Apple’s move to introduce a software that will scan users’ phone for child abuse content has come in for much criticism. While the intention is good, the company now suspects every customer. Worse, it could also be a backdoor for the govt to enter. So much for privacy.
IN PARLIAMENT
Lok Sabha: Bill to end retrospective taxation law passed in the Lower House without any discussion. Also passed this way was the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill aimed at setting up a central university in Ladakh.
INDIA NEWS
Border cools: The Indian and Chinese armies pulled back from Gogra, or Patrol Point 17-A, which was one of the contested points over the disputed LAC since May last year.
Award Renamed: The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, which is India’s highest sporting honour, has been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. The PM says this was done after public demand. The Congress welcomed the move but also saw political motive.
Coronavirus News: Johnson & Johnson and Novavax have approached the Indian govt for emergency use permit for their vaccines in the country. Vaccine coverage crossed 500 million in India.
At UNSC: India has said the situation in Afghanistan is of “great concern” and that the international community must ensure that the region is not threatened by terrorism.
“Marital rape occurs when the husband is under notion that body of his wife owes to him.”
Kerala high court
WORLD
High Value Targets: The Taliban have been targetting people in high offices in Afghanistan with the latest being the assassination of a govt media spokesperson. Earlier in the week, it had assassinated the governor of a district.
First Capital to Fall: Even as UNSC continues to discuss the Afghanistan situation and even going as far as to say that they will not accept a govt imposed by force, the Taliban has scored a major win – it has captured Zaranj, capital of Nimroz province.
Ethiopian Unrest: Tigray rebels have captured the UNESCO World Heritage site of Lalibela. Millions have been displayed since the unrest began in November when the Ethiopian government refused to hold elections in Tigray.
Coronavirus News: CNN fired three unvaccinated employees for entering their US offices, a decision that is legal since the government allowed companies to make vaccinations a requirement in May. UK PM Boris Johnson is facing mounting criticism after he did not self isolate following a staff member testing positive.
“We cannot in good faith, and with veneration to those lost, sick, and injured, welcome the president to our hallowed grounds until he (Biden) fulfils his commitment.”
Families of those killed in the 9/11 attacks asking President Joe Biden not to come for the memorials until he declassifies documents on the attacks
ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE & TECH
Dead Zones: Scientists have discovered an unusually larger than average ‘dead zones’ – areas under water so depleted of oxygen that nothing can live there – in the Gulf of Mexico. While runoff fertilizers is the primary cause of such a situation, global warming is making it worse as warmer waters hold less oxygen.
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
We’re Confident on Inflation: The RBI has kept its policy rate (or the repo rate, which is the rate at which it takes money from the banks) at 4%, in an effort to ensure more money in the system. It noted that the inflation, although high now, is “transitory” due to supply crunch and will resolve to settle at 5.7% this fiscal.
Major Win for Amazon: The Supreme Court agreed with a Singaporean emergecy arbitrator (EA) restraining Future Group from selling its assets to Reliance. The court, however, said it will decide later on how foreign EA court jurisdiction applies to India.
Let Us Do Business: A group of founders of high value startups like Byju’s, Cred, Urban Company and BharatPe to allow them to be listed overseas. Their counterparts in other countries had this option and are able to tap into global capital.
News Of Today 