Hotels in South India will be observing bandh today to protest against the GST rates fixed by the Union Government. The GST rate on non-AC hotels has been fixed at 12 per cent and AC hotels at 18 per cent. The hotel associations demand that the rate should be pegged at the current rate of 5 per cent.

The South-west monsoon is likely to enter Kerala today, the IMD has predicted. It is expected to bring above-normal rainfall over the State for the first two weeks marking the onset of Monsoon season. Meanwhile, the Cyclone ‘Mora’ over the Bay of Bengal will further advance the monsoon.

Chemist shops across the country to remain shut today to protest against the sale of online drugs. The strike has been called by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. However, chemists attached to hospitals and nursing homes will be functioning.

Android co-founder Andy Rubin will unveil his company Essential’s new smartphone today. The new phone appears to have a bezel-free back. Rubin had been working on a high-end, modular, Android phone that focussed on artificial intelligence.

Senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi will appear before a special CBI court in Lucknow in Babri Masjid demolition case. The special court is likely frame charges in light of the Supreme Court order restoring offence of criminal conspiracy against them.