Food inflation to ease with opening up of economy, good monsoon: CEA

Food inflation to ease with opening up of economy, good monsoon: CEA
Attributing the rise in food prices to restrictions imposed by several states during April-May to deal with the second wave of COVID-19, Chief Economic Adviser K V Subramanian said food inflation is likely to moderate on account of the twin impact of opening up of economic activities and good monsoon.

Centre plans to face COVID-19 third wave with Rs 20,000-cr cheque
The government is planning to contain or minimise the impact of a possible third wave with an Emergency Covid Response Preparedness (ERCP-2) package of more than Rs 20,000 crore. This comes amid multiple reports suggesting an impending third wave. The government is aiming to prepare in advance for another possible wave.

RIL's partnership with Aramco to be formalised in 'expeditious manner' this year: Mukesh Ambani
Mukesh Ambani, in his address to the shareholders on Thursday, said that Saudi Aramco's plan to join Reliance O2C Ltd as a strategic partner is expected to be formalised in an "expeditious manner" this year. The $15-billion deal announced by Ambani in 2019 annual general meeting (AGM) has been delayed because of the troubles that Aramco has been facing at the crude pricing front.

WHO forecasts need for annual COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for most vulnerable
The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that people most vulnerable to Covid-19, such as the elderly, will need to get an annual vaccine booster to be protected against variants, an internal document seen by Reuters shows. The estimate is included in a report, which is to be discussed at a board meeting of Gavi, a vaccine alliance that co-leads the WHO's Covid-19 vaccine programme COVAX.

Mukesh Ambani announces smartphone in partnership with Google - Jio Phone Next
Mukesh Ambani, on Thursday, announced Jio Phone Next, an ultra-low-cost smartphone developed jointly by Google and Reliance Jio. He added that the JioPhone Next runs on a special version of Android. The low-cost 4G smartphone will be available in the Indian market from September 10, Mukesh Ambani further stated. JioPhone Next is a full-fledged smartphone that comes with the Google Play Store.