Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Nipah virus scare spreads to Himachal Pradesh

The Nipah virus scare has spread all the way to the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. About 18 dead bats were discovered on the premises of a government school in Nahan, sparking fear among locals as nipah virus is spread by fruit bats.

The district’s chief medical officer, Dr Sanjay Sharma, however, said there wasn't a need to panic as bats visit the area every year.


“The principal of the school and students said that bats come here every year, and eventually perish. However, this year, their numbers are far greater than in previous years,” Sharma was quoted as saying by ANI. “We have informed the teachers and students about the Nipah virus, its symptoms and preventive measures. We told them to avoid physical contact in case of an outbreak as this is a communicative disease,” he added.

Nipah virus has so far claimed 12 lives in Kerala, which is in the southern part of India.

On Thursday morning, Moosa Haji, whose two sons Muhammad Salih and Muhammad Sabith are believed to be the first victims of the infection in the state, died in Kerala's northern district of Kozhikode. This is the fourth death in Moosa’s family. His relative Mariumma had died earlier.

Haji's death comes just a day after the Kerala government assured that the outbreak has been contained.

“A few cases of infection by nipah virus have been reported from Kozhikode district in Kerala. The infection remains highly localised, all cases being linked to one family,” the advisory issued by state health secretary Rajeev Sadanandan said, reported PTI.  “The health department is taking effective steps for management of reported cases and surveillance through tracing of the contact of these persons. The situation remains under control.”

However, in an advisory issued to travelers, the government cautioned people from travelling to the northern districts of Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad and Kannur.

More For You

F-35B jet

The UK has agreed to move the aircraft to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the airport.

Indian Air Force

F-35B jet still stranded in Kerala, UK sends engineers for repair

UK AVIATION engineers are arriving in Thiruvananthapuram to carry out repairs on an F-35B Lightning jet belonging to the Royal Navy, which has remained grounded after an emergency landing 12 days ago.

The jet is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. It made the emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft, valued at over USD 110 million, is among the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ahmedabad air crash
Relatives carry the coffin of a victim, who was killed in the Air India Flight 171 crash, during a funeral ceremony in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ahmedabad crash: Grief, denial and trauma haunt families

TWO weeks after the crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad, families of victims are grappling with grief and trauma. Psychiatrists are now working closely with many who continue to oscillate between denial and despair.

The crash occurred on June 12, when the London-bound flight hit the BJ Medical College complex shortly after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 29 on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

Prime minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at The British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference in London on June 26, 2025. (Photo by EDDIE MULHOLLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Starmer apologises for 'island of strangers' immigration speech

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he was wrong to warn that Britain could become an "island of strangers" due to high immigration, saying he "deeply" regrets the controversial phrase.

Speaking to The Observer, Sir Keir said he would not have used those words if he had known they would be seen as echoing the language of Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 "rivers of blood" speech.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

Sir Sajid Javid (Photo by Tom Nicholson-WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sir Sajid Javid leads commission 'tackling social divisions'

A cross-party group has been formed to tackle the deep divisions that sparked last summer's riots across England. The new commission will be led by former Tory minister Sir Sajid Javid and ex-Labour MP Jon Cruddas.

The Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion has backing from both prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. It brings together 19 experts from different political parties and walks of life.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Masum

Masum was seen on CCTV trying to steer the pram away and, when she refused to go with him, stabbed her multiple times before walking away and boarding a bus. (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

West Yorkshire Police

Habibur Masum convicted of murdering estranged wife in front of baby

A MAN who stabbed his estranged wife to death in Bradford in front of their baby has been convicted of murder.

Habibur Masum, 26, attacked 27-year-old Kulsuma Akter in broad daylight on April 6, 2024, stabbing her more than 25 times while she pushed their seven-month-old son in a pram. The baby was not harmed.

Keep ReadingShow less