The swearing-in of a new cabinet was overshadowed by a pre-dawn crackdown on protesters in Sri Lanka. Beyond angry protesters, President Ranil Wickremesinghe faces another challenge - hidden Chinese loans. Can Wickremesinghe stabilise Sri Lanka? Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Hidden Chinese loans complicates Sri Lanka's bailout

Are Mussolini Loyalists set to rule Italy? After PM Mario Draghi's resignation, a party of Mussolini nostalgists is leading the opinion polls. One of this party's lawmaker is Rachele Mussolini, the grand-daughter of Mussolini. Can this party come to power? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Mussolini Loyalists eye power in Italy

US officials believe Russia is losing ground in the global arms market. Battlefield losses are forcing Russia to spend more resources replenishing its own arsenal. What does this mean for Russia's position in the global arms trade? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Russia losing ground in global arms market?

At least 12 countries have opposed the European Union's proposal to cut gas consumption by 15%. Hungary's foreign minister visited Moscow seeking more gas shipments from Russia. Palki Sharma tells you how Putin's gas war is dividing Europe.

Gravitas: Putin's gas war divides Europe

HSBC has formed a Communist Party committee at its investment banking venture in China. British lawmakers are criticizing the bank. Palki Sharma tells you why the move is concerning.

Gravitas: HSBC installs Chinese Communist Party Committee

Have you heard about heatflation? It is inflation driven by heat. Heatflation is already affecting Europe and China, it may also be silently affecting you. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: What is Heatflation? Is it affecting you?

Russia wants to extend and expand its war in Ukraine. The US claims that Moscow wants to annex parts of Southern Ukraine. Palki Sharma tells you about Russia's plans.

Gravitas: Russia plans to extend and expand Ukraine war

According to western intel reports, Russia is looking to secure military assistance from Iran and China. Is the mighty Russian war machine running out of firepower? What does it mean for countries purchasing arms from Russia? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Russia running out of weapons in Ukraine?

Russia resumed gas supplies to Europe, but at a lower capacity. Moscow has warned that Western sanctions could affect its ability to supply gas. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said - Russia is blackmailing us. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Europe: Russia is blackmailing us

The Black Sea blockade has stranded more than 25 million tonnes of food grain at Ukrainian storage sites. The supply strangle is pushing millions of people in southern and western Africa into food insecurity. Palki Sharma tells you why Ukraine & Russia must immediately resume grain exports.

Gravitas: Ukraine war could trigger global hunger crisis

The race to 10 Downing Street has boiled down to 2 candidates. Rishi Sunak & Liz Truss. Who is Liz Truss? What's her story? Can she become UK'S next Prime Minister? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: The story of Liz Truss

As Ranil Wickremesinghe takes charge as Sri Lanka's new President, the chief of CIA has blamed Lanka's 'dumb bets' on China for the ongoing economic crisis. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: CIA chief blames Lanka's 'dumb bets' for crisis

A British study has found that one-in-four children are on weight loss diets in the UK. 13% of them are cutting down on food despite being in the 'healthy' weight category. Palki Sharma tells you why this diet obsession is more about body image issues than health goals.

Gravitas: Study finds more children on weight loss diets

Droupadi Murmu has been elected as the 15th President of India. A tribal leader from Odisha, she's the second woman to hold the country's highest constitutional post. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Meet Droupadi Murmu: India's new President

Protests against China's banking system are growing. An unverified video is going viral. It allegedly shows military tanks guarding a local bank in a Chinese city. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Did China bring out tanks to crush protesters?

Russian President Vladimir Putin has won Iran's support for his invasion into Ukraine. Russia and Iran have also signed a $40 billion energy pact. How will the Russia-Iran relationship change West Asia? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Putin scores a big win against America

The European Union is planning to unfreeze Russian bank assets to ease global food supply bottlenecks. Canada is violating western sanctions to send turbines to Russia's Gazprom. Palki Sharma tells you how the west is diluting its own sanctions.

Gravitas: How Europe is sidestepping its own sanctions

European Commission has unveiled a 'joint weapon-purchase' proposal. The $500 Million plan will help European countries buy weapons as a group. What explains this shift? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: EU unveils 'joint weapon-purchase plan'

Sri Lankan lawmakers have elected Ranil Wickremesinghe as the country's president. Disappointed protesters hit the streets, promising to continue the pressure campaign against him. Palki Sharma decodes Wickremesinghe's rise from election defeat in 2020 to presidency in 2022.

Gravitas: Protests follow Wickremesinghe's election as President

In its desperation to contain the Wuhan virus surge, Chinese officials are forcing citizens to wear "electronic handcuffs" and breaking into homes to search for possible close contacts of patients. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: China's struggle to tame Wuhan Virus surge

This September, NASA will execute an exciting mission. It will try to deflect an asteroid through kinetic impact & change its orbit. The mission is called 'DART'. It will help develop the world's first 'planetary defence system'. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: NASA plans to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid: Here's Why

Europe is in the grip of a climate emergency. Temperatures are soaring, wildfires are spreading. 510 people have died due to heat in Spain. 1,000 lives have been lost in Portugal. In London, firefighters say they have been never been this busy since World War 2. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Climate Emergency in Europe

A new book has revealed startling claims linking the CIA to the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Homi J Bhabha. Did US spies assassinate the Indian leadership to derail the country's nuclear programme? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Did the CIA kill Lal Bahadur Shastri?

Rishi Sunak will face Liz Truss in the final round of the Conservative leadership contest. An opinion polls claims Sunak could lose the final round. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Why Sunak could lose conservative leadership contest

Vladimir Putin visited Iran for his second foreign trip since the war broke out in Ukraine. The Russian president is expected to discuss the Syrian war, western sanctions and arms trade with the leaders of Iran and Turkey. Palki Sharma decodes Putin's objectives in West Asia.

Gravitas: Putin visits Iran as Ukraine war intensifies

The rupee sunk to a record low of 80 per US dollar today. For seven straight sessions, the rupee has been hitting record lows. Should you be worried? How can India stabilise the rupee? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: How will India stabilise the rupee?

Is Iran selling drones to Russia? Reports claim, Moscow is eyeing Iranian drones to gain an edge over Ukraine. The U.S. NSA claims Tehran could sell as many as 300 drones to Kremlin. How true is the assertion? Palki Sharma reports.  

Gravitas: Is Kremlin eyeing Iranian drones?

Russia's energy giant Gazprom says it cannot guarantee future gas shipments to Europe. Without exports from Russia, Europe may have to ration energy supply in the upcoming winter season. Palki Sharma tells you more about Putin's energy warfare.

Gravitas: Europe braces for tough winter as Russian gas disrupted

China has warned that it would take "forceful measures" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi travels to Taiwan. Earlier, the US approved an arms sale to Taiwan worth over $100 million. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: China threatens the US with 'forceful measures'

UK has reported its hottest day on record. It is 40 degrees in London, runways have melted, people have rushed to the nearest waterbody. Almost 97% of homes in UK don't have ACs. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: At 40 degrees, record heat melts UK

Lankan MPs will be electing the country's next President on July 20. Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe is running for office. It's a three-way race. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka set to elect a new President