There are plenty of good news on the coronavirus front today with a new vaccine that India could probably fasttrack approvals for. Not so great news for Bihar leader and LJP chief Chirag Paswan who had only last year given Chief Minister Nitish Kumar plenty of headaches in the state elections. Now he is the one who has got a headache as his party MPs look to oust him from a key post. Consumer inflation is at an eight-month high thanks to the lockdowns and the second wave and this could remain a challenge as 2021 seems as difficult to predict as 2020.
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Another jab: US-based first-time vaccine maker Novovax declares 90% efficacy for its vaccines name Covovax, which SII had earlier agreed to manufacture.
Long lasting: A study published in reputed scientific journal Nature finds that antibodies and immune memory in people who contract Covid lasts six months and longer. This adds to the growing body of research that suggests long lasting protection once infected.
“The Muslim community in our country at present – I am deliberately taking name – is keeping away from vaccination. They still have hesitation, apprehensions and misconceptions.”
Trivendra Singh Rawa, former Uttarakhand chief minister
PayTM Karo: The e-wallet app now allows for vaccine slot booking.
Vaccine Side Effects: For the first time, Indian researchers have been able to establish a causal relationship between vaccines and one death (out of 60mn doses given so far), which means vaccine side effects caused deaths in these cases. [NOTE: The number is small and should not stop anyone from taking their vaccine.]
Lockdown: Bengal extends restrictions till July 1 but allows restaurants and manufacturing units to open.
Drone Delivery: The Centre and ICMR is looking at delivering vaccines to remote centres through drones. Telangana has entered into agreements with Dunzo and Flipkart for a similar service.
INDIA NEWS
Implosion: Lok Jan Shakti Party revolts against Chirag Paswan and nominates his uncle Paras as party’s parliamentary unit leader. Paras said being with NDA was the wish of Chirag’s late father Ram Vilas Paswan. The move comes amid talks of Modi planning to rejig his Cabinet.
Expulsion: AIADMK expels 17 leaders, including spokesperson, for siding with V Sasikala.
Stir in UP: Death of a journalist in an “accident” has generated a lot of heat for the govt. The journalist had earlier flagged a threat to his life from the “liquor mafia” and had requested police to investigation.
Rape victims: A 60-year-old and 17-year-old have approached the Supreme Court alleging that they were raped by TMC people soon after the Bengal elections. They have requested a CBI probe.
Another Virus: An elderly Muslim man was attacked and forced to chant “Jai Siya Ram” in Ghaziabad. Attackers cut his beard. In another case, a mob killed a man transporting cattle in Rajasthan.
No Mercy: Vatican has refused to revoke the dismissal of Kerala nun Lucy who was dismissed from her convent for speaking out against Bishop Franco Mulakkal who allegedly raped another nun. She will now seek legal recourse.
Abuse of Power: J-K activist has been jailed for the last four days for allegedly calling IAS officer at a “janta durbar” an “outsider” in Safapora village.
WORLD NEWS
Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi trial begins. She has been accused of corruption, sedition, owning foreign made walkie-talkies.
NATO Summit: Group sees Russia as a “threat” and China as a “challenge”.
Nuke Trouble: A French company says it is repairing a “performance issue” at a nuclear plant in China. They say it is not a leak but the build up of noble gases in its cooling system.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
Inflation: Retail crosses comfort level of 6% to settle at 6.3% in May. Wholesale inflation at 12.94%, highest in nine years. Reason for rise: Fuel and edible oil prices.
Joblessness: Unemployment rate falls to six-week low of 8.7% as restrictions ease in large parts of the country.
Great Fall: Shares of Adani group firms fell between 5% to 25% – approximately $6bn – the steepest in a decade after the accounts of three foreign funds that are significant stakeholders in the companies were frozen. The company, however, said this news is erroneous although the NSDL website does confirm it.
A Man’s Power: Bitcoin’s value went over $40,000 after Tesla boss Elon Musk said that his company would accept the cryptocurrency once it becomes more environmentally friendly.
NEWS OF YESTERDAY
Magna Carta sealed on this day in 1215
News Of Today 