The top leadership of the Communist Party is meeting. Xi Jinping is using the opportunity to lay the groundwork for a third term. This push comes at a time when the PLA is making aggressive moves. Molly Gambhir decodes Xi Jinping's bid for a third term.

Gravitas | Third term for Xi Jinping: Will it raise the threat of war?

How long with Imran Khan's government last? Pakistan's Prime Minister is facing ouster calls after severing ties with the military, losing to extremists and failing to control record inflation. Molly Gambhir brings you the details.

Gravitas: Troubles mount for Imran Khan

China has asked its people to stock up on household supplies without telling them why. Is China heading into a nationwide lockdown? Is it expecting tensions with Taiwan to blow up? Or is there something more serious that Beijing is hiding from its people and the world? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Panic buying in China

Delhi woke up under a blanket of pollution. People blamed Diwali firecrackers for the severe smog. Data show that stubble burning contributed 36% to the pollution. Palki Sharma tells you it is easy for leaders to single out firecrackers instead of calling out stubble burning.

Gravitas | Delhi Pollution: Stubble burning to be blamed?

Australia has postponed a one-off test match with Afghanistan. The decision was taken amid concerns about women's cricket under the Taliban. Palki Sharma tells you how Australia is taking a stand against the Taliban.

Gravitas: Cricket Australia calls off test match with Afghanistan

The US has approved a $650 million weapon sale to Saudi Arabia. After setbacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US faces a crisis of credibility in West Asia. Palki Sharma tells you how the Biden administration is trying to rebuild trust with allies in West Asia.

Gravitas: Biden faces a crisis of credibility in West Asia

Satellite images show a Russian military buildup near the Ukraine border. Vladimir Putin marked National Unity Day in Sevastopol & declared 'Crimea will forever be part of Russia'. Palki Sharma gets you a detailed report.

Gravitas: Putin says 'Crimea will forever be part of Russia'

As China escalates tensions around the Taiwan strait, an alliance of democracies is standing up to help Taipei. Palki Sharma tells you how the US, India and the European Union are deepening their ties with Taiwan to neutralise the military threat from China.

Gravitas: Taiwan gets the backing of an alliance of democracies

Was Pfizer's Wuhan Virus vaccine trial compromised? A whistleblower who worked for the company hired to run the trial spotted several lapses. She was allegedly fired after she sent a complaint to US FDA. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Was Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine trial "compromised"?

A state of Emergency has been declared in Ethiopia, as rebel forces march towards the capital. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed has promised to 'bury the enemy'. The rebels say their forces are 'unstoppable'. Why is Ethiopia at war with itself? Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Why is Ethiopia at war with itself?

U.S. is introducing a bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday, If passed, 5 Mn Indian Americans will have the chance to celebrate Diwali thousands of miles away from home. Diwali is already a national holiday in many countries. Palki Sharma tells you about the soft power of Diwali.

Gravitas: The soft power of Diwali

Kim Jong Un has coined "Kimjongunism" - a new ideology for North Korea. The North Korean leader has reportedly removed portraits of his father and grandfather, in an effort to break away from the shadow of his ancestors. Palki Sharma decodes Kim Jong Un's latest moves.

Gravitas: Kim Jong Un coins a new ideology for North Korea

A rare #MeToo allegation has ignited a firestorm in China. Tennis Star Peng Shuai has accused a former Vice Premier of sexual assault on Weibo. Chinese censors have hidden Peng's account. Conversations around the allegations are being blocked. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: China censors Tennis Star for accusing top leader of sexual assault tag Peng Shuai

A new report claims that British officials held a secret meeting with a 'conversion therapy group'. Conversion therapy is a practice that seeks to change the sexual behavior of homosexuals. Is UK trying to mainstream it? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Did British Officials secretly meet a Conversion Therapy group?

Is Recep Tayyip Erdogan not keeping well? The Turkish President appears unwell in several viral videos. Ankara has launched a probe against 30 people for suggesting Erdogan has died. What's the truth about Erdogan's health? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Is Recep Tayyip Erdogan not keeping well?

