IMF’s less-than-rosy forecast

The International Monetary Fund says the global recovery from the pandemic is losing momentum—and has pared down its growth forecast by 0.1% to 5.9% in 2021. But its prediction for India is holding steady at 9.5%. Sounds good except the IMF had already cut our growth forecast by 3% back in July. (Mint)

Three pandemic stories of note

One: The government has okayed the emergency use of Covaxin for children between the ages of two and 18. If approved for wide use, it will be the first Covid vaccine in the world for children that young. (The Hindu)

Two: The aviation ministry has lifted all restrictions on flight capacity—and airlines can now operate at their pre-pandemic levels. (Times of India)

Three: AstraZeneca has trialled an antibody cocktail that reduces the risk of severe Covid or death by 50%. More interestingly, it also works to protect a person from infection—and is likely to be pushed as an alternative to a vaccine. (Reuters)

Akasa Air is official

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has greenlit the launch of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s ultra low cost airline—which will start operations next summer, and operate 70 planes over the next four years. Indian Express has all the details in its explainer—including what ‘ultra low cost’ really means.

A rotting tanker poses great hazard

• In 2017, an oil tanker was abandoned in the Red Sea with 1.14 million barrels of oil on board. 
• It has been stuck ever since thanks to a political tug-of-war between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels—with the UN trying to broker a solution. 
• But the risk of a major oil spill—four times the size of Exxon Valdez—rises with each passing day. 
• The latest modeling studies suggest the fallout of such a spill will be catastrophic—leading to the closure of two nearby ports, cut off oil supplies to Yemen, and—more importantly—running water for 2 million people when desalination plants become polluted. 

We explained the global peril of leaking oil tankers here. A related good read: Ed Caesar in the New Yorker looks at how the FSO Safer essentially became a ticking bomb. The Guardian has more details on the study.

RCB is out, and so is Kohli

The Royal Challengers Bangalore crashed out of the IPL after a four-wicket defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders. The end of their season also marked the end of Virat Kohli’s nine-year stint as team captain. The Hindu has more on the emotional farewell tribute offered by AB de Villiers.

Tatas bet big on electric vehicles

Tata Motors is set to invest more than $2 billion over five years to grow its EV business—making it the first Indian carmaker to bet big on clean transportation. The move comes as the world's biggest electric carmaker Tesla is preparing to launch its cars in India—and has been lobbying the government to lower import duties on EVs. A move fiercely opposed by the Tatas, FYI. (Reuters)

Blue Origin’s bro culture

The Washington Post did an investigative piece on Jeff Bezos’ space company—and uncovered “systemic” problems with its work culture. It included “lots of comments” on women’s “bodies and appearance”—and comments like this: “You’ve only been working here two weeks. You don’t have to get on your knees yet.” Also a problem: an “authoritarian” and “dysfunctional” leadership. The Post has more details.

Also being ‘authoritarian’: Netflix which has suspended three employees for openly criticising comedian Dave Chapelle’s special—where he made a number of transphobic jokes and comments. (Gizmodo)

Three studies of note

One: A US study has found synthetic chemicals called ‘phthalates’—found in everyday products like shampoo, food storage containers and toys—are linked to a large number of early deaths in people aged between 55 and 64. Why this matters: It adds to a growing body of evidence that prolonged exposure to plastic has serious consequences—including reproductive problems, childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular disease and even cancer. (CNN)

Two: Scientists used AI to comb through 100,000 climate change studies from around the world. What they found: 80% of land area, where 85% of the world's population lives—is experiencing the effects of the climate crisis right now. And also this: Climate change research has a blind spot—and is twice as likely to focus on wealthy countries. Not that we need a machine to state the obvious. (CNN)

Three: New research has identified three tiny molecules called microRNAs that can signal the early signs of dementia. Why this matters: The discovery raises the possibility of a cheap blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease—and catch it early before the brain damage is extensive. (The Times UK)

We’ve always loved our vices

One: The discovery of four charred seeds in a 12,300-year old fireplace reveals the first known use of tobacco. It suggests that humans were using intoxicants when they were just hunter gatherers—rather than thousands of years later when we discovered agriculture. (BBC News)

Two: Archaeologists have uncovered a 1,500-year-old Byzantine wine pressery in Israel—which was likely the largest in the world in its time: “The end product was known as Gaza and Ashkelon wine, after the ports through which it was exported to Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor.” Point to note: At the time, wine was “a major source of nutrition and this was a safe drink because the water was often contaminated." The image below gives you a sense of its size. (BBC News)

Get ready for Swiggy Bazaar

The food delivery app is foraying into new territory—a group-buying platform for groceries. The kind where you pay far less when a bunch of people club their purchases together. How it works: A “local influencer” is responsible for ordering and delivering for the community—and usually receives commissions for each order. It will be first launched in a handful of cities like Gurgaon and Bangalore. (Economic Times)

Three things to see 

One: A company used Artificial Intelligence to uncover a magnificent nude hidden under one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous paintings, ‘The Blind Man’s Meal’—which looks like this:

Hiding beneath it was this nude—now titled ‘The Lonesome Crouching Nude’:

CNN explains how they did it.

Two: Social media is abuzz over this clip of a woman blithely walking her robot dog in Spain. (Newsweek)

Three: We have no clue what’s happening over at The Print, but the publication is now selling merch that looks like this. Yes, they’re getting grief for their choice—and have clarified they plan to unveil more must-buys with “political & public figures of all shades.” Umm, yay?

Dine with Data: All about Basis 🚺

Editor’s Note: Here is DWD’s weekly installment of one cool, innovative or just plain quirky startup from around the world.

Company: Basis 🚺

About: Less than a third of women in India choose what happens with their money. Basis wants to change that. 

A financial assistant of sorts, Basis is exclusively for Indian women who want to take control of their money. The app has many features—explanations of financial jargon, investing tips, personalised financial plans, and a community of other women with the same goal. 👭

The community element extends to being a support group where one can talk about their financial goals and processes openly, and get advice, support, or learn from the experiences of other women. 

Food For Thought: Started in 2019 by Wharton grad Hena Mehta, Basis had raised an undisclosed pre-seed round in March 2020.

The startup is currently hiring for a Head of Content in case you're interested! 🚨

DWD Take: It’s a sad truth it takes much more effort for women to achieve financial independence in India. Groups like Basis provide a safe space for women to explore financial independence and its intricacies, and serve as a great crutch for them. 

URL: https://getbasis.co 

About DWD: Dine With Data🍴sends you a short summary of one new startup every day, delivered straight to your WhatsApp inbox!