I Surrender
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Sanity Break #1
We’re not sure about this one. It could be seriously awesome or a lame attempt to make a feminist derivative of a classic (which rarely works). But hey, we’re all rooting for ‘’—bade bhai Sherlock’s choti behen! Here’s an . This movie drops on Netflix today. So check it out and we can compare notes next week at .
Headlines that matter
INDIA-CHINA DECLARE TRUCE The two sides issued a that primarily agreed to “stop sending more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground, and avoid taking any actions that may complicate the situation.” But what does that mean? interprets the truce as surrender with unnamed military experts saying: “India seems to have accepted the new status quo and given up the restoration of status quo ante as of April 2020.” Translation: China gets to keep the territory it took since that time—especially 1,000 sq km of Depsang plains, which is a highly strategic area on the Ladakh border (explained ). calls it a “positive outcome” but also says it indicates a stalemate over the ongoing territorial dispute—and higher level talks may be required to resolve it. A source also says there was “hardly any meeting ground” over de-escalation and disengagement at the talks that produced the statement. In happier China news: Beijing has called for a global “green revolution” to tackle climate change. Addressing a virtual session of the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping announced that China would hit its peak in carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060—that’s when a country accounts for net zero emissions. Why this matters: China is the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide—and this is the first time it has made such a pledge. has more. FACEBOOK VS DELHI SARKAAR Facebook India has moved the Supreme Court in its battle with the Delhi government—which has been insisting that company execs testify before its panel. Delhi sarkaar is investigating Facebook’s role in inciting the Delhi violence—which became a big deal when the Wall Street Journal revealed how its seniormost execs protected hate-spewing BJP leaders (explained ). When FB refused to respond to the second summon to appear, committee chairman Raghav Chadha warned: “Refusing to appear before the committee is contempt of the Delhi legislative assembly. This shows Facebook has something to hide.” Now the company has filed a petition challenging the summons, claiming that they violate FB’s constitutional rights to free speech and to life and personal liberty. Ok, then. () REINFECTIONS IN MUMBAI Gene sequencing of three doctors and one healthcare worker in Mumbai confirms that they were indeed infected with Covid for the second time—i.e. they were exposed to two separate versions of the virus. : all of them had only mild symptoms the first time around, but required hospitalisation when reinfected. In related news: India’s total number of cases fell for the first time since crossing that landmark one week ago. The reason: the number of daily recoveries has exceeded the number of daily new cases for the past four days. But experts agree it is too early to celebrate. offers an excellent analysis of the numbers. In more amusing news: A big hedge fund in New York has relocated its employees to tents in the woods. Yes, there is a suitably . THE ALWAYS POPULAR MODI SARKAAR Nothing can dent our PM’s popularity—not a raging virus or a collapsing economy. According to a recent national survey, 74% approved of the government’s handling of the pandemic. The number was even higher (75%) among the poor. In fact, the wealthy were the most dissatisfied group at 63%. Also this: 73% approved of the Modi government’s attitude towards migrant workers. In another India Today survey, 72% said they were satisfied with the government’s overall performance. has more details. COMING SOON: A CHEAP JIO PHONE Reliance is planning to roll out 200 million smartphones over the next two years. These will be an upgraded version of the current Jio phone, will run on Android and cost around Rs. 4,000. (Bloomberg via ) Coming even sooner: Rising levels of Delhi pollution. Dilliwalas may have to kiss those pandemic-fresh blue skies goodbye. Farmers in Punjab are to burn their crop stubble. ONIONS ARE NO LONGER AN ESSENTIAL COMMODITY The Rajya Sabha taking cereals, dals, oilseeds, edible oils, onion and potatoes off the list of essential commodities. What this means: private companies will be able to stockpile these harvests without interference from the government—except in emergency situations like war or famine. The bill was approved by a voice vote after an Opposition walkout. So it looked kinda : THE RACE TO RESCUE STRANDED WHALES Authorities—with the help of fishermen and volunteers—are scrambling to save a pod of 270 pilot whales that have been stranded off the coast of Tasmania. Around 90 have already died, but they have managed to rescue 25—which is a ( below): > “Rescuers had to get in the icy water to attach the whales, a species of oceanic dolphin that grow to 7 metres (23 ft) long and > can weigh up to 3 tonnes, to slings and then guide the animals as boats dragged them out to deeper water. > > > > ‘We settled on a method where we get a sling placed under the whale, that’s attached to a boat (and) we also have crew in the > water,’ said Nic Deka, a regional manager of Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service, at a news conference.” They hope to save more in the days to come. has a video report. In related news: Scientists have finally cracked the mystery of 330 elephants who have died in Botswana. : toxic bacteria that occur naturally in watering holes. The bad news: climate change will accelerate the spread of this kind of algae.
Sanity Break #2
We called this one —soon after we launched. Yes, ‘’ is indeed the most awesome pop song ever. It is now the in the world! This one is for all the members of the splainer fam we’ve added since:)
Smart & Curious
A LIST OF GOOD READS * offers a personal essay on ‘productivity anxiety’—high-functioning anxiety that makes it impossible to rest. * A highly related read: on how technology has turned work into an “inescapable hellhole.” * pens a candid and refreshing must-read on self-censorship in the Indian newsroom. * offers genuinely useful advice on how to stop caring what other people think of you. * Keerthik Sasidharan in offers a thoughtful piece on what happens when citizens in a democracy can’t agree on what is real—though oddly never mentions India. * We enjoyed browsing this where lots of people revealed secrets about their job. * There have been plenty of tributes to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Our favourite is the one penned by her BFF . If you want an alternative (and not flattering) view of RBG, check out this essay. * Anita Rao Kashi in penned an excellent piece on how to write an email in the midst of a pandemic. No, do not kick off with “Hope this email finds you well!!”
Feel Good Place
RECOMMENDED SELF-IMPROVEMENT CLASSES ARE AS FOLLOWS… … Instructor: Paul Rudd …Instructor: Frat boys (?) … Instructor: Messrs Dolf Finn … Instructor: Mr Al Pacca (Here’s behind this little gem)
