Oxford vaccine shows great promise

• AstraZeneca released the official results of early human trials—and they are promising. It triggers the production of both T cells—white blood cells that detect and kill infected cells—and antibodies. But it is too early to say how long these effects will last—though T cells can remain in the body for years. 
• Pune-based Serum Institute has a deal to produce a billion doses of the vaccine if successful. It plans to seek permission for human trials in India, and to start manufacturing “large volumes” of the vaccine. 
• Also promising: A Chinese vaccine that showed similar results. 
• In other happy news: Singapore researchers have found evidence of T cells in recovering Covid patients—which in turn means that they may have long-term immunity to the virus.
• Scores of super-rich Russians received doses of an experimental vaccine as early as April—as some kind of perk offered to the business and political elite. 
• Also read: Our explainer on how the Oxford and other leading vaccines work.

The cold war with China heats up

• London has cancelled its extradition treaty “immediately and indefinitely” with Beijing citing a new national security law that bans political dissent in Hong Kong. 
• The UK’s embargo on sales of armaments to China will also extend to the city now. 
• In related news: The US has imposed sanctions on 11 more Chinese companies citing their involvement in human rights violations. 
• China in turn is mulling sanctions on Nokia and Ericsson if the EU bans Huawei. 
• A very important related read: A New York Times investigation reveals that Chinese companies are using forced Uighur labour in detention camps to make masks and other Covid-protection gear.

The great pandemic: a quick update

• First, the India numbers. Total cases: 1,154,917 Total deaths: 28,099. Total recoveries: 700,086. Number of daily cases hit an all-time high of 40,425.  
• Another grim statistic: 104 doctors have died due to the disease.
• Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have witnessed the sharpest surges in July. However, Karnataka insists it will not extend the 7-day lockdown which ends on July 22—and has transferred the BBMP commissioner for suggesting otherwise.
• Bengal—which is adding 2,278 cases a day—has declared a twice-a-week lockdown.
• Delhi, OTOH, may have finally hit its peak as the number of daily cases continue to decline significantly.
• IndiGo will cut 2,700 jobs—which is 10% of its workforce. It is the largest such layoff given the airline’s sheer size.
• Also facing layoffs: Guards at the Tower of London—i.e. the famous Beefeaters.
• Uber is offering data on its riders and drivers to governments to help with contact tracing.

Floods kill Assam’s rare rhinos

Eleven one-horned rhinos are among the 100-plus wild animals that have died at the Kaziranga national park—which is 85% under water. But officials are optimistic that this year’s monsoons—the sixth heaviest in the park’s history—will do less damage. The reason: 33 new artificial highlands created in 2017-18 and better animal corridors. Twenty rhinos died in the floods last year. (Indian Express)

Cricket postponed

The T-20 World Cup—which was to be played in Australia in October—has been pushed to 2022. The ODI World Cup in India will move from February-March to October-November of 2023. All of which clears the decks for plans to kick off IPL in September in the United Arab Emirates. (The Hindu)

Portland protests take a unique turn

The city is in the midst of an increasingly violent face-off between Black Lives Matter protesters and the local police—made worse by reports that US government agents in plainclothes have been picking up protesters off the streets. Yesterday, the confrontation on the streets was interrupted by this naked vision. LA Times has the story.

The taxman email-eth…

The government is no longer going to wait for you to declare all your financial transactions. It will instead gather all the relevant data—via bank and credit card transactions, share purchases or property registrations—and send you an itemized list that basically says: I know what you did this financial year. Also this:

“Starting Monday, the department will organize an ‘e-campaign’—shooting emails and text messages to people who have either not filed tax returns or have not offered the right amount for taxation for FY19, going by their high-value transactions that agencies have reported to the department. Assessees have the option to confirm, deny or modify these transactions and file or revise their returns.”

A 3-D map of the universe

Astronomers have published the largest and most comprehensive map—which includes more than four million individual galaxies. Data was collected over six years from an optical telescope in New Mexico. See the animated version below:

In related news: The United Arab Emirates has successfully launched its Mars-bound Hope Probe, marking the Arab world's first interplanetary mission—and the first of three international missions to the Red Planet this summer. Reading list: New York Times on the mission, and this Indian Express profile of 33-year-old Sarah Al-Amiri who runs UAE’s space mission.

Also in 3D: ‘printed’ KFC nuggets

Yup, your chicken nuggets may soon come not from a murgi but a 3D printer. The company is partnering with a Russian research lab which is “developing additive bioprinting technology using chicken cells and plant material, allowing it to reproduce the taste and texture of chicken meat." Sounds delicious? Maybe not, but it's certainly kinder to the environment and chickens. (Mashable)