SC allows woman who lost husband during Covid to settle bank loan on relaxed terms

IANS | January 27, 2026 5:25 PM

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) In an extraordinary exercise of its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, aimed at doing "complete justice", the Supreme Court has granted relief to a widow who lost her husband during the second wave of Covid-19 by permitting her to settle a bank loan on relaxed terms and directed the Central Bank of India to release the title deeds of her residential property upon payment of a reduced amount.

Plastics emissions to double health risks worldwide by 2040: Study

IANS | January 27, 2026 12:12 PM

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Emissions from the global plastics system --greenhouse gases, air-polluting particles, and toxic chemicals released particularly from plastics production processes -- could double health risks by 2040, if no meaningful action is taken to change current practices, according to a study on Tuesday.

Chinese scientists identify key Ebola virus mutation

IANS | January 27, 2026 11:07 AM

Beijing, Jan 27 (IANS) Chinese researchers have unveiled a crucial mutation in the Ebola virus that significantly enhanced its infectivity during a major outbreak, providing new insights for epidemic surveillance and drug development.