Latest news with #hindered
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
8 per cent infectious disease outbreaks during 2018-2023 spread from animals to humans, study says
New Delhi: Over eight per cent of outbreaks reported under India's infectious disease surveillance system between 2018 and 2023 were zoonotic -- spread from animals to humans, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis. Zoonotic outbreaks consistently peaked during June, July, and August, researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai said. Typically, about seven zoonotic outbreaks -- also sometimes called 'spillover events' -- occurred in a month, and such instances significantly increased over the years, specifically, post-pandemic, the study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal found. The team analysed a total of 6,948 outbreaks reported under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) to identify trends. Of these, 583 (8.3 per cent) were zoonotic -- Japanese encephalitis was found to account for 29.5 per cent of zoonotic outbreaks, followed by leptospirosis (18.7 per cent) and scrub typhus (13.9 per cent). Region-wise, the northeast part of the country contributed 35.8 per cent of zoonotic disease outbreaks, followed by the southern (31.7 per cent) and western regions (15.4 per cent), the researchers found. They added that late reporting of disease outbreaks has declined over the years -- 52.6 per cent in 2019, 40.9 per cent in 2021, and 5.2 per cent in 2023. Overall, a third of the outbreaks during the study period were reported late, the team said. "Of the 6948 outbreaks reported in IDSP, 583 (8.3 per cent) were zoonotic, with a median of seven monthly zoonotic outbreaks. Outbreaks significantly increased over the years," the authors wrote. The researchers said that while outbreaks of measles, chickenpox, and dengue have been individually analysed, zoonotic events from the national-level infectious disease surveillance system have not been comprehensively examined. A lack of analysis of geographical patterns and documentation of reporting delays hindered evidence-based decision-making and targeted interventions, the team said. "Critical gaps in weekly outbreak reports were identified, particularly the lack of follow-up documentation. To address these gaps, we recommend strengthening disease-specific surveillance systems in hotspot regions," the authors concluded. PTI
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as groundsman dies aged 55 after falling in pond while mowing grass at iconic F1 Grand Prix track
A GROUNDSMAN at the Red Bull Ring has tragically died after falling into a pond. The 55-year-old fell into a water retainer at the Spielberg Circuit in Austria on Wednesday morning after losing his footing while operating a motor sycthe. Advertisement 3 A 55-year-old groundsman at Red Bull's racing circuit has sadly passed away Credit: GETTY 3 The man tragically passed away after falling into a pond at the Red Bull ring Credit: GETTY The groundsman fell 23 FEET into the basin, which he desperately tried to make his way out of. A co-worker and a police officer jumped into the basin to try to save him. But they were unable to pull him out and he sadly ended up drowning. Attempts to save the man were initially hindered by the murky water in the basin, which is 23 feet deep. Advertisement READ MORE IN SPORT And it wasn't until the volunteer fire department arrived on the scene that he was able to be located. First responders tried to resuscitate the man after retrieving him from the basin. But they were unsuccessful with their attempts to bring him back around and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Several of the man's co-workers looked on in horror as he fell into the basin and sadly lost his life. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive 3 Several of the man's co-workers saw the tragedy unfold Credit: Getty A Red Cross crisis intervention team were deployed to give support to the victim's colleagues. Red Bull have yet to issue a statement on the tragic incident. Max Verstappen snaps at Sky Sports broadcaster as he addresses Red Bull future The Red Bull Ring, of course, is the venue for the annual Austrian Grand Prix, which will next take place on June 29. Advertisement
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Mineral desire: Moscow has enough to satisfy India
