22.1 million excess deaths Recorded globally between 2020 and 2023New Delhi: According to the World Health Statistics 2026 report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid-19 pandemic caused an estimated 22.1 million excess deaths globally between 2020 and 2023, almost three times the seven million Covid deaths officially reported worldwide.WHO said the pandemic wiped out nearly a decade of gains in global life expectancy and healthy life expectancy by 2021, calling it a “shock of historic proportions” to global health systems.According to the report, global life expectancy declined by 1.8 years between 2019 and 2021, while healthy life expectancy fell by 1.5 years during the same period, the sharpest reversal in recent decades.The report said excess mortality peaked in 2021 with 10.4 million excess deaths recorded globally as health care systems came under severe strain. Excess deaths are expected to decline to 4.9 million in 2022 and 3.3 million in 2023, although WHO cautioned that the recovery remains uneven and many countries have still not returned to pre-pandemic health trajectories.WHO defines excess deaths as more deaths than would normally be expected during a given period, including direct Covid deaths and indirect deaths caused by disruptions in health services and delays in treatment.The report found that men were disproportionately affected, with age-standardized excess mortality rates nearly 50% higher among men than women at the peak of the pandemic in 2021. Older adults suffered the highest mortality rates, especially those over the age of 85.WHO also highlighted major weaknesses in global death surveillance exposed during the pandemic. Of the estimated 61 million deaths globally in 2023, only about 21 million had officially reported cause of death information to WHO, while only 12 million had medically certified ICD-coded mortality data.The agency said the pandemic severely disrupted essential health services around the world, including vaccination programs, tuberculosis and HIV services, and treatment of non-communicable diseases, contributing significantly to indirect deaths during the period.WHO had earlier estimated in a separate analysis for 2022 that India caused about 4.74 million excess deaths during 2020–21, a figure disputed by the Indian government.The report also warns of slow progress in universal health coverage, rising health care-related poverty and a decline in global health financing after the pandemic.

New Delhi: Five months after putting on hold its decision accepting the controversial 100-metre-height definition for the Aravalli hills, Supreme Court Said on Friday that not even an inch of the Aravalis will be allowed to be used for mining until an expert committee constituted by the apex court redefines the Aravali hills and ranges.After lawyers appearing for mining lease holders and those seeking to obtain mining leases said the process of renewal and grant of leases could be carried forward without finalizing them, a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said, “We will not pass any order to allow resumption of mining activities in Aravali.”The CJI said, “We will not allow even an inch of Aravali to be used for any purpose unless we are satisfied with the new definition that will be proposed by the expert committee to be constituted by us, which will take into account the names suggested by the amicus curiae, the Supreme Court, the Central government and the parties.”CJI Kant, who hails from Haryana and is aware of the detrimental impact of decades of illegal mining on the environment and ecology of the Aravalis, considered the green lungs of north-western India, said, “The entire problem has arisen because of the powerful mining lobby. We are very clear in our minds that no activity will be allowed without getting the report and satisfying us about the protective umbrella that will be put in place.”On December 29 last year, a bench led by CJI Kant had taken suo motu cognizance of the deep concern expressed by environmentalists over the November 20 judgment of the Supreme Court accepting the definition of 100 meter height for the Aravalli hills. It had ordered a halt to all mining activities and renewal or new mining leases in the Aravalli region.Keeping the implementation of the Supreme Court’s November 20 judgment indefinitely stayed, the bench had said in its order, “This stay will remain in effect until the present proceedings reach a logical final stage, ensuring that no irreversible administrative or ecological action will be taken on the basis of the existing framework.”The CJI-led bench had proposed to constitute a committee of domain experts for a “thorough, holistic and scientific” examination for a comprehensive definition to protect the “structural and ecological” integrity of the Aravalli hills and ranges.Amicus curiae and senior advocate Parameshwara informed the court that in consultation with the government, a list of domain experts has been submitted to the court. The bench said it will list the matter for constituting a committee soon after hearing the parties.

Srinagar: The BJP on Friday protested outside the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah demanding a ban on liquor in the Kashmir Valley.The party said that if the National Conference government failed to act, it would launch a second phase of protests in the near future from Qazigund town in South Kashmir to Karnah area on the Line of Control in North Kashmir.BJP’s Altaf Thakur told reporters outside the CM residence, “BJP is against all types of drugs and alcohol. The NC government wants to push the youth of Jammu and Kashmir towards alcohol.” He said, “The way NC officials are making statements in support of sale and consumption of liquor is not acceptable. Kashmir is the land of sages and we will not allow liquor shops in this land.”BJP general secretary Anwar Khan, who participated in the protest, said that if the CM and NC President Farooq Abdullah are concerned about the revenue generated from liquor sales, BJP workers will sit outside mosques and beg for money for the ruling party, but will not allow anyone to play with the future of the youth.Many BJP workers also questioned LG Manoj Sinha’s 100-day campaign against drug addiction and wondered why the sale of liquor was not included in it.However, the police took prompt action against the protesters and pushed them away from the CM residence.BJP spokesperson Sajid Yusuf Shah said at least 10 protesters, including him, were detained by police but released after an hour.On Sunday, CM Abdullah had rejected the call for prohibition in Jammu and Kashmir, rejecting the opposition People’s Democratic Party’s argument that allowing the sale of liquor amounts to encouraging alcohol consumption.After him, Farooq said that his father Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah had refused to impose such a ban in 1977 because it would have generated substantial revenue for the UT (which was a state at that time). He had said, “Even today, if the Government of India compensates us (for revenue loss), I am sure the (Jammu and Kashmir) government will ban liquor.”While Farooq claimed that he does not drink alcohol, he said that banning liquor in Jammu and Kashmir would not stop liquor smugglers from smuggling it from outside.LG Manoj Sinha had launched a 100-day campaign against drugs on April 11, following which demands were raised from various sectors that it should be extended to the sale of liquor.Meanwhile, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said it was the PDP-BJP government that had implemented an excise policy mandating liquor shops in “unserved and under-served areas” in 2017.

