Amnesty International says Israel deliberately starving Gaza's Palestinians
Israel, while heavily restricting aid allowed into the Gaza Strip, has repeatedly rejected claims of deliberate starvation in the 22-month-old war. Contacted by AFP, the military and foreign ministry did not immediately comment on Amnesty's findings.
According to the group's report, 'Israel is carrying out a deliberate campaign of starvation in the occupied Gaza Strip, systematically destroying the health, well-being and social fabric of Palestinian life.'
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Vinod Kambli 'having difficulty speaking', brother makes heartfelt appeal to fans: 'Please pray for my dada'
Virendra Kambli, Vinod Kambli's younger brother, shared some recent updates about the former India cricketer, revealing that the 53-year-old has yet to recover fully from his health issues. Kambli, who made the headlines last October for his deteriorating health, was suffering from a urinary infection. However, despite recovering from it, the issue resurfaced, forcing Kambli to be hospitalised in December. MRIs also confirmed a clot in his brain, but after proper monitoring and supervision, Kambli was discharged. Get well soon, Vinod Kambli(AFP) Nine months later, Kambli seems to be doing better but still has progress to make. As his brother informed him, he is having difficulty speaking and made a humble appeal to the public to pray for his recovery. Kambli is currently at his home in Bandra, recovering, and still has difficulty walking properly. "He is at home right now. He is getting stable, but his treatment is on. He is having difficulty speaking. It will take him time to recover. But he is a champion, and he will come back. He will start walking and running, hopefully. I have a lot of faith in him. I hope you can see him back on the ground," Virendra said on The Vickey Lalwani Show. Here's what happened "He underwent rehab for 10 days. He got an entire body check-up done, including brain scans and a urine test. The results were fine; there weren't too many issues, but since he couldn't walk, he was advised to undergo physiotherapy. He still slurs in his speech, but he is getting better. I just want to tell people who pray for him, so that he gets better. He needs your love and support." Virendra also revealed that the Kamblis are four brothers – Vinod, Virendra, Vikas and Vidyadhar. Like Vinod, Virendra, too, had aspired to become a cricketer, but his career never quite took off.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
The lessons for India from the plastics treaty
In 2025, it is no longer up for debate: Plastics are polluting our planet — and our bodies. Microplastic fibres have been found in our lungs, breast milk, food, air, and oceans. Plastics are no longer just an environmental nuisance; they've become a public health crisis. Over 16,000 chemicals are used to manufacture plastics, most of which are unregulated and untested. More than 4,000 are already flagged as hazardous to human and environmental health. These have been linked to a wide range of illnesses — cancers, hormonal disruption, heart conditions, infertility, autoimmune diseases, and more. While the need for a Plastics Treaty is widely accepted, most countries refused to commit to binding global targets to reduce plastic production. (AFP) The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics, released on August 4, estimates that plastics cause disease and death across all age groups and cost the world over $1.5 trillion in health-related economic losses each year. That's a bill no country can afford. In response to mounting evidence, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) began negotiating a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022. The sixth round of talks (INC-5.2) in Geneva just concluded. Unfortunately, the treaty process has highlighted the deep failures of multilateralism. The treaty's stated goal — to end plastic pollution, including its impacts on the marine environment, while safeguarding human health and ecosystems — has been interpreted so differently by different nations that it has lost its clarity. Not everyone agrees that reducing plastic production is necessary. But without reducing the pollutant, it's impossible to prevent pollution. Article 6, which goes to the heart of production and reduction, also failed to achieve consensus. While the need for a treaty is widely accepted, most countries refused to commit to binding global targets to reduce plastic production. That failure undercuts the entire agreement. A meaningful treaty would have tackled the full life cycle of plastics — from production to disposal. It would have included stronger bans on single-use plastics, plans to phase out toxic additives, and investment in safe, affordable alternatives. None of that made it through. That said, the treaty does support a just transition for those affected. An estimated 20 million people globally, many of them in poverty, earn a living as wastepickers. A study by Chintan, Plan the Ban, found that 41-60% of wastepickers' income in some Indian cities comes from plastic waste. As plastics are phased out, we must help these workers transition into new, green jobs. India's Namaste scheme, recently extended