With global power dynamics shifting and Arctic resources surfacing, New Delhi has a timely chance to deepen ties with Russia Once a frozen frontier, the Arctic is rapidly transforming into a geopolitical and geoeconomic focal point. Melting ice is exposing vast reserves of critical minerals, hydrocarbons, and strategic shipping routes. As the West advances through NATO's northern reach, a sanctioned Russia is turning to trusted partners to unlock its Arctic potential. For India, this shift offers a rare strategic opportunity. With rising energy needs, critical mineral ambitions, and a desire for multipolar engagement, India can enter the Arctic not as a competitor, but as a partner to Russia, guardian of over half the Arctic coastline and its richest untapped resources. India's pursuit of energy security and cleaner fuels finds a strategic match in Russia's Arctic LNG (liquefied natural gas) ambitions. While Yamal LNG has proven operationally successful, the Arctic LNG-2 project, long hindered by Western sanctions, now stands at a potential turning point. The renewed thaw in US-Russia relations following Donald Trump's second term, as noted by Oxford Energy, has opened possibilities for easing restrictions on key Arctic energy assets. For India, this shifting landscape offers a timely opportunity to deepen its role in Russia's polar pivot, by investing in Arctic LNG infrastructure, securing long-term gas supplies, and positioning itself as a critical partner in shaping the emerging Arctic order. The Yamal LNG facility, operating at 20% above capacity since 2023, has firmly anchored Russia's Arctic presence, producing over 100 million tonnes of LNG since 2017. For India, this has translated into energy security gains, with GAIL securing long-term contracts for 2.85 MTPA through Gazprom Marketing & Trading Singapore. Despite EU restrictions on transshipment, deliveries continue uninterrupted, aligning with India's strategy of diversifying supply sources to hedge against global volatility and fuel its gas-based economy. Yet the real test lies in Arctic LNG-2. Once 59% complete in 2021, the project stalled under heavy Western sanctions. By 2025, only limited operations resumed. India has maintained official distance, but quiet negotiations persist as Russia courts Indian buyers with steep discounts and DES (Delivered Ex-Ship) terms, mirroring its crude oil outreach. The recent easing of US-Russia tensions after Trump's re-election offers a potential breakthrough: if secondary sanctions are lifted, Indian firms may finally step in, unlocking a significant Arctic energy axis. India's Arctic engagement also aligns with its "Act Far East" policy and 2022 Arctic policy. ONGC Videsh's $8.4 billion legacy in Sakhalin and Vankorneft provides operational experience and political capital that could be redeployed in the Arctic, though harsher environments and geopolitical stakes differ sharply. As Russia aims to capture 20% of global LNG exports by 2030, India's energy calculus must adapt. For New Delhi, the Arctic offers more than LNG, it's a new corridor linking Russian resources with India's infrastructure and strategic aspirations. Polar Shipping and the Chennai-Vladivostok Corridor As Russia pivots to the Arctic amid Western sanctions, India finds strategic opportunity in emerging polar logistics. The Northern Sea Route (NSR), offering a 40% shorter passage than the Suez Canal and cutting transit time by 16 days, is becoming central to Indo-Russian Arctic cooperation. In 2023, NSR cargo traffic hit a record 36.254 million tonnes, with Moscow targeting 200 million tonnes by 2030. India's growing stake is evident, by early 2023, it accounted for 35% of cargo at Russia's Murmansk port, largely driven by rising coal imports. Complementing this is the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor (EMC), launched in late 2024, which directly links India's eastern seaboard to Russia's Arctic gateway. Trade along the EMC has surged as coal shipments rose 87% and crude oil by 48% in FY 2024-25. This corridor not only facilitates India's access to Russia's vast Arctic and Far East resources but also strengthens its maritime footprint. India is positioning its ports and shipyards as vital nodes in Arctic logistics, proposing joint production of $750 million worth of Russian icebreakers. Together, the NSR and EMC mark India's emergence as a serious player in Arctic connectivity, where geoeconomics and strategy now converge. Arctic riches, strategic gains Russia's Arctic frontier, stretching across the Kola Peninsula, Norilsk, and Yakutia, is a treasure trove of critical minerals vital for India's green and digital ambitions. The Kolmozerskoye deposit holds nearly 19% of Russia's lithium reserves, Lovozerskoye is the country's largest rare-earth element (REE) source, and Norilsk supplies over 40% of global palladium. Backed by state giants like Rosatom and Nornickel, Russia is fast-tracking development. Nornickel plans to triple cobalt output to 3,000 tonnes annually by 2025, while Rosatom's Polar Lithium JV prepares to exploit Kolmozerskoye's lithium for global markets. READ MORE: How Moscow's legendary S-400 missiles helped India outgun Pakistan For India, dependent on imports for 100% of its lithium, cobalt, and nickel, access to these resources is a strategic imperative. With China dominating 60-90% of