India and the UAE signed 6 MoUs to boost their energy, defense shipping and technology ties and announced $5 billion in investment from the Arab nation to India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a brief stopover in Abu Dhabi on his way to Europe. Modi reiterated India’s strong condemnation of the attacks on the UAE without naming Iran as he said the way the Gulf state was targeted was unacceptable. Offering all possible support for early restoration of peace, the PM said, “India stands shoulder to shoulder with the UAE in all circumstances and will continue to do so in the future.”While one agreement will allow Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to potentially increase its crude oil storage in India by 30 million barrels, another MoU is expected to facilitate a long-term LPG sales and purchase agreement between the two countries. A framework for strategic defense partnership with a focus on defense industrial cooperation, innovation and advanced technology, training and exercises was also signed. According to an Indian readout, Modi also conveyed India’s clear position in favor of ensuring safe transit passage and unhindered navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for sustainable regional peace and stability as well as energy and food security. Modi left for the United Arab Emirates in the morning while the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting was still underway and amid efforts by the member countries to bridge the gap between Abu Dhabi and Tehran over the West Asia conflict. Due to these differences and Iran blaming Abu Dhabi for the standoff, the meeting ultimately ended without any joint statement. When Modi visited India in January this year, on his gesture the UAE President also welcomed the PM at the airport. UAE’s F16 jets escorted Modi’s plane to the airport. This was Modi’s 8th visit to UAE as President. According to an Indian readout, the leaders welcomed the announcement of $5 billion investment in India by UAE entities. “This includes an investment of $3 billion by Emirates NBD in RBL Bank of India, $1 billion by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) with National Infrastructure and Investment Fund of India (NIIF) in priority infrastructure projects in India and $1 billion by International Holding Company in India’s Summon Capital,” the readout said. Referring to the President as his brother, the PM said in a post on Twitter that his visit to the UAE was brief, yet exceptionally fruitful. “And I am confident that the outcome of this visit will further strengthen the bonds of friendship between us and contribute to achieving development and prosperity,” he said. Two other MoUs were signed for ship repair cooperation, which aims to enhance the capabilities of the Indian maritime workforce and establish India as a hub for skilled shipbuilding and ship repair professionals. Another MoU was to facilitate collaboration to set up supercomputing clusters as part of AI Mission India.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan on Thursday honored three girl students who secured top three positions in PSEB Class 12 results. Mann praised Mansa’s Supneet Kaur and Ludhiana’s Suhani Chauhan and Divyanshi, who scored 500 out of 500. The Chief Minister gave a cash award of Rs 50,000 to each student for his exceptional achievement. Interacting with the students, Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that all three toppers are national and state level players, which clearly shows that they are excelling in every field.” He said, “All the toppers are from ordinary backgrounds and want to achieve excellence in life through hard work and dedication. The Punjab government will provide them full support and cooperation in realizing their dreams.” Highlighting the continued excellent performance of girls in education, Mann said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for all of us that with the spread of education in the society, girls have outperformed boys not only in education but in every field.” “Time has proved that girls are not inferior to boys in any context and by excelling in education they have shown that their intelligence, skills and expertise are unmatched,” he said. Terming the achievement as a reflection of true empowerment, Mann said, “This is the real empowerment of girls, which marks a new beginning for their socio-economic resurgence and the stupendous progress of Punjab and the country.” Mann said that around 2.65 lakh students had appeared for the examinations, out of which around 2.42 lakh students passed, taking the total passing percentage to around 91.46 per cent. “The passing percentage of girls has been 94.73 percent, while the passing percentage of boys has been 88.52 percent,” he said, adding that Amritsar recorded the highest pass percentage in the state at 96 percent. Mann also said that Patiala district recorded the highest number of merit holders, with 59 students making it to the list. Continuing the trend of last year, girls have once again defeated boys in the results. Out of total 278 students, 217 are girls, while 61 are boys. 122 students from government schools have secured a place in the merit list, which is more than 50 per cent of the total merit holders. “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that 416 government schools have recorded 100 percent results in these examinations,” Mann said. During the conversation, one of the toppers expressed his desire to join the Indian Air Force as a pilot. Encouraging her, Mann said, “Girls interested in joining the armed forces should enroll in Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute for Girls at SAS Nagar, Mohali.”