Category: Business & Economy

** IMF Chief Economist Gita Gopinath to leave job and return to Harvard University

She had joined the IMF as the Chief Economist in January 2019

IMF’s Chief Economist Gita Gopinath will leave her job in January next year and return to the prestigious Harvard University, according to the global financial institution.

The 49-year-old prominent Indian-American economist had joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the Chief Economist in January 2019.

She was the John Zwaanstra Professor of International Studies and Economics at Harvard University when she joined the Washington-based global lender.

Mysuru-born Gopinath is the first-ever woman Chief Economist of the IMF.

** Total COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India crosses 100-crore milestone

According to official sources, around 75% of India’s all eligible adult population has been administered at least the first dose

The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore milestone on October 21.

In a tweet, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the country on achieving the feat, and said it was the result of the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

** Proud to contribute to 1 bn vaccinations: Bharat Biotech

Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech on Thursday said it was proud to contribute to India reaching the one billion-mark of Covid vaccinations.

The Hyderabad-based vaccine maker said that reaching the one billion-mark in just nine-months is a remarkable achievement for India.

“Bharat Biotech is proud to have contributed to this historic landmark. This is a unified effort of the Government, vaccine manufacturers, healthcare workers and all the vaccinated citizens of India, making it a true success story of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Asaid Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech.

** Telugu man appointed Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Trade and Development Agency

Former diplomat and prominent Telugu in the United States, Vinai Thummalapally, has been appointed as the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

The appointment was made by U.S. President Joe Biden. Mr. Thumalapally was the first Indian-American to serve as a U.S. Ambassador when he was appointed as the Ambassador to Belize. He also served as the Executive Director of SelectUSA, a U.S. Department of Commerce initiative that facilitates job-creating business investment into the country, from 2013 to 2017.

** GII to open office in Bengaluru

The State Government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gulf Islamic Investment (GII) group that has shown interest to invest in the State. The GII will open its office in Bengaluru to further strengthen Indo-UAE investment ties, a release from the office of Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, said.

The MoU was signed in Dubai during the DubaiExpo on Monday in the presence of Mr. Nirani and Higher Education Minister C.N. Ashwathnarayan. “GII’s decision to foray into Karnataka will further strengthen investment ties between India and UAE. GII’s presence in Bengaluru will pave the way for more investments, trade and creation of jobs,” Mr. Nirani said.

** Large Sri Lankan contingent to attend Kushinagar airport opening

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, nephew of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, will travel to Uttar Pradesh, along with ministerial colleagues and a group of 100 Buddhist monks to attend the event, according to officials in Colombo.

The airport is expected to provide seamless connectivity to tourists from Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, etc.

Kushinagar is the centre of the Buddhist circuit, which consists of pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnath and Gaya. Buddhist pilgrims consider Kushinagar a sacred site where, they believe, Gautama Buddha delivered his last sermon and attained ‘Mahaparinirvana’ or salvation.

Uttar Pradesh

** Jaishankar hails manifold contribution of Indian Jewish community to Indo-Israel ties

This is my third visit to Israel in the last four years. But every time I return, I leave with the sense of an unfinished journey. Like India, this too is a place that requires a lifetime to discover and understand. I am, therefore, happy to be back here, in a land with which we have centuries old ties, and amidst you who are the umbilical cord nourishing these ties,” Mr. Jaishankar said addressing the Indian Jewish community in Israel and a gathering of Indologists.

** Dubai expat’s rare collection of Apple products traces evolution of tech giant

Jimmy Grewal claims he has every major Apple product that was ever launched since the company was founded in 1976.