global critical mineral supply chains, Russia offers India a rare diversification opportunity. Ambassador Denis Alipov has highlighted mutual interests in Arctic mineral cooperation. India's $15 billion investment in oil and gas projects in Russia, and the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, operational since 2024, lay the groundwork for secure logistics and collaborative mining ventures. Russia's Arctic holds an estimated 658 million tonnes of rare metals, including 29 million tonnes of REEs, crucial for India's EVs, renewables, and defence technologies. India is also eyeing technology transfer for processing projects like Tomtor, the world's third-largest REE deposit. A proposed Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals could partner with Russian institutes such as Gipronickel Institute to advance extraction methods. Though Western sanctions complicate financing, India's 2030 target of $100 billion in bilateral trade provides a framework for structured deals. For India, Arctic minerals are not just economic assets, they are pillars of strategic autonomy. By anchoring itself in Russia's resource-rich, sanction-insulated Arctic, India can strengthen its supply chains, hasten its green transition, and reduce dependence on China, all while asserting influence in a rapidly evolving polar landscape. Science, Satellites, and Soft Power in the Arctic India's Arctic engagement extends beyond economics, grounded in scientific inquiry and climate diplomacy. Since gaining Observer status in the Arctic Council in 2013, India has actively contributed to initiatives like the Arctic Migratory Birds Initiative and the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group. Its most prominent scientific asset is the Himadri Research Station in Ny-lesund, Svalbard, operational since 2008 and managed by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). Himadri supports year-round studies on glaciology, ocean-atmosphere interactions, and the Arctic's impact on the Indian monsoon, with over 200 Indian scientists participating in research missions. India's capabilities offer scope for deeper collaboration with Russia, especially through space-based technologies. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), using its Cartosat and RISAT satellites, can aid in Arctic mapping, environmental monitoring, and tracking activity along the NSR. India and Russia's longstanding space partnership, dating back to their first agreement in 1962, offers untapped potential for Arctic collaboration in energy, shipping, and strategic monitoring. While current Arctic-specific projects remain limited, future joint space applications could enhance maritime domain awareness and infrastructure development in the polar region. India's Arctic push is a strategic leap, linking energy security, mineral access, and scientific strength with Russia's resource-rich north. As the Arctic reshapes global power corridors, India is no longer a bystander but a rising stakeholder. With logistics in place and a $100 billion trade vision, the polar frontier offers India more than resources, it offers resilience. In the ice of the Arctic, India finds new ground for strategic autonomy.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Frequent policy changes hindering industrial growth'
KARACHI: Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, former Senior Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has emphasised that frequent policy changes, lack of long-term vision, inconsistent regulatory framework, and policies made without stakeholder feedback have hindered industrial growth and investment. Delivered a presentation to the 37th Senior Management Course at the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) on the industrial development of Pakistan , Mazhar Nasir highlighted the structure of Pakistan's industry, comprising large-scale industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which contribute 40% to GDP and 30% to exports. He noted that SMEs face challenges such as limited access to finance, infrastructure deficiencies, and marketing support, and stressed that export growth cannot be achieved without the development of the SME sector. The presentation also covered emerging industrial sectors in Pakistan, including the automobile, iron and steel, edible oil, sugar, cement, ceramics, and rice industries. Nasir emphasised the need for long-term policies and strategies, incentives for investment and innovation, enhanced infrastructure and logistics, and research and development promotion to drive industrial growth. He also highlighted the importance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the context of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), noting that SEZs can promote industrial growth and attract foreign investment. Mazhar Nasir concluded that Pakistan's industrial sector must adapt to changing global trade dynamics by diversifying exports, enhancing competitiveness, promoting value-added products, and building strategic partnerships to achieve sustainable economic growth. 'By addressing these challenges and opportunities, Pakistan can accelerate industrial development and achieve sustainable economic growth.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
