Researched by: Aarthi Ramnath, Anannya Parekh & Aakriti Anand
What the F*** Happened Here: Election edition
ICYMI: We now have a twice-weekly newsmagazine show—hosted by our editor Lakshmi Chaudhry. In the latest episode, we ask if this is the end of the Modi era—in a much livelier, light-hearted take.
FYI: The show is a great option when you don’t have time to read us every day. You get a video version of our best stories twice a week. Do check it out and—most importantly—share it with your friends, fam, colleagues, and more. It’s a great cost-free way to introduce someone to splainer—especially if they are text-averse.
Elections 2024: The most interesting bits
One: The latest data indicates foreign investors put in Rs 68.5 billion (6,850 crore) right after the release of exit poll predicting a landslide BJP victory. They pulled out Rs 124.36 billion (12,436 crore) when the actual results were announced. Total outflow for June so far: Rs 181.09 billion (18,109 crore)—though some experts expect it to improve once the coalition government settles in. (Indian Express)
Also this: The stock market collapse on the day after has officially become a political issue—with Rahul Gandhi demanding an independent investigation—naming the Modi-Shah combine as conspirators. The theory is that they encouraged ordinary investors to buy into the market—promising shares would soar on a BJP victory on June 4. This allowed BJP insiders and friends to make a fortune—because they knew better. See the clip below:
Two: This election has not been kind to ‘turncoats’—netas who abandoned their party for the BJP. Of the 110 who jumped ship since 2014 (dawn of Modi), 69 lost in 2024—which is about 62%—of which 38 are ex-Congress leaders. This was especially bad in UP and Maharashtra. (ThePrint)
Three: Not only did the BJP win fewer seats, the size of its victories shrank, as well. It won 224 of its 303 seats in 2019 with more than 50% of votes. That number dropped to 156 in 2024. Also interesting: the party lost the most vote share in states with poor growth in per capita income. Indian Express has loads more granular data.
India is Canada’s Enemy #2
A heavily redacted government report names India as the second biggest foreign threat—after China. To be clear, we are not accused of trying to destroy Canada per se—just its “democratic institutions and processes…through the targeting of Canadian politicians, ethnic media and Indo-Canadian ethnocultural communities.” The last bit about ‘ethnocultural communities’ is undoubtedly code for Canadian Sikhs.
Specifically, the report includes stuff such as this:
- “India has an active proxy, who has proactively looked for ways to further India's interests by monitoring and attempting to influence politicians”
- An Indian proxy "repeatedly transferred funds from India to politicians at all levels of government in return for political favours, including raising issues in Parliament."
- India likely reimbursed "a proxy who had provided funds to candidates of two federal parties.”
- There are "specific examples of members of Parliament who worked to influence their colleagues on India's behalf.”
- A number of MPs "proactively provided confidential information to Indian officials."
CBC News has the most extensive reporting—for Indian coverage see The Print and The Hindu.
Speaking of Canada: It’s also getting tough on streaming platforms—such as Spotify and Netflix. The government announced a new rule which requires them to pay 5% of their revenues generated in the country. This will bring in $200 million in new funding for the Canadian broadcasting system. Needless to say, the streaming companies are not pleased. (Quartz)
War on Gaza: Israeli strike kills many people
Editor’s note: Quite frankly, we’re not sure how to headline Gaza stories any more—which have acquired a certain nauseating monotony. OTOH, flagging important headlines for you is the core part of our JD. So here we go…
An Israeli airstrike killed 45 Palestinians who were sheltering in a UN-run school—which was housing at least 20,000 refugees. Three missiles targeted a three-storey building. The Israeli response:
The Israeli military confirmed it carried out the airstrike, which it said targeted a Hamas compound operating inside the school. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner later told journalists the military was not “aware of any civilian casualties.”
All witness reports—including those of aid workers and journalists—include descriptions of dead women, children and old people. Yes, they used US-made bombs. No, this attack does not cross Washington’s “red line”—whose existence has been widely claimed but not yet confirmed by anyone other than the White House. (CNN)
In other depressing news: A New York Times investigation (splainer gift link) has found that the IDF detained at least 1,200 civilians in appalling conditions—without any recourse to lawyers—in violation of international law:
Eight former detainees, all of whom the military has confirmed were held at the site and who spoke on the record, variously said they had been punched, kicked and beaten with batons, rifle butts and a hand-held metal detector while in custody. One said his ribs were broken after he was kneed in the chest and a second detainee said his ribs broke after he was kicked and beaten with a rifle, an assault that a third detainee said he had witnessed. Seven said they had been forced to wear only a diaper while being interrogated. Three said they had received electric shocks during their interrogations.
