The Week that it was

So we have Trump wearing a mask, as global numbers crosses 15.5 Million with more than 633,000 deaths. Fortunately, the focus has shifted rightly to the vaccine news, some human trails and positive outcomes. Discussions are happening also on the scale of production, the quantum of demand and the affordability of the vaccine, as and when it becomes available.

Between US and China, the rhetoric has given way to some real actions with the Huston and subsequently, Chengdu consulate shutting down. The National Security Law imposed by China on Hong Kong continues to reverberate across the world EU being the latest block to impose sanctions.

Talking of the EU, the Union finally managed to stitch together a massive recovery plan cum stimulus package for their Coronavirus throttled economies. Leaders hope that 750 Billion Euro recovery package and its related 1.1Trillion Euro 2021 - 27 budget will help repair the country's deepest recession since WWII.

Back home, the Rajasthan drama shifted from the Harayana resort to the courtrooms. As the drama unfolds, honestly, I find the drama between the "A Grade" outsiders and the "B Grade" outsiders in Mumbai film industry more intriguing. I also found the effort to upgrade from "Being Human"  to "Being Farmer" quite amusing.

Nearer home, we needed a football club from UK followed by a news report on BBC for the national media to wake up to the third wave of flood in Assam which has taken at least 84 lives and have displaced 2.75Million people. Rescue teams are facing double challenge of rising flood water amid the novel coronavirus villagers driven from their homes huddle in shelter.

The narration on the measures to tackle the virus outbreak and prevention of further spread has turned more political. With increasing casualties and hardship (due to lockdown), the frustrations are coming to the fore and we see more political "goals" being scored by the ruling party and their opponents.

One specific issue that touched me was the news that Government of India has allowed transportation of pigs from Punjab and Haryana to NE States for pork consumption purposes. The trigger was unusually high pig mortality in Assam and Arunachal due to outbreak of swine flu. This can be the last nail to the coffin of all the pig farmers of the region who are already suffering from the flu outbreak and also the closure of restaurants.

Tayyip Erdogan joined huge crowd for the first prayers at Hagia Sophia in nine decades as closer home, we prepare for the blockbuster Ayodha Temple Ceremony. By the way, Gli, the cat, can stay in her old home in Hagia Sophia.

We now know that Kenye West is Bi-Polar as he postpones release his new album as Taylor Swift released her. I only hope, he continues to be a helpful diversion in today's dreary days.