Four gifts for the festive season
Splainer almost never goes on sale except during this time of the year. So we hope you will take full advantage of our big discounts—available until November 7. Here are four wonderful deals for you:
- Gift friends, colleagues and relatives an annual subscription at a whopping discount. It now costs only Rs 1000. Click ‘Gift a friend’ on our ‘subscribe’ page.
- Add 12 months to your own subscription by heading over to the ‘subscribe’ page—and hitting renew.
- Use your magical referral link—available in every daily email and your account page—to offer a free month to anyone you want.
- That same link also offers that sweet Rs 500 discount on our annual subscription.
Want a bulk Diwali discount? If you plan to gift splainer to a bunch of people in your organisation or family, be sure to email us at talktous@splainer.in.
Aryan Khan arrest: The latest update
One: Bail hearings started once more, this time in the Bombay High Court. Khan’s lawyers made clear that his client had nothing to do with the extortion attempt alleged by witness Prabhakar Sail. The prosecution claimed the extortion attempt shows Khan’s intent to influence the case—and therefore should be grounds to deny him bail. Even though the person accused of trying to extort Khan is a Narcotics Control Bureau official? Hmm.
Two: While Khan remains in jail, two others who were arrested on the same cruise ship have been released on bail. One had 2.4 grams of ganja on him, while the other consumed narcotics twice. The big difference: Their WhatsApp chats were clean (NDTV)
Three: Speaking of WhatsApp chats, there were new leaks of alleged conversations between Ananya Panday and Khan where he asks her to get him weed. And there is some jokey bit with others about cocaine. More interestingly, NDTV journalist Arvind Gunasekar tweeted that the messages were leaked on “three loose sheets”—of which two were iMessages. But they are being flashed on TV screens with WhatsApp graphics added.
Four: OTOH, there are also more leaked photos of Narcotics Control Board official Sameer Wankhede hanging out with two of the independent witnesses—private detective Kiran Gosavi and BJP worker Manish Bhanusali. Yes, this is that kind of case. (NDTV)
More bad news on climate change
The UN released new data that are being described as a “thundering wake-up call.” Looking at pledges submitted by 120 countries, the report concludes they will only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5% in 2030. What this means: We are on course for global temperatures rising by an apocalyptic 2.7°C this century. Point to note: Ten countries of the G20 including India are on track to achieve their targets. (BBC News)
T20’s first big controversy
Yesterday, South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock defied a directive issued by Cricket South Africa to take the knee in support of Black Lives Matters. He also pulled out of the match against West Indies citing “personal reasons.” FYI: South Africa beat West Indies by eight wickets, while Pakistan defeated England by 31 runs. (The Telegraph)
In more alarming news: The Jammu & Kashmir police have charged several students under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)—for celebrating Pakistan’s win over India. (The Telegraph)
Pixel 6 gets rave reviews
The newest Google phone will hit the market soon, but journalists who got an early look are singing its praises: “with a starting price of just $599, for people thinking about buying a new phone this year… the Pixel 6 is so good you have to seriously ask yourself: Why buy anything else?” Gizmodo offers a detailed review.
Delta’s got a new mutation
Scientists are keeping an eye on a new mutation in the Delta variant. It’s called AY.4.2 and we don’t know if it is more virulent or dangerous than the original. So far, it has been found in 33 countries, including 20 cases in India. Quartz has more on why scientists are wary about this one.
The biggest cities are failing women
That’s the conclusion of a Bloomberg Businessweek analysis of 15 global cities that are major hubs of commerce in their respective regions (no, none of them are in India). The researchers looked at five areas: safety, mobility, maternity provisions, equality, and wealth (earning potential and financial independence). Toronto, Canada, is at #1 while São Paulo, Brazil, was last. Why this is interesting: The research tries to capture the many factors that go into making a city good for women—including physical safety, public transport etc. The report is a long and detailed read but definitely worth your time.
India Today makes the wrong kind of news
One: The TV Today Network—which owns India Today and Aaj Tak—has filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Newslaundry. The claim: Newslaundry videos have infringed on the company’s copyright by using their content. And these also “made untrue, unfair, disparaging as well as maliciously defamatory remarks” about its channels’ news, reporting and news anchors. (Indian Express)
Two: Two journalists have accused India Today TV executive editor Gaurav Sawant of sexually harassing them. Vidya Krishnan claims that he made sexual advances and assaulted her in her hotel room on a work-related road trip. The other Kanika Gahlaut says Sawant “lunged” at her at a conference. Sawant says he’s taking legal action, while India Today said “in no position to comment or investigate the matter since Sawant was not working with the organisation at the time of the incident [with Krishan].” (The Print)
A business park in space?
That’s the big plan unveiled by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin. The 32,000 sq ft commercial space station named Orbital Reef will host up to 10 people—and provide customers with an ideal location for “film-making in microgravity” or “conducting cutting-edge research” and said it would also include a “space hotel.” BBC News has more details. Quartz takes a closer look at whether it’s a smart idea.
The great permafrost peril
A new study warns that the thawing permafrost—underground frozen soil—in the Arctic will unleash more than just methane gas. It will also release radioactive waste and—worse—dangerous bacteria and viruses. Why this matters:
“We have a very small understanding of what kind of extremophiles—microbes that live in lots of different conditions for a long time—have the potential to re-emerge. These are microbes that have coevolved with things like giant sloths or mammoths, and we have no idea what they could do when released into our ecosystems.”
Yet another ad campaign controversy
This time, it’s Dabur’s turn to earn the ire of the protectors of Hinduism. The company’s Karwa Chauth ad shows a lesbian couple celebrating the tradition. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra warned of legal action: “Tomorrow they will show two boys taking pheras and getting married. This is objectionable." A fresh twist: The ad didn’t make liberals happy either—since it supports a patriarchal tradition. No one was giving Dabur any love—and it quickly pulled the ad. A related read: Sandip Roy in News 9 points out the many ironies of the campaign. (Hindu)
Three animal things
One: Scientists have discovered that indris—a large, critically endangered species of lemur—have something in common with humans: A sense of rhythm! The creatures are known for “their distinctive singing, a sound not unlike a set of bagpipes being stepped on”—and often “strike up a song with members of their family either in duets or choruses, featuring sounds from roars to wails.” Well, so they can’t carry a tune 🤷🏽♀️. (The Guardian)
Two: Remember New Zealand’s bird of the year contest? As we noted, this year they included the pekapeka-tou-roa, or long tailed bat, as a nod to its endangered status. Well, no good turn goes unpunished: “It’s winning overall, yeah. Actually, when you look at the number one and number two rankings, it’s not winning by a little. It’s winning by quite a lot.” Brace for full social media outrage when final results are announced. (The Guardian)
Three: Bear the dog received a special award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare for finding and rescuing 100 koalas during the Australian wildfires. Also honoured: Jasper the therapy dog who helped hundreds of frontline workers in the UK. No, we’re not sharing photos of the adorable dogs—despite being sorely tempted. (People)
