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

A new shopping mall in India's Lucknow city is at the centre of a communal row. Right-wing groups claim Muslim men tried to stoke tensions by offering prayers inside the mall. Palki Sharma tells you how this episode reflects poorly on India's business-friendly image.

Gravitas: Lulu mall row hurting India's business-friendly image?

When was the last time you texted your friend just like that? Research shows checking-in on people can be extremely meaningful. An unexpected 'Hello', or 'How are you?' can make a person feel valued, happy. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: A case for texting a friend

The US is racing to develop hypersonic missiles. Russia & China are the only two countries that possess them. Department of Defense US feels Washington is lagging behind. What are hypersonic missiles? How fast are they? Which countries are developing them? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Which countries have Hypersonic missiles?

Local governments in China face a funding gap of almost $1 trillion. With traditional sources exhausted, officials are turning to "amateur investors" and raising money on WeChat. Palki Sharma tells you more about China's funding crunch.

Gravitas: Chinese local governments run out of cash

PTI has decimated PML(N) in Punjab By-Elections. Imran Khan's PTI party has won 15 out of 20 seats. Shehbaz Sharif's son Hamza Shahbaz Sharif will have to step down as CM. Sharif's other son Suleman Sharif has been declared a 'proclaimed offender'. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: PTI decimates PML-N in Punjab Assembly Bypolls

Gulf states refused to increase oil production despite a nudge from US President Joe Biden. Oil prices topped $100 per barrel after the snub by Saudi Arabia and its gulf allies. Palki Sharma recaps Biden's West Asia misfire.

Gravitas: Oil rises after Biden's West Asia trip

The UK heatwave is breaking all records. Schools have been shut, trains are running slower. Meanwhile, political temperatures are rising too. The TV debates for 10D are exposing divisions within the Conservative Party. Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: UK is sweltering under record high temperatures

July 18 is marked as Nelson Mandela International Day. Mandela was South Africa's first democratically-elected President, he fought against Apartheid and changed the trajectory of South Africa. Listen in to Palