r

Government fast-tracks new definition of MSMEs

The plan, which has been in the works for months, is likely to be part of the stimulus package.




r

Will work from home be the new normal for India?

Engineers, information technology employees, some HR roles, consultants, knowledge workers can work from home but it might be hard for those working in finance, insurance and companies ad that have proprietary applications.




r

Firms spared fixed electricity charges for two months, no penalty for others on late payment: BS Yediyurappa

Yediyurappa announced a special relief package of Rs 1,610 crore to assist people from various affected sectors on Wednesday, which was welcomed by his political opponents.




r

MSMEs need govt push to benefit from comparative advantage over China-made consumer goods: Report

It further said that although 2020 is a lost year, in terms of trade, India can think long-term and build relations so that it can occupy the space vacated by China.




r

Tata Capital launches commercial, SME mobile app for business loans

Available on the Apple App store and the Google Play store, this app is yet another step by Tata Capital to enhance user experience for channel financing and term loan borrowers.




r

Micro enterprises best placed to help economy come out of COVID-19 crisis: Report

The economy has been severely impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the government and policymakers are looking for segments that are in the best position to help revive the economic activity the quickest.




r

MSME sector on verge of collapse: Gadkari

The minister said the position of MSMEs was "worst" as they were now engaged in a "battle for their survival".




r

MSME default rate lowest in business loans

Credit bureau Trans-Union Cibil has said that two out of three MSMEs entered this lockdown with structurally strong positions.




r

NRAI identifies aggregator alternatives for the F&B sector

The objective is to envision and create a seamless 'digital dining' experience that will make the customers feel safe while trying to preserve the warmth and emotion of dining out.




r

Crude shock: Brent at $60 to put pressure on inflation?

Crude shock: Brent at $60 to put pressure on inflation?





r

OPEC meets tomorrow to mull output cut extension

OPEC meets tomorrow to mull output cut extension





r

OPEC agrees oil cut extension to end of 2018

OPEC agrees oil cut extension to end of 2018





r

Akshaya Tritiya special: Should you buy Gold today?

Akshaya Tritiya special: Should you buy Gold today?





r

Oil prices hit highest level in years

Oil prices hit highest level in years





r

Petrol prices touch record levels in Delhi and Mumbai

Petrol prices touch record levels in Delhi and Mumbai





r

Oil demand seen steady in 2019 but OPEC supply, trade risks loom: IEA

Oil demand seen steady in 2019 but OPEC supply, trade risks loom: IEA





r

Opec agrees on output hike of 1 million bpd

Opec agrees on output hike of 1 million bpd





r

Government hikes ethanol price by Rs 2.85/litre for 2018-19

Government hikes ethanol price by Rs 2.85/litre for 2018-19





r

India to build two more strategic petroleum reserves, says Piyush Goyal

India to build two more strategic petroleum reserves, says Piyush Goyal





r

After US call, India preparing for Iran oil import cut?

After US call, India preparing for Iran oil import cut?





r

Eight core industries output growth slows to 3.6% in May 2018

Eight core industries output growth slows to 3.6% in May 2018





r

Rupee moving towards natural value: NITI Aayog VC

Rupee moving towards natural value: NITI Aayog VC





r

Trump slams Opec as crude oil prices near $80 a barrel

Trump slams Opec as crude oil prices near $80 a barrel





r

Cabinet okeys Rs 5,500 crore package for sugar industry

Cabinet okeys Rs 5,500 crore package for sugar industry





r

Qatar to exit Opec amid tension with Saudi Arabia

Qatar to exit Opec amid tension with Saudi Arabia





r

Yet another relief package for sugar companies before elections

Yet another relief package for sugar companies before elections





r

Brent falls 10%, WTI below $30 as coronavirus spreads

Brent falls 10%, WTI below $30 as coronavirus spreads





r

US crude plunges to 18-year low as lockdowns spread

US crude plunges to 18-year low as lockdowns spread





r

How will the sudden plunge in US oil prices impact India: WTI crash explained

How will the sudden plunge in US oil prices impact India: WTI crash explained





r

Indian-American among NASA's new astronauts; all set to conquer Moon, Mars

Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari, an Indian-American US Air Force colonel, is among 11 new NASA graduates who have successfully completed their over two years' of basic astronaut training . Astronaut candidate training included practice, and testing in spacewalking, robotics, International Space Station systems, T-38 jet proficiency, and Russian language.




