Researched and collated by: Vagda Galhotra, Sheya Kurian & Anagha Srinivasan
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.
A horrific hate crime in Rajasthan
Two Muslim men hacked a tailor to death inside his shop in Udaipur for insulting the Prophet—and posted a video boasting about it (watch it here). Three weeks ago, the victim was arrested for allegedly hurting religious feelings—and had been out on bail. And he had asked for police protection after receiving death threats—but did not receive any. The police claim that the two communities had come to an amicable agreement. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Rajasthan for a month—and Internet services have been cut for 24 hours. (Indian Express)
Mohammed Zubair’s arrest: The latest update
The Alt News co-founder was arrested on charges of promoting enmity and hurting religious feelings—and will now spend an additional four days in police custody. The reason: It gives the police time to take Zubair to his Bangalore home to recover the laptop from which he posted the tweet. The police also claim—in unverified media reports—that Zubair’s bank account revealed transactions over 50 lakh in the last few days. Alt News’ other co-founder debunked the claim:
“Absolutely lies. Police is linking donations received by Alt News to Zubair. All the money that Alt News receives goes to the organisations bank and not any individuals. The bank statement of Zubair's personal account of which I have a copy debunks this falsehood.”
Gruesome migrant deaths in Texas
At least 51 migrants died after being abandoned in the back of a tractor-trailer. The victims included 27 Mexicans, three Guatemalans and four Hondurans. Many were already dead when they were discovered in a state of extreme heat exhaustion—without water or air conditioning. It isn’t clear how long they had been left there. Three suspects have been detained and two of them have been charged as of now.
Mukesh-bhai hands over the baton
In an unexpected move, Mukesh Ambani stepped down from the board of Reliance Jio Infocomm—the biz empire’s telecom arm—and handed over the reins to his son, Akash, who was appointed chairman. According to Mint, this “is the first official signal that succession planning is underway at Reliance”—but Papa Ambani still holds all the reins as chairman of the parent company Jio Platforms. The other two kids—Isha and Anant—are slated to inherit the retail and new energy initiatives, respectively. Mint and The Telegraph have more details.
Social media crackdown on abortion pills
Facebook and Instagram are removing posts that offer abortion meds to women who may not be able to access them—thanks to the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned abortion rights in the US (explained here). But here’s what’s truly damning:
“On Monday, an AP reporter tested how the company would respond to a similar post on Facebook, writing: ‘If you send me your address, I will mail you abortion pills.’ The post was removed within one minute…Yet, when the AP reporter made the same exact post but swapped out the words ‘abortion pills’ for ‘a gun,’ the post remained untouched. A post with the same exact offer to mail ‘weed’ was also left up and not considered a violation.”
Meanwhile, over at WhatsApp: The company is working on a new tool that allows you to quietly sneak out of a group—without anyone being notified. Yess! (The Hindu)
Your friends smell good!
An Israeli study found that people who instantly ‘clicked’ with one another also smelled like one another. They found that body odours of your pals are more similar than that of strangers—proving that we are all animals at heart:
“I think it’s a reminder for us humans to appreciate how much we’re similar to other mammals. [Taking] inspiration from other animals and the amazing mechanisms that they have can really help us understand what [causes] social bonding and what doesn’t.”
Scientific American has more details.
In another important study: researchers found that weed users are nearly 25% more likely to need emergency care and hospitalisation. The leading cause: Physical bodily injury, followed by respiratory issues. Something to note: A 2021 study found teenagers are twice as likely to report “wheezing or whistling” in the chest after vaping marijuana than after smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes. (CNN)
In other health-related news: The American Association of Paediatrics now recommends breastfeeding infants for two years or more—up from the previous recommendation of one year. But it also acknowledged the difficulties in following its guidelines—and the need for paid leave, more support for breastfeeding in public and at work and child care facilities. And paediatricians say none of this should add pressure on already guilt-ridden moms:
“‘But I also want to say to parents that it’s not as though you are mandated to provide breast milk, and that you are a failure if you don’t.’ He added that babies can thrive on breast milk, baby formula or a combination of both, and that what matters most is parents’ ability to ‘lovingly provide nutrition’ to their children.”
Something to see
Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin put on an impromptu performance at a pub in Somerset—where he stopped to grab a drink. (BBC News)
Good stuff to check out!
On the latest episode of the splainer podcast ‘Press Decode.’ the team looks at non-consensual sex videos on Pornhub—and wildlife trafficking in India. Be sure to head over to the IVM website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts to listen to it.
