Researched & collated by: Vagda Galhotra & Prafula Grace Busi
The Russian invasion: The latest update
Editor’s note: If you need more context, we highly recommend reading our Big Story on the historical roots of the conflict and this timely explainer on the effectiveness of economic sanctions, the return of the Cold War, what is driving Vladimir Putin, India’s “balancing act” and the looming oil crisis.
- For the first time, the Ukraine-Russia talks have shown signs of progress. President Zelenskyy said they have become “more realistic”—while Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said proposals now being discussed were “close to an agreement.” Lavrov said that the issue of neutrality was being seriously discussed.
- Ukraine appears to think the war will end by May—and a peace deal could be struck within a couple of weeks.
- Even so, Zelenskyy addressed the US Congress and asked for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, new air defence system and planes. What he will be getting: $1 billion in military assistance—which includes anti-aircraft and anti-armor systems, small arms and ammunition—but no planes.
- Moscow imposed tit-for-tat economic sanctions against top US leaders—including Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Hillary Clinton (?!). The White House response: “None of us are planning tourist trips to Russia, none of us have bank accounts that we won't be able to access, so we will forge ahead.”
- New Delhi is under pressure from Washington over its plan to buy discounted crude oil from Russia—but the White House made clear that they do not violate the sanctions. Part of this broader campaign: a flurry of upcoming visits from Quad and NATO leaders.
While the world focuses on Ukraine: Yemen is on the brink of starvation due to years of civil war—fueled by a Saudi-led coalition. Around 2.2 million children are malnourished—and four million may lose access to drinking water within weeks. The number of Yemenis facing extreme hunger is expected to hit 7.3 million by the end of the year. And yet the United Nations on Wednesday received only $1.3 billion in pledges towards a $4.27 billion aid plan—from the same countries that are rushing to offer assistance to Ukraine. FYI: BBC News has a good explainer on Yemen. (Reuters)
Facebook offers a BJP discount
The third instalment of Al Jazeera’s investigation into Facebook India shows that it charged the ruling party a lower advertising rate—while Congress had to pay 29% more. During the Delhi elections, AAP’s rates were 80% higher! The findings so irked Sonia Gandhi that she said in Parliament: “I urge the government to put an end to the systematic interference and influence of Facebook and other social media giants in the electoral politics of the world’s largest democracy.” The latest story is here, while parts one and two of the series are here and here.
The Rona is rising again
Covid cases have started to tick upwards across Europe and parts of Asia. South Korea reported a record high of 400,000 new cases. Daily cases are rising in more than half of the countries in the European Union. They’ve jumped 48% in the Netherlands and 20% in Germany over the past week. In the UK, cases have risen by 48%—and hospitalisations by 17%—compared to the previous week. The number of daily new cases: 55,000 cases. Experts are a little perplexed by the UK surge since hospitalisations typically lag behind jumps in cases by about 10 days to two weeks. But now they appear to be increasing at the very same time. FYI: the country junked the last of the Covid safety protocols two weeks ago. (CNN)
In other Covid-related news: A few days ago, the government approved vaccinations for kids between the ages of 12 and 15—who are eligible for Biological E’s Corbevax vaccine. But according to the Deccan Herald, three of the company’s test sites have not even completed their clinical trials yet. One Principal Investigator admits: “We don’t know about the immunogenicity or the antibody levels yet.” Another says: “As far as I know the vaccine is safe. But we don’t have data from the study since it is not over yet at the ten trial sites. There were no adverse events at our site.” None of which is reassuring for parents. (Deccan Herald)
Speaking of the unvaccinated: The French Open has greenlit defending champion Novak Djokovic’s participation in the tournament—which will be the first without any Covid restrictions in two years. Reminder: Djoko was not allowed to participate in the Australian Open because he refuses to get jabbed. Also okayed: Russian players like top-ranked Daniil Medvedev who can play as “neutral” athletes. (The Telegraph)
High Court hijab ruling: The fallout
Muslim students across Karnataka protested the High Court’s decision by boycotting classes. Protests also spread to colleges in Tamil Nadu. The Muslim community in Karnataka will observe a “day long peaceful” bandh today in protest, as well. Unverified stories of the ripple effect of the ruling spread on social media. Example: a video of a boy in Raichur being hit on the head for wearing a skullcap. Also: this thread on a Muslim woman with a baby who was prevented from taking a seat on a Mumbai local by fellow passengers—who gave it to Hindu women instead. If you missed out on the ruling, be sure to read our Big Story.
Tim Hortons comes to India
The Canadian coffee shop chain will launch its first store in Delhi this summer—aiming to expand to 120 by the end of three years. But don’t expect them in South India anytime soon:
“We have great brand equity in Northern India, especially Punjab given the high number of Punjabi expats and NRIs in Canada and hence it makes sense to introduce our stores in the region initially.”
The brand plans to offer a “global” menu designed to appeal to the Indian palate: The consumer might want a wrap but they want the filling to match the taste of Indian cuisine.” Translation: expect chicken and paneer in everything. (Money Control)
Speaking of coffee: Starbucks plans to phase out its signature cups by 2025 in an eco-friendly move—declaring: “Our cup is ubiquitous, and we love that. But it is also this ubiquitous symbol of a throwaway society.” So how will you take away that cuppa? Answer: you bring your own mug or “borrow” a store mug by paying a small deposit—which you get back when you return it. (CNN)
TikTok aur Cannes ki jodi
The social media platform is now the official partner of the prestigious and snooty film festival—which once banned selfies on the red carpet. More astonishingly, TikTok will be getting a lot more than just branding and film fest content:
“Timed to the Cannes deal, the Bytedance-controlled company announced the launch of #TikTokShortFilm, a global in-app competition of vertical short films, between 30 seconds and three minutes in length. A jury will judge the entries, and three awards will be handed out in Cannes at an event attended by Cannes director Thierry Frémaux. TikTok said a well-known director, to be named later, will head up the inaugural jury.”
Whoa! Now that’s a big attitude adjustment for the French! (Hollywood Reporter)
Speaking of the French: The Eiffel Tower is now officially six metres taller thanks to the addition of a new digital radio antenna at the top. It’s new elevated height: 330 metres. (Associated Press)
Three health studies of note
A good night’s sleep: Scientists can’t seem to make up their mind about how much sleep we need at night. The latest study debunks the eight-hour recommendation—and found that each person’s requirement is determined by their genetics: “Think of it as analogous to height; there’s no perfect amount of height, each person is different. We’ve shown that the case is similar for sleep.”
For example, there are “elite sleepers” or people with Familial Natural Short Sleep (FNSS)—who can function fully with four to six hours of sleep. There are at least five genes that determine if you are one of these charmed beings—who also “show psychological resilience and resistance to neurodegenerative conditions.” We hate them already. (UCSF News or Times UK)
Stress busting: New research reveals that exposing yourself to short bursts of pressure—called “hormetic stress”—can help ease emotional stress. Examples: a cold shower, ice baths, hot sauna, High Intensity Interval Training etc. More controversial: intermittent fasting and hypoxic breathing—which temporarily deprives your body of oxygen. Here’s how it works: “The practices create short-term spikes of biological stress followed by recovery, ease and deep restoration and that is otherwise hard to get.” But it isn’t recommended for the elderly, pregnant women or those with heart conditions—since it can cause lightheadedness and loss of consciousness. (The Guardian or Wall Street Journal)
Therapy dogs: Most doctors already know that therapy dogs help make human beings feel better. But this clinical study looked specifically at patients in the Emergency Room who received a visit from a pooch—and found that 48% experienced a reduction in anxiety, 43% reported a reduction in pain, 46% were less depressed and 41% had improved well-being. This is one of the rare controlled trials in this area of research. (Smithsonian Magazine)
Two things to see
One: A New Zealand couple had hoped that the 7.8 kg “potato” they dug up while gardening would break the world record. Sadly, they have been informed by the folks over at the Guinness World Records that ‘Dug’ is some kind of gourd—after conducting DNA analysis, no less. But hey, Dug is still “the world’s biggest not-a-potato.” (The Guardian)
Two: It’s a movie, it’s an OTT platform… It’s an ad for Disney+ Hotstar. There was great suspense over Shah Rukh Khan’s next big project—which he teased on Twitter as SRK+. Turns out it was just a lead-up to a commercial starring the Khan and Anurag Kashyap. See it below. (India Today)