The Pakistan govt has lifted the ban on Tehreek-E-Labbaik, allowing the group to contest elections. The TLP enjoys widespread support in Pakistan. How could this compromise prove risky for Imran Khan? Palki Sharma explains

Gravitas: Pakistan lifts ban on TLP, allows radical outfit to contest polls

654 days and counting. Xi Jinping hasn't left China in 21 months. A report claims the Chinese officials are "preoccupied" with protecting Xi's health. Is the Chinese president not keeping well or just hiding from the world? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Why Xi Jinping is missing from the world stage

In 2020, more Indians died of suicide than the Wuhan Virus. Data shows family problems were the leading cause of suicide. Daily wage earners and housewives made up the largest share of total suicides. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: More Indians died of suicide than of Covid-19 in 2020

One person tested positive in Shanghai. In response, Chinese officials locked down the Shanghai Disneyland and tested 34,000 visitors. The tests came back negative. So, what did this stunt achieve? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: China locks down Shanghai Disneyland after one Covid case

A man dressed as the Joker went around attacking passengers on a Tokyo-bound train before setting a compartment on fire. This happened on Halloween. The 24-year-old man said he wanted to kill 'lots of people' in order to secure the death sentence. Palki Sharma brings you the twisted story.

Gravitas | Japan: 24-year-old man dressed as joker attacks passengers on Tokyo train

The Sri-Lanka China friendship is on the rocks. Colombo has suspended a $42 million fertilizer deal with China due to 'bacteria contamination'. Beijing has responding by black-listing the People's Bank of Sri Lanka. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Why has China black-listed a Sri Lankan bank?

Joe Biden was caught taking a 'quick nap'. Greta Thunberg was filmed swearing at world leaders. Israeli Minister Karine Elharrar was unable to attend due to no wheelchair access & India has set a 2070 net zero target. Palki Sharma gets you highlights from Day 1 of COP26.

Gravitas | COP26: India sets 2070 Net Zero Target

The Apex Court in Greece has banned Halal & Kosher slaughter of livestock calling them 'inhumane'. What do the concepts really mean? Is the ban politically motivated? Which countries have banned them? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Halal & Kosher slaughter banned in Greece

A fatwa has been issued against cryptocurrency in Indonesia. The country's top religious body has equated it with gambling & declared it 'haram' or forbidden. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas | Indonesia: Fatwa issued against Cryptocurrency

What did the G20 summit achieve? Leaders of at least four countries skipped the summit. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was given the cold shoulder. While the rest of the leaders failed to reach an agreement on key issues. Palki Sharma brings you a recap.

Gravitas: Bolsonaro bumped off the family photo at G20?

People in North Korea are starving. Kim Jong Un has come up with a bizarre solution. Pyongyang wants North Koreans to eat black swans. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Pyongyang wants North Koreans to eat black swan

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Australian PM Scott Morrison of lying about a submarine contract. France is also engaged in a 'fishing row' with the U.K. Why is Macron picking fights with his allies? Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Macron accuses Scott Morrisson of lying

Will the Islamic State rebuild its caliphate in India's backyard? The ISIS-K in Afghanistan is now recruiting former Afghan soldiers. Palki Sharma tells you America's botched exit ended up feeding the ISIS-K

Gravitas: Will the Islamic State rebuild its caliphate in India's backyard?

Is Pakistan headed towards another coup? The Pak government has upset the Pakistan Army by interfering in its affairs. How will the tussle end? Palki Sharma gets a recap of Pakistani history for Imran Khan.

Gravitas: Is Pakistan headed towards another coup?

World Leaders have assembled in Glasgow for COP26. 400 Private jets have landed, producing 13,000 tonnes of CO2. Is this climate action or climate hypocrisy? Here's what Palki Sharma has to say.

Gravitas | COP26: Climate action or climate hypocrisy?

Wikipedia has banned 7 Chinese 'editors' for manipulating information critical of China. The move has raised questions on the credibility of Wikipedia. How reliable is it? How easy is it to manipulate information? Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: Wikipedia bans Chinese editors for 'manipulation'

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