c3tkX5S408">pic.twitter.com/c3tkX5S408</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486688200999374854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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	Kerala logged 51,739 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday taking the caseload to 58,26,596, while the death toll rose to 52,343 with 68 COVID-19-related deaths being registered.</div>
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	On Wednesday, the state had recorded 49,771. The state on Tuesday had registered 55,475 cases, the highest ever single day spike in the infection since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.</div>
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	&nbsp;</div>
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	The previous highest ever in a single day was recorded on January 20- 46,387.</div>
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	The state Health department said 116,003 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.</div>

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		Have tested Covid positive.<br />
		<br />
		Urge all those who have come in recent contact to take suitable precautions.</p>
	&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1486684551279566851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi at the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit

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		The second goal of today&#39;s meeting is to give an effective structure to our cooperation, which will pave the way for the establishment of a platform for regular interaction among all stakeholders: PM Modi at the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit (2/3) <a href="https://t.co/YxldZOAJEr">pic.twitter.com/YxldZOAJEr</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486660938719633409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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'Early indication of plateauing Covid cases reported in some places'

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Early indication of plateauing Covid cases reported in some places; trend needs to be observed, precautions need to be continued: Govt</p>
	&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1486661599758667781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is more prevalent in India now: Govt

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is more prevalent in India now: NCDC Director on COVID19 situation in India <a href="https://t.co/d7dYGMWOb3">pic.twitter.com/d7dYGMWOb3</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486655822335647753?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Fully vaccinated people are 75% now: Ministry of Health

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		On 7th May 2021, at peak of second wave of COVID19, there were 4,14,188 new cases &amp; 3679 deaths; only 3% people were fully vaccinated. On 21st Jan 2022, there were 3,47,254 new cases and 435 deaths; fully vaccinated people are 75% now: Ministry of Health on COVID19 situation <a href="https://t.co/JM2xbOicfi">pic.twitter.com/JM2xbOicfi</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486653144633249799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As of Jan 26, 551 districts were reporting case positivity rate of over 5%: Health Ministry

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		There&#39;re over 3 lakh active cases in Karnataka, Maharashtra &amp;Kerala &amp;over one lakh in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat &amp; Tamil Nadu. We&#39;re in touch with the states regarding containment activities. As of Jan 26, 551 districts were reporting case positivity rate of over 5%: Health Ministry <a href="https://t.co/S70u1yba3W">https://t.co/S70u1yba3W</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486653752597639171?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Karnataka, Maha, Kerala have over 300k active Covid cases, says govt

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		11 states have over 50,000 active Covid cases; Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala have over 3 lakh active infections: Govt</p>
	&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1486651527640981507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		59 pc of adolescents in 15-18 year age group have received 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far: Govt</p>
	&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1486653880649740288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		400 districts reporting over 10 pc weekly Covid positivity; 141 districts logged 5 to 10 pc positivity in week ending January 26: Govt</p>
	&mdash; Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTI_News/status/1486652869650444291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Totally delighted that AI takeover process is complete, says Tata Sons chairman

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		We&#39;re totally delighted that this process is complete &amp; happy to have Air India back in the Tata Group. We look forward to walking with everyone to create a world-class airline: Chairman of Tata Sons N Chandrasekharan after taking handover of Air India <a href="https://t.co/0vv3EVhRXL">pic.twitter.com/0vv3EVhRXL</a></p>
	&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1486645686011510786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Air India has been handed over to Tata Sons: DIPAM Secretary

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	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		The strategic disinvestment transaction of Air India successfully concluded today with transfer of 100% shares of Air India to M/s Talace Pvt Ltd along with management control. A new Board, led by the Strategic Partner, takes charge of Air India. <a href="https://t.co/wd5ZcUFomI">pic.twitter.com/wd5ZcUFomI</a></p>
	&mdash; Secretary, DIPAM (@SecyDIPAM) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecyDIPAM/status/1486645907319705608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Air India formally handed over to Tata Group, says Scindia

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
	<p dir="ltr" lang="en">
		Best wishes to the new owners. I am confident that the airline will bloom under their wings, and pave the way for a thriving &amp; robust civil aviation industry in India. <a href="https://twitter.com/airindiain?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airindiain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TataCompanies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TataCompanies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RNTata2000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RNTata2000</a></p>
	&mdash; Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JM_Scindia/status/1486642506339028993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Covid LIVE: TN schools to re-open on Feb 1; Kerala logs 51,739 new cases

Tamil Nadu govt announces reopening of physical classes for students of standard 1 to 12 from Feb 1, decides to lift night curfew from Jan 28

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