According to one Israeli military doctor, the reason for detaining these people was unclear: “One was paraplegic, another weighed roughly 300 pounds and a third had breathed since childhood through a tube inserted into his neck.”
Three key health stories of note
A bird flu death: The World Health Organisation has confirmed the death of the first-recorded patient of the H5N2 variant of the bird flu. A 59-year-old patient in Mexico was exposed to the virus during treatment. The source of the infection remains a mystery—since there is no sign of person-to-person transmission as yet. Point to note: This strain is unrelated to the virus that is infecting cattle in the US. This Big Story has more on the global epidemic of bird flu and why scientists are so concerned. (Reuters)
Getting off antidepressants: Until now, we mostly had anecdotal evidence—or weak research—on what happens when you stop taking antidepressants. A new study is the first to measure the frequency of withdrawal symptoms. According to its results, only 15% suffer from headaches, dizziness, nausea, insomnia etc. And in 3% of the cases, it is severe. This is much lower than previous estimates—which put these numbers at 56% and 25%, respectively. That said, there are lots of caveats and criticisms—which CNN looks at in greater detail.
Environmental impact of meds: A new study has found that the many drugs humans take—legal and illegal–are making animals very, very sick. Examples: brown trout have become addicted to meth, European perch have lost their fear of predators due to depression medication, male starling birds have become more aggressive due to antidepressants, and contraceptive pills have caused a sex reversal in some fish populations.
Here’s how our drugs pollute the environment:
If there is inadequate treatment of pharmaceuticals that are being released during drug production, that’s one way. Another is during use. When a human takes a pill, not all of that drug is broken down inside our bodies and so through our excrement, the effluent is released directly into the environment.
The Guardian has lots more—including examples from India.
Higher rankings for Indian unis
According to the annual QS World University Rankings, two Indian institutions have made it to the top 150—for the first time ever. These are IIT Bombay at #118—which jumped up from #149—and IIT Delhi at #150. Two others made their debut in the top 400: University of Delhi (#328) and Anna University (#388). Another bit of good news:
Boasting 46 universities in this edition of the rankings, the Indian Higher Education system is the seventh most represented globally and the third in Asia, trailing only Japan (49 universities) and China (Mainland) (71 universities).
As for the rest, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) topped the list for the 13th year in a row—followed by Imperial College, London. Oxford and Harvard are tied at #3. (Indian Express)
Speaking of rankings: The best premium airline in the world is… Qatar Airways! The ranking is based on 12 categories—including safety, passenger reviews etc. The others in top five: Korean Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Air New Zealand, and Emirates. FYI: SpiceJet is among the top 25 budget airlines in the world—which says something very alarming about the global state of budget travel. (CNN)
Tokyo gets its own shaadi dot com
The city government has rolled out its very own matrimonial app—to help its residents get hitched and—most importantly—make babies. Japan is in the midst of a population crisis—with a birth rate of 1.20 in 2023. Given its very serious purpose, ‘dating app’ is specifically designed to prevent romantic fekus:
In addition to a photo ID, users will have to provide an income certificate and show they are single through their family register or other official document… On top of that, users will be required to sign a pledge stating that they are using the app to find a marriage partner, rather than seeking a casual relationship.
There are two problems with this grand plan. The government-funded app charges a fee. But more importantly: “67.4% of Tokyo residents who want to get married are not actively looking for a partner.” Of course, the app doesn't address any of the reasons why Japanese women don’t want to get married or have kids. (Asahi)
Two things to see
One: Lok Sabha MP-elect, Kangana Ranaut was slapped by a female CISF constable at the Chandigarh Airport. The trigger for this confrontation: Ranaut’s previous comments disparaging the farmers protest. Kulwinder Kaur’s mother was one of the protesters:
Isne bayaan diya tha na 100-100 rupye ke liye baithi hain vahan pe. Ye baithi thi vahan pe? Meri ma baithi thi vahan pe jab isne bayaan diya tha (She had given a statement that women have joined the farm protests for Rs 100. Was she there? My mother was sitting there).
You can see her below.
The reaction has been split along predictable political lines—though we personally think no one should hit you because of your politics. There are no videos of the slap, you can see the subsequent melee below. (Indian Express)
Two: The Yuntai Waterfall is supposedly the tallest in China. Unfortunately, it may be the tallest story, as well. A hiker posted a video that shows a pipe spewing water—rather than Mother Nature. Response of the park operators: We “made the ‘small enhancement’ during the dry season so visitors would feel that their trip had been worthwhile.” (BBC News)
