This Week in Explainers: Is JN.1 variant becoming the Grinch who will steal Christmas?

The holiday season is upon us. It’s a time for cheer and celebrations. As far as the news goes, it has been a mixed bag.As hundreds and thousands in India get set for travel ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, there has been an uptick in the cases of COVID-19. JN.1, the subvariant of Omicron, is giving people jitters. Coronavirus is clearly not behind us.Talking about things from the past, there was also chatter about Dawood Ibrahim being “poisoned” in Pakistan. It’s not the first time news of his illness (and possible death) has grabbed headlines. But is there any truth to it? We tell you.The winter session of Parliament is over. It was a stormy, one which saw a record suspension of lawmakers and one expulsion. Yet the government managed to pass some crucial bills.And now some good news. The week started with the inauguration of the Surat Diamond Bourse, the world’s biggest office space. Also, India’s Akash weapon system has the world’s attention for all the right reasons.We take a look back at all the big stories from the past seven days in our weekly wrap.1. Yes, it is back. We are talking about COVID-19 again. The JN.1 variant, which has led to a rise in cases in Singapore and the US, has been detected in India. Cases have been reported in Kerala, Goa, and Rajasthan, all tourist destinations that see crowds during the yearend holiday.What is the JN.1 variant and what are its symptoms? Should we be worried? And will it play party poopper as we prepare to ring in the New Year? We have some answers.[caption id="attachment_13536782" align="alignnone" width="640"] School students wear face masks during prayer amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country. PTI[/caption]2. Earlier, in the week, India was once again talking about Dawood Ibrahim. There were reports that he was poisoned in Pakistan and possibly died. (Not the first time.) Later, it was all dismissed as a rumour.The underworld don, in his late 60s, masterminded the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, and at one time, wreaked havoc in the city. He was a dreaded man who first fled to Dubai and has been seeking refuge in Pakistan. We explain why the underworld don is still the most wanted man in India and why the neighbouring nation continues to protect him.3. The winter session was stormy. It saw a lot of drama – the expulsion of Trinamool’s Mahua Moitra and the suspension of a record number of Opposition MPs. But are mass suspensions common? We take a look back at history.4. Now on to some cheerful news. Earlier in the week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse (SBD) in Gujarat. It is the world’s biggest office space. Built over an area of 67 lakh square feet, the complex has surpassed America’s Pentagon in size. What does it offer? We tell you everything you need to know about the SDB.[caption id="attachment_13536802" align="alignnone" width="640"] Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of Surat Diamond Bourse, on 17 December. PTI[/caption]5. Atmanirbhar Bharat has been PM Narendra Modi’s vision for the country. In the field of defence, India has taken some big strides. Defence exports reached an all-time high nearing the 16,000-crore mark in FY 2022-23. And now the industry has bigger plans.The Akash weapon system has generated a lot of interest among other nations. Armenia will be purchasing the made-in-India arsenal. The Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt and Brazil are also reportedly keen on it. What is this short-range surface-to-air missile system? We explain.[caption id="attachment_13536822" align="alignnone" width="640"] The Akash has been operational with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army. Image courtesy: PIB[/caption]6. 2023 has been India’s year in many ways. Our economy has been dubbed as a bright spot, the G20 Summit was a hit and we also reached the moon with Chandrayaan-3. The world was going “Naatu, Naatu” as the RRR song won an Oscar.The loss in the ICC Cricket World Cup final was heartbreaking, but the U-19 women’s team won the T20 World Cup final. And Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal is something we can brag about for years to come. As we say goodbye to 2023, here’s a throwback to all the big moments that made us proud.Happy reading and season’s greetings!PS: If you like the way we explain the news, keep coming back for more.