Researched and collated by: Prafula Grace Busi, Elisha Benny and Sheya Kurian
Horrific new evidence in airline crash
Earlier this year, a China Eastern plane was cruising at high altitude—when it suddenly nosedived, killing 132 passengers and crew. A preliminary US analysis of the evidence uncovered from the black box shows that someone deliberately crashed the plane: “The plane did what it was told to do by someone in the cockpit.” We don’t know yet if this person was the pilot or someone who broke into the cockpit. Here’s what the airline had to say:
“China Eastern… said no evidence has emerged that could determine whether or not there were any problems with the aircraft involved in the accident. The airline repeated its senior official’s statement from March that the pilots’ health and family conditions were good, and added that their financial status was also in good shape.”
ABC News has more details.
Tory MP arrested for rape
An unnamed Conservative Party leader in the UK has been charged with rape and sexual assault—and is also accused of abusing a position of trust and misconduct in a public office. He has been asked to stay away from the Parliament during the investigation. There are no other details available at this time. (BBC News)
Indians still prefer sons
Data from the National Family Health Survey shows that most of us prefer sons over daughters—except for women in Meghalaya. Married people with a son are less likely to want more children—which isn’t true if they have a daughter. And yet, most Indians still believe an ideal family should include at least one daughter. So she can help mummy in the kitchen perhaps? Indian Express has more numbers and the state-wise breakdown.
The real carbon footprint of companies
A new study takes a different approach to calculating a company’s carbon footprint. Typically, companies look at emissions produced in their own operations and supply chain—and by their products. But what about the money in their bank accounts? The money which banks then lend to fossil fuel companies?
These “financed emissions” can really add up: “When it came to PayPal, Disney, Meta, and Google—companies with relatively small direct carbon footprints and a lot of cash—financed emissions were greater than other carbon-footprint contributors combined.” Why this matters:
“Financial supply chains can be just as important as other supply chains. [These companies] are all racing to zero with the hand brake on, because they’re indirectly investing in the things they’re trying to fight against.”
Uber’s got brand new stuff
At its global product event, the company unveiled a host of new products and features—mainly for US users for now. The Uber Travel feature allows riders to book a ride to and from upcoming events—like flights or restaurant reservations. What caught our eye:
“Interested riders can link their Gmail to their Uber accounts, allowing Uber to get access to any upcoming flight, hotel and restaurant reservations and suggest bookings to get customers there.”
Umm, nah! We’re good. (TechCrunch)
Jake Daniels breaks the football mould
The 17-year-old Blackpool player came out as gay—and made headline news. Until his announcement, Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo was the only openly gay top-flight male professional footballer in the world. CNN explains why Daniels’ decision matters.
Three things to see
One: India is the ‘country of honour’ this year at the Marche du Cinema—a trade show that runs alongside the Cannes film festival. Six Indian films will be screened as part of it. Also adding an Indian touch: Deepika Padukone who is a member of the Cannes jury. Indian Express has more details. See Deepika’s Cannes opening night look below:
Two: Horrified by Pizza Hut’s momo pizza? Say hello to its ‘No. 1 Salted Chicken Pizza in Taiwan’. The toppings include: Taiwanese fried chicken (aka popcorn chicken), Oreo biscuits, and fried squid rings. It looks positively frightening. (Sora News)
Three: Royal Windsor Horse Show ended with a grand celebration to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year-reign. In attendance, Helen Mirren all dressed up like the queen—and oddly enough, Tom Cruise (watch him here). Also a good moment: the maharani merrily touching up her lipstick in the middle (see it here). Apparently, she does this a lot. See Mirren below:
A shout out for a GatherSisters series
Editor’s note: The good people of GatherSisters reached out to us asking if we’d publish an announcement for their 10-part series about women and their encounters with systems that they’re trying to change. And we’re happy to do so. In other words, this is not paid content:)
We're launching 'Resistance: A Series on Change & How it Happens' on Friday, May 20. It's a deeply thought through 10-part series that centers women and their encounters with the systems they're trying to change. Our speakers list is phenomenal, as are our hosts—Amrita Johri & Gopika Bashi.
We've partnered with 'Deaf Women Too' a brilliant feminist consciousness raising initiative by a group of young deaf women. More here.
The series will begin by covering stories and strategies, art and social movements, bearing witness as resistance (with three journalists with extraordinary stories of speaking truth to power). Then we'll hear from women and gender diverse people working for Trans liberation, Anganwadi & other frontline workers, women in the farmers movement, right to information and transparency, anti-caste social reformation and more.
The series finale is a live performance by women poets and singers who use their voice and art for social change.
When: Fridays, at 6:00 pm, starting May 22 2022
Open to: Those who identify as women, trans & gender-nonconforming. You can register here.
Note: The series is Indian Sign Language accessible
Good stuff to check out!
On the latest episode of the splainer podcast ‘Press Decode’, the splainer team looks at why the South loves to hate on Hindi—and why India is so crap at meeting the needs of the differently abled. Be sure to head over to the IVM website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts to listen to it.
