The Phase III trial data is finally out for Covaxin and althought it is yet to undergo scientific scrutiny, provides much needed comfort to the public at a time when Delta+ is making inroads. The Gupkar Alliance will be meeting the Centre in Delhi, but will it result in anything? Initial reports say that the two sides may be sitting opposite each other – on the table and on agenda. Also, lawyers have put together a definition for “ecocide”.
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
π After long last: After much speculation and controversy, Covaxin Phase III trial data finds it is 77.8% effective. THIS IS YET TO UNDERGO SCIENTIFIC SCRUTINY.
ππ§π·π° Was There Corruption? Brazil is investigating whether there had been corruption in the $320 million contract for 20 million Covaxin doses. Prosecutors are questioning why the vaccine was cleared without regulatory approvals and the $15-a-dose price is significantly higher than what Pfizer offered.
π π Single Dose Effective: An ICMR study finds that a single dose can provide 82% protection against the disease getting severe and death, while two doses increases this to 95%.
π¦ Variant Alert: India declares Delta Plus a “variant of concern” – increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.
ππ Slow Down: After over 8.5 million vaccines administered on Monday, Tuesday’s figures dropped to 5.4 million.
π Help Them: Poorest countries are running out of vaccines, says WHO.
π€ Helping Themselves: Global Wealth Report finds that 5 million people became millionaires last year even as pandemic crippled economies, thanks to soaring stock prices and house prices.
β EU Ignores: India and South Africa proposals at the WTO for a waiver in Covid supplies has been ignored in the bloc’s draft declaration. This could delay consensus.
INDIA NEWS
π€ Meet on J-K: The six-party People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) agrees to talks with the Centre. Although the talks can be on any issue, as National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, their main concerns will be on the fate of political prisoners and Article 370.
“We find no reason to interfere with the CBSE, CISCE schemes. We find it fair and reasonable, takes care of all sets of students and is in the larger public interest.”
Supreme Court on challenges to the boards’ tabulation scheme
π€ General Meeting: Although there was much anticipation that the meeting at NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s home would result in the formation of an “anti-BJP” Third Front, that was not to be. “Narendra Modi was not even mentioned once,” said MP Pavan Varma.
ποΈ HT Interview with former J-K CM Mehbooba Mufti
On Agenda with Delhi: “We want Article 370 restored… J-K was referred to as the crown of India. Delhi should have been proud… but they dismantled it because it was a Muslim-dominated area.”
On Statehood: “Will not settle for anything other than restoration of Article 370.”
On Centre’s claim of development: “Where are the jobs?… There is so much suppression here… In Kashmir, even the common man is treated as a terrorist.”
ποΈ Lakshadeweep Row: Kerala High Court asks Union government why it has decided to upset the peoples’ food habits. The court went on to stay orders to change mid-day meal scheme and closing of dairy farms.
π£οΈ They’re Talking: Qatar special envoy to foreign minister says India was “quietly” engaging with Taliban not because of its gains in Afghanistan but because it is a political force there.
π΄ They’re also Talking: For what seems to be the first time, UP CM Yogi Adithyanath drops in for lunch at Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya’s residence. This is being seen as the BJP putting up a united front after questions were raised on who will be the next CM and grumblings over the govt’s “mishandling” of the pandemic.
π³βοΈ Rethink, Please: Meghalaya has asked the Centre to rethink over its permission to expand limestone mining in the East Jaintia Hills. The state cabinet minister, in his letter to the Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar, said there was stiff opposition but it seemed the clearance was given only based on a deputy commissioner’s recommendation.
π€ Reconsider, please: Five industry bodies – CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, US-India strategic partnership forum and US India Business Council had requested the Union government to reconsider implementing the IT rules. It would impact ease of doing business, they argued.
WORLD NEWS
πΊπΈ 26/11: A US court is going to begin hearing the extradition case of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack suspect Tahawwur Rana. The US govt supports the extradition.
πΊπΈπͺπ¦π« Slow Down: The Pentagon has said that the US may slow its withdrawal from Afghanistan as the Taliban makes significant inroads.
πΊπΈπ± US Horror: Sexual abuse is rampant in US camps for migrant children. There is a lice outbreak and children are being served undercooked food, reports the BBC. Many have Covid.
“When we went to ask for medicine they gave us dirty looks, and they always laughed among themselves.”
A child who was at the camp tells BBC
π¨π¦ππ¨π³: China is furious after Canada led more than 40 countries to condemn human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet at the UN. China pointed to Canada’s colonial past, including the 215 dead children found under a school.
π¨π¦βͺBurning Down: Two churches were gutted in indigenous land in Canada’s British Columbia on Monday, the day the country observed National Indigenous People’s Day.
ππ°β Controversial Trial: Hong Kong is set to try a 24-year-old man for flying banners of “liberation” from China. The trial has no jury and is the first under the country’s harsh new security law introduced last year that made it easier to punish dissent. More than 100 people have been arrested so far under it.
π€¦π»ββοΈ Socialist Terrorist?: The US military apparently considers socialism to be a terrorist ideology and considers it on par with neo-Nazi movement. This despite many popular politicians, such as Bernie Sanders and Alexand Ocasia-Cortez, being described as socialists.
πͺπΈ Spain Pardons: The country’s government has, despite public and Supreme Court opposition, gone ahead and pardoned nine political prisoners who supported secession of Catalonia from Spain.
ποΈTakedown: The US has taken down dozens of Iranian news websites for allegedly spreading misinformation.
π»π¦ Stop it, Please: Vatican has asked Italy to drop a proposed law that would criminalise homophobia. It said such a law would threaten “freedom of thought” among Catholics.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
π³οΈ No Safety Required: ONGC tender for hiring a shipping vessel to transport diesel has invited criticism. The tender is open to those who do not have statutory certificates, insurance or even class certificate.
βοΈ Take Flight: National company law tribunal has accepted Jet Airways revival plan by Murarilal Jalan-Kalrock Capital and tells them to rescue the airline in 90 days.
π Google (under) Lens: EU has launched a probe against Google suspecting that the firm was using its position to keep out rivals. The company has already paid $9 bn in fines for violating anti-competition policies.
ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
π³β οΈ Define “Ecocide”: Unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts, according to a draft that could be adopted by the International Criminal Court. If adopted, it could be the fifth offence that the court can prosecute after war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and crime of aggression.
π°οΈπͺπΊ Funnelling Resources: There is a new Euopean space organisation called EU Agency for Space Programme that will have oversight on whatever the bloc does in orbit. It will attract investment from the bloc’s 27 member states into space. This comes as now China and the US can send astronauts, while Europe still cannot.
β½π Foul Air: Nearly 22 years after London banned leaded petrol, there is still lead in the city’s air although it has reduced drastically. Up to 40% of lead in air is from this source, a study finds.
π₯΅ Kremlin Hot: At 38 degrees Celsius, Moscow recorded the hottest June in 120 years. Weather department points to climate change.
NEWS OF YESTERDAY
United Kingdom voted to withdraw from the European Union on this day in 2016
News Of Today 