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Saturday, August 16, 2025
TopicCOVID-19

Topic: COVID-19

Behind rush to return to agriculture in post-Covid Haryana, state’s ‘struggle to create jobs’

A NABARD report shows number of agricultural households in Haryana rose from 34% to 58% in 5 yrs up to 2021-22, a sharper increase than in other agrarian states, signaling economic stress.

Individuals, businesses are increasingly defaulting on microloans. Both lenders & borrowers at fault

Data from microfinance industry bodies shows microloan delinquency ratios are rising once again, after having fallen consistently 2021 onwards. Lenders must do deeper checks, say experts.

India hosts international conference on drug regulation

Union Minister Nadda, Monday, inaugurated the 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in New Delhi.

Covid erased a decade of steady uptick in global life expectancy, says WHO

WHO’s latest statistics showed that both global life expectancy & healthy life expectancy were pushed to 2012 levels between 2019 & 2021, with a drop of 1.8 years & 1.5 years, respectively.

AstraZeneca withdraws Covid vaccine worldwide, cites commercial reasons

Firm says vaccine has been superseded by updated ones that fight new variants & is no longer being made, supplied. Earlier, it had said its vaccine can cause a rare, dangerous side effect.

Chinese virologist who sequenced SARS-CoV-2 barred from own lab, later allowed ‘for time being’

Chinese authorities claimed lab was undergoing renovation, but Zhang Yongzhen said in online post later that he & his team had been allowed to return to lab for the ‘time being’.

AI to climate change — how ‘apocalypse’ became a secular and religious idea

The exponential growth of AI over the past year has sparked discussions about whether the era of human domination of our planet is drawing to a close.

Rate of early puberty rising in India? ICMR plans nationwide project to find answers

Doctors report rise in prevalence, especially after Covid pandemic, although there is no comprehensive data available from earlier. National-level survey could kick off later this year.

WHO introduces new parallel process to speed up COVID-19 vaccine, medicine approvals

WHO's current recommendation development and prequalification (PQ) or Emergency Use Listing (EUL) assessment processes are being expedited for COVID-19 products.

Maldives tourism industry on row: India ‘first responder to crises, aided post-Covid recovery’

Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators (MATATO) have issued statements emphasising importance of New Delhi-Malé ties.

On Camera

Nobel committee, note how Trump allowed Munir to make nuclear threat against India from US soil

So far, India has responded to his threats with a measured, diplomatic, strategic, and multi-dimensional approach. Now, it needs to react firmly.

Modi’s ‘Diwali bonanza’ for the common man—next-gen GST reforms, lower tax on daily-use items soon

Finance ministry says the proposed revamp will focus on structural reforms, rate rationalisation & ease of living, & will be deliberated upon in the coming weeks.

What is Project Sudarshan Chakra, announced by Modi from ramparts of Red Fort

The project is meant to be a ‘protective shield that will keep expanding’, the PM said. It is on the lines of the ‘Golden Dome’ announced by Trump, it is learnt.

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.