A total of 157 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in the country, with Kerala reporting the highest number of 78, followed by Gujarat at 34, according to the INSACOG's data updated on Thursday. Several states have been reporting an uptick in the number of Covid cases over the last few weeks and nine states and Union territories have so far detected the presence of the JN.1 sub-variant of the virus. These states are -- Kerala (78), Gujarat (34), Goa (18), Karnataka (eight), Maharashtra (seven), Rajasthan (five), Tamil Nadu (four), Telangana (two) and Delhi (one), according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The INSACOG's data showed 141 Covid cases recorded in the country in December had the presence of JN.1, while 16 such cases were detected in November. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a separate "variant of interest" given its rapidly-increasing spread, but said it poses a "low" global public health risk. The JN.1
The early risers of India witnessed the longest and the last full moon called Cold Moon in the early morning today. The cold Moon will be there till the evening of December 27
Covid-19 latest update: At least 409 new Covid-19 cases were reported in the last 24 hours in the country, data from mygov.in showed. Kerala saw 3,096 active cases, the highest in the country
Escalating debt vulnerabilities in many low or middle-income countries and overlapping crises are forcing an increasing number of countries to seek debt restructuring from external creditors
Dean of global business at the Fletcher School also believes that, with capital coming into India, it bodes well for AI startups but only if regulation is in place
The Airbus A340, carrying 303 passengers, had taken off from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was grounded at the Vatry airport
JN.1 Covid- 19 variant: The Karnataka government on Monday said 34 cases of Covid-19's variant JN.1 have been found in the state so far
Politically, the sharing is made easy by the fact that after plenty of years, both nations will have governments that will have their mandate in the same year at the same time
JN.1 Covid-19 variant: In India, cases of the new JN.1 Covid-19 variant has been found in Rajasthan, Goa and Maharashtra. The total cases of the new variant currently stands at 26
Health experts suggest that people should consider wearing masks, especially in public places, to contain the spread of the new variant of Covid-19, JN.1
Republic Day celebrations: If Emmanuel Macron accepts the invitation, this will be the sixth time that a French President will be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations
State Bank of India (SBI) on Thursday said it will sign a 200 million euro (about Rs 1,800 crore) Line of Credit (LoC) with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for supporting climate action projects in the country. The agreement will be signed on December 21 at the bank's IFSC Gift City Branch in Ahmedabad, SBI said in a regulatory filing. The loan document will become operational, subject to necessary approvals, it said. Earlier this month, SBI signed a 70 million euro (about Rs 630 crore) LoC with German Development Bank KfW for promoting solar projects in the country. The LoC is aimed at supporting Solar Photovoltaics (PV) projects in India.
Describing the situation in Afghanistan is still one of concern, India has said the formation of an inclusive and representative government structure, combating terrorism, and preserving the rights of women, children, and minorities in Afghanistan is an immediate priority for it. Addressing a Security Council meeting on the topic of Situation in Afghanistan' on Wednesday, India's Permanent Representative at the UN Ruchira Kamboj said that as a contiguous neighbour to Afghanistan, a friend to its people and as a country with direct stakes in ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan, India was still concerned over the situation in the country. Our common and immediate priorities include providing humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people, formation of an inclusive and representative government structure, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children, and minorities, Kamboj said. India has not yet recognised the Taliban set-up and has bee
A free trade agreement with Oman will help boost apparel exports as huge business opportunities are there in the Gulf nation for Indian exporters, AEPC said on Thursday. Negotiations for the pact, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), are moving at a fast pace. The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said that the swift movement towards CEPA is encouraging and will be a game changer for India- Oman bilateral trade. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 12.39 billion in 2022-23, up from USD 9.99 billion in the previous year. "The RMG (readymade garments) exports to Oman grew from USD 13 million in 2020 to USD 28 million in 2021. The customs duty in Oman is 5 per cent on RMG products. Though it is a small market but has immense potential to grow once tariff is eliminated post-FTA and will be another doorway to GCC countries," AEPC Secretary General Mithileshwar Thakur said. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a union
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday held a meeting to review the sudden jump in Covid-19 cases and deaths in several parts of the country
She highlighted the ongoing concerns about the situation in Afghanistan, expressing particular worry about the deteriorating humanitarian conditions exacerbated by natural disasters
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the Covid-19 situation and preparedness of public health systems in view of rising Covid cases
India has urged the Group of Seven (G7) countries to delay an incoming ban on Russian diamonds because the rules to trace the origins of gems remain unclear, two sources aware of the matter said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said technology has become an important part of life like never before and India's goal should be that it doesn't have to import technology or depend on others for it. India has the biggest talent pool in the world and the "world is confident that India can provide low-cost, quality, sustainable and scalable solutions to global challenges," he said. Interacting with students during the grand finale of the Smart India Hackathon, he said, "Technology has become important part of our lives like never before. Our goal should be that India doesn't have to import any technology or depend on others for it." The PM lauded young innovators for their problem-solving capabilities and ingenuity in addressing complex challenges. "Today, we are at a turning point in time, where every effort of ours will strengthen the foundation of the India of the next thousand years," he said.
India is negotiating free trade agreements with the European Union (EU), the UK, Sri Lanka, and Peru, according to a year-end review statement of the commerce ministry. India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement negotiations were formally re-launched on June 17 2022. "Negotiations cover 23 policy areas/chapters. Six rounds of negotiations have been held till October 2023," the ministry said. With the UK, 13 rounds of talks have been completed and the next round will take place in January 2024. "India-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) negotiations are ongoing with the 12th round of negotiations conducted from 30th October to 1st November 2023 in Colombo," it said. It added that both sides also agreed to continue discussions on matters, including apparel quotas and pharmaceutical procurement. With Peru, it said discussions on various chapters, including rules of origin, trade in goods, trade facilitation, sanitary, and phytosanitary measures were ..