Covid-19 variants get new names: B.1.617.2 is now Delta
WHO has released a new nomenclature for SARS-CoV-2 variants in an attempt to remove regional associations that could lead to stigmatization. The variant first found in the UK will be called Alpha and the one sampled in India as Delta.
Till now, these have most commonly been known by what is called the Pango lineage code: the one linked to the UK is called B.1.1.7, and the one linked to India is known as B.1.617.2. In common use, however, they have also been sometimes referred to as the UK variant or the Indian variant, a practice that experts and officials have discouraged.
Source- Hindustan times
Lenders can deal in cryptocurrencies, clarifies RBI
The RBI, on Monday, clarified that its 2018 order directing lenders to stop dealing in virtual currencies was quashed by the Supreme Court in March last year and can’t be cited by banks to deny services to people dealing in cryptocurrencies.
The clarification came after lenders such as HDFC Bank Ltd and State Bank of India cautioned customers against dealing in virtual currencies such as Bitcoin, citing the circular.
Source- Mint
60% of Nestle's food portfolio is 'unhealthy'
Nestle is now in a damage control mode after a report stated that over 60% of its food portfolio is unhealthy. The company said that it is updating its nutrition and health strategy. In an internal document, Nestle acknowledged that more than 60% of its mainstream foods and drinks do not "meet a recognized definition of health".
They acknowledged that some of their products will never be healthy, no matter how much they renovate, according to a report by Financial Times. Nestle is the maker of popular food items such as Maggi noodles, KitKat chocolate, and Nescafe.
Source- Business Today
Infosys insider trading: SEBI bars 8 entities from the stock market
The Securities and Exchange Board of India banned 8 trading entities from the securities market due to their illegal indulgence in insider trading activities for the shares of Infosys.
Two of the eight banned, Capital One Partners and Tesora Capital, were flagged for impounding illegal gains worth a total of Rs 3.06 crores.
These entities were found to be in possession of an Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI) of Infosys' financial results for the quarter ending in June 2020.
Source- Indian Express
It’s time to define limits of sedition, being misused currently: SC
The Supreme Court, on Monday, said that the sedition law is being misused, while protecting 2 Telugu news channels from coercive action by the Andhra government. They were charged for their reportage of COVID-19.
The court also issued a notice to the AP government acknowledging that the media is well within its rights to critique any ruling power.
The 3-judge bench pointed out that while the provisions in the sedition law of the Indian Penal Code might require some interpretation on the basis of the context, any kind of silencing of critics, journalists, social media users, activists, and citizens using this law is basically “muzzling” of free speech.
Source- The Hindu
After SC setback, Maharashtra govt extends EWS quota to Marathas
Maharashtra MVA government, on Monday, announced that the members of the Maratha community would be accommodated in the 10% quota for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
This came up after the government was under fire for losing the Maratha quota case in the Supreme Court along with facing the threat of a massive agitation by the BJP and Maratha groups from June 5.
However, a Maratha leader has come forth and condemned this order, saying that the caste groups that are not covered by any reservations are automatically eligible for the EWS quota and any government order isn't required for this.
Source- Indian Express
No single shot Covishield or mixing vaccines just yet: Government
Covishield will not be changed to a single-shot schedule and "there is no question" of mixing vaccines till scientifically proven, the government clarified after unofficial reports were floated out to the public.
These clarifications came after government sources revealed that tests on mixing vaccines and the effectiveness of a single dose of Covishield will begin soon, as the shortage of COVID-19 shots has slowed down vaccinations.
Source- NDTV
Doctors observe ‘Black Day’ to protest Ramdev’s allopathy remarks
Doctors across the country observed a "Black Day" today in protest against yoga guru Ramdev's alleged remarks on allopathy, where he apparently called modern medical treatments "stupid". Various medical associations have demanded an "unconditional open public apology" for Ramdev's alleged "insensitive and derogatory" comments that said that more people died of modern medicine during the coronavirus pandemic than the deadly disease itself. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) had called for the protest. FORDA President Dr. Manish says the protest is not against Ayurveda but Ramdev.
Source- TOI
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