Europe is under water
Great parts of Western Europe—including Germany, Belgium and Netherlands—have been hit by severe flooding. At least 189 people are dead and hundreds are still missing. The immediate reason: The region experienced historic levels of rainfall, with more than a month's worth of rain falling in 24 hours. Here is a scene of the floods from the worst-hit Germany:
And this is the day after, once the waters receded:
Entire towns, train lines and roads were swept away in what the German President described as the “worst natural disaster” in a century.
Point to note: There was fair warning of the calamity to come: “The first signs of catastrophe were detected nine days ago by a satellite orbiting 500 miles above the tranquil hills around the Rhine river.” And scientists issued urgent warnings, and yet there was little attempt to prepare or even to evacuate. As one expert said:
“People should have been receiving warnings; people should have understood the warnings. It’s no use having massive computer models predicting what’s going to happen if people don’t know what to do in a flood.”
NBC News has more on the slow response.
Also a factor: Climate change, which explains the “intensity and the length of the events.” New York Times has more on that angle. NPR looks at the massive cleanup and rebuilding operations that are currently underway. And the Daily Mail has more on ‘disaster tourists' who are interfering with the effort.
Meanwhile in Mumbai: At least 31 have died due to severe rains—which in turn triggered landslides. The Hindu has more.
Tokyo Olympics has a problem
The organisers reported a flurry of Covid cases over the weekend. The details offered by officials are still hazy. We know the three cases in the athletes’ village include two athletes from the same country and competing in the same sport. On Sunday, organizers reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and at least one athlete not staying at the village—on top of the 15 announced Saturday. (Reuters)
In more amusing Olympics news: Officials are doing their best to ensure that all those hot, young athletes do not hook up by offering them ‘anti-sex’ beds made of cardboard—which will collapse under too much weight. All this while also distributing condoms to athletes “to help with awareness by taking them back to their own countries.” See the celibacy-inducing beds below. (Deadspin)
Good Olympics-related reads: Scroll has an overview of India's schedule at the Olympics. Quint looks at our best bets for a medal. Guardian has details about the architecture at the Tokyo games and Axios looks at why the games don’t make any economic sense for the cities who host them.
Good news about ‘breakthrough’ infections
New data offers reassurance about vaccines: Out of all the people who became infected despite being fully vaccinated, only 10% had to be hospitalized. And none of them ended up in the ICU or needed ventilation or oxygen support. A related read: Quartz offers a good guide to pregnant Indian women looking to get vaccinated.
About that third wave: Government health officials predict that it will hit by August. Most at risk: states that had a mild-to-moderate first and second wave. (Economic Times)
Meanwhile in Myanmar: in the midst of severe military repression (explained here), the country is facing a massive surge in cases. Here’s how bad it is:
“One estimate provided by public health experts in Myanmar predicts that 50% of Myanmar’s 55 million people will be infected within three weeks by either the Alpha or Delta variant of Covid-19. One very reputable public health specialist expects that the population will be decimated by at least 10-15 million by the time Covid is done with Myanmar.”
Is Yeddy gonna go?
The biggest political story over the weekend was hot speculation over whether Karnataka will get a new Chief Minister. Current occupant, BS Yediyurappa, flew to Delhi and met everyone who was anyone—including PM Modi and Amit Shah. And while he’s putting on a brave face, those all-knowing “sources” insist he may be out as early as August. Indian Express has the rest of the insider goss.
Space flight with Bezos? Not now, thanks!
The Amazon founder auctioned a ticket on his Blue Origin flight—scheduled for July 20—and the anonymous winner paid $29.7 million for the honour. The person has now decided to skip the trip due to “scheduling conflicts”—and their place will be taken by 18-year old Oliver Daemen—the son of a Dutch investment banker. So now, with 82-year-old ex-astronaut Wally Funk on board, the flight will carry both the oldest and youngest person ever to travel to space. (The Verge)
Guess who won at Cannes?
The most prestigious prize, the Palme d’Or, went to the French film ‘Titane’: “a portrait of a serial killer impregnated by a car who disguises her gender and goes incognito as a lonely fireman’s long-lost son.” Yes, we read that sentence twice, as well (if you’re feeling a bit curious, here’s the trailer). The Grand Prix—the second prize in importance—went to two different films: Asghar Farhadi’s ‘A Hero’ and Juho Kuosmanen’s ‘Compartment No. 6’. Also: Spike Lee screwed up and announced the highest honour first because he didn’t understand French. Variety has more details. Lee’s little gaffe (and fabulous outfit) is below:
The really big winners: Tilda Swinton’s three springer spaniels who won the ‘Palm Dog’ for their turn in The Souvenir Part II. Swinton was there to receive the prize—a lovely leather collar—and wear it! (The Guardian)
Deepfaking Anthony Bourdain
A new documentary about the best known chef on the planet deepfakes his voice—using artificial intelligence to create three sound bites out of lines he had written when alive. For example this one from an email Bourdain sent to a friend before his suicide: “You are successful, and I am successful, and I’m wondering: Are you happy?” But lots of people—including his widow Ottavia Bourdain—are very unhappy at what they view as an unethical decision. Washington Post has more on the controversy. OTOH, the film is apparently very good. Watch the trailer below:
Two astonishing things to see
One: Watch this mother foil a brazen attempt to kidnap her five-year old son in broad daylight. NBC New York has the story.
Two: An Egyptian vulture—an endangered species—was spotted way off course in Ireland. The bird’s migration route typically spans from Bangladesh to west Africa and it can be found in parts of southern Spain and northern France. Even bird watchers have mixed feelings: “Usually there is a sense of elation when you spot a rare bird. But this was too far into the realms of fantasy to feel anything other than confusion.” The last time the vulture was spotted anywhere close—i.e. in the UK—was 1868. BBC News has the story. See the unexpected guest below:
