The great pandemic: a quick update
- First, the numbers: India recorded 232,760 COVID-19 cases on Monday—a 40% increase from a week ago. Maharashtra is at the top with 31,111 cases, followed by Karnataka (27,156) and Tamil Nadu (23,433).
- Kids between the ages of 12-14 will likely become eligible for the vaccine in March.
- Chinese authorities claim that its first Omicron case entered the country via a contaminated overseas letter from Canada—even though most experts say there is no evidence that the virus spreads via packages. And this despite the fact that eight people who were in direct contact with the letter tested negative.
- Speaking of China, the government has dropped its plan to sell tickets to the upcoming Olympic Winter Games due to rising cases.
- Also canceled: A Norwegian cruise due to Covid worries. It will be halted midway and the ship will return to New York.
- Qatar reported the death of a three-week-old baby who died as a result of a severe Covid infection since “the baby had no other known medical or hereditary conditions.”
- The pandemic brought some happy news—or should we say, bundles of joy—to Nordic countries who experienced an unexpected baby boom. Chinese births plunged 15%, and France saw the fewest babies born since World War II. But birth rates jumped in Iceland (16.5%), Finland (7%), Denmark (3%) and Norway (5%).
Drone attacks in the Middle East
A coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia have been engaged in an ongoing military campaign against rebels in Yemen. On Monday, Houthi forces struck back with a drone-driven attack in Abu Dhabi (clip here). The missiles ignited a fuel tank—killing two Indians and a Pakistani. Experts call it a “show of defiance” aimed at discouraging UAE involvement in Yemen. A Houthi statement declared: “UAE is an unsafe state as long as its aggressive escalation against Yemen continues.”
The retaliation: A Saudi-led coalition immediately responded with air strikes on the Yemeni capital Sana'a. According to Houthi sources, there were 24 strikes that killed at least 12 people—and targeted residential neighbourhoods. (CNN)
Tonga tsunami: The latest update
An underwater volcano eruption in the South Pacific Ocean triggered a tsunami—which hit the island nation. Initial reports suggest that there have been no mass casualties on the main island—but the capital Nuku'alofa was badly damaged. And the entire archipelago is covered in ash. The only confirmed death is that of a British woman who died trying to save dogs at her rescue charity. FYI: A mild shockwave from the tsunami was felt in Chennai. (Reuters)
Djoko is in visa trouble… again!
Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia this week, and denied the chance to play in the Australian Open (explained here). But he may not be able to play in the French Open this year either—thanks to a new law that bans unvaccinated people from all public places in France, including sports arenas. Government officials said: “This will apply to everyone who is a spectator or a professional sportsperson. And this until further notice.” Meanwhile, one of his big brand sponsors Lacoste says it plans to “review the events” in Australia. (Reuters)
The great loss of Birju Maharaj
The Kathak maestro passed away at the age of 83. The cause: he was undergoing kidney dialysis and likely died of cardiac arrest. FYI, although the dancer was the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the government recently issued a notice asking him to vacate a government-allocated residence—which was stayed by the Delhi High Court. Indian Express and The Hindu pay tribute to his legendary skills. Below is a lovely clip from a 1972 documentary.
Kashmir Press Club has shut down
The state government declared that the club has ceased to exist—and closed its premises. The trigger is ostensibly an internal conflict within the members—some of whom took over its management recently, claiming it was “not functioning properly.” Now state officials have cited “the unpleasant developments and dissensions between various groups” to shut it down.
But the reality is far more complicated. The club has been trying to hold elections for over a year. First, it was asked to re-register under the Union Territory laws. Then, its registration was delayed due to more bureaucratic foot-dragging in December. And here we are now. Kashmiri journalists and politicians are calling it a ploy to shut down the “only democratic and independent journalist body in the Valley.” You can see the scene outside the club here. (The Hindu)
Forest survey hides the bad news
The recent India State of Forest Report found that over the last two years, we have increased our forest cover by 1,540 sq km—and tree cover by 721 sq km. Excellent! Except ecologists point out that continual rises in green cover—since 2001—have more to do with bureaucratic fudging than conservation. One example: going back and revising forest cover estimates from previous years in the name of “harmonisation.” The other is a 2011 redefinition of what constitutes a “forest.” If 10% per hectare of a given area has trees, it is counted as a forest. And if you look at the numbers carefully, it is clear that the area covered by natural forests is actually declining—giving way to less dense, open forests and scrub land. (Indian Express)
Also bearing bad news: The latest Oxfam report which shows that the richest Indians have more than doubled their income in 2021. This while the bottom 50% held just 6% of the national wealth. We added 40 billionaires—taking the total to 142—who have a combined net worth of almost $720 billion, more than the poorest 40% of the population. This is, of course, a global pattern. We leave you with this stark stat:
“A one-off 99% tax on the ten richest men's pandemic windfalls, for example, could pay to make enough vaccines for the world; to provide universal healthcare and social protection, fund climate adaptation and reduce gender-based violence in over 80 countries; while still leaving these men $8 billion better off than they were before the pandemic.”
Anne Frank’s betrayer identified
A new investigation has zeroed in on the person who betrayed Anne Frank and her family—who were in hiding and eventually discovered by the Nazis. The likely suspect: Arnold van den Bergh—a member of Amsterdam's Jewish Council, which was forced to implement Nazi policy in Jewish areas. And he did it to save himself:
"When van den Bergh lost all his series of protections exempting him from having to go to the camps, he had to provide something valuable to the Nazis that he's had contact with to let him and his wife at that time stay safe.”
BBC News has more details.
Bruce Springsteen is very, very rich
Last year, the Boss made way more money than any other musician—including the likes of Beyonce and Adele—earning a whopping $590 million thanks to the sale of his entire catalogue. (NME)
The problem with camel wrestling
Each year, Turkey hosts a traditional camel wrestling festival that attracts thousands. The 40th edition held on Sunday included 152 camels—decked in colourful clothes—who fight each other. Animal rights activists call it “a big crime”:
“You see an animal, a live being fight in front of you and it is suffering, is wounded and maybe they kill each other. People enjoy this and maybe make a financial profit."
But supporters insist that the animals are muzzled to prevent serious injury—and referees are on hand to ensure things don’t get dangerous or too ugly. You can see what it looks like in this older AFP report below. (Reuters)
Two things to see
One: Artist James Concannon is suing Lego over a toy leather jacket included in its ‘Queer Eye’—which he says is an exact copy of one he created for cast member Antoni Porowski. Lego’s argument: By gifting the jacket, Concannon gave Netflix an implicit license to use it as they saw fit—including giving permission to Lego to recreate it. Hmm. (The Guardian)
Two: Here’s Aussie captain Pat Cummins making a lovely gesture of inclusiveness. After the team won their Ashes series against England, the players were getting ready to pop those champagne bottles. But Cummins waved them to put the bottles away to ensure Usman Khwaja—who was standing aside due to his religious beliefs—could be part of the celebration. Khwaja later tweeted: “If this video doesn’t show you that the boys have my back, I don’t know what will.” (Reuters)