International Space Station enters riskiest period, NASA ‘deeply concerned' over safety
The ailing state of the International Space Station (ISS) serves as a sad indicator of shifting priorities amid reports that Trump's administration is planning to slash NASA funding by 20 percent. For years, NASA has emphasized budgetary and aging hardware concerns regarding the ISS. Now, during a public meeting of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) on April 17, NASA officials said they were "deeply concerned" about the diminishing safety of the orbital station. The panel cited long-standing issues – cracks and air leaks – as well as funding shortfalls. They called for more funding to facilitate the end of the ISS's operations and avert a potentially catastrophic unplanned deorbit. During the ASAP meeting, members of the NASA safety panel emphasized the growing risks facing ISS operations. Cracks aboard the space station have been a long-running concern. Over the years, air leaks have also hindered operations – the source of one of those leaks was pinpointed thanks to floating tea leaves. At the time of writing, NASA aims to deorbit the ISS by 2030. The space agency has contracted SpaceX to develop US Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) to safely remove the ISS from orbit within that timeframe. However, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk may throw a spanner in the works. He recently recommended NASA deorbit the station sooner. Following a public spat with a former ISS commander, he claimed the station had "served its purpose". Conversely, when it comes to Trump's NASA budget cuts, Musk recently stated he can't get involved because of a conflict of interest. While NASA's safety panel decry a lack of funding, their new report may help Musk get his way. "The ISS has entered the riskiest period of its existence," Rich Williams, a member of the panel, said, adding that there were "increasing risks" to the orbital outpost. The panel honed in on the increased risk caused by long-standing problems. These include leaks in a vestibule of the station's Zvezda module, called PrK. Experts from the US and Russia have investigated those leaks for years, without pinpointing the source. According to Williams, "the panel has considered this one of our highest concerns." He added that NASA and Roscosmos officials will meet later this month in Moscow to discuss the ongoing investigation, as well as update efforts to mitigate the risks. ISS managers are taking precautions in the meantime. They have limited repressurizations of the PrK vestibule, which links a docking port to the station. The safety panel also discussed the potential for an emergency deorbit, before SpaceX's USDV is deployed. An uncontrolled deorbit could be catastrophic, with the space station raining down over populated areas. "If there is a deorbit of the ISS before the USDV is delivered, the risk to the public from ISS breakup debris will increase by orders of magnitude," Williams warned. The panel emphasized the need for a strong budget as the ISS comes to the end of its operational life. This is especially important, given the fact that recent reports suggest Trump aims to drastically cut NASA funding. "Overarching all of these risks is a large ISS budget shortfall," Williams said. "All of these risks are actually a derivative of this budget shortfall and collectively contribute to potential compromise of the low Earth orbit transition plan." According to a SpaceNews report, NASA spent $993 million on ISS operations and maintenance last year and $1.63 billion on crew and cargo transportation. The panel warned that the ISS could face budget difficulties associated with the costs of building SpaceX's USDV. "The Panel has grave concerns that if the necessary funds for both the USDV and the supporting launch infrastructure (over $1B in total) comes solely from the existing ISS budget, this will unduly strain NASA's ability to safely perform normal and contingency ISS on-orbit operations," they said. "As programs near final phases, it is tempting to assume less resources will need to be available," Williams explained. "For the ISS, it is critical to maintain adequate budget and resources until the vehicle is safely reentered." "The panel appreciates the demonstrated operational excellence of the ISS program, but remains deeply concerned about the increasing and cascading risk attending the program over the next several years," he stated.
