News

India bracing for a third wave of COVID-19

Published

4 years ago

September 7, 2021

After India’s COVID cases and deaths soared in April and May – the nation is bracing for a third wave

A major New Delhi’s Hospital and several others ran so short of oxygen that many patients in the capital suffocated to death during the outbreaks in the second quarter of 2021/

As the nation recovers slowly from its second wave of infections and many COVID patients are discharged from hospital – health experts have attributed the turnaround as ‘thanks to growing levels of immunity from natural infection and vaccinations’.

A medic prepares a dose of the Covaxin vaccine during a vaccination drive at Hindu Rao Hospital, on February 16, in New Delhi, India. Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times

However the worst is yet to come, according to top medical experts

Hospitals have learned from a grim experience during the second wave, when funeral homes burned bodies non-stop and the deceased littered the banks of the holy Ganges river, too.

Now, the country is bracing for another possible surge in infections around its September-November festival season.

Hospital beds have been added at facilities around the country and hospitals are working to ensure ample supplies of oxygen.

Ganga Ram hospital is raising its oxygen storage capacity by 50 percent

The hospital laid a one-km-long pipeline carrying the gas directly to COVID-19 ICUs, and is installing equipment to keep the oxygen flow high.

It has also ordered an on-site oxygen-generation plant, which are mostly made in Europe and can take months to arrive given the surge in demand globally.

Could we see another new strain of COVID?

Almost all states in India are preparing special paediatric wards as some experts warn unvaccinated children could be vulnerable to any new virus mutations.

States including Madhya Pradesh are also stocking up on anti-viral drugs such as Remdesivir.

But with a government survey estimating as many as two-thirds of Indians already have COVID-fighting antibodies through natural infection, as well as 57 percent of its adults with at least an initial vaccine dose, many experts believe any new outbreak of infections could be much less devastating than the second wave.

News

U.S. envoys head to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks accelerate

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Published

57 minutes ago

January 22, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Senior U.S. envoys are preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts around the war in Ukraine gather pace. The visit comes after Russia formally requested high-level talks, signalling a potential shift in momentum.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Moscow following months of behind-the-scenes discussions. The move underscores Washington’s willingness to engage directly as negotiations enter a more decisive phase.

With global attention fixed on the outcome, the meeting could shape the next chapter of the conflict — and determine whether diplomacy can finally overtake military escalation.

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#UkraineWar #RussiaUkraine #PeaceTalks #GlobalPolitics #USRussia #BreakingNews #Geopolitics #TickerNews

News

Trump drops tariff threat after Greenland framework deal

Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.

Published

60 minutes ago

January 22, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a framework deal involving Greenland, stepping back from earlier threats to impose tariffs on Europe. The shift comes after heightened global concern over trade tensions and geopolitical stability.

The announcement followed Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos and discussions with NATO’s Secretary General.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister has since weighed in, responding to speculation surrounding Greenland’s future and the implications of US involvement.

Markets reacted positively, with US stocks rallying after Trump signalled he would abandon the tariff threats.

While Trump reiterated he would not use force to acquire Greenland, the move has sparked renewed debate about diplomacy, trade, and influence in the Arctic region.

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#DonaldTrump #Greenland #USTrade #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #USPolitics #WorldNews #Ticker

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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#AustralianPolitics #Coalition #Nationals #Labor #Senate #PoliticalDrama #TickerNews #BreakingPolitics