Researched & collated by: Vagda Galhotra & Prafula Grace Busi
The Russian invasion: The latest update
Editor’s note: We have extensively tracked the Russia vs Ukraine conflict since December. 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.
The casualty count: There are no reliable numbers, but Ukraine says more than 2.500 have died just in Mariupol due to bombings. The pregnant woman who was photographed after the bombing on the maternity hospital has died—so has her baby. The bombings are so relentless that UN secretary general António Guterres declared Ukraine is “being decimated before the eyes of the world”—and accused Russia of attacking 24 health facilities.
The number of refugees: 2.8 million. Though interestingly, many Ukrainians are crossing back over the border to go home. Watch Italian children welcome refugees to their school:
Peace talks: The fourth round of negotiations between the two sides adjourned without a resolution—and will continue Tuesday.
State of invasion: Hundreds of residents managed to escape the besieged city of Mariupol—where an estimated 400,000 people are trapped without heat, food or clean water. Responding to claims that the troops were making “slow progress,” a Kremlin spokesperson said:
“Putin had ordered Russian troops to ‘refrain from storming large cities including Kyiv’ before the Feb 24 invasion. The reason, he said, was that ‘armed clashes in urban areas would inevitably lead to big losses among civilians.’ But he added that the cities are ‘already practically encircled anyway.’”
Map to note: This is the state of play:
Meanwhile in Russia: Moscow is cracking down on dissent—and has arrested more than 14,000 since late February for speaking out against the war. People are now being detained even for holding up blank posters or those that say “two words” (i.e. ‘no war’ but without spelling out those words). See an example below:
Also this: Russian prosecutors have warned Western companies that their company executives will be arrested if they speak out against the war.
US vs China: The US National Security Adviser delivered an in-person warning to Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi when they met in Rome—in the midst of reports that Beijing is planning to offer military and financial support to Moscow. During an “intense” seven-hour meeting, Sullivan bluntly said: “We will not allow that to go forward.” Meanwhile, Russia has denied needing Chinese assistance. Also this: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the US Congress on Wednesday.
Related reads: Associated Press explains why Putin is struggling to wall the Russian internet. US-China Perception Monitor looks at the possible outcomes of the war—and China’s options. New York Times via The Telegraph looks at the possible ways out of the war—and why Putin won’t back down.
Bangladesh makes cricket history
The women’s team claimed their first-ever Cricket World Cup victory with a nine-run win over Pakistan. Stars of the day: Fargana Hoque and Fahima Khatun—who claimed 3-38. (Sky Sports)
Speaking of cricket: The Indian men’s team beat Sri Lanka by 238 runs in the second test match—making for a clean sweep. But the biggest losers were four college students who were arrested on Sunday under non-bailable sections for invading the pitch—and taking selfies with Virat Kohli. (The Telegraph)
China shuts down Shenzhen
Chinese manufacturing hubs Shenzhen and Changchun went into a total Covid lockdown—throwing global supply chains into a tizzy. It affects a number of key manufacturers including Foxconn Technology Group—which assembles iPhones, iPads and iMacs. The lockdown was triggered by 86 new cases in the province. (Wall Street Journal)
Reliance’s Facebook campaign for BJP
Mukesh-bhai’s company pumped millions of rupees into Facebook ads in support of the BJP—during a period when electoral campaigning was banned by the Election Commission in key elections. The ad campaign was financed by NEWJ—New Emerging World of Journalism Limited, is a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Ltd. And they were run in the lead up to the 2019 parliamentary elections and nine state elections. We strongly recommend checking out Al Jazeera’s investigation on the surrogate advertising business—which is an eye-opening read.
