16 August 2021
Breakdown of law and order in Meghalaya: After killing of ex-militant in a police operation — police vehicle torched; petrol bombs thrown at CM’s residence; internet banned for 48 hours; curfew in Shillong; Government in a spot after Home Minister resigns
Coal auctions: Modi government auction coal blocks in 2020 that had previously already been auctioned in 2015; Chhattisgarh will lose over Rs 900 crore per year and potentially Rs 24,065 crore in total over a period equal to the life of the two mines – 19 to 50 years – than it would have if the 2015 bids were accepted
Afghanistan falls to Taliban: Over 200 Indians, including Embassy staff stuck in Kabul as Taliban takes over; An Indian aircraft is parked at the chaotic Kabul airport, sources said, adding the big concern is how to safely bring the staff from the Indian mission compound to the airport
Economic activity between the Covid waves: Business activity rose for the second consecutive week, crossing the pre-pandemic level for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 disruption in March 2020
Oxygen crisis during the second Covid wave: Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister said that he has again sought approval for the formation of a committee that will investigate deaths due to the lack of oxygen during the second Covid wave; the central government had previously declined permission and later claimed in the Parliament that there’s no data for deaths from oxygen shortages