FLOODING due to heavy rainfall in major urban centres, which used to be witnessed once in a while, has of late become commonplace, occurring almost annually.

ON August 20, 2025, the University Grants Commission (UGC) released the draft Learning Outcomes-based Curriculum Framework (LOCF) for anthropology, chemistry, commerce, economics, geography, home science, mathematics, physical education, and political science. In its public notice, the UGC stated that this draft was shaped in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The BJP and organisations affiliated with the RSS were the only ones to welcome NEP 2020.

PUNJAB is facing one of the worst floods in recent decades. While all 23 districts have been affected, the situation is most severe in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, and Hoshiarpur. According to recent reports, the 2025 floods in Punjab are being described as the worst since 1988, causing large-scale devastation.Approximately 1.62 lakh hectares (around 4 lakh acres) of agricultural land have been submerged, severely damaging crops such as paddy, maize, cotton, and vegetables.

CPI(M)  Polit Bureau has issued the following statement on September 6, 2025CPI(M) expresses deep concern at the extraordinary situation of floods and landslides in North India. Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi are reeling under heavy rain, floods and landslides. CPI(M) condoles the loss of lives in this unprecedented calamity.Punjab has been the worst affected and all 23 districts of the state are declared flood-hit.

THE international petition on Gaza, published on September 4, and signed by more than 4,500 scientists, is unprecedented for many reasons. The signatories include some of the world’s most respected scientists and mathematicians, including fourteen Nobel laureates, five Fields Medallists, and twenty Breakthrough Prize winners. The petition states: “We are deeply distressed by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We find it unbearable that an artificial shortage of food appears to be leading to a famine like situation.