Researched by: Sara Varghese, Aarthi Ramnath & Prerna Barooah
IMF’s grim prediction for the year
The managing director of the International Monetary Fund—Kristalina Georgieva—says 2023 is likely to be a rough ride for most of the world:
Why? Because the three big economies – the US, EU and China – are all slowing down simultaneously. We expect one-third of the world economy to be in recession. Even countries that are not in recession, it would feel like recession for hundreds of millions of people.
The IMF already cut its global GDP growth forecast to 2.7% last October, claiming the worst was “yet to come.” (The Guardian)
The Ukraine invasion: Kyiv strikes back
Moscow has admitted that a single missile strike has killed at least 63 Russian soldiers. Ukraine, however, claims the real count is 400—with 300 injured. Why this matters: US-supplied weapons like the HIMARS launch system are making a real difference in the war. (Associated Press)
China braces for rural Covid wave
Chinese researchers used a mathematical model to assess the severity of the pandemic in China—since official figures are entirely useless. They claim that the current wave in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai already peaked at the end of 2022. But rural China is likely to be hit by a wave very soon—especially since migrants will be going home for the Lunar New Year. (South China Morning Post)
In far better Covid-related news: MSD and Moderna are using the technology they developed for the Covid vaccine to tackle cancer. They are working on a personalised cancer vaccine—which primes the immune system so a person’s body can generate a response tailored to a specific type of cancer tumour. In the latest trial, the jab—when combined with the drug Keytruda—resulted in a 44% reduction in the risk of cancer coming back or death. It was tested on patients with stage three and four melanoma. (Yahoo News)
Dubai’s boozy incentive for tourists
Dubai has scrapped the 30% tax on alcohol in hopes of attracting more visitors. And it is also easier to get a personal liquor licence—required to drink at home. They are available to any person above 21 with a valid Emirates ID or passport in the case of foreigners. FYI: expatriates outnumber locals by nine to one in Dubai. Why this sudden move: The “party capital” of the Middle East is afraid of losing its title to next-door Qatar and Saudi Arabia which are vying to become tourist destinations. (BBC News)
Also making big moves: Croatia—which has adopted the euro as its currency—has become part of the passport-free Schengen region. It is the 20th European Union member state to adopt the Euro and the 27th to join the Schengen region. Experts say the adoption of the euro will help shield Croatia’s economy at a time when inflation is soaring worldwide—and passport-free travel will boost its tourism industry—which accounts for 20% of its GDP. (Euro News)
A Delhi horror story
A 20-year-old woman was dragged for 13 kms by a car—which resulted in her death. The circumstances are murky for now. Her scooter met with an accident with a Maruti Suzuki with five men. They claim they didn’t notice her body since the car windows were up and loud music on the car stereo. But an eyewitness says otherwise:
"It was 3:20 am...I was standing outside the shop when I heard a loud noise from a vehicle about 100 meters away. Earlier I thought it was a tire burst. As soon as the car moved, I saw a body being dragged. I informed the police immediately," Mr Dahiya told news agency ANI. Mr Dahiya had said the accused repeatedly drove on the same road, taking multiple U-turns. "I tried to stop them many times, but they did not stop the vehicle. For about one-and-a-half hours, they carried the girl's body for about 20 km,' he said.
The woman's family alleges that she was sexually assaulted: "Her clothes cannot be completely torn off. Her entire body was naked when they found her.” But the police have dismissed the allegations. If you can bear it, the CCTV footage of the horror is below. Indian Express has more on the victim—Anjali Singh. (NDTV)
Jeremy Renner’s shocking snow accident
Actor Jeremy Renner met with a snow-ploughing accident—and is in “critical but stable condition.” He was reportedly clearing snow on the road to his home in Lake Tahoe, California—which was recently hit by a blizzard. The plough accidentally ran over one of his legs. (The Independent)
In equally unhappy news: The India release of the Pakistani blockbuster ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ has been indefinitely postponed—even though it was cleared by the censor board. The movie is already the highest grossing Pakistani movie—racking up $10 million. It was due to hit theatres on December 30—but its release was blocked “due to unknown reasons.” Hindutva groups had already threatened to stage angry protests, and Zee Studio seems to have lost its nerve due to “resistance from certain sections.” A Pakistani movie was last shown in Indian theatres in 2011. Guess we will have to make do with watching Fawad Khan in the trailer instead:) (The Wire)
Staying hydrated is good for you
We’ve long been told that drinking lots of water is good for our skin and general health. A new study now links hydration to slower ageing and protection from chronic diseases. Poorly hydrated participants had a 50% higher risk of being biologically older and a 21% higher risk of dying early. The National Academy of Medicine recommends a daily intake of nine cups of fluids for women and 12 ½ cups for men. This includes water-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and soups. (CNN)
