Today’s Big Stories
In the worst attack in years, locusts swarm UP and Maharashtra, Punjab on alert
The central government on Wednesday said it has stepped up efforts to control the spread of swarms of locust in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, and will soon deploy drones to spray pesticides to avert the migratory pests. After damaging crops in Rajasthan and MP, swarms of locusts entered Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district and could head towards Maharashtra’s Ramtek city amid what is being described as the worst attack in 26 years. An official said that since the insects are not finding enough food to survive, they are moving to other areas aided by strong winds.
US is willing to mediate ‘raging’ border dispute, says Donald Trump; China says situation controllable
In a surprise move, US President Donald Trump offered to “mediate or arbitrate” the “raging” border dispute between India and China, saying he was “ready, willing and able” to ease the tensions, amid the continuing standoff between the two armies. Trump’s unexpected offer came on a day when China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying the situation at the border with India is “overall stable and controllable”.
In Other News
Lockdown extension: The Centre is likely to extend the lockdown by another two weeks after May 31 “in spirit”, a top government source said. Most of the focus would be on 11 cities that account for nearly 70 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in the country.
Cartography crisis: A constitutional amendment bill regarding a revised map of Nepal was not introduced in its Parliament yesterday. It was removed from the scheduled list of business as the main opposition party — the Nepali Congress — sought more time to decide on its stand over the matter.
Spacex launch: Elon Musk’s company SpaceX will launch the historic Demo-2 today with two NASA astronauts – Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley. The astronauts will be flying to the International Space Station in America’s first manned spaceflight in around a decade.
Shutters lifted: The Kerala government decided to open liquor shops across the state from today, however, one cannot directly go to an outlet or a bar and buy liquor. Meanwhile, all shops in Telangana, except malls in Hyderabad, will be allowed to open.
On Our Specials
Beleaguered alliance: Just as a strange turn of circumstances saw Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray occupy the Chief Minister’s chair, it was a similar twist of fate that found his regime battling the fallout of an unexpected global health crisis. Dhaval Kulkarni writes that hard-bitten Shiv Sainiks complain that while this government is run by the NCP on the ground, it may be the Shiv Sena, which will be left shouldering the blame for any slip-ups.
Caste realities: It was the “freedom of contract” which had ruined the concept of parliamentary democracy, Dr BR Ambedkar said in 1943. The Dalit icon’s words hold increased relevance today, as various Indian states dilute the very labour laws he fought so hard for, during a worldwide pandemic. Vidushi Sagar speaks to several academicians, activists and politicians who warn against the repercussions of these moves in a bid to attract investors and manufacturers with the economy in dire straits on Dalits.
On Reel
