The Quad Squad
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Sanity Break #1
This is a photo of a newborn baby still in its amniotic sac. It is one of the winners of the 2020 Birth Photography competition that captures the messy, bloody and stunning miracle of birth. Check out (a number are NSFW).
Headlines that matter
THE INDIAN PANDEMIC: A QUICK UPDATE * First the numbers: Total cases: 1,238,635. Total recoveries: 782,606. We recorded the highest ever in a single day (58,028). We are now, however, #7 in the (29,861). * Maharashtra is still rising, reporting the spike of 10,576 cases. * Pune-based Serum Institute of India will produce 3-4 million doses of the Oxford vaccine—which is the most promising and way ahead of the vaccine race (see our explainer ). * CEO Poonawalla that it will be affordable: “We are going to give it at a very affordable price… We are planning to put it at about Rs 1000 or less than that… I don’t think any citizen of India or of any other country is going to have to pay for it because it is going to be bought by the government and distributed free,” said CEO Adar Poonawalla. * explains the government’s recent guideline warning against the use of N95 masks with air filters. * Delhi plans to conduct a serological survey . Also read: of the results released on Tuesday. * is out: Indians bought more bread, cheese, coffee, and jams—but less ice cream and Britannia cakes. * Borosil has rolled out an ultraviolet disinfecting box for Rs 11,990. You can sanitise anything from rupee notes to smartphones and even groceries in 2-8 minutes. * Construction workers will now receive that will make them eligible for a variety of welfare benefits. Why this matters: Data shows that most states did not distribute most of the relief packages (be it food or cash) to workers because they did not have Aadhaar cards or other forms of ID. * TV serials like ‘Taarak Mehta…’ have —with a variety of safety measures and severe script limitations. THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC: A QUICK UPDATE * A shows that people are most likely to be infected by members of their own household. It found that just two out of 100 caught the virus from non-household contacts. * has an excellent report on why wealthy European nations were caught off-guard by the virus. The reason: They assumed “an epidemic is a disease that only occurs in developing countries.” * EU an $858 billion recovery fund. explains why the package is noteworthy and how it is different from India's relief efforts * reports on the plight of Indian and Nepalese workers in the Middle East. * Switzerland health authorities warn that without a mask will not protect you against infection. In better medical news: Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect cancer four years before the first symptoms appear. has all the details. A ‘BOLLYWOOD CHHODO’ CAMPAIGN ON TWITTER Anubhav Sinha—director of ‘Thappad’ and ‘Article 15’—tweeted: “Enough! I hereby resign from Bollywood. Whatever the f*** that means." Then he declared: "Bollywood was, Hindi films will." This was after Sudhir Mishra urged everyone: "Bollywood chhodo”—to which Hansal Mehta replied: "Chhor diya (have quit). It never existed in the first place." In other words, they’re rejecting commercial mainstream cinema—which is always a good thing. We have enough Salman Khan movies to last us a lifetime. () A PRETTY COMET COMETH OUR WAY NEOWISE its closest approach to Earth on July 22 and 23—sidling as close as 64 million miles from the earth’s orbit. And that’s when we will be able to see it with our naked eye. shows you exactly where to spot it from your precise location. offers the best way to watch the comet. has a brilliant collection of photos of the comet from around the world. IPL IS MOVING TO THE UAE It’s official. After months of playing coy, Indian cricket authorities confirmed that the tournament will be held between September 26 and November 7—and will feature 60 matches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. () KIM KARDASHIAN SPEAKS OUT ON KANYE The rap star has been on a Twitter rampage for a few days, making often outlandish claims. His wife finally spoke up about his mental health, and the effect on their family. has more.
Sanity Break #2
Google ‘Giraffe on Fire’ or ‘Burning Giraffe’ and you will be inundated with images of iconic Salvador Dali painting. But this lesser known work is far more powerful and (sadly) symbolic of this particular moment in time. We recommend seeing it . (h/t )
Smart & Curious
A LIST OF INTRIGUING THINGS resides in the darkest depths of the ocean. Over the course of six years, researchers have been able to capture photos of only two of them. The reason: they absorb more than 99.5% of any light that hits their skin. This monstrous creature is the second-blackest fish known to humans: the Pacific blackdragon! —distributed for free by the company—was designed by a dog. was a Victorian torture device designed to keep you clean by squirting water and—ouch—rotating its blades! This explains everything you need to know about the English. is a man of many flaws, but he may be in the process of completely redesigning how we shop on a website. This is design director Nick Knight talking about the process of creating the Yeezy Supply site—and it offers a glimpse of the future of e-commerce.
Feel Good Place
IN HONOUR OF THROWBACK THURSDAY… Does it get better? We think not. circa nineteenth century. We approve. ? Once 1950s surrealist art, now real-life punchline. have fun….
