Morning Digest | India to contest WHO figures on COVID-19-linked deaths in country; CAA will be a reality, says Amit Shah, and more
The Hindu
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WHO estimates 4.7 million COVID-19-linked deaths in India
There were likely 4.7 million deaths, directly or indirectly attributable to COVID-19 in India in 2020 and 2021, according to a report by the World Health Organisation on Thursday. These are the highest, by far, for any country and comprise nearly a third of the 15 million such deaths globally.
India to contest WHO’s COVID-19 excess deaths report
India will take up the “glaring anomalies’’ in the report by the World Health Organisation on excess mortality estimates associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the highest and appropriate forum, said sources in the Health Ministry on Thursday.
Citizenship Amendment Act was, is, and will be a reality: Amit Shah
On the day the third Trinamool Congress government completed a year in power in the State, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday exchanged barbs on a host of issues including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), law and order situation, and jurisdictional issues of the Border Security Force (BSF).
Four terror suspects held in Haryana, explosives seized
Kurdish-led SDF launches counter-offensive against Ankara-backed SNA near Syria's border, intensifying clashes post-Assad era.
Iran lifts ban on WhatsApp after two years, sparking debate among officials and lawmakers over internet restrictions.
Israeli troops evacuate Indonesian Hospital in Gaza, amid ongoing conflict with Hamas, displacing patients to Gaza City.
Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in Mediterranean, leaving two missing crew members, according to Spanish and Russian authorities.
Syria's new leader consolidates rebel factions under Defence Ministry to prevent clashes, appoints former rebel as defence minister.
American Airlines grounds all U.S. flights due to technical issue, disrupting Christmas Eve travel plans for thousands of passengers.
Gene Spector, a former executive in Russia, faces espionage charges after a previous bribery conviction, receiving a 15-year jail term.
Indian Ocean tsunami 2004: Former Indian Navy Officer Commodore G Prakash reflects on the 2004 Asian tsunami, emphasizing the importance of disaster response and management.
India to provide ₹2,371 million to Sri Lanka for 33 development projects in education, health, and agriculture sectors.
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year regime on August 5, Bangladesh has experienced a sharp rise in mob violence, fabricated cases, robbery, mugging and extortions.
Explosion at Turkish explosives factory kills 12, injures 3; no sabotage suspected, according to CNN Turk.