IT is now clear that Europe, particularly the core European Union countries – Italy, Spain, France, and Germany – is the new epicentre of the Covid-19 epidemic. China, followed by South Korea, managed to contain their outbreaks; the European countries did not. The US and UK numbers are creeping up, poised to take off at any moment. In the US, only the Trump administration’s lack of testing – either intentional or due to incompetence – is hiding the real numbers. As its testing scope increases, a sharp increase in numbers is already visible.

IT seems that Modi regime has perfected an art of taming the judiciary by interfering with its independence by appeasement, browbeating, surveillance and harassment. Nomination of Ranjan Gogoi to Rajya Sabha is latest of its ploy in this regard. It is yet another fatal jolt to Indian judiciary made by Modi regime. The nomination of Gogoi not only impinges credibility, integrity and independence of the judiciary and public faith and confidence in it, but also reflects the present nature, position and stature of judiciary.

THE people and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala had put up a united fight against the deadly Nipah virus when it gripped the state two years ago and earned laurels for their efforts. In a similar fashion, as per the directions of the LDF government, the state healthcare network has been working in full swing as soon as the first case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) was reported. So far, 24 cases were reported in the state and most of the patients are stable.

THE volunteers under the banner of the Delhi Solidarity Relief and Rehabilitation Committee have reached out to as many as 25-30,000 people through the relief work in the riot affected North-East Delhi. It has finished surveys in more than 350 households to assess the loss incurred due to riots. The preliminary analysis from the survey would hopefully provide us a correct picture of the material damage the violence has inflicted upon people. The survey was done with the help of more than 250 volunteers.

THE crisis at Yes Bank is only the concentrated expression of a deeper malaise afflicting the Indian banking system as a whole, namely its vastly increased financial fragility. The chief economic advisor is no doubt right when he assures depositors, through the media, that the Indian banking system is quite stable; but this still does not negate the fact that it has become more fragile.