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Global Covid infection rates higher than previously reported: Study

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A joint study by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Unity Studies and SeroTracker and colleagues suggests that based on seroprevalence, global Covid-19 infection rates are likely to be higher than previously reported.

The study, published in the open access journal PLOS Medicine, found that global seroprevalence rose from 7.7 per cent in June 2020 to 59.2 per cent in September 2021, suggesting two-thirds of the global population may be SARS-CoV-2 seropositive from either vaccination or infection.

Estimates of Covid-19 infections based on seroprevalence data far exceed reported cases, suggesting a bigger global impact of Covid-19 than previously known.

According to the authors, “this study on global seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies found that while seroprevalence has increased over time, a third of the global population tested negative for antibodies against the virus as of September 2021 estimates. It was also found that compared to seroprevalence estimates, routine testing for Covid-19 has largely underestimated the number of global infections”.

Serosurveillance provides estimates of antibody levels against infectious diseases and is considered the gold standard for measuring population immunity due to past infection or vaccination.

In order to ascertain the true rates of infection and indicators of immunity in the population against SARS-CoV-2 over time, researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of seroprevalence studies published from January 1, 2020 to May 20, 2022.

From their search parameters, the authors identified 965 distinct seroprevalence studies sampling 5,346,069 participants between January 2020 and April 2022, with 43 per cent of these studies being from low-middle income countries.

“As we enter the third year of the pandemic, implementation of a global system or network for targeted, multi-pathogen, high-quality and standardised collaborative serosurveillance is a crucial next step to monitor the pandemic and contribute to preparedness for other emerging respiratory pathogens,” said the researchers.

Maharashtra

Case registered against speeding car drivers on Marine Drive Coastal Road

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Mumbai: The Marine Drive Police have registered a case against 6 to 7 unidentified car drivers for endangering their own lives and the lives of others by driving at high speeds and in a reckless manner on the southbound stretch of the Coastal Road. A Mumbaikar named Sana Khan recorded a video of the speeding drivers and posted it on social media, prompting the police to take action.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 11:15 PM on the night of September 3, 2026, on the southbound Coastal Road near Marine Drive. The complainant, Satish Nivrutti Sangle (42), is a police constable attached to the Marine Drive Police Station.

It was reported that unidentified drivers of approximately 6 to 7 cars—colored yellow, red, and others—drove at high speeds without adhering to traffic regulations, thereby endangering their own lives and the lives of others.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case (Crime Register No. 341/26) under Sections 281 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The case was registered at 10:55 PM on September 4, 2026.

No arrests have been made so far. The police have identified the vehicles involved, and proceedings to seize them are underway. Further legal action against the unidentified drivers is in progress. Sana Khan is a journalist by profession and has previously served as a journalism professor.

Sana Khan recounts that while she was out for a drive with her family, cars suddenly sped past her in a terrifying manner inside the coastal tunnel; while the standard speed limit there is 60 km/h, these vehicles were moving at a dangerously high, potentially lethal speed. She recorded a video of the incident and posted it on social media, prompting the police to take action. She expressed her gratitude to the Mumbai Police for treating the matter seriously, noting that strict action will now be taken against those who disregard the lives of others for the sake of their own amusement.

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Maharashtra

Corporators of all parties in trouble! Corporators of all major parties including Shiv Sena (UBT), BJP and Congress are facing legal challenges.

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Mumbai: Even after the results of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were declared, the troubles of the winning candidates show no signs of abating. The defeated candidates in the elections have challenged the election of the winning corporators on various grounds. A total of 79 election petitions have been filed, according to information provided by the BMC to RTI activist Anil Gilgali. Meanwhile, the issue of election petitions has resurfaced after the recent cancellation of former mayor Visakha Raut’s post as a corporator. This shows that winning an election is not the final stage. Legal scrutiny of documents related to the election process such as affidavit details, caste certificates, and various declarations made by the candidate are equally important. Importantly, these petitions do not target councillors of any single party. Rather, challenges have been filed against corporators of all major parties in Mumbai. This raises questions about the legality and security of these councillors’ posts after the elections.

Objections from caste certificate to asset details
The petitions filed by defeated candidates raise several serious issues. These include objections to the validity of caste certificates, allegations of false or misleading information provided by the candidates, and disputes regarding disclosures about criminal cases, assets and financial affairs.

While contesting elections, candidates have to disclose personal, financial and legal information through an affidavit. If there are any inconsistencies or allegations of providing false information, legal action can be initiated. Thus, the entire matter highlights the crucial importance of every piece of information provided in election petitions and affidavits. Highest number of petitions against Shiv Sena (UBT). According to the data provided by the Municipal Corporation, a party-wise analysis shows that the maximum number of petitions have been filed against 24 corporators of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) faction.

This is followed by 16 petitions against BJP, 10 against Congress, and 7 against Shiv Sena (Shinde faction). Apart from this, 5 petitions have been filed against AIMIM, 2 against MNS and 1 against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Election of 5 corporators annulled
Out of a total of 79 petitions, negative decisions have been passed against 5 corporators so far, resulting in their elections being annulled. These include 2 from Shiv Sena (UBT), 2 from AIMIM, and 1 corporator from NCP.

This makes it clear that winning the election is not the final milestone. Factors ranging from the candidate’s nomination to the accuracy of the information provided in the affidavit and the accuracy of the documents related to the election process are also equally important.

Election transparency issue in the spotlight again
These figures have come to light from the information sought by RTI activist Anil Gilgli. It is essential that the information presented to voters by candidates who are elected as public representatives is accurate and factual. Any allegation of errors, inconsistencies, or concealment of facts can potentially affect the election results.

With 79 election petitions filed, the cancellation of the elections of 5 corporators, and the recent cancellation of the term of former Mayor Visakha Rawat, the issue of transparency regarding the nominations and affidavits of candidates in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections is once again in the spotlight.

All eyes in political circles are now on the decisions regarding the remaining petitions. If the elections of more corporators are called into question, it could change the numerical strength of various parties within the municipal corporation.

Despite winning through the mandate of the voters, the candidates find themselves facing judicial scrutiny. In this situation, a legal challenge has arisen regarding the election of corporators of all parties in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.

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Maharashtra

Man arrested in Mumbai, India, for promoting fake notes instead of genuine Indian notes

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Date Mumbai On 6th September, Crime Branch Unit 2 Mumbai received confidential reliable information that a woman and a man were keeping fake Indian currency notes near Metro Cinema, Vasudev Balwant Phadke Chowk, Mumbai and were selling them for Rs. 2 lakh in exchange for real Indian currency notes for their own financial gain in India. A trap was laid by the Crime Branch Unit 2 police at the said location. During this, a woman was found with 270 fake notes at the said location. She said that she had received fake notes of Rs. 500/- from a person. At the same time, the said woman was found near Kurla station and 1848 fake notes of Rs. 500/- were found in her possession. In this way, a total of 2128 fake notes of Rs. 500/- were found worth Rs. 10,64,000/- and a case of fake notes under Case No. 198, 180, 69(2), 3(9) BNS 2023 was registered at the Metro Police Station and further investigation has been handed over to Crime Branch, Unit 2.

The above excellent performance has been carried out by Police Commissioner, Mumbai Devin Bharti, Police Joint Commissioner (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Mr. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime) Krishan Kant Upadhyay, Police Deputy Commissioner (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan, Assistant Police Commissioner, Division Dinkar Shalvat, Police Inspector in-charge of Crime Detection Branch, Unit-2, Police Inspector Dilip Tenalkar, Police Sub-Inspector Sankalp Mukashi, under the guidance of

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