The Latest Breaking News from Covid-19

Cases of human trafficking victims being forced to commit cybercrimes on the rise

Interpol op. unearths fraud schemes fueled by human trafficking, resulting in 281 arrests, 149 victims rescued, 360 investigations opened. Operation Storm Makers II uncovered fake investments, work-from-home offers, lottery and online gambling scams. Victims subjected to torture, sexual violence & forced labor. Traffickers targeting migrants stranded in countries due to…

The Hindu · Dec 10, 2023

‘The optics are terrible’: how Rishi Sunak’s 2020 ‘eat out to help out’ scheme backfired

The then chancellor’s plan proved to be of no economic benefit and was decried by scientists – but it clearly set out the political aims of ‘Dishy Rishi’

The Guardian - UK · Dec 10, 2023

Lockdowns had ‘catastrophic effect’ on nation’s social fabric, report says

The most disadvantaged are no better off now than at the time of the financial crash, a new report says

Evening Standard · Dec 10, 2023

Need a Christmas party game? Try ranking 13 years of Tory screw-ups in order of severity

Public trust in the competence of the Conservatives has collapsed – and with very good reason

The Guardian - UK · Dec 9, 2023

The week in audio: Naga Munchetty; The Reith Lectures; Help, I Sexted My Boss; Now You’re Asking– review

From the surreal return of Boris Johnson at the Covid inquiry to sex etiquette at the theatre, it’s been a strange old week

The Guardian - UK · Dec 9, 2023

Sunak faces new questions at Covid inquiry after pranksters claim they reached his old phone number

PM likely to be asked about WhatsApp messages from pandemic that he says are irretrievable, despite reports number accessed

The Guardian - UK · Dec 9, 2023

Compensation to participants in human challenge studies should not incentivise risk-taking

Authors of an Aug 2023 paper argue $20K for 6-month Hep C CHIS study in US is "reasonable". ICMR's Bioethics Unit says payment should take into account loss of wages & time spent. Jake D Eberts disagrees, saying payment should not incentivise risk-taking. Shigella & Zika CHIS studies paid $7,350…

The Hindu · Dec 9, 2023

Rare clotting effect of early COVID shots finally explained — what could that mean for future vaccines?

Scientists have offered a new explanation for why COVID-19 vaccines that contained adenoviruses carried a rare-but-serious risk of blood clotting.

LiveScience · Dec 9, 2023

Telangana witnesses a dip in dengue cases

Telangana witnessed a decline in dengue cases this year, with 7,894 cases and one death reported. Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, S.P. Singh Baghel, presented a four-year data overview, indicating that in 2020, Telangana documented 2,173 dengue cases, followed by 7,135 cases in 2021,…

The Hindu · Dec 9, 2023

High Court permits Yakshagana performance from dusk to dawn, subject to adherence to noise pollution rules

HC Karnataka permits Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari temple to perform Yakshaganas from dusk to dawn, subject to adhering to Noise Pollution Rules. Petitioner questioned DC's endorsement restricting performance to 5pm-12.30am. Petitioner argued practice of performing Yakshagana is from dusk to dawn. Petitioner gave undertaking to adhere to decibel norms, court asked…

The Hindu · Dec 9, 2023