News Of Today

June 5: Delta Variant vs Vaccines; Aliens on Earth

Today we learn about more evidence that getting both shots of the Covid vaccine is extremely important. Kerala has won a case against Karnataka. Update your economics with a UN report on food prices and RBI’s expectations of GDP. And on the blog, watch how an elephant pays its respects to his dead mahout.

June 3 – Queen Rocked, Harry Potter’s Magic Still On

For first time, there are very few Covid-19 reports in the papers today. This is a sign, but hopefully NOT of govts or public taking the virus lightly. An explosive story from the Guardian has exposed how the Buckingham Palace has been undercutting racial and sex discrimination laws. Chennai schools are rattled by more allegations of misconduct. And NASA is planning a Venus mission

Pearl in the Ocean – Sri Lanka and India Fight to Keep Waters Clear

Burning for almost two weeks, the Singapore registered chemical-laden merchant vessel X-Press Pearl is reportedly sinking fast off the coast of Sri Lanka. Indian Coast Guard (codenamed it as Operation Sagar Araksha 2) and Sri Lankan Naval efforts are on to minimise the damage to the environment.

Check out the June 2 post from News of Today : More Covid Vaccines, ‘Ice’ in Iceland Is Shrinking Fast

June 2 – More Covid Vaccines, ‘Ice’ in Iceland Is Shrinking Fast

There is some cheer for Class 12 students as both CBSE and CISCE have scrapped their exams. The Delhi HC has made some scary remarks, or perhaps reality of doctors, on who to save from black fungus. India is clearing the path for more vaccines and the Centre’s recent notices to Bengal chief secy has come in for criticism from former bureaucrats who call it “bizarre”.

Pics of the day – Perseverance and Ingenuity

NASA’s Perseverance rover is looking for signs of life – present or even past – on Mars. Over the last 100 Martian days (called sols; 1 sol = 24 hrs 34 mins), we have got some stunning pictures of the Martian landscape and the first flight of a machine on the red planet (or at least, one that humans sent from Earth). All pictures courtesy: NASA, view more pics here.

June 1 – Bird ‘Quits’ Humans, Warning Signs on Covid

Good morning. Climate studies generally paint a grim picture and the latest follows this trend saying that millions of people have died due to heat over the last 20 years, the Supreme Court finally says that there is a need to look into the sedition laws and India’s GDP is in the doldrums. There is also the story of a rare bird that may have decided “I had enough of humans, I am going to the mountains”.

May 31- Monsoon Delay, A Mysterious Plane

Dear reader, in our list today is the story of Stan Swamy. Elderly and suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder, one’d expect bail would be obvious given the “bail is rule, jail is exception” maxim. But not if one is charged under UAPA. Absurd or rule of law? In other news, June could be a better month for vaccinations as 120 mn doses are expected; the monsoon will be delayed. In our Monday Explainer, we look into why your cooking oil is more expensive.

May 30- Beauty in Small Package (not the virus)

Today’s blog posts will be filled with visuals, including the protests in London against a lockdown, Brazil’s demand that its president quit, a stunning image from NASA and possibly, the smallest flower you have ever seen!

May 29 Bengal, Centre flashpoint; Google Photos to cut back on storage

The tension between Bengal and Centre is spilling over and arresting this would be in everyone’s best interest. Germany and Argentina are sorry for the crimes committed by its military rulers. And if you get a mail on Dubai Coin, run the other way! Those who love storing photos on Google, there is some sad news.

May 27 – Good News on Covid Immunity, Bad News on Climate Change

We start off with some good news: Two studies suggest that immunity to Covid could last a year, even a lifetime, with vaccination. It is not just the Indian govt but even the EU is tightening rules around social media. We have some “yay!” news and some “oh no” news under the environment section. Check it out!