Seoul, May 25 (IANS) The number of coffee shops, eateries and convenience stores in South Korea is on the wane amid a prolonged economic slowdown and sluggish domestic demand, data showed on Sunday.According to data compiled by the National Tax Service (NTS), 95,337 cafes were in service in the first quarter, down 743 stores from the same period last year, reports Yonhap news agency.It marks the first time the number of coffee shops has declined since record-keeping began in 2018.That year, there were 45,203 cafes before the figure jumped to 53,102 in 2019, 62,916 in 2020, 72,847 in 2021, 85,609 in 2022 and 93,913 in 2023.The number of coffee shops peaked at 96,080 last year before falling this year.The downward trend also applied to restaurant businesses in general, with the number of fast food chains coming to 47,803 in the first quarter, down 180 shops from a year earlier.Korean food eateries and Chinese restaurants saw their numbers shrink by 484 and 268, respectively.The number of convenience stores also slipped 455 on-year to 53,101 shops as of end-March.Industry officials say a large number of retirees who have jumped into various self-employed businesses are closing down their shops due to market saturation and slowing domestic demand. Some also point to large commission fees for delivery platforms as factors burdening business owners.The average sales of small business owners in the first quarter were approximately 41.79 million won (US$30,558), down 0.72 percent from a year earlier, according to the Korea Credit Data (KCD).Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea (BOK) is likely to revise down its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast from the current 1.5 percent to around 1 percent or lower at its upcoming rate-setting meeting Thursday, according to a recent Yonhap News Agency survey of seven economists.—IANSna/

Bengaluru, May 25 (IANS) Bengaluru has reported its first Covid-19 death, according to an official…

Bengaluru, May 25 (IANS) Amid the fear of the spread of Covid-19 in Karnataka, the…

Jaipur, May 24 (IANS) As Covid-19 cases are once again on the rise in the country, Rajasthan has reported seven new infections in the last 48 hours.

Four of these cases have been detected at AIIMS Jodhpur, while three have been reported from Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur.Out of the four patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in AIIMS Jodhpur, two are children and two are adults.Similarly, two patients have been found positive for Covid-19 at the Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur and one patient at the Rabindranath Tagore Medical College in Udaipur.Among the Covid-infected patients in Jodhpur, one child has come from Bhilwara, while the others are locals.The children are five months, 11 and 12 years old, while one patient is a 38-year-old youth.In response to the new cases, Deepak Maheshwari, the Sawai Man Singh Medical College Principal, has ordered genome sequencing to determine the specific variants involved.This comes amid the spread of the new sub-variant JN.1 of Covid-19, which is contributing to rising cases across several Asian countries.Speaking to the media at Sawai Man Singh Medical College in Jaipur on Saturday, Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar clarified that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not yet issued any advisory classifying the new variant as fatal.Rajasthan Health Department Principal Secretary, Gayatri Rathore, added that a meeting of experts at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed JN.1 as a sub-variant of Omicron.So far, no deaths have been reported due to this variant, and there is no need for panic.Individuals showing symptoms are advised to consult doctors and follow routine treatment protocols.The JN.1 variant, a strain of Omicron’s BA.2.86, was first detected in August 2023.In December 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) designated it as a ‘variant of interest’.It carries nearly 30 mutations that can weaken the immune system.According to Johns Hopkins University, JN.1 spreads more easily than previous variants but is not considered highly severe.It has become one of the most prevalent strains globally.Symptoms of the JN.1 variant can last from a few days to several weeks.In some cases, patients may experience long Covid, where symptoms persist even after recovery.Health officials continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to remain cautious while avoiding unnecessary alarm, officials said.–IANSarc/khz

Bengaluru, May 24 (IANS) Bengaluru has reported first Covid-19 death on Saturday after the recent…

