Big tech hearing becomes political tamasha
Tech titans appearing in front of the House Judiciary Committee got a break from Republicans—who were more interested in talking about anti-conservative bias than their unfair business tactics. Here’s how MarketWatch sums it up: “There were no immediate “aha!” moments nor smoking guns, but clearly uncomfortable exchanges.” Also see: New York Times’ amusing tally of catchphrases used by Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook. Don't know what this is about? Read our explainer here.
In related Richie Rich news: Jeff Bezos’ net worth soared by $63.6 billion this year. On one day this month, it leaped an unprecedented $13 billion. Also richer this pandemic year: Mark Zuckerberg by $9.1 billion.
An Indian win in Congress: No, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal wasn’t grilling tech executives but the US Attorney General. But that doesn’t make this moment any less priceless—truly a dream come true for every Indian at the mercy of the American accent.
Unlock 3.0 kiya jaaye
Gyms and yoga institutes can now reopen their doors as per the new phase of ending the national lockdown. Still barred: Metro rail, movie theatres, swimming pools, amusement parks, bars and restaurants. Schools and colleges will remain closed until August 31.
Falling fatalities? Our Covid totals continue to soar, and are now 1,531,669. But the case fatality rate has fallen to 2.23%—the lowest since April. Since this reflects the percentage of recorded cases that result in deaths, the decline may just reflect more widespread testing—which in turn upped the overall total number of cases. The Telegraph explains why it's pointless to look at the number of cases when gauging fatality rates. We should actually be looking at the percentage of symptomatic cases that result in death. Related news: A Kerala church is allowing cremation of parish members who died of Covid at its cemetery.
Rising depression: According to a new survey, 43% of Indians are suffering from depression thanks to the lockdown. These are mostly mild cases (26%)—and only 6% displayed more severe symptoms. The result we can all relate to: "More than 59% of the population said they had little pleasure in doing things these days."
Rising losses: The tourism sector is headed for a bloodbath—which will put 87 million jobs at risk. The sector accounts for nearly 13% of total employment. Quartz has more.
Also suffering from travel bans: IndiGo, which reported a massive net loss of Rs 2,844 crore in the first quarter of this year—in stark contrast to a profit of Rs 1,203 crore last year.
Also in trouble: SpiceJet which posted a Rs 807.07 crore in losses. Auditors say there is “significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern."
Coronavirus circulated in bats for decades!
New research shows that the closest ancestors of this virus emerged in bats anywhere between 40-70 years ago—and remained undetected! The study’s authors explain why this matters. One: “It has been poised for human crossover for some time.” Two: “If these viruses have been around for decades that means that they've had lots of opportunity to find new host species." And also this:
"This is significant in pointing to the scale and nature of the problems that zoonotic transmission presents to humans—there may be numerous and as yet undetected viruses capable of infecting humans that reside in animal hosts."
In other alarming microbe news: Japanese scientists have revived 100-million-year old microbes that were lying dormant in the South Pacific seabed. They can now eat and multiply after spending eons in the deepest part of the sea—where there is no food or oxygen! Microbes multiply by dividing, but that requires energy, which has researchers baffled: “If they are not dividing at all, they are living for 100 million years, but that seems insane.”
Also alarming but v. useful: This video that shows the deluge of droplets that we spew when we talk, cough or sneeze. It also shows how different masks help block their spread.
Rajput’s family calls out Mumbai police
Sushant Singh Rajput’s father has filed an FIR accusing his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty of abetting his suicide—among many other things. The case was filed in Patna, and Chakraborty has asked the Supreme Court to have it moved to Mumbai. Now the Rajput lawyer is resisting the appeal by raising questions about the city police:
“Mumbai police are trying to take the investigation in a wrong direction by trying to involve big production houses. You can very well understand what one may get from taking (the investigation) in that direction. Its (Mumbai police’s) purpose was to deflect the attention from Rhea and shift it elsewhere. What happens these days? If somebody is to be saved or helped, somebody else is implicated.”
Rafale has reached India
The arrival of the French jets—previously the source of great controversy—was a cause of great excitement, and viral videos (like the one below). Naysayers pointed out:
“1. They are arriving 9 months late. 2. They have no “India Specific Enhancements”, for which we paid €1.7 billion. Those will be fitted only after 2022. 3. The IAF is down to just 29 squadrons.” Is there any party that cannot be pooped on?
