The article discusses the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European restaurants, cafes, and bars. It highlights the struggle of these establishments to survive amidst lockdowns and the gradual reopening with strict health and safety measures. Owners like Om Johar of Mera Masala in Germany and Emmanuelle Gonzalez of Taco Haus express their challenges in maintaining a personal connection with customers due to regulations like mask-wearing and social distancing. The article also touches on the financial difficulties faced by these businesses, such as reduced hours for staff and the reliance on local support in the absence of tourists. Restaurant owners like Isabelle Nizet of Horia Eatery in Brussels and Arne Russchen of Restaurant Adam in Amsterdam share their experiences and innovative solutions to attract customers. The overall sentiment is one of cautious optimism as they adapt to the new normal and hope for the return of tourism.

At a dinner party hosted by the Canadian High Commissioner in India, the presence of convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal and Vancouver-based celebrity chef Vikram Vij, who was flown in by the Canadian government, sparked controversy. The Canadian government defended the decision to bring Vij to showcase Canadian cuisine, stating he volunteered his time and would have expenses covered. Critics questioned the necessity of flying a chef from Canada when notable Indian chefs were available, suggesting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cultural engagement might be superficial.

On January 22, three men from the Kanjarbhat community in Pune were assaulted for opposing a virginity test ritual. The test involves a newly married couple having intercourse on a white bedsheet while caste panchayat members wait outside. If the bedsheet shows blood stains, the bride is considered 'pure,' but a clean bedsheet can lead to severe consequences for the bride, including violence and abandonment. Siddhant Indrekar, a member of the 'Stop the V Ritual' WhatsApp group, had previously filed a complaint against the caste panchayat for accepting a bribe to approve a marriage, but no action was taken. The practice has faced strong opposition from within the community, with advocates like Priyanka Tamaichekar speaking out against it.

Arunachalam Muruganantham, a school dropout from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, became known for his work on menstrual hygiene. He invented a low-cost sanitary pad machine and was recognized by Time magazine as one of the Most Influential People in the World in 2014 and received the Padma Shri in 2016. A movie titled 'Pad Man' starring Akshay Kumar is based on his life. Arunachalam's innovation has provided employment to women in 24 states of India and has significantly contributed to improving menstrual hygiene by making affordable sanitary pads accessible.

Following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Uttarakhand and parts of North India, Doug Copp's 'Triangle of Life' theory gained attention, suggesting that during an earthquake, one should lie next to furniture rather than underneath it to find a survival void. However, this theory has been widely criticized and debunked by experts and sites like Snopes.com for lacking scientific evidence and misrepresenting facts. The theory is based on observations rather than scientific testing, and while it advises against using stairs during an earthquake—a point experts agree on—most of Copp's claims are not supported by the scientific community.