
Israel Gaza War: Gaza Starvation Crisis Deepens as Ceasefire Talks Stall
Israel Gaza War: Gaza Starvation Crisis Deepens as Ceasefire Talks Stall | Vantage with Palki Sharma
Twenty-one months into the Gaza war, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated into what the World Health Organization calls "mass starvation." Over 100 people, many of them children, have died from hunger. Hospitals lack food, medicine, and fuel. Aid distribution under the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation remains chaotic and ineffective. Journalists report facing starvation themselves. While Israel denies responsibility and blames Hamas, international concern is mounting. India has called for a full ceasefire at the UN, stating that intermittent pauses are no longer sufficient. As ceasefire proposals are reviewed, the suffering in Gaza continues to escalate without relief.
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NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
Lung Cancer No More Smokers' Disease: Experts Reveal How Everyone Is Affected, Even Children
August 1 is annually observed as World Lung Cancer Day to raise awareness about the type of cancer that originates in the lungs and spreads to other parts of the body. Smoking is one of the primary causes of lung cancer, but alarming trends suggest that lung cancer can "no longer be seen as a smoker's disease" as it is affecting men, women and even children who don't smoke. "While smoking remains the leading cause, globally and in India, a concerning number of patients diagnosed today have never smoked a cigarette, and it's on the rise," Dr Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department - Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, told NDTV. This growing trend is supported by Indian studies and global data that suggests a change being driven by environmental, occupational and/or genetic risk factors. A Lancet study, published in 2022, found that long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) caused an increase in the incidence rate of non-small cell lung cancer in non-smokers in urban and industrialised regions. In most Indian cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kanpur, pollution levels have become too high to be considered acceptable by the World Health Organization (WHO). Air pollution would not merely irritate lung tissues; it can also damage DNA, thus, potentially creating cancer by the chronic exposure to pollutants such as soot, nitrogen dioxide, and benzene. Are Children At Risk? Can They Get Lung Cancer Or Other Severe Lung Diseases? Dr Shishir Bhatnagar, Senior Consultant - Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Noida, told NDTV that lung cancer as such in children is "not very common". The cancers in the lungs are basically carcinoids, adenocarcinomas and subtle pleuropulmonary blastomas. Most of these cancers may have their origin rarely from smoking and genetic factors. "More commonly in children, the lungs are affected by inflammation and infections. The inflammations are basically contributory and they are responsible for creating conditions like asthma and bronchitis," Dr Bhatnagar said. "Infections like bronchopneumonias, bronchitis, bacterial bronchitis and bronchiolitis are also contributed to by the environmental factors, including smoking and environmental smoke and dust." The smoking at the microbiological level can affect the immune system and weaken it by affecting the annular macrophage system. It also disturbs the microbiome of the airways, thereby increasing the biological injuries in them. At the cellular level, it affects the DNA and makes it more prone to inflammation and cancer. According to Dr Bhatnagar, the bigger issue is the serious lung harm from environmental exposures during early childhood. Children who live in high pollution neighbourhoods, and/or have been exposed to passive smoke, unclean fuels, or multiple respiratory infections as infants, potentially have sustained damage to their lungs, some of which may lead to chronic disease (bronchiectasis, asthma, lung cancer) in the future. A study published in 2023 in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that children exposed to high levels of PM2.5, impaired lung function, asymmetrically slowed lung development, and had the potential for life-long impairment related to lung function. Serious Concerns Over Vaping Experts are also concerned about the rising trend of vaping. Dr Bhatnagar said that vaping is some sort of mechanism where the toxins produced are less and are not equivalent to smoking. "The toxins are less, but they have high nicotine dependence. There are very high chances that in adolescence this can become a trouble, and it is actually a problem these days," he said, further adding that vaping can contribute and can actually go on to smoking. "Children may not have early symptoms of cancer, but a persistent cough, wheezing without being diagnosed with asthma, recurrence of pneumonia, or even chest pain of unknown origin, must be taken seriously," Dr Bhatnagar said. Children must be protected from indoor air pollution, and also reduce exposure to passive smoke, while treating infections early, as lung health is often forgotten. Major Causes Of Lung Cancer The most frequent cause is smoking, responsible for more than 70 per cent of cases and 90 per cent of diagnoses. "Tobacco smoke harbours more than 60 carcinogens, and the risk is directly proportional to the intensity of smoking. The world's second-largest consumer of tobacco is India, which has 267 million consumers of tobacco, and tobacco is responsible for 27% of all cancers," Dr Vinayak Maka, Consultant - Dept of Medical Oncology, Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, told NDTV. For all causes except tobacco, environmental and occupational risk factors are important: Passive Smoking: Significantly boosts risk. Radon Gas: The Second greatest risk factor after smoking, particularly in smokers. Occupational Exposure: Chemicals like asbestos, arsenic, and beryllium raise risk, especially among smokers. Genetic Influence: Family health history is one of the major contributing factors in making a person more vulnerable. Air Pollution: A high-risk factor; Delhi alone has witnessed an increase in lung cancer cases due to pollution. Diet and Processed Foods: Studies have found that an intake of ultra-processed foods leads to a 41 per cent higher risk, undermining the role played by diet. Regular Screening And Early Detection Dr Raja Dhar, Director & HOD - Pulmonology, CMRI Kolkata, weighed in on the strength of regular screening and early detection. He told NDTV, "Regular screening is also key, particularly for those at greater risk, because it enables us to catch problems early on, when treatment works best. Lung cancer too often gets diagnosed too late, but if we can detect it early, the likelihood of successful treatment is greatly enhanced."


Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
Why so many in Gaza are starving and aid is not reaching them
Over the past several weeks, obtaining food in Gaza has become more than difficult, it has become deadly. According to reports, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed while attempting to reach aid sites, many reportedly shot by Israeli forces. Others are dying from severe malnutrition, with Gazan health officials confirming dozens of related deaths. But, how did this hunger get so much worse in Gaza? The crisis intensified in March, when Israel imposed a total blockade on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, aiming to pressure Hamas and citing, without evidence, that the militant group was seizing supplies. The blockade failed to achieve its political goals but amplified hunger across the enclave. In May, under growing international pressure, Israel introduced a new aid distribution system in southern and central Gaza through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). While the United Nations had previously distributed aid through hundreds of local sites, the GHF established only four centralised hubs — none of which are in northern Gaza. This shift meant Gazans had to walk for hours through active war zones to reach aid, with some routes taking three to four hours on foot, the NYT reported. To prevent supplies from reaching Hamas, Israel placed the GHF sites inside its military-controlled zones. That forced Palestinians to cross active military lines. 'More than 600 people have been killed while trying to reach the new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites,' according to the Gazan Health Ministry, as cited by The New York Times. While the GHF denies responsibility for shootings near its sites, it acknowledges that areas beyond its control are 'still an active war zone.' Satellite imagery and witness videos reveal crowds of civilians near Israeli tanks and military checkpoints. Palestinian witnesses claim Israeli soldiers have fired live rounds near aid hubs, and the Israeli military confirmed that 'its forces had opened fire to disperse crowds' or to respond to what it called 'threatening behavior.' An Israeli official admitted that artillery shells had killed civilians near aid sites, calling them 'isolated episodes.' Adding to the chaos, GHF aid sites often open with little notice, and close almost immediately after food runs out. Palestinians line up in the middle of the night, hoping to receive food, only to face violent stampedes or get tear gas thrown by US security contractors, according to videos analysed by NYT. Sometimes, the American security contractors at the sites have thrown tear gas grenades at people crowded into narrow, fenced-in lines with seemingly nowhere to go, as per a report by NYT. One stampede in mid-July killed around 20 people. The GHF claimed 'Hamas-linked instigators' triggered the chaos. Doctors across Gaza report worsening malnutrition, with the World Food Program stating that 'more than one in three people aren't eating for multiple days.' Children have died from starvation, according to Gaza health officials. Some Palestinians are too weak, old, or frightened to risk walking to the aid zones. Many instead buy resold aid in local markets at astronomical prices. The Gaza Chamber of Commerce reports that tomatoes can cost $30/kg, while sugar exceeds $100/kg. After international criticism, Israel resumed aid airdrops, joined by countries like Jordan and the UAE. But experts warn that airdrops are expensive, risky, and insufficient to address the growing crisis. 'Airdrops alone are not the answer,' Britain's foreign ministry wrote on social media on Wednesday. 'Only trucks can deliver at the scale needed,' it added. Previous airdrops have landed in the sea or in Israel, and some have killed civilians.


Time of India
12 hours ago
- Time of India
WHO declares Hepatitis D virus as "carcinogenic": What does this mean amidst rising liver diseases
The World Health Organization has declared Hepatitis D as cancer-causing. This announcement coincides with World Hepatitis Day. WHO urges global action against viral hepatitis to reduce liver cancer deaths. Hepatitis affects millions worldwide, causing numerous deaths annually. Early detection and management are crucial. India faces a significant burden of viral hepatitis cases. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified the hepatitis D virus (HDV) as carcinogenic to humans. HDV has joined hepatitis B and C on the list of cancer-causing agents. On Monday, during the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2025, WHO urged governments and partners to accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat and reduce liver cancer deaths. Hepatitis (B, C, and, D) affects over 300 million people globally and claims 1.3 million lives each year, mainly from liver cirrhosis and cancer. "Every 30 seconds, someone dies from a hepatitis-related severe liver disease or liver cancer. Yet we have the tools to stop hepatitis,' Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in a statement. Viral hepatitis (types A, B, C, D, and E), is the major cause of acute liver infection. Hepatitis B, C, and D can result in chronic infections that increase the risk of liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Yet most people with hepatitis don't know they're infected. What is Hepatitis D Hepatitis D, also known as delta hepatitis, is a rare but severe liver infection caused by the Hepatitis D virus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Chittagong - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo It is rare because it can only infect people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV can only occur as a co-infection or superinfection in people who are HBV-positive. Hepatitis D is carcinogenic The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has recently classified hepatitis D as carcinogenic to humans. Compared to HBV alone, HDV has a two- to six-fold higher risk of liver cancer, making it a serious infection. By classifying HDV as carcinogenic, the health organizations are hoping to raise awareness, improve screening, and expand access to new treatments for hepatitis D across the globe. 'WHO has published guidelines on testing and diagnosis of Hepatitis B and D in 2024, and is actively following the clinical outcomes from innovative treatments for hepatitis D,' Dr Meg Doherty, incoming Director of Science for Health at WHO, said. What is the treatment for HDV? Oral medication can treat Hepatitis C within 2 to 3 months, while effectively controlling hepatitis B with lifelong treatment. The treatment options for HDV, on the other hand, are still developing. Major progress in preventing liver cirrhosis and cancer deaths depends on further steps in managing the global burden such as vaccination, testing, harm reduction, and treatment. In a 2024 report , the WHO had said that India had over 3.5 crore cases of viral hepatitis, including 2.98 crore hepatitis B cases, in 2022, which accounts for 11.6% of the total disease burden globally that year. 7 Ways to check for fatty liver at home Liver diseases are on the rise globally, and HDV being classified as carcinogenic has raised concerns. It adds to the urgency to address this growing crisis, as co-infections exacerbate liver damage and cancer risk. Regular screening and early detection of co-infections, including HDV, will be crucial in reducing the global burden of viral hepatitis