Author: Mike Harrison

The Kerala State Cooperative Bank (Kerala Bank) will be dissolved if the United Democratic Front (UDF) comes to power in the State, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has said.Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Chennithala said that the Kerala High Court’s decision to stay the State government’s move to regularise 1,850 temporary employees of Kerala Bank was a jolt to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government.“The UDF has opposed the formation of the Kerala Bank right from the beginning. It is an illegal entity. The government is destroying the cooperative movement in the State in the name of the…

Australia has contracted 53.8 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Australia’s regulator on Tuesday approved the AstraZeneca vaccine as its second for use against COVID-19.Pfizer’s product will be available in Australia next week. It will be given in two doses three weeks apart, while AstraZeneca’s will be administered in two doses 12 weeks apart.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the regulator, found the AstraZeneca vaccine was safe and effective.Health Minister Greg Hunt said the AstraZeneca vaccine will prevent serious COVID-19 illness.Mr. Morrison will be vaccinated with the Pfizer product and Mr. Hunt with AstraZeneca in a demonstration…

She holds an MPA from Columbia University and a B.A. in Government from Clark University. Indian-American Pronita Gupta, an expert on labour issues, has been named US President Joe Biden’s Special Assistant for Labour and Workers on the Domestic Policy Council.Ms. Gupta, who expertise in the areas of paid family and medical leave, pay equity, and other workplace labour standards, brings a deep commitment and dedication to advocating policies that improve job quality for workers, strengthen worker protection, and increase economic security for working families with low incomes, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) said in a statement.A…

Despite the need to go abroad for her surgery, the PML-N vice president says “I will live and die in my country”. Pakistan’s deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz said on Monday that she will not leave the country to join her father in London for her treatment despite the Imran Khan government’s apparent offer to go abroad.”Even if someone (from the government) comes to my home and offers me to go abroad, I will decline it straightaway,” she said while talking to reporters at her Jati Umra Raiwind residence here.”I know some ministers are saying that if…

Amidst the agitation by the Kerala PSC Rank Holders Associations and opposition from youth organisations backed by the United Democratic Front, the Special Cabinet on Monday decided to regularise 151 contract staff with more than 10 years of experience.The highest of 100 temporary staff in various categories with more than 10 years of experience to be regularised is in the State-owned Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).Another 37 contract staff of the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board will also be regularised. The 14 contract staff of the Cooperative Academy of Professional Education with more than 10 years of experience will also…

Osaka, the 2019 champion, will meet the winner of Serena Williams and Simona Halep for a place in the final. The brute force of Naomi Osaka crushed the artistry of Hsieh Su-wei as the Japanese former champion charged into the Australian Open semi-finals with a 6-2 6-2 win on Tuesday.On a warm and muggy day at Rod Laver Arena, third seed Osaka attacked Hsieh’s weak serve with gusto and the Taiwanese giantkiller quickly wilted under the pressure of her Grand Slam quarter-final debut.Osaka scrambled superbly to chase down the improbable angles conjured by her opponent’s double-handed, double-sided game, and she…

Reacting to news reports including in the Los Angeles Times of growing concern over Vice-President Kamala Harris’ niece Meena Harris using her aunt’s name to promote her business and brand, the White House said the Vice-President and her family will uphold “the highest ethical standards”, adding that her name should not be used in any commercial activities to suggest an endorsement.“The Vice-President and her family will uphold the highest ethical standards and it’s the White House’s policy that the Vice-President’s name should not be used in connection with any commercial activities that could reasonably be understood to imply an endorsement…

The Palestinian Authority (PA) said on February 15 that Israel was preventing it from sending coronavirus vaccines to the Gaza Strip that are intended for frontline medical workers in the territory controlled by the Islamic militant group Hamas.Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila said in a statement that Israel bore “full responsibility” for blocking the shipment of 2,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine that were acquired by the PA, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.The PA has said it will share its vaccine supply with Gaza, where the Islamic militant group Hamas seized power from its forces in…

The appointment came after U.S. President Joe Biden endorsed her candidacy, which had been blocked by former President Donald Trump. The World Trade Organization’s incoming chief on Monday warned against “vaccine nationalism’ that would slow progress in ending the COVID-19 pandemic and could erode economic growth for all countries – rich and poor.Ms. Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters her top priority was to ensure the WTO does more to address the pandemic, saying members should accelerate efforts to lift export restrictions slowing trade in needed medicines and supplies.The former Nigerian finance minister and senior World Bank executive was appointed on Monday in…

His century coupled with skipper Kohli’s resolute effort leaves England staring at a daunting target; home bowlers strike to further add to the misery There is a touch of drama in whatever R. Ashwin does. You can never tell his mind. On 99, Ashwin needed just a single for his fifth Test hundred. What does he do? He jumps out to off-spinner Moeen Ali’s flighted delivery outside off, has a big swipe but the top-edge travels over the slip to the fence. Soon he throws up his arms in triumph and relief. The crowd goes berserk. The home boy has…