San Ramon residents and others in Contra Costa County are being asked to help shape the future of local mental health and behavioral services. As the county prepares to redesign its Behavioral Health system for the 2026–2029 cycle, officials are inviting the public to participate in a survey and virtual town hall forums to gather input. The initiative is led by Contra Costa Health Services, which is seeking input on topics such as access to mental health care, substance use tr

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, originally identified in China, has now reached the United States, prompting concern among health officials due to its rapid spread and high transmissibility. Detected first in travelers arriving between March and April in states including California, New York, Washington, Virginia, and Hawaii, the variant has since appeared in Ohio and Rhode Island, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant has become dominant i

As Covid-19 cases see a resurgence across India and the early monsoon ushers in a spike in flu infections, many are struggling to distinguish between the two. With overlapping symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue, it’s easy to misdiagnose or delay treatment. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, an internal medicine specialist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in New Delhi, shares how to spot the differences and why testing is key to correct diagnosis and care. T

A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1, is now emerging in the United States after becoming dominant in China and causing a significant rise in cases across Asia. U.S. health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are monitoring the variant closely as scientists continue to analyze whether NB.1.8.1 poses greater risks in terms of transmission, severity, and resistance to existing vaccines. The variant was initially identified in Asia, particularly in Ch

  A major U.S. ice cream and frozen yogurt recall has been launched by Wells Enterprises following the discovery of plastic fragments in thousands of large-format dessert tubs. The Iowa-based company—known for producing popular frozen treat brands like Blue Bunny and Halo Top—has voluntarily recalled over 17,000 batches of product distributed across 103 locations nationwide, including a facility in Rosemont, Illinois. Initiated on April 25, the recall

Routine health screenings are still underutilized in India, especially among men aged 40 and above. Yet, these check-ups can significantly reduce the risk of fatal diseases, lower long-term healthcare costs, and extend quality of life. With lifestyle diseases on the rise and a surge in prostate and heart conditions, doctors urge Indian men to begin annual health assessments as early as their 40s. Cardiovascular diseases remain

As Singapore and Hong Kong witness a fresh surge in COVID-19 infections, India continues to maintain a relatively stable situation with only 257 active cases reported as of May 19, 2025. All the cases identified in India are mild and do not require hospitalization, according to the Union Health Ministry. This update was shared after a key review meeting was held involving experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster M

Father’s Day 2025 falls on Sunday, June 15, and if your dad is one of those who says, “I don’t want anything,” we’ve got just the solution. Whether he’s into grilling, golfing, gadgets, or relaxing weekends, there’s a thoughtful, local gift that’s perfect for him — and no, it’s not a mug or another pair of socks. Thanks to a partnership between Patch and T-Mobile, you can now use a handy online gift finder to disco

This Saturday, May 17, the city of Dublin will host Utsavi, a vibrant festival celebrating women’s empowerment, creativity, and community leadership. Organized by Agomoni, a community-driven nonprofit, the event will take place at Frederiksen Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Utsavi, which means "joyful celebration" in Sanskrit, aims to bring together women from all walks of life to share knowledge, develop wellness practices, promote entrepreneurship, and build meaning

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab’s strategically important Adampur Air Base early this morning, marking a significant moment amid the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. The visit follows Pakistan’s overnight airstrikes on May 9-10, during which four key Indian Air Force (IAF) stations including Adampur, Pathankot, Udhampur, and Bhuj were reportedly targeted as part of a retaliatory strike in response to India’s Operation Sindoor. PM Modi was briefed by IAF

A sweeping investigation has revealed that more than 100 federal contracts linked to Bay Area businesses and nonprofits have been abruptly terminated as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) mission to slash spending and eliminate initiatives associated with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The agency, formed under the direction of Elon Musk, claims to have saved taxpayers over $32 billion since January through widespread contract cancellations, including 118 t

The year 2025 has already become a defining chapter in the history of global technology regulation. Once considered too powerful to be challenged, companies like Meta, Apple, and Google are now being pulled into intense legal battles that threaten to alter the very core of their operations. With their massive influence and trillion-dollar valuations, these tech giants are under scrutiny like never before, as governments and regulators across the globe seek to rein in what many see as unchecke

Mucus in the lungs is a common concern, especially during respiratory infections, seasonal changes, or after exposure to pollutants. While mucus is essential for trapping dust, microbes, and irritants, excess production can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as chest congestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have acknowledged the role of lifestyle and home

Swiggy, the popular online food and grocery delivery platform, is facing new tax troubles with a total tax demand of over Rs 165 crore for the financial year 2021-22. The first of the two orders was issued by the Profession Tax Officer in Pune, Maharashtra, demanding Rs 7.59 crore. This order alleges that Swiggy failed to properly deduct profession tax from its employees' salaries, which is required under the Maharashtra State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings & Employments Act, 1975.

The Delhi Assembly’s ongoing budget session has brought to light troubling statistics regarding the capital's employment initiatives. In a detailed response to questions raised by members of the Assembly, the Directorate of Employment disclosed that between 2019 and 2024, only two job placements were made through the Delhi government's online employment portals. Both appointments occurred in 2024, reflecting a stark failure in the intended function of these platforms. The city h

The first solar eclipse of 2025 is scheduled for March 29 and will be a partial solar eclipse. During this event, the Moon will partially obscure the Sun, casting a shadow over various parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The eclipse will begin at 2:20 PM IST in the Atlantic Ocean and end around 6:13 PM IST over northern Siberia. Key areas that will witness this stunning event include northeastern Canada, parts of the northeastern United States (including New York City and Boston)

International Women's Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for women's rights, gender equality, and overall well-being. While the day is widely recognized for highlighting social, economic, and political issues, it also plays a crucial role in bringing attention to women's health challenges worldwide. Among the most pressing concerns is the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and nutritional deficiencies, particularly anaemia, which affects millions o

The tech industry witnessed one of the worst months for layoffs in February 2025, with job cuts soaring to alarming levels. According to Layoffs.fyi, 46 tech companies laid off 15,994 employees, marking a staggering 184% increase from January’s 5,641 layoffs across 25 companies. The layoffs were primarily driven by corporate restructuring, AI-driven job automation, and economic uncertainty. Meta, HP, Workday, Salesforce, and Autodesk were among the major companies that announced signifi

San Antonio residents are being alerted to a possible exposure to measles that occurred earlier this month. Local health officials are urging the public to remain vigilant, review their vaccination status, and monitor for symptoms. The Metropolitan Health District has provided a timeline of potential exposure locations to help residents assess their risk. On February 15, 2025, an individual who later tested positi

The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling on February 17, 2025, stating that an employee’s gratuity can be forfeited on the grounds of moral turpitude, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. This ruling expands the interpretation of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, allowing employers to withhold gratuity from employees dismissed for unethical or fraudulent actions.Previously, in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling in the Union of India vs. Ajay Babu case, the court had st