Apple sues NSO
Apple has sued the Israeli company NSO group—maker of the infamous snoopware Pegasus, which was used to hack phones of hundreds of people around the world (including India, as we explained here and here). And since many of these were iPhones, Apple is alleging that NSO Group engaged in “concerted efforts in 2021 to target and attack Apple customers, Apple products and servers and Apple through dangerous malware and spyware.” If the suit is successful, NSO will be permanently barred from using any Apple products or services. The company has already been sued by WhatsApp on similar grounds. (TechCrunch)
NASA goes all Hollywood
The US space agency is getting ready to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid—to check if its speed and path can be altered… kinda like the plot of a Hollywood disaster flick. The asteroid is called Dimorphos, and here’s why smacking it out of its trajectory matters: “It's the first attempt to deflect an asteroid for the purpose of learning how to protect Earth, though this particular asteroid presents no threat.” (BBC News)
About the rising price of essential commodities…
One: For the very first time, India has joined a number of other countries—including the US, China, Japan, South Korea, and the UK—to release reserve stocks of crude oil. The aim: To bring down global oil prices—and put pressure on OPEC+ countries which routinely hold back supply to keep prices high. But the move may backfire: “Delegates of OPEC+... have warned that they will cancel plans to boost their own production, negating any effect of collectively discharging stockpiles.” (Quartz)
Two: Tomato prices are soaring in the South—where they are being sold at Rs 100/kg. The worst hit: Chennai. (NDTV)
Covaxin is 50% effective
That’s the conclusion of the first real-world study on the efficacy of the made-in-India Covaxin—which is significantly lower than the 77.8% efficacy that Bharat Biotech claimed in its phase 3 trials. The study was conducted on healthcare workers at AIIMS, Delhi between April 15 and May 15 this year—and published in The Lancet. A July study of Covishield found it was 63.1% effective against the Delta virus. (Scroll)
In other Covid-related news: WHO has warned that the total number of deaths in Europe is likely to exceed two million by March. The Guardian has lots more on why the continent is emerging as the epicenter of the global pandemic.
The arrest of a human rights activist
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Kashmiri activist, Khurram Parvez—under the stringent anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He has been charged with "criminal conspiracy", "attempt to wage war against the government" and for "raising funds for terrorist acts and a terrorist organisation.” His arrest has caused worldwide outrage, with the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders saying: "He is not a terrorist, he is a human rights defender.” (The Telegraph)
An overdue crackdown on TV coverage
The National Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority has finally sprung into action—and ordered Times Now to pull down two TV debates that were not conducted in an “impartial and objective manner.” Both shows were aired in September 2020—and misreported what the courts said about the Delhi violence. The government agency also found three Zee videos linking the farmer protests to Khalistanis as inaccurate—and “designed to create undue fear and distress amongst the viewers.” Haw, no? Really?
Four studies to note
One: A newly published paper poses a big question mark as to whether scientists can accurately link emission cuts to reductions in global warming:
“When accounting for uncertainties in how the climate will respond to additional amounts of greenhouse gases, the study shows a wider range of potential outcomes. Global warming could reach as high as 3.8°C (6.84°F) above preindustrial levels, or as low as 1.7°C (3.1°F), when such uncertainties are taken into account.”
In other words, we don’t actually know if what we’re doing is going to help—or how much. That said, most humans know that holds true for most things in their own lives—but we still try anyways, right? (Axios)
Two: New research shows that polite warnings are surprisingly good at reducing hate speech on social media. Popular Science has more details on this experiment, but here’s why it matters: Shutting haters down on one platform usually moves them to another platform. This study looks at how we can instead persuade them to stop spreading hateful content. (Popular Science)
Three: A new study shows that magic mushrooms or psilocybin repairs the part of the brain responsible for alcohol cravings. So we might be able to cure alcoholism with psychedelic drugs. Then again, the experiments were conducted on mice. So, there’s that. (Inverse)
Four: A new government-funded review out of the UK has concluded that crabs, octopus and lobsters feel pain—due to which they will be recognized as 'sentient beings'. And therefore, they will be covered by the proposed Animal Welfare Sentience Bill. It essentially means that they shouldn’t be boiled alive—and the report recommended best practices for their transport, stunning and slaughter… which, TBH, seems fair enough without triggering culture wars over meat consumption. (CNN)
Gurgaon to get a big-ass Ikea
The city will soon have a shopping centre dedicated to buying Swedish furniture—the first of its kind in India. The estimated cost: Rs 35,000 million (3,500 crores). IKEA India CEO Peter Betzel said that the Delhi-NCR will be one of the company’s “biggest and most important markets in India”—when its residents are not busy battling to breathe, banning namaz or indulging in other such exotic NCR pastimes. (Mint)
Two Bollywood stories of note
One: Nope, none of the Indian nominees won an International Emmy this year. Even Nawazuddin Siddiqui lost out for his turn in ‘Serious Men’ to David Tennant in ‘Des’. (The Quint)
Two: Yash Raj films may be planning to launch its own streaming platform—and combine theatrical releases with an online premiere for international audiences. Analysts are sceptical:
“The challenges of doing so will be to compete with other global platforms in terms of quantity of content on offer for subscribers. Global platforms, backed with huge investments and presence across countries are offering diverse content to their subscribers. Other platforms have the advantage of sports or linear television shows in their library which adds to the subscription proposition.”
We love cheesy rom coms, but we’re not so sure about paying to watch them on a loop. Mint has more.
A literary puzzle to solve
Ok, the only reason we included this item is for our literature lovers. In 1934, ‘Cain’s Jawbone’—a murder mystery—was the hottest literary puzzle:
“The story sees six people die—but in order to discover whodunnit, readers must reorder the jumbled 100 pages. The number of possible combinations is a figure with 158 digits, and to date, just four people have found the solution.”
Now, thanks to TikTok, it has become hugely popular again—with copies selling out in the UK and around the world. Yes, you can buy the novel on Amazon India but it costs a ridiculous Rs 2,182. (The Guardian)
Four things to see
One: Ooh, the posters of ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ are out—and look who is the star in one of them! We don’t exactly know what role Priyanka Chopra will play—but we do know that ‘Jonas’ will not be part of the credits. Reason: She has dropped hubby Nick’s last name from all her social handles. Cue full tabloid speculation. Gizmodo has the posters with the rest of the actors. See PC and a seriously hot Keanu below.
Two: Once upon a time, the Indian Railways launched the Ramayan Express—which takes pilgrims to 15 locations associated with the mythological warrior king. And all its staff were to be dressed in suitable saffron:
But opposition to this orange-loving choice came from the most unexpected of places: religious seers who declared:
“We wrote a letter to the railway minister two days ago, lodging our protest against waiters serving refreshments and food in the Ramayan Express in saffron. Donning a saffron attire with a sadhu-like headgear and wearing malas (necklaces) of rudraksha is an insult to the Hindu religion and its seers.”
The Indian Railways has issued an apology and instituted a makeover that looks like this. Fashion lesson: Just a bit of saffron goes a long way.
Three: Speaking of apparel, Google has made a bold new foray into digital fashion—i.e. clothes you can’t actually wear IRL but can ‘filter’ onto your selfies. The company has launched a range of digital clothing that is free for Pixel 6 users. Daily Mail has more on how it works.
Four: A new Himalayan snake species was identified when Virendar Bhardwaj uploaded “a close-up shot of a small, black and white snake flicking its forked tongue out.” Scientist Zeeshan Mirza reached out—and voila a new species of snake was discovered. FYI: locally, the snake is called kukri for its teeth curved like a dagger. (Smithsonian Magazine)
Dine With Data: All About Now And Me ❤️🩹🧠
Editor's Note: Here is DWD’s weekly installment of one cool, innovative or just plain quirky startup from around the world.
Company: Now And Me ❤️🩹🧠
About: Started by two LSR '19 graduates, Now and Me is a free-to-use community for people seeking a conversation around their mental health. The startup works as a support network where people can discuss their concerns without feeling judged.
More than one million members across 180+ countries have had conversations on the platform till now.
Food For Thought: The counselling therapist market in India hasn't reached full maturity, and Now and Me serves as a great stepping stone to at least addressing one's issues. The startup raised a $1 million seed round in June from Saama and Whiteboard Capital.
DWD Take: Even after the pandemic, mental health concerns still go unaddressed in India. People are craving safe spaces, and the usual social networks don't suffice.
Communities like Now & Me play an incredible part in helping people, and we're all for supporting them! 🙌🏻
Link: https://nowandme.com
About DWD: Dine With Data🍴 sends you a short summary on one new startup every day, delivered straight to your Whatsapp Inbox!
