Trump takes aim at H-1B workers, again

The President signed an executive order that prevents US government agencies from contracting or subcontracting foreign workers—mainly those on H-1B visas. Trump said: “Today I am signing an executive order to ensure that the federal government lives by a very simple rule, hire American.” He reportedly made this move in response to a recent round of IT layoffs by a federal agency.

Rajput’s father issues video appeal

KK Singh released a video statement, claiming:

“On Feb 25, I informed Bandra Police that he’s in danger. He died on June 14 & I asked them to act against people named in my Feb 25 complaint. No action taken even 40 days after his death. So I filed [an] FIR in Patna.”

In a TV interview, the family’s lawyer made it clear that Rhea Chakraborty was among those who posed a threat to the actor. Mumbai cops, meanwhile, clarified that they did not receive any written complaint. Rajput’s brother-in-law O P Singh—who is also a police officer—sent WhatsApp messages to the local officials to launch an “informal” investigation, and was told it was not possible.

The global pandemic: A quick update

• A BBC investigation has found that the number of Covid-related deaths in Iran is nearly triple the official number—which was 14,405 as of July 19. The number of actual cases is also much higher: 451,024 as opposed to 278,827.
• Producers of the world’s most beloved bubbly lost $2 billion in sales this year. Champagne sales are down thanks to the lockdown which has nixed all group celebrations—and it has put a greater dent than the Great Depression.
• According to new Football Association guidelines, players who deliberately cough at opponents will be given a red or yellow card. Spitting on the ground—while not recommended—will not be punished. To which we say: Hain?
• South Koreans are dumping their paisa in washing machines to rid them of the virus—and it is not working out well for them.

Who will get the vaccine?

While the rest of us were obsessing over testing and trials, the US, Britain, EU and Japan have already secured more than 1 billion doses of the promising vaccines—raising huge concerns about unequal access. Bloomberg News has that important story. The picture for Indians may be less grim thanks to Serum Institute. New York Times reports:

But right now it’s not entirely clear how much of the coronavirus vaccine that Serum will mass-produce will be kept by India or who will fund its production, leaving the Poonawallas to navigate a torrent of cross-pressures, political, financial, external and domestic...

 

[Serum CEO] Adar Poonawalla, 39, says that he will split the hundreds of millions of vaccine doses he produces 50-50 between India and the rest of the world, with a focus on poorer countries, and that Mr. Modi’s government has not objected to this.

In other Serum-related news: It has received permission to conduct Phase II and III trials of the Oxford vaccine in India.

Next big thing: in Covid-19 treatment are designer antibodies created specifically to attack the virus—a kind of biotherapy currently used to cure cancer.

Amit Shah’s treatment raises eyebrows

The Home Minister opted to admit himself into a private hospital—Medanta in Gurgaon—as opposed to the sarkaari All India Institute of Medical Sciences. A fact that drew immediate flak from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who tweeted:

“Wonder why our Home Minister, when ill, chose not to go to AIIMS but to a private hospital in a neighbouring state. Public institutions need the patronage of the powerful if they are to inspire public confidence.” 

To make it all the more ironic: A team of AIIMS doctors will be dispatched to Medanta to oversee his treatment. To which we say, once again: Hain? Also going viral: This how-not-to-wear-a-mask photo of Amit Shah.

A surprising Hindi requirement in Tamil Nadu

The Lede has unearthed a surprising policy in the bastion of anti-Hindi sentiment: central government employees have to take Hindi classes in order to pass a compulsory language exam. According to one employee:

"We are taught simple Hindi words and prepare for the 80 marks written Hindi paper and 20 marks Viva for the confirmation to a promotion. No Hindi means no promotion… If I do not attend this, which again, I have no option, I will miss out on increments, promotion, and my status will never change to that of a permanent employee.”

Zoom has found a way to cheat

Under pressure over its censorship of Chinese users—to keep Beijing happy—the company has found the perfect solution. It will stop all direct sales to China, and outsource its call services to a local company instead. Quartz sums up the weaselly move:

“By moving to offering its technology only through platforms operated by third parties, Zoom will be able to hand off to these partners the messy business of making sure users in China aren’t discussing topics the Communist Party doesn’t want them to. Zoom can then argue that it is not really responsible for censorship of users in China, while maintaining operations and generating revenues there.”

Ram Mandir puja is underway

The celebrations kicked off on Monday, and will end on August 5—when PM Modi may or may not lay its foundation stone. Covid-related cancelations are rumoured but not confirmed. Details on the planned event are here. Better use of your time: Rohan Venkat on what the August 5 ceremony means for the BJP—and the rest of India. Also: People are celebrating by sharing badly photoshopped pictures of Times Square—which will host large billboards of Lord Ram and the mandir on that blessed day.

UAE has gone nuclear

It has become the first Arab country to establish a nuclear plant—right off the border with its regional rival Qatar. Global security experts are not happy. Earlier, UAE also became the first Arab country to launch a spacecraft—a probe headed for Mars. (New York Times)

An extraordinary project worth your support!

This Ketto campaign is raising money to support 13 extraordinary women athletes—who are struggling to meet their training and nutrition needs. You can read the stories of each athlete, and choose which one(s) you want to support. What’s even better: You know exactly how your donation will be used—be it equipment, training or supplements. Check out the campaign here. Also: watch a short doc on the project here.

Finally, on a light Rakhi note

Here’s our favourite meme (h/t subscriber Aparna Jain):

And here’s our favourite rakhi recipe: super-fast turmeric cookies, courtesy Le15’s Pooja Dhingra.