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The scientific validation of traditional medicine is crucial for its growth, said Vaidya Rajesh Kotech, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush.Kotech said this while speaking at a side event of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.Kotech underscored the urgent need for integration between basic sciences, conventional systems of medicine, and traditional systems of medicine.The event, convened by the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine in Geneva, under the title “Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Heritage to Frontier Science, for ‘Health for All,” the event marked a significant milestone: the 50th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first Traditional Medicine Programme.It also heralded the next chapter in integrating Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into mainstream health systems.“Traditional Medicine must work in coherence with biomedicine to meet evolving healthcare needs globally,” the Secretary said in his opening address.“Scientific validation of traditional medicine is poised to preserve and sustain this treasure,” he added.The session spotlighted the draft WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which outlines four strategic objectives: establishing the evidence base for TCIM; regulating products and practices; integrating TCIM across health systems; and leveraging its broader developmental value.These goals are supported by guiding principles rooted in health equity, Indigenous rights, sustainability, and science.India, as the only country with a dedicated Ministry for Traditional Medicine, has reaffirmed its global leadership and commitment to the WHA.“India has created a well-regulated ecosystem for Ayurveda and other codified traditional systems — from pharmacovigilance and public health delivery to global pharmacopoeial standards,” Kotech said.He noted that a new platform — Ayush Nivesh Sarthi — will soon support international investment in the Ayush sector.The WHO also announced the second global traditional medicine Summit, to be hosted in New Delhi in December 2025. It will be held under the theme “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.”–IANSrvt/

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) With mounting cases of Covid-19 bringing fresh fears of the pandemic, which claimed millions of lives globally, experts at the Indian Medical Association and Delhi Medical Association on Saturday said that the cases are being constantly monitored and that there is no need to panic.According to the data from the Ministry of Health, India has reported 257 active Covid-19 cases as of May 19.Kerala (69), Maharashtra (44), and Tamil Nadu (34) are recording the highest daily case counts.Delhi recorded 23 new cases. As per the latest reports, two have tested positive for Covid in Gurugram, one each in Faridabad and Noida.”With Covid-19 cases being reported in different parts of India, there is no need to panic. What we recommend is enhanced surveillance and continued public awareness,” Dr. Dinesh Goel, Paediatrician and President, of IMA Janak Puri, told IANS.He urged people to follow simple precautions like using masks “in crowded areas and maintaining hygiene”.Dr. Amarjeet Singh Popli, from the Delhi Medical Association (DMA), also called for precautions while not panicking.“There is no need to panic over the recent increase in Covid-19 cases. The situation is under constant monitoring by health authorities and the Delhi Medical Association,” Popli told IANS.The current rise is linked to Omicron and descendants of its subvariant JN.1, which “are being closely observed”, the expert noted.As per the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — descendants of JN.1 Covid variant in the country – are responsible for the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in the country.Data from the INSACOG, a consortium of 64 laboratories to monitor genomic variations of Covid virus, showed one case of NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 type.While NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu, four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May.Currently, both LF.7 and NB.1.8 have been classified as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO).VUM is a term used to signal to public health authorities that a SARS-CoV-2 variant may require prioritised attention and monitoring.Meanwhile, the Delhi government has issued an advisory asking all hospitals to prepare for the availability of beds, oxygen, medicines, and vaccines.Popli urged the public to take basic precautions, such as wearing masks in crowded places and maintaining hygiene. “With responsible behaviour, we can all stay safe.”–IANSrvt/pgh

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Amid reports of increasing cases of SARS-CoV-2 virus in India, data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, showed the presence of NB.1.8.1, LF.7 — descendants of JN.1 Covid variant in the country.

Data from the INSACOG, a consortium of 64 laboratories to monitor genomic variations of Covid virus, showed one case of NB.1.8.1 and four instances of the LF.7 type.While NB.1.8.1 was identified in April in Tamil Nadu, four cases of LF.7 were detected in Gujarat in May.Currently, both LF.7 and NB.1.8 have been classified as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO). A VUM is a term used to signal to public health authorities that a SARS-CoV-2 variant may require prioritised attention and monitoring.Besides India, these variants are also reportedly driving Covid cases in China and other parts of Asia.As of May 19, data from the Ministry of Health shows that India has had 257 active Covid cases.JN.1 is the common variant in circulation in India — comprising 53 per cent of samples tested. It is followed by BA.2 (26 per cent) and other Omicron sublineages (20 per cent).According to WHO’s preliminary risk assessment, NB.1.8.1 poses a low public health risk worldwide. Yet its spike protein mutations, such as A435S, V445H, and T478I, suggest increased transmissibility and immune evasion compared to other variants.Meanwhile, several states and cities in the country have reported a surge in cases.Maharashtra has reported 106 Covid cases, with Mumbai logging 95 so far in May. Haryana’s Gurugram reported three cases, while Faridabad reported one.Tamil Nadu has also seen a recent increase, with 12 new cases reported in Puducherry. Karnataka has confirmed 16 active Covid cases, according to state health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.In Gujarat, seven cases were reported in a single day in Ahmedabad. The state currently has 15 active Covid cases.Delhi recorded 23 new cases, Andhra Pradesh reported four in the last 24 hours, Telangana confirmed one, and a nine-month-old inBengaluru tested positive amid a gradual rise over the past 20 days. Kerala reported 273 cases in May alone.However, the health ministry has assured that the country has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including Covid also exists in the country through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR.–IANSrvt/svn