r

From February 2, get Schengen visa 6 months in advance

February 2 onwards, one will be able to apply for a Schengen visa for a trip to Europe up to six months in advance of the proposed travel date, instead of the present three months. According to an EU spokesperson, the new rules will provide faster procedures particularly allowing for applications to be lodged up to 6 months, and no later than 15 days.




r

'Nothing adverse' in overseas remittance data, says CBDT

“The Directorate of Intelligence & Criminal Investigation (I&CI) of the income tax department during August and September 2019 obtained LRS data from several banks in Mumbai and Delhi and verification of the top 100 cases was undertaken. However, nothing adverse was found,” said the report, which was submitted to SIT probing black money earlier this year.




r

Priti Patel launches UK's ‘historic' points-based visa system

The new system will come into force from January 1, 2021 at the end of the transition period after the UK's exit from the European Union (EU) on January 31, which will formally end free movement of people within the economic bloc for the UK as a non-member. The new post-Brexit system, which will apply equally to the EU and non-EU countries like India.




r

BRIC seekers of UK golden visa double from 2015 despite Brexit

A total 239 BRIC applicants were recorded in 2019, comprising 64% of the global aggregate, according to data from the U.K. Home Office compiled by Shard Capital Partners LLP. China (including Hong Kong and Macau) accounted for the bulk of these at 193.




r

COVID-19: Centre extends visas of foreigners in India till April 15

According to a Union Home Ministry notification, a number of foreign nationals are in the country since imposition of travel restrictions and are unable to exit the country during the validity of their visa.




r

USCIS announces flexibility in responding to RFEs

The immigration agency has said that it would be relaxing its policies in coming months in light of the current situation. “USCIS is adopting several measures to protect our workforce and community, and to minimize the immigration consequences for those seeking immigration benefits during this time,” it said.




r

Indian-origin UK medics chief warns doctors' lives being put at risk

According to a recent survey, more than half of doctors working in high-risk environments said there were either shortages or no supply at all of adequate face masks, while 65 per cent said they did not have access to eye protection. Furthermore, 55 per cent said they felt "pressurised" to work in a high-risk area despite not having adequate PPE.




r

Donald Trump announces 60 day pause on issuing green cards

But H-1B holders unlikely to be affected by Donald Trump's 60-day immigration ban.




r

India studying Donald Trump's executive order on immigration

The temporary suspension of immigration will affect those who are legally seeking entry into the United States for employment but it will not impact the ones who are already living in the country, the order said.




r

BR Shetty: The staggering rise and incredible fall of a billionaire

BR Shetty landed in Abu Dhabi with $8 in 1973 and turned his sweat into a personal fortune worth billions.




r

Indians at greater risk from COVID-19 in UK's health sector: Report

"Indian men are 150 per cent more likely to work in health or social care roles than their white British counterparts," according to the report.




r

150000 Indians register to be repatriated from UAE

The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai started e-registrations on Wednesday night to form a database of those wanting to return to India. Over 50% of the applicants are from Kerala. Malayalees comprise more than 1 million of the 3.4 million Indians in the UAE.




r

General Traffic News

This Office is now closed - Live traffic updates will resume Monday 11th May 2020 

Normal hours of operation are 07.00 – 21.00 Mon to Fri and 09.00 – 17.00 Saturdays.

