Opposition Leader Criticises Kerala Government’s COVID Response

The health minister has advised caution, especially for those with underlying health conditions. (Representative Image: Shutterstock) On Sunday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George had said that the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, found in the state, is not a cause for concern Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, accused the state government … Read more

WHO Classifies JN.1 Coronavirus Strain as ‘Variant of Interest’

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest,” but said it did not pose much threat to public health. “Based on the available evidence, the additional global public health risk posed by JN.1 is currently evaluated as low,” WHO said. JN.1 was previously classified as a … Read more

Calif. community Altadena outside LA fights to protect ‘oldest large-scale Christmas lighting’ tradition

The California community of Altadena was about to start an annual countdown it has done 101 times.  At the heart of this community is Christmas Tree Lane, where a row of 138-year-old deodar cedars was waiting to begin glimmering with strung-up bulbs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At the Dec. 9 event, the light … Read more

As the holidays approach, Canadians say they’re being tipped over the edge

Cathy Khalil recently tipped five bucks on an $18 box of doughnuts at one Ottawa store — and says she has no regrets. “I think when people see [the options on the debit machine] they feel obligated, sometimes, to tip,” Khalil said. “[But] I’m not tipping for the sake of tipping. I’m tipping because I want … Read more

E-readers were supposed to kill printed books. Instead, they’re booming

Cost of Living8:55The return of the bookstore When e-readers like the Amazon Kindle burst onto the scene, showing up next to menorahs and under Christmas trees in the early 2000s, they were predicted to bring about the death of the print book — and maybe the independent bookstore too. But publishing sales data and on the … Read more

Shah’s Halal Food to open in Danbury at former site of Boston Market; its 7th CT location

Shah’s Halal Food will open in the former Boston Market, 61 Newtown Road, Danbury, Conn. Wednesday, October 11, 2023. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cousins Mohammad and Rafi Mashriqi, who helped grow the Shah’s Halal Food brand in Connecticut, said they secured the property at 61 Newtown Road in Plumtrees Plaza two months ago. Mohammad Mashriqi … Read more

restaurants: After Covid, restaurants see more people, but worried over the time they spend

The rebound in the hospitality sector has thrown up a new challenge for India’s fine-dine restaurants: as in-dining experience seekers get comfortable over a meal, the time they are spending at a table has increased by about an hour on average, reducing table cover turnover and forcing some businesses to introduce time slots. “Dine-in demand … Read more

Covid Cases: India logs 237 Covid cases | India News

NEW DELHI: India has recorded 237 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have increased to 1,185, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.The death toll was recorded at 5,33,309, the data updated at 8 am stated.The country’s Covid case tally is 4.50 crore (4,50,03,830).The number of people who have recuperated from … Read more

National pharmacare plan is in limbo as health minister calls pending deadline ‘arbitrary’

Health Minister Mark Holland signalled Tuesday the government is unlikely to meet the end-of-the-year deadline imposed by the NDP for passing pharmacare legislation — a condition of the supply-and-confidence agreement that was struck to keep the Liberals in power until 2025. Holland said talks are ongoing with NDP MP Don Davies, the party’s health critic, … Read more

UK’s Sunak Defends Government’s Handling of Pandemic, Restaurant Scheme

LONDON —  Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Britain’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, telling an official inquiry he did not recognize testimony describing a dysfunctional government and saying his hospitality scheme was supported at the time. The inquiry is examining Britain’s response to the pandemic which killed more than 230,000 people in the … Read more