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Friday, March 20, 2026
TopicCOVID-19

Topic: COVID-19

Private doctors who worked during pandemic & died of Covid eligible under PM insurance scheme, says SC

The SC reserved judgment to prescribe broad guidelines for implementing Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Package: Insurance Scheme for Health workers fighting COVID-19.

‘Covid was an opportunity’—book launch on India’s pandemic fight draws many govt officials

The launch of ‘At War with the Single Strand’, attended by numerous senior officials from the science and health ministries, was all about India’s ‘scientific triumph’ over Covid-19.

COVID-19 pandemic may have aged your brain, even if you weren’t infected, finds UK study

ScientiFix, our weekly feature, offers you a summary of the top global science stories of the week, with links to their sources.

Centre plans population-level study amid concerns over sudden deaths among young Indians, ‘Covid link’

The Union Ministry of Health's research department is collaborating with New Delhi-based health research organisation, INCLEN International, for the analysis.

COVID-19 cases rise in India. But here’s why no one needs a booster shot just yet

As of 26 May, India had 1,010 active COVID-19 cases—up by 753 compared to last week, when active cases stood at 257.

Some Asian countries report surge in COVID-19 cases. But no reason to panic, at least not yet

Dominant SARS-CoV-2 variants in Singapore & Hong Kong are subvariants of JN.1, which is a sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 omicron variant first seen in Denmark in July, 2023.

Covid to Kumbh—India counts on civil servants during crises

The ability to stay calm under pressure, collaborate across lines of authority, and find solutions is not trained overnight—it’s developed through years of fieldwork and trust in the system.

5 yrs on, 72% Americans say COVID-19 pandemic widened Left-Right gulf, finds latest Pew survey

Five years on, COVID-19 reshaped US work, tech & faith. 32% still work remotely, while misinformation & political divides persist, impacting public trust & health policies.

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.

On Camera

How the US is rapidly reaching the limits of imperial over-reach

Beyond the immediate protection of Israel and its borders, which the USA could reasonably commit itself to, it did not need to get into every war in the Muslim world.

Why the US shouldn’t try to outsmart the oil market

Selling oil futures would be a desperate ploy, born of panic about rising US gasoline and diesel retail prices ahead of the midterm elections.

Israel’s tolerance for persistent threats on its borders has eroded: US intel on Iran war

When conflict with Iran ends, says the report, area’s key players are likely to reexamine longstanding assumptions & alliances as they determine how best to advance their interests.

Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.