Researched and collated by: Vagda Galhotra, Prafula Grace Busi, Sheya Kurian, Anagha Srinivasan & Devaki Divan
Splainer is hiring!
We are hiring for a key position in our editorial team to join the brilliantly talented splainer fam. The job includes daily editorial responsibilities, co-hosting our podcast plus working closely with our brand partners. Unlike the average newsroom gig, this is a lot more than the standard writing/editing job. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Impeccable writing, editing and researching skills—with a big emphasis on the last bit. We pride ourselves on the quality of information we offer our readers.
- 1-2 years of experience—though not necessarily in journalism. But if you don’t have a passion for news this is likely not the job for you.
- A knowledge of and love for splainer is a huge plus—since we’re not the usual news product.
- Willingness to work in a startup environment where we all do a bit of everything—and are eager to take initiative and responsibility.
Please note there is a six-month probation period—and the job includes ESOP incentives after the first year. We are location-agnostic and an equal opportunity employer. And we pride ourselves on a warm, friendly work culture. Please send your resumes and cover letter—telling us why you want this job—to talktous@splainer.in.
Afghanistan earthquake kills 1000
A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck 44 km from the southeastern city of Khost—near the border with Pakistan. The latest casualty count is 1,000—and 1,500 have been injured. But those numbers will rise as search and rescue efforts continue. This calamity comes as almost half the country's population—20 million people—are experiencing acute hunger thanks to sanctions. Tremors were felt as far as Iran and India though no casualties have been reported as yet. CNN has more details.
Shanghai is #1 for IPOs
According to a new report, Shanghai Stock Exchange is now the world’s #1 venue to make a stock market debut—toppling Nasdaq and Hong Kong. The reason: Many big Chinese companies delisted themselves in the US, and switched to Shanghai. A total of 68 IPOs helped fundraising hit US$32.4 billion—a jump of 49% from last year—when Shanghai was a lowly #4. (South China Morning Post)
Polio virus found in London
This headline sounds a lot more alarming than the facts. For the first time, health officials have found the virus in a cluster of samples—taken from the sewage system. And it was likely shed by someone who was immunised abroad with the live oral polio vaccine. In rare cases, the virus can be transmitted to others and mutate into what is known as “vaccine-derived” polio. But there have been no reports of cases or symptoms. For now, authorities are urging everyone to make sure they’ve taken the vaccine. (BBC News)
Also not dangerous, but creepy: Mites that live on your face. Scientists have discovered new things about Demodex folliculorum—a skin mite that lives on your face:
“These stubby worm-shaped critters live for two to three weeks, all the while embedded in our pores, clinging to our hair follicles, and primarily feeding off our sebum, the oily substance provided by our body to protect and moisturize the skin.”
Yes, they also poop and mate while they hang out in our pores. But what’s really interesting is that they’ve become increasingly lazy—genetically speaking—as a result of mooching off humans. And one day, these mites may become fully absorbed inside the human body. (Gizmodo)
The high price of fresh salmon
Bakkafrost is under fire for buying a Boeing 757 for the sole purpose of flying fresh fish across the Atlantic—to its customers in Manhattan. It is being converted into a flying fridge that can carry 35 tonnes of fresh, chilled salmon at zero degrees. But environmentalists are unhappy and here’s why:
“Fresh seafood such as salmon, tuna and lobster is often flown across the globe rather than being frozen or super-chilled for transport by ship. Campaigners calculate that flying salmon fillets from Scandinavia to the US produces 17 times more CO2 than travel by boat.”
But Bakkafrost insists direct flights will cut the firm’s CO2 emissions from air freight by 45%. (The Guardian)
Have wheat? Buy house!
A desperate property developer put out an ad targeting farmers—offering to accept payments in wheat for up to $23,900. This came on the heels of a similar offer to accept garlic. The desperation is a measure of the tanking Chinese real estate market—which has been hard hit by repeated Covid lockdowns this year. (Reuters)
Four things to see
One: Harry Styles has designed a new collection for Gucci called ‘Gucci HA HA HA’—and apparently it reflects “playful nostalgia for 1970s bohemia.” If folks plan to shell out big bucks to pick up any of these outfits, all we can say is ‘ha ha!’ (GQ)
Two: Rising anti-India sentiment in Maldives (which we explained here) was on full display at a Yoga Day event organised by the Indian High Commission. A mob armed with sticks and flags burst into the stadium—and were likely goons organised by former Maldives President Yameen—who is spearheading an India Out campaign. (Scroll)
Three: This is a bit gruesome and very sad. In 1961, the first legally elected prime minister of Congo—Patrice Lumumba—was assassinated with the secret support of the Belgian government. He was shot dead—his body hacked to pieces—and dissolved in acid. All that remained was a gold tooth—which was taken as a memento by then Belgian police commissioner Gerard Soete who supervised the operation. That tooth was returned to his family in a ceremony in Brussels. The Guardian has more on Lumumba’s killing.
Four: We love it when legendary, mostly forgotten artists from the past suddenly get a second wind. Like Kate Bush whose 1985 hit ‘Running Up That Hill’ is at #1 on the Billboard charts thanks to the Netflix show ‘Stranger Things.’ (BBC News)
