WHO and China probed coronavirus origin. And neither of them liked the results
The report based on the WHO-China study is at best a summary of the confusion that exists around the origin of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus is back with a vengeance, only to find Indian bureaucracy has still not changed
SARS-CoV-2 virus has returned, with some of its variants more infectious than the original. Since 26 February, India's daily new cases rose by 258% and active cases by 163%.
Mumbai Police, India’s Scotland Yard, caught between khaki pride and khadi shadow
Mumbai Police built its credibility through the 1990s and 2000s, first by a speedy detection following the Mumbai blasts, and later by breaking the underworld.
In West Bengal, an injured Mamata Banerjee is more lethal for BJP. Over to Modi
West Bengal will for the first time see a chief minister and a fiery leader, who never bows down, hit the campaign trail in a wheelchair.
Sasikala learnt from Jayalalithaa the art of making comebacks. In retreat lies her politics
Sasikala is no stranger to highs and lows, just when you thought she would fade away into oblivion, she makes a comeback.
From vaccine hesitancy to vaccine eagerness. In phase II, Modi govt has new challenges
When senior citizens and those aged between 45 and 60 with comorbidities get the vaccine, the adverse effects following immunisation may be a potential minefield.
Courts took a break from being conservative this week. MJ Akbar, FB sedition cases show
While judge Ravindra Pandey favoured women speaking up against abuse by powerful men, judge Dharmendra Rana reiterated sedition law can’t be used randomly.
There’s something about politicians who cry. And Modi almost always tears up over Gujarat
Crying in public isn't an ‘art’ that is restricted to Modi. From Panneerselvam to Sheila Dikshit to Jaya Bachchan, the list is long.
Dream Budget, silenced critics — the rebirth of Nirmala Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman previously served as India's first full-time woman defence minister. Amid constant rumours of being shunted out, she presented her third Budget this week.
Red Fort isn’t just a historic monument. Its breach crossed a red line in Indian mind
Indians guard the Red Fort’s autonomy and sanctity zealously, and bristle when they perceive a threat.
Four issues that will dominate news for rest of 2021
Covid will dominate the headlines, but here are four stories, none of which is currently prominent in the news, to watch for the rest of 2021.
Modi govt pushes BPCL privatisation, opens financial data to bidders
The BPCL privatisation, which could be the country’s biggest, is crucial for India. The govt needs to raise capital to make up the fall in tax revenues as the pandemic hit the economy.
Defence
Armed forces plan to hire 400 retired military doctors to assist in fight against Covid
The forces are looking to hire, on a contractual basis for about a year, medical officers who retired in the last four to five years.
Mayday, Mayday — How Modi govt led India into a perfect storm
Triumphalism, premature declaration of victory meant no one checked if India had enough vaccines, oxygen, remdesivir, bringing us back to a crisis where we need foreign aid after four decades.