-Down to Earth As many as 2,067 lives lost to floods in India through the year, the highest in the world due to climate change-induced events Floods and Cyclone Amphan in India accounted for maximum loss of lives globally due to climate change-triggered events in 2020. The cyclone, which ravaged Sunderbans in the southern fringe of West Bengal and hinterland including Kolkata in May 2020, led to “the biggest displacement” in world...

-Livemint.com Easily buyable shares, a gush of cheap money and a burst of speculation have over-inflated prices On 18 December, the price to earnings (PE) ratio of the Nifty 50 stock market index reached an all-time high of 37.84. This was around 87% higher than the average PE ratio of 20.26 since 1 January 1999. The PE ratios of the Nifty 50 and other broader indices continue to remain at extremely high levels....

-The Indian Express Duty Magistrate Udhav Kumar Jain did not pass any order on handing over the copy of the video to Pracha but passed directions to preserve the footage with its seal and place it before the court concerned for necessary orders. A Delhi court has directed Delhi Police to preserve video footage recorded during the search conducted at advocate Mehmood Pracha’s office last week. Pracha is representing several accused in...

-Newsclick.in While Covid-19 affected all areas of life, it was access to healthcare where it had the maximum effect. So inpatient admissions, outpatient care or operations saw declines of up to 40%. Declines were also seen in deliveries, antenatal care and immunisation of children. States with a large private health sector also suffered as charges were increased substantially so that profits remained unaffected. So the message is clear–give adequate budgetary allocations...

-The Tribune Democracy is not about oratorical skills, it requires mindful listening Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it is said, is an excellent orator. The other day, while laying the foundation stone of the new Parliament building, Mr Modi, with his characteristic style, invoked Guru Nanak, reminding us of the great saint’s message: “Jab tak sansar rahe, tab tak samvad rahe”, and stressed on the need for dialogue to preserve the ‘soul...