to wastepickers, could play a key role. So could Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), by offering formal employment or support for new roles in decentralised waste systems. We also need to plan for others who depend on plastics — like fisherfolk who rely on nylon nets. A just transition needs to be intentional, inclusive, and well-resourced. Which brings us to the question of money. Who will fund this transition? Who will support the shift to safer alternatives and clean up existing plastic pollution? It's clear that financing is essential — from enabling a green economy for the poor to investing in innovation and scaling sustainable alternatives. If the climate finance struggle has taught us anything, it's to manage our expectations. But we also know that without timely, adequate, and accountable funding, nothing will change. Global corporations with outsized plastic footprints must step up first. The disappointing outcome of the Plastics Treaty mirrors a broader global crisis: Profound loss of empathy, a lack of leadership, and an inability to act in the face of overwhelming evidence. But India must not get trapped in this wishy-washy treaty. We have too much at stake. India's plastic consumption is rising, and our 7,000-kilometre coastline remains dangerously exposed. We showed intent by banning several single-use plastics in 2022. But now we must take the next leap. Using fiscal tools to nudge behaviour and shift away from plastics is the most powerful — and difficult — step ahead. Strengthening our state pollution control boards to actually enforce existing rules is obvious. Investing in R&D for viable, scalable alternatives — especially for hard-to-recycle plastics like multilayer packaging, soiled plastics, and polymer-based textiles — is critical. Supporting innovators working on plastic-free technologies and greening public procurement must become core strategies. Locally, empowering wastepicker-run Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) can help improve waste segregation and recovery, while giving wastepickers better access to material and markets. These efforts must be backed by Mission LiFE — putting traditional Indian ideas of sustainability to work for modern challenges. We've made good progress in downstream waste management. But the time has come to confront the upstream challenge. India needs a mission-mode plan, with clear and measurable outcomes. This is no longer just about pollution. Our health and lives are on the line. Bharati Chaturvedi is founder and director of Chintan Environmental Research and Action Group. The views expressed are personal
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
What is ‘Valley Fever?' California cases reach alarming levels, set to break previous records
California has witnessed thousands of Valley Fever cases this year, and the numbers seem poised to surpass past records. The fungus that causes Valley Fever, sometimes called coccidioidomycosis or 'cocci,' develops in the soil in various areas of California and other southwestern states.(AFP) According to data shared by the California Department of Public Health, 6,761 cases were reported by the end of July 2025. If the present rate of cases continues, it would surpass the highest record of 12,595 cases in 2024. In the US, the number of Valley Fever cases has been rising since 2000. In 2019, there were over 9,000 cases, up from less than 1,000 cases reported each year in 2000. The spike has alarmed researchers and health officials since it appears that cases might continue to climb in the years to come as a result of climate change. What is Valley Fever? Here's what we know The fungus that causes Valley Fever, sometimes called coccidioidomycosis or 'cocci,' develops in the soil in various areas of California and other southwestern states. Both humans and animals are susceptible to the Valley Fever, and it is transmitted via airborne spores that are inhaled into the lungs. It causes respiratory symptoms like fever, coughing, chest pain, and fatigue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is frequently misdiagnosed or goes untreated due to its symptoms' resemblance to those of other respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia and even COVID. As a result, some patients may receive poor treatment or have delays in receiving the proper care. Also Read: Google issues red alert as new cyber attack targets Gmail users using AI with 'indirect prompt injections' Some people may inhale the spores and not become unwell, while others are prone to acquire a more serious sickness. Those who are particularly susceptible include pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, people over 60, people with diabetes, and people who work in construction or other jobs where they are frequently exposed to dust and dirt. As per the CDC, 1 percent of individuals who contract Valley Fever may experience an infection that expands from their lungs to other parts of their body, including their skin, bones, joints, or brain, and 5 to 10 percent may experience severe or permanent lung difficulties. While many patients can recover on their own in a few weeks or months without therapy, some may need treatment, hospitalisation and antifungal medication for more severe infections.