Roads Related Emergency News is updated 24/7 as necessary – and will appear here on the TrafficwatchNI website and @TrafficwatchNI on Twitter




r

A2 Holywood Bypass East & West - Off Peak Lane Closures

A2 Holywood Bypass  Eastbound

  • A2 from Holywood Exchange Eastbound On-Slip to Sullivan Place (heading to Holywood / Bangor)

Lane 1 closure with Lane 2 remaining open.

Tuesday 5th May - Friday 15th May 2020 - Off Peak 9.30 - 16.00

A2 Holywood Bypass  Westbound

  • A2 from Sullivan Place to holywood Exchange Westbound Off-Slip.

Lane 1 closure with Lane 2 remaining open.

Monday 18th May - Friday 29th May 2020 - Off Peak 9.30 - 16.00

 




r

Road Works / Closures - A6 Upgrade Scheme

A6 CASTLEDAWSON TO RANDALSTOWN DUALLING

A6 Mainline Glenshane Road / Foreglen Road - lane Closure Tamnaherin Rd to Ballyhanedin Rd 

Monday 27 April - 11 May  2020 - Off-peak 09:30 - 16:00

From Monday 2 December 2019 for 10 Months

NEW ROAD LAYOUT - A6 Mainline - Castledawson Roundabout to Brough Road – Phase 05 (Traffic switched onto EB (1 lane) + WB (1 lane))

NEW Bellshill Junction (on-slip’s will be temporarily set-up as ‘Give-Way’) – OPEN

 From Mon 25 February for 12 Months Creagh Hill – Full Closure at Deerpark Junction - from 

Diversion via Deerpark Road, A6 Mainline, Hillhead Road

Temp Traffic Management for the A6D2D scheme  W/C-04/05/20

Mon – Fri   0930-1600 Daily (As required)

  • Two Way traffic control Baranailt Rd to Tamnaherin Rd

Mon to Fri 07:00 to 18:00 Daily-

  • Feeny Rd Haul Crossing
  • A6 Mainline Haul Crossing (near Gulf Rd)
  • Ballyhanedin Rd Haul Crossing
  • Tirbracken Rd Crossing

Continuous –

  • Mavis Rd closure
  • Gulf Rd Closure
  • Altagarran Rd Closure
  • Gortilea Rd Closure
  • A6 Mainline Hard shoulder Closure, West bound and Eastbound, from Foreglen Rd to Gulf Rd
  • Killunaught Rd Closure
  • Derrychrier Rd Closure
  • Closure of climbing lane from Ballyhanedin Rd to Muldonagh-A6
  • Closure of Lane one of climbing lane from Ardmore Rd to the Foreglen Rd -A6
  • Closure of Lane two of climbing lane from Ardmore Rd to the Mavis Rd -A6
  • Closure of Ervey Rd from A6 Glenshane Rd to Birch Rd




r

Co Fermanagh - Coalhill Rd, Lisnaskea - Closed

Co Fermanagh  - the U9397 Coalhill Road just outside Lisnaskea has been closed due to a collapsed culvert which has created a large void in the road.

DFI Engineers will carry out a full assessment over the coming days. However, the road is likely to remain closed for some time. Please seek an alternative route.




r

Why Udacity wants employees to remix Taylor Swift, do one-armed push-ups, or play 'Rock Band' blindfolded

Over the past few years, the company has had meditation sessions, K-pop dance routines, and puppy tricks punctuate its weekly, Wednesday-afternoon meeting.




r

Register as a delegate with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce's upcoming conference.

Register as a delegate with the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce's upcoming conference.




r

Lady Gaga's former manager and Uber investor Troy Carter hand picks the next six hot startups

Carter managed Lady Gaga from early into her career to worldwide stardom until he was fired in 2013. Carter and his talent agency, Atom Factory, manage pop stars.




r

When the 20-something founder of Oculus first met Mark Zuckerberg, he blew him off

Zuckerberg decided to go visit the startup's headquarters after loving his first demo with Oculus' virtual reality headset in Facebook's office.