Bengaluru, May 24 (IANS) In response to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that while there is a slight uptick in cases in the state and in Bengaluru, there is no cause for concern.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Saturday, Minister Rao said, “There is nothing to be alarmed about. It’s a very normal situation. There has been a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. So far this year, we have reported 35 cases, with a slight rise over the last 15 days.”He added that the state’s Technical Advisory Committee had met recently to discuss the situation. “We have issued an advisory stating that those with severe respiratory illnesses, especially those in hospitals, should get tested for COVID-19.” He further advised, “People who are on immunosuppressant drugs for various conditions, those with low immunity, pregnant women, and children should be a bit more cautious when visiting crowded places. Preferably, wear a mask in crowded areas. It not only helps in preventing COVID-19 but also other viral and bacterial infections. However, wearing masks is not compulsory. There are no travel bans or movement restrictions within the city or state,” he clarified.Minister Rao reiterated that normal life can continue without fear. “Everything is normal, work, life, and routine activities. So far, 257 cases have been reported across the country, and importantly, none of them have shown serious symptoms. Only mild symptoms have been detected, so there is no need to panic. My appeal to the public is that COVID-19 is now endemic. The coronavirus has become part of our system, just like any other virus. At any given time, someone may have COVID-19. The real concern is whether a new or severe variant emerges,” he added.The minister said that COVID-19 tests are mandatory only for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases.“Otherwise, standard guidelines apply: keep your hands clean, maintain hygiene. These measures are beneficial not just for COVID-19 but for preventing many other diseases as well.”The Karnataka Health Department on Friday issued an advisory and said that a gradual increase is seen in terms of the spread of COVID-19 in Bengaluru in the last 20 days.–IANSmka/dan

New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) Infectious animal diseases are affecting new areas and species, with half (47 per cent) having zoonotic — or animal-to-human – potential, raising the risk of newer pandemics, according to a global report.The new annual assessment, published by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), provides the first comprehensive review of animal disease trends, risks, and challenges, from the uptake and availability of vaccines to the use of antibiotics in animals.It showed that the reported number of avian influenza outbreaks in mammals more than doubled last year compared to 2023 with 1,022 outbreaks across 55 countries compared to 459 outbreaks in 2023.While its risk to humans remains low, the more mammalian species such as cattle, cats, or dogs are infected, the greater the possibility of the virus adapting to mammal-to-mammal, and potentially human, transmission, the authors said.“The spread, prevalence, and impact of infectious animal diseases are changing, bringing new challenges for agriculture and food security, human health and development, and natural ecosystems,” said Dr. Emmanuelle Soubeyran, Director General of WOAH.The report also mentioned the increasing distribution and intensity of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), avian influenza, foot and mouth disease (FMD), and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). It warned that their proliferation was destabilising agrifood systems, which can undermine global food security and biodiversity, in addition to human health.The report cited climate change and increased trade as factors influencing the spread and prevalence of animal diseases, majorly recorded across several regions in 2024 and early 2025.Although many are preventable through a combination of vaccination, improved hygiene, and biosecurity measures, the report noted that access to animal vaccines remains uneven around the world.“Alongside other measures, vaccination remains one of the most powerful disease prevention tools available, saving countless lives, preventing economic losses, and reducing the need for antimicrobial treatments,” Soubeyran added.The report also emphasised the importance of disease prevention for reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and limiting the development of drug-resistant diseases.–IANSrvt/