The big tractor rally in Delhi
The Delhi police has finally given permission for farmers to stage their tractor rally on Republic Day—but on the outer Ring Road which is on the outskirts of the city. The police said:
“The farmers can enter Delhi for a few kilometres (from each of the three protest points on the capital’s borders) but cannot disturb the Republic Day parade. The tractor rally will begin only after the big parade on Rajpath ends.”
Around 15,000 tractors are expected to participate in an exercise aimed at winning “not Delhi but the hearts of the people of the country.” Meanwhile, the police also claim that 300 Twitter handles have been created by Pakistan to spark violence and chaos. The Telegraph has details on the planned rally. Mint has more on expected route diversions.
In related news: Thousands of farmers have arrived in Mumbai to stage a protest against the farm laws—but with the support of the ruling coalition government, whose leaders are expected to address the farmers.
Bonus farmer update: This delightful meme of US senator Bernie Sanders—who became an internet darling after his ‘grumpy uncle-ji’ appearance on Inauguration Day.
Nepal PM is out!
The ruling Nepal Communist Party led by rebel leaders—including a former Prime Minister—expelled Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from the party on Sunday. The internal split is part of the chaos triggered by Oli’s decision to dissolve the lower house of the Parliament in December. Now both factions are fighting over who is the true leader of the party and its symbol—which will become key in the upcoming elections. The country’s Election Commission has not recognised either side. (The Hindu)
In other border news: As New Delhi and Beijing prepare for a fresh round of talks, there is growing evidence that border incursions are rising on the Arunachal Pradesh border—following a similar pattern to Ladakh, except it does not involve troops… as yet. The Hindu accessed video footage that show Chinese nationals now using Indian roads—and occupying grazing lands that were previously used by Indian villagers.
The great vaccine rollout: A quick update
- South Africa will have to pay 2.5 times the price for the Oxford vaccine compared to European countries. Serum Institute of India—which boasts of manufacturing affordable vaccines for middle and lower income countries—is billing South Africa $5.25 per dose for 1.5 million doses, compared to the $2.16 charged by AstraZeneca in Europe. The reason offered for this bit of “price gouging”: Higher income countries “have invested in the [research and development], hence the discount on the price.”
- That said, the EU is experiencing its own problems with AstraZeneca—which announced that it will only be able to deliver 31 million doses by the end of March as opposed to the promised 80 million.
- Bharat Biotech became the first Indian manufacturer to publish its peer-reviewed trial data—which was published in the Lancet. The phase 1 data of Covaxin shows that it leads to “tolerable safety outcomes and enhanced immune responses.” But since this is early trial data it does not establish its efficacy. The Mint has more.
- In related news: The government plans to roll out Covaxin to seven other states this week. Over the past six days, one million vaccines have been administered across the country.
- The death of a social worker in Andhra Pradesh after she received a Covid shot has sparked protests.
- Brazil has started distributing 2 million doses received from Serum Institute. President Bolsanaro thanked India for the “sanjeevani booti” in a tweet accompanied by the pic below.
Dasgupta points finger at Arnab
The Mumbai police has filed a supplementary charge-sheet making its case against former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, ex BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia and Republic Media Network CEO Vikas Khanchandani. It is 3,600 pages long and includes a hand-written statement by Dasgupta incriminating Arnab Goswami, which claims:
“I worked with my team to ensure manipulation of TRP ratings that made Republic TV get number 1 rating. This would have continued from 2017 to 2019. Towards this, in 2017 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis hotel, Lower Parel and given me 6000 dollars cash for my France and Switzerland family trip…also in 2019 Arnab Goswami had personally met me at St Regis and given me 6000 dollars for my Sweden and Denmark family trip. Also in 2017, Goswami had personally met me at ITC Parel hotel and given me Rs 20 lakh cash… also in 2018 and 2019… Goswami met me at ITC hotel Parel and gave me Rs 10 lakhs each time.”
Yup, it is very specific and very damning—and yet Arnab has not been charged in this case. Indian Express has more details. Also read: our explainers on the great BARC drama.
Chile scares its people
The interior ministry sent out an alarming message to all citizens’ mobile phones—urging them to evacuate coastal areas to avoid a potential tsunami. Except Antarctica was the only region at risk for such a disaster. The government “regretted the inconvenience caused by its messages” and blamed the mess on a technical error. (Reuters)
Coming soon: A BoJo drama
After gaining fame as the brooding Swedish detective Kurt Wallander, Kenneth Branagh is getting ready for his next big role: Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Titled ‘The Sceptred Isle’, the five-part series will be directed by highly regarded Michael Winterbottom:
“Starting with his appointment as prime minister, the five-part drama will recount the first Covid-19 cases in the UK, through to Johnson falling ill with the virus, and the arrival of his son. The series will trace the impact on Britain from the pandemic, and the response of scientists, nurses and doctors.”
France tightens incest laws
A book accusing a prominent academic of sexually abusing his stepson has sparked a nationwide debate—and a big move toward tougher enforcement and stricter laws. Also planned: “sessions about incest in primary and secondary schools in order to give children a chance to talk about the issue.” The Guardian has more on the book—which involves a number of leading French intellectuals.
Godzilla vs Kong trailer is out!
And it’s, umm, monstrous?
