Farmer protests: The latest developments
Who killed Navneet Singh? On Republic Day, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh died—for reasons no one can agree on. The police insist he died because his tractor turned over. A Wire piece on his autopsy report—with a video of his body—claimed he may have been shot twice. Then The Guardian published this based on the testimony of UK experts:
“However, photographic and video footage of Singh’s body, as well as the postmortem report, indicate he suffered an injury consistent with at least one fatal gunshot wound through the head, according to doctors who reviewed the evidence.”
And now finally, Caravan magazine did its investigation, and concluded this:
“A forensic expert with 13 years of experience with postmortems, who is also a senior resident at one of the leading government medical institutions in the country, examined the postmortem report. According to the expert, the only possible explanation for the injuries recorded by the doctors is that Navreet was hit by two bullets.”
Also this: A number of leading journalists (including Rajdeep Sardesai) have been charged with sedition just for reporting on the possibility that Navneet Singh just may have—allegedly been shot.
Barricades galore! The borders of Delhi resemble a war zone as the police erect multiple layers of concrete and wire barricades. It has cut off all essential supplies—creating severe water shortages. Also cut off: internet connectivity until February 3—but even that is likely to be extended. Plus this: the police have blocked access to 100 portable toilets constructed by the farmers, and will not allow street cleaners to clear the growing mounds of garbage. Protesters are now worried about the spread of infectious diseases. Indian Express has that story.
This is what Ghazipur looks like now. A thought: Who is more worried? The one who digs the moat, or the ‘barbarian at the gate’? Whatever one’s view of the farm laws, this is not a good look for the government.
Staying defiant: Union leaders say they will remain at the protest sites until October if needed. Check out this on-point cartoon on the state of negotiations.
Mandeep Punia is out: The freelance reporter was arrested on the Singhu border while he was reporting on the violence for Caravan magazine. He has been granted bail with a bond of Rs 25,000: “[T]he court said no recovery of evidence was required from the accused and keeping him further in judicial custody would not serve any “cogent purpose.” The Telegraph has more.
No crazy metal batons: After photos of those weird kirpans/épées/lathis wielded by Delhi police went viral, senior officials have tried to roll back the new look. Here’s what happened:
“Sixty sword-like metal batons were reportedly distributed in Shahdara district to police officials on Monday for protection from rioters armed with swords. ‘The decision to use the metal baton was taken after many security personnel were injured by protesters armed with swords during their recent clashes with the police,’ a senior police officer said.”
Senior officials were apparently “taken aback” by this move and have insisted it is withdrawn.
Running with the flag: In order to counter allegations of being anti-national, 2000 farmers ran all the way from Rohtak to Ghazipur with the tiranga. See clip below:
No reporters, please! The new rules of the Delhi borders: No reporters allowed, even if they have a press pass. Watch this NewsLaundry video to see how this is being implemented.
Rihanna feels the kisan pain: This is what she tweeted out last night. Yes, she did. Joining her: Greta Thunberg who expressed solidarity.
Also launching a maha protest: 10 central trade unions who have called for a nationwide protest today against privatisation and to press for the scrapping of the new labour laws (explained here). Actions planned include: “massive demonstrations/ mobilizations at the workplaces, and industrial centres/areas and also burning the copies of the Labour Codes.” Economic Times has more.
Jeff Bezos is stepping down
In a surprise move, the Amazon CEO says he will quit his job later this year, and pass the baton on to the company’s top cloud executive Andy Jassy. Bezos will take on the role of executive chairman instead:
“Bezos said he will stay engaged in important Amazon projects but will also have more time to focus on the Bezos Earth Fund, his Blue Origin spaceship company, The Washington Post and the Amazon Day 1 Fund.”
So he’s not exactly quitting. (CNBC)
As for Amazon India: It won a reprieve in the Delhi High Court—which issued an interim order suspending the Future Group’s deal with Reliance. Back in August, Future inked a Rs 250 billion deal to sell its chain of stores to Reliance—and Amazon has been trying to block it ever since (explained at length here). The company has taken the case to an independent arbitration organisation in Singapore—which put a hold on the Reliance buyout. But its other efforts in India—including complaints to Sebi—have failed… until now.
Key parts of the ruling offer a big boost to Amazon. The judge said he was of the ‘prima facie’ view that the Singapore tribunal’s restraining order on Future was enforceable in India—“in the same manner as an order of this court.” He also said: “This court is satisfied that immediate orders are necessary to protect the rights of the petitioner (Amazon)” until the matter is settled. (The Hindu)
The great pandemic: a quick update
- The very shady Sputnik V vaccine—which was rolled out without stage 3 trials—may actually work very well. Data published in Lancet suggest that the Russian vaccine is 91.6% effective.
- Australia is saying ‘no, thank you’ to a planned cricket series in South Africa. The reason: The new and more infectious variant, of course.
- Did you know that a secret CIA program linked to Osama bin Laden is the reason many Pakistanis don’t trust vaccines? Vox has more.
- The 100-year old Tom Moore won everyone’s hearts during the lockdown when he raised £33 million for UK charities during the lockdown—by simply walking 100 laps of his garden. He died yesterday after being admitted to hospital after testing positive last week. BBC News has more.
Worst Indians in the world?
Twelve children under the age of five were admitted to a hospital after they were administered hand sanitiser drops instead of polio vaccine in Maharashtra. The good news: the kids are fine. Also: Three officials including a health worker, doctor, and ASHA worker have been suspended. For what it’s worth, we think that’s a light sentence. (Mint)
Tech companies with gender issues
One: Google has agreed to shell out $3.8 million in back pay and interest to 2,565 women because of its sexist hiring practices:
“At issue were allegations that the company paid women engineers less than their male counterparts and had a hiring process that disadvantaged both women and Asian applicants for software engineering roles.”
The reason for this generosity: It will help fob off the Department of Labor which now "won't audit 39 Google locations for five years." (Mashable)
Two: Yeah, we’re not on TikTok any more. But apparently there is a silhouette challenge—which kicked off as “a way for people to feel sexy and good in their bodies.” Inevitably, trolls used tech to turn all the good feels into an ugly, ugly thing:
“There are now many videos on YouTube instructing people how to use editing software or apps to change the contrast and color in a way that reduces the silhouette effect. Because participants are just a silhouette in the challenge, many are wearing less clothing, or lingerie, or nothing at all. The goal of the editing is to reveal their bodies.”
Four bits of fun news
Nike does good: The company unveiled a hands-free "easy on, easy off" shoe for people who can’t or won’t put their shoes on or take them off:
“The 'Go FlyEase' shoe is marketed as not requiring hands to put on and take off. The company said it was inspired in part by Asian cultures, where it’s customary to remove shoes before entering a home. The debut also comes at a time when people are more conscious of not touching dirty surfaces, like the bottom of shoes.”
Er, isn’t this why we have Bata chappals? Jokes aside, it is also a big improvement for people with disabilities. In any case, it looks like this:
Myanmar aerobics: A military coup is no laughing matter—but an aerobics instructor who is totally oblivious to such weighty matters is funny indeed.
Emails from your palak: MIT scientists have taught spinach plants to detect explosive material in the ground soil and “wirelessly relay this information” back to them. The reason for such unsought innovation: “scientists believe it could be used to help warn researchers about pollution and other environmental conditions.”
Welcome to Hollyboob? Six people have been arrested for creatively altering the famous ‘Hollywood’ sign in Los Angeles. They claim they were trying to raise awareness of breast cancer (yeah, right!). The sign is a magnet for creative vandals—who previously changed it to read Hollyweed. (LA Times)
