Afghanistan: the latest update

One: The US has evacuated 19,000 people in just the last 24 hours—and has already flown out 70,000 since August 14. The Pentagon estimates that there are more than 10,000 waiting to be rescued at the airport. But for now, the US is determined to stick with the August 31 deadlines. Meanwhile, chaos and confusion reigns at the airport. Politico flags American citizens who are being beaten and turned away by Afghan guards despite showing their passports. Also see Reuters’ collection of satellite images of Kabul airport.

Two: Between 200 and 250 Afghans who were employed at the Indian mission and residences of officials are still waiting to be rescued. Making their situation bleak:

“India is not granting visa to Afghans who do not have passports. The majority of us who were working in the Indian mission do not have passports. Those who do, do not have passports for their families. Now the passport office here is shut. We do not know when it will reopen. As and when it does, we do not know how it will function under the Taliban. Both America and Australia are evacuating Afghans who worked for them based on Taskira [a local identity document], but India is not.”

Meanwhile, 70-80 Afghan Hindus and Sikhs are delaying their evacuation—and trying to emigrate to the US or Canada instead: “What is the harm in seeking migration to the US or Canada? We know the fate of those who migrated to India. There are no job opportunities and many of them either returned or moved to other countries.”

Three: Speaking of evacuations, 250 schoolgirls and staff of a private school called School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) are on their way to Rwanda—to spend a semester abroad and avoid being shut down by the Taliban. And at least five members of the all-girl robotics team and hundreds of media workers have landed in Mexico.

The great pandemic: A quick update

One: A new survey shows that the Indian police primarily used threats and fear to enforce Covid safety protocols. Also this: 49% of the police reported frequent use of force against migrant workers. And yet 65% said their perception of the police actually improved during the pandemic. Also: it hasn’t been easy to be a cop during this time—with 87% of the police personnel surveyed saying the pandemic took a heavy toll on their mental health. (The Print)

Two: Cases are surging again in Kerala—with the state reporting 31,445 new cases on Wednesday.  And its test positivity rate—percentage of tests that turn up positive—is now 19%. The likely reason for the spike: the lead up to Onam. (Indian Express)

Three: The highly infectious Delta variant has birthed several sub-lineages called ‘Delta plus’ variants. These share most of the same mutations but with variations. One of these is called AY.12—which has been linked to the surge in cases in Israel, where over 60% of the population is fully vaccinated. Now the same sublineage has been spotted in India—but it is too early to determine its role in driving infections. (The Hindu) 

Four: Delta-plus variant worries aside, leading virologist T Jacob John is doubtful that there will be a third wave. The reason: a new survey suggests that as much as 86% of the population may have been exposed to the virus—raising hopes that we may have reached close to herd immunity. But a new variant could throw those calculations out the window: “The better the transmission of any pathogen, the higher is the threshold of herd immunity. The simple fact is that the faster something transmits the more immunity in a population will be required to prevent its spread.” (The Telegraph)

Five: The Reporters Collective has launched a project called ‘Wall of Grief’—which commemorates all the lives lost to Covid in India: 

“‘Statistics are human beings with the tears dried off.’ @WallOfGrief is a memorial to ensure we don’t forget lives lost during the pandemic. It’s largely a citizen-driven effort and you can submit details of anyone who died of Covid.”

You can learn more over at their website.

Scientists ‘fatten up’ potatoes

A new study demonstrates an unusual way to super-size everyone’s favourite veggie—by inserting a human gene linked to obesity into potato plants. The fat-regulating protein called FTO made them grow crops that were 50% larger. One of the co-authors says, “It [was] really a bold and bizarre idea. To be honest, we were probably expecting some catastrophic effects.” Why this matters: “By growing more food without taking up more space for agriculture, the scientists say their work could help fight global hunger — without adding to its climate impact." Futurism has all the nerdy details.

Two unusual love stories

One: Archaeologists in northern China have discovered two ancient skeletons wrapped in a loving embrace—dating back to 386 to 534 CE. Their hands are wrapped around each other’s waists and the woman’s face is pressed against the man’s shoulder. Since only the man has signs of an injury, scientists speculate that she may have killed herself to be with him—or the two died together of an illness. The scientists who discovered them write: “The message was clear—husband and wife lay together, embracing each other for eternal love during the afterlife.” (Smithsonian)

Two: The Antwerp zoo has banned a woman from visiting the chimpanzees—rather, a specific chimp named Chita. The reason: She’s been visiting him for over four years, and the two have grown way too close. So much so that Chita is being treated as a pariah by his fellow chimpanzees, according to zookeepers:

“When Chita is constantly surrounded by visitors, the other monkeys ignore him and don't consider him part of the group, even though it's important for him. He then sits on his own outside of visiting hours.”

The woman, however, is distraught, and insists they love each other: “I haven't got anything else. Why do they want to take that away? We're having an affair, I'll just say.” Point to note: Chita was first raised by a human before being given up to the zoo—and already has “social deficiencies” when it comes to interacting with his own kind. (Newsweek)

Beyoncé makes glittering history

Alongside hubby Jay Z, the queen Bee is the face of a new Tiffany’s ad campaign—where she will flaunt the famous Tiffany Diamond with its 128.54 carats and 82 facets. And she will be the first Black woman to wear it—after the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Lady Gaga. In the background: ‘Equals Pi’, a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat that has never been seen in public before. WWD has all the details.

Speaking of brand collabs: Ikea has hooked up with legendary Brit designer Zandra Rhodes to release a “loud and proud” line of homeware—including vases, rugs and lampshades. The Guardian has all the details. See the very colourful promo below: