2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ that’s how many people have been infected with the Sars-CoV-2 virus till date. Deaths are over 4.2 million. These numbers are gross underestimates. And there is so much we still don’t know about the virus. Where did it come from, why did India’s second peak fall so quickly, the longterm effects? Till then, get vaccinated!
TOP NEWS
➡️ Two years of abrogation of Article 370
➡️ Residents in a Moradabad locality are threatening an exodus over Muslims
➡️ WHO calls for moratorium on booster shots
IN PARLIAMENT
Look At Yourself: Rajya Sabha chairperson Venkaiah Naidu suspended six Trinamool Congress members for the day over entering the Well and bringing placards. Later, 40 MPs from the Opposition came to the Well and demanded that they be suspended too.
Rajya Sabha Business: Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2021 for development of smaller airports, Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill that allows depositors to access their insured funds even if the bank is temporary unable to fullfill its obligations, and the Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill that seeks to encourage startup. None of them were discussed in the House.
Lok Sabha Business: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Bill and the Coconut Development Board (Amendment) Bill). Again, no discussion.
INDIA NEWS
Coronavirus News: Despite reporting the most cases in India, Kerala has decided to open its economy a little with curfew timings. A central team that had visited Kerala to check on the situation has flagged low contact tracing and the health infrastructure was under some strain.
Moradabad Exodus: After two properties in a Hindu-majority area in UP’s Moradabad was sold to Muslims, the neighbours are threatening an exodus. The administration and police are trying to maintain calm and telling people that they cannot stop anyone from buying property or selling it.
“There is a mutual understanding that they will live in their areas, and we will live in ours, and that has been working well. Why do they forcefully want to come live here and spoil the atmosphere. Our cultures are different. We have our own festivals that we want to celebrate in our own way. They will do qurbaani during their festivals.”
Gaurav Kohli, a resident of the Moradabad locality
Probe On: CBI has begun its probe into the murder of Dhanbad judge Uttam Anand.
Team Set: The Karnataka govt under new chief minister B R Bommai will have a new 29-member cabinet members most of whom had the approval of former chief minister BSY with only one woman on the list – Shashikala Jolle.
J-K Since 2019: Nearly 2,300 people booked under the draconian UAPA and nearly half of them are still in jail. PAGD says that the “dil ki doori” still remains.
“There was once a time when although it was very easy to obtain a law degree it was extremely challenging to have a livelihood … it was often considered as a degree of last resort… I am not sure if the present-day reality is any different… the truth is that there still exists inequity in opportunities for lawyers.”
CJI N V Ramana, speaking at book launch
WORLD NEWS
Please, Delay: With many countries planning to roll out a third vaccine shot, the World Health Organization has called for to delay it till those in the developing economies could get their shots.
“We definitely feel that it’s a false choice and we can do both.”
Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary. US rejected the WHO call to delay the booster shot.
Your Guns: Mexico has sued 10 US gun companies in American courts accusing them of fuelling violence in the coutnry. Legal experts say it is unlikely to change anything given how law protects such companies, but could be more symbolic.
New President: Ebrahim Raisi will swear-in as Iran President today. India will be represented by external affairs minister S Jaishankar.
Abandon Ship: The hijackers who were on board the MV Asphalt Princess have left the vessel. Who is responsible and why did they leave suddenly is a mystery.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
No More: K R Birla has stepped down as the non-executive chairperson and non-executive director of Vodafone Idea.
Respect Them: The Andhra Pradesh government is in the midst of legal battles with a number of renewable energy companies with whom the it wants to renegotiate power purchase agreements agreed to by the previous govt. The Union power ministry has written to the state govt asking it to respect the agreements.
News Of Today 