On 6 February, 2023 Southern Turkey and the adjoining areas in Syria were hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake followed by several aftershocks. The tremors have flattened buildings and destroyed roads and other infrastructure. At least 35,000 casualties (UPDATE) have occurred across Turkey and Syria, with the vast majority being in the former nation. A news report cited the Turkish environment minister saying that 24,921 buildings across the region had collapsed. What...

-Hindustan Times Farm policymaking slowed down after the repeal of three laws in 2021. But the climate crisis, geopolitical instability and inflation have exacerbated the urgency for reforms In November 2021, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi repealed three contentious farm laws in a dramatic turnaround. The entire episode — from the passage of the laws, the protests that followed and the turnaround — had stalled national agriculture policymaking. Yet, as this column...

-Newsclick.in Hundreds of residents of Gyaspur Basti are staying under tarpaulin tents after their houses were demolished. New Delhi: Sitting under a tarpaulin tent at Gyaspur Basti, in Sarai Kale Khan, a visibly worried and disturbed Deepu (16) is continuously trying to call a number. A few yards away under a tree, her equally distressed father, mother and brother are discussing something urgent. The family has been staying under the tent since...

-The Tribune Of sanctioned strength of 78, only 18 personnel have joined on deputation to carry out anti-mining raids Chandigarh: A total of 78 police personnel were sanctioned to join the Mines and Geology Department on deputation in 2021 for carrying out raids to stop illegal mining, but just 18 joined. Despite the department requesting the Haryana Police thrice to send the remaining 60 personnel, none has joined, not even after DSP...

-Deccan Herald My colleague and I were in a District Education Office in Bihar. It had all the typical trappings of power. The officer we were meeting arrived with a litany of staff carrying his papers (and lunch box). In the short walk to his chamber, he barked orders to his staff, and as he sat on his chair and removed his Ray-Ban glasses, he commanded waiting visitors (mostly local residents...