The Isreali-Hamas ceasefire.

Fresh strikes kill 70 in Gaza after ceasefire deal announced

Palestinians in Gaza reported heavy Israeli strikes that killed more than 70 people since a ceasefire agreement was announced in the night of 15 Jan.

No cabinet approval till Hamas backs down

Fresh Israeli strikes on Gaza come as Netanyahu signalled there were issues with the deal just hours after US President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete. Netanyahu's office said his cabinet won't meet to approve the deal until Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on parts of the agreement to gain concessions.

Tightrope walk for Bibi amid pressure

 * It is not clear if Netanyahu's statements merely reflected jockeying to keep his fractious coalition together or

    if the deal was at risk.

 * While Netanyahu is under pressure from families of hostages to strike a deal, his far-right coalition partners

    have threatened to bring down his government if he makes too many concessions.

94 Israelis are reportedly held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

The maid was at work

A quiet Friday.

Meta India apologises for Zuckerberg's remark...

......that the NDA government lost the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. 

Inadvertent error, says the Tech Firm

Meta India's VP took to X yesterday to tender an apology on behalf of the company for the "inadvertent error". "Mark's observation that many incumbent parties were not re-elected in 2024 holds for true for several countries,

BUT not India", in response Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's criticism of the remark.

Company avoids parliamentary summons

* BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who heads Parliament's panel on Communications and Information Technology, said 

   the matter is now closed. He had earlier said that the panel will summon Meta India.

* Zuckerberg triggered a row by claiming in a podcast that the NDA lost the 2024 election due to its weak     

   Covid response.

I billion users for Meta Apps - What'sApp, Facebook and Instagram - in India.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 4, the chores and were ready by 6. Sajish was drivng the car when a crazy guys passed narrowly 

RaGa needs to be tried for treason.

Today, at the inauguration of the new Congress Headquarters in New Delhi, RaGa has made a desperate call He and his party need to fight the BJP, the RSS and the Indian State.

Doesn't he realise the duties and responsibilities of the Leader of the Opposition?

He's desperate to grab power at any cost because he is yet to realise the fact that he cannot win elections for his party on his own!  The INDI alliance has begun to wonder as to what his use is all about when he's unwinnable!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Washing machinex of the bed linen. Went to town for three assignments :-

      * Send my google form, filled, to the NDA.

      * Top up the Chevy and check tyre pressure.

      * Give my trouser to the tailor.

A quiet day, otherwise!  

Frosty relations with Bangladesh.

India summons Bangladesh envoy amid border fencing row

India, yesterday, summoned Bangladesh's acting High Commissioner Nurul Islam amid row over India's construction of fencing on the border.

No violation of protocol, agreement : India

With regard to security measures at the border, the Bangladesh envoy was told India observed all protocols and agreement between the two governments. Barbed wire fencing, border lighting, installation of technical devices are meant to secure the border, adding that the focus is on tackling cross-border criminal activities.

5 arrested by BSF for smuggling attempt

* The Bangladesh diplomat was summoned a day after Dhaka conveyed to Indian High Commissioner to

   Bangladesh its deep concerns over India's border security measures.

* Security forces on Monday arrested five people, including two from Bangladesh, for trying to smuggle goods

   across the border.

535 bottles of Phensedyl, a narcotic drug, were siezed from the smugglers.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, though Lekha had woken up at 4. The chores and was ready by 8. Sajish arrived at a quarter past 8 and we headed for Amala Hospital.

The the ECHS protocol and the registration formalities didn't take much time but could meet the doctor only by a quarter past 12. 

Had stand easy snacks and coffee/Horlicks at the small cafe at the foyer.

The evening chores.

Mahakumbh decoded.

Where grandeur bumps into spirituality

* Total area                                          10,000 acres

* Budget                                               Rs. 75,000 cr

* State's budget                                    Rs.54,000 cr

* Centre's budget                                  Rs.21,000 cr

* Total snans                                         6 (13 Jan, 14 Jan, 29 Jan, 03 Feb, 12 Feb, 26 Feb)

* Each snan takes off with bathing of

saints and seers of different akharas     13

* !3 Akharas divided into 3 categories    Sanyasi, Bairagi and Udaseen 

* Total ghats                                           41

* Expected footfall on snan days             2 cr

* Snan on 29 Jan                                    8-10 cr

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

A quiet beginning to the week.

No sign of Kittu today, too. Hope he's safe!

Actions being taken before 20 Jan.

Now Meta, Amazon join Ford, Mc Donald's, John Deere and Walmart to nix diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs ahead of Trump inauguration.

Meta outlines sweeping changes, including elimination of its diverse state hiring approach and the disbanding of its DEI team in an internal memo, which was leaked online. The move by the US companies comes after recent Supreme Court decisions on how courts will approach DEI going ahead. Amazon said it is winding down outdated programs.

DEI invites ire in the Los Angeles wildfire

* Besides the SC decision, the move by companies comes as Trump, who has long riled against tech giants for being biased towards him, is set to become the president.

* Elon Musk targeted DEI during the Los Angeles wildfire. He said, "They prioritised DEI over saving lives and homes.

Tailpiece.

Got up at my usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

A quiet Sunday.

The Mahakumbh.

Laurene Powell Jobs - the widow of Steve Jobs - to observe 'Kalpavas' at Kumbh. Kalpavas is an ancient spiritual practice of austerity.

Understanding the spiritual practice

Kalpavas is a month-long period of austerity, meditation and self-purification, deeply rooted in the Sanatan tradition. Practitioners, known as Kalpavasis, renounce comforts, live in temporary tents and engage in daily worship, including holy dips, spiritual discourses and devotional music. The practice is meant to for inner purification and spiritual growth.

Maha Kumbh : A spiritual gathering

* The Maha Kumbh, organised every 12 years, is a religious gathering of Sanatan devotees attracting

   millions from around the world.

* Laurene is likely to stay at the camp of Kailashananda, the Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara.

   She will be there till the third Amrit Snan (royal bath) on Mauni Amavasya on 29 Jan.

13 Jan when the Maha Kumbh Mela kickstarts in Prayagraj, in UP.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 4, was ready by a half past 5 and Prabin, took me to the railway station. Boarded the train and was comfortably fast asleep on my bunk. Reached Thodupuzha by a quarter past 12.

The meeting was conducted and we - Anian and I - left soon after lunch. The first was a normal FP till Muvattupuzha and the conductor scrounged away Rs.60/- of mine. There were blocks short of Angamali (2 hrs), on the NH stretch at Chalakkudi for about 45' and another half-an-hour, short of Choondal. Reached home by 8.

A quiet evening.