Australia and the Netherlands sue Russia
In 2014, a Malaysian airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down while it flew over Donbas in east Ukraine—during the last invasion. The death toll: 298. A Dutch investigation found that it was hit by a Russian missile fired from Russian-backed territory. There have been repeated and failed efforts to make Moscow take responsibility. Now, the two countries—which lost 38 Australian and 196 Dutch citizens—have finally sued Moscow, seeking compensation and an apology. The underlying aim: To bring the Russians back to the negotiating table. (The Guardian)
Kirpans welcome at airports
Aviation authorities have green-lit new rules that allow Sikh employees to carry their kirpans—daggers that are part of the five Ks of Sikhism—on airport premises. They had initially been banned on March 4 but officials hastily backtracked once the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee—the highest Sikh body—took offence. But we’re debating whether it’s illegal to cover one’s head in college. 🤫 (NDTV)
Speaking of fundamental rights: Fahad Shah, the editor of The Kashmir Walla, has been charged under a new FIR—just a day before his bail hearing. Reminder: He has been arrested, released on bail, again arrested, released on bail, and then arrested again. This time, authorities have been remarkably proactive and charged Shah in advance—just in case he receives bail today. (The Wire)
Farewell, William Hurt
The Oscar-winning actor passed away just a week before he turned 72. Variety pays excellent tribute to his stellar movie career. Washington Post has the tributes paid to Hurt by the who’s who of Hollywood. Others though reminded everyone of previous allegations of physical and emotional abuse revealed by Marlee Matlin—who was his co-star in ‘Children of a Lesser God’ and real-life girlfriend at the time.
A brain-reading helmet is here!
Kernel Flow can scan a person’s brain using infrared light. It has four plates on each side of the head—and each plate has a laser directed at the brain. The aim is to make non-invasive imaging of the brain much cheaper and easier. The tech isn’t quite there yet, but here’s the big vision: to make “brain imaging as common as tech that tracks sleep, heart rate and movement.” Kinda like an Apple Watch for your head. Below is the founder wearing the helmet. No, it is not a good look. (Futurism)
The ‘two blobs’ inside Earth
Scientists have found two massive ‘blobs’ inside our planet—one is under the Pacific Ocean while the other is under Africa. To understand this, here’s how Earth is built: It has a thin outer crust, a thick viscous mantle, a fluid outer core, and a solid inner core. These ‘blobs’ are located in the mantle—and are each the size of a continent and 100 times taller than Mt Everest. But no one understands why they exist or how they affect stuff that happens on the surface. For example: the African ‘blob’ may be responsible for increased volcanic activity in the region. (SciTechDaily)
Big investors get serious about climate change
A number of big investors have cracked down on big companies lobbying to weaken regulation that addresses climate change—who may now risk having their actions subject to a shareholder vote. The investor group collectively manages $130 trillion in funds. And they are serious about consequences for failing to heed the warning shot:
“In a statement, the investors said that lobbying that sought to delay, dilute or block climate action by governments ran counter to their interests and could result in resolutions being filed at the shareholder meetings of firms that failed to act.”
Three things to see
One: Hindutva leader and former Madhya Pradesh CM Uma Bharti went on a rampage at a liquor shop—and warned local authorities to shut it down within a week. What this is about: Bharti wants prohibition in the state but the ruling BJP government recently announced a sales tax policy that will make booze cheaper. (NDTV)
Two: Vivek Agnihotri’s movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ focuses on the massacre of Kashmiri pundits in 1990. Clips circulating on social media show that the screenings are evoking extreme anti-Muslim sentiments. (APN News)
Three: An expedition of climbers held the world’s highest tea party ever on Mount Everest—21,312 feet above sea level at Mount Everest's Camp 2. This is now a new Guinness World Record. Point to note:
“The supplies had to withstand flying across the world, being transported to base camp strapped to a yak, and then carried in backpacks traversing the unforgiving terrain, which included frozen waterfalls, to Camp 2—without the cookies turning to crumbs.”
Good stuff to check out
On the latest episode of the splainer podcast ‘Press Decode’, the splainer team discussed the politics of rescue—be it freeing students in Ukraine or the ocean of plastic waste. Be sure to head over to the IVM website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts to listen to it.
