Karnataka lockdown relaxation
The Karnataka government has announced partial relaxation of COVID-19 lockdown norms in the state from Thursday, allowing IT and IT-enabled services to operate with essential minimum staff and also certain construction activities, manufacturing of packaging materials, courier services, among others.
The activities will be permitted only outside the COVID-19 containment zones identified by the government. "IT and IT-enabled services will be allowed to operate with essential minimum staff only. Rest to work from home," the government said on Wednesday.
Service provided by self-employed people like electricians, IT repair personnel, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters in local areas have also been given exemption. Tea, coffee and rubber plantations have been allowed to work with 50 per cent workforce.
CWC meeting
Top Congress leaders will on Thursday deliberate on the current situation arising out of the lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak in the country at a meeting of its apex decision-making body.
The meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) will be held through videoconferencing under the chairmanship of party chief Sonia Gandhi. This is the second time the CWC is meeting this month.
During the CWC meeting, a final shape to the party's plan for revival of the MSME sector and other measures for lifting of lockdown and revival of the economy are likely to be given.
Saudi Arabia to cite crescent moon
Saudi Arabia has urged its citizens to sight the new crescent moon on the evening of Thursday. The sighting of the moon will mark the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia, and by extension, the rest of the Islamic world.
"Anyone who sights the moon through a telescope or the naked eye should inform the nearest court," the Saudi Supreme Court said in a statement.
This year's Ramadan will be observed under unprecedented restrictions due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Saudi Arabia has extended the suspension of prayers at Mecca and Medina, the holiest sites in Islam. Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh issued a fatwa calling on Muslims to offer Ramadan and Eid prayers at home if the COVID-19 outbreak continues.
UK to begin coronavirus vaccine trials
A team of scientists at Oxford University will begin on Thursday human clinical trials of a new vaccine meant for the coronavirus. The BBC reported, "The plan is to test it on around 500 volunteers by mid-May and if that work proves successful, give it to thousands more volunteers." The UK government plans to give approximately 20 million pounds to support the research at Oxford University.
ICC to meet cricketing boards
The International Cricket Council will hold a videoconference with CEOs of its 12 'full member boards' and representatives of three associate member nations on Thursday to decide the way ahead for the cricket calendar that has been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Key issues on the agenda of the meeting could be the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia this year, and the World Test Championship. All World Test Championship matches have to be completed by the end of March next year in order for a final between the top two sides to be held.
Also on the agenda could be the fate of the ODI Super League, which was due to begin in May. The ODI Super League is a pathway to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup. The commercial impact of the coronavirus disruption has been substantial: The England Cricket Board could lose up to 300 million pounds as its summer schedule stares at a washout. The BCCI has kept the IPL on hold indefinitely.
UEFA Executive Committee meeting on Thursday
The executive committee of UEFA, the governing body of football, will hold an important meeting on Thursday to plan for future competitions amid the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The UEFA executive committee could examine how teams will qualify for competitions next year as domestic tournaments across the continent have been disrupted.
UEA had "strongly" recommended that leagues attempt to complete their 2019-2020 calendars.
Realme 5G phone launch
Chinese mobile phone manufacturer Realme is planning to launch a new 'mid-range' 5G-compatible phone on Thursday. Media reports claim the new phone could be the "Realme X50 Youth Edition or Realme X3". The Realme X50 Youth Edition could have a 48MP primary sensor and three other cameras for ultra-wide, macro mode and depth sensing. The device is expected to run on a Snapdragon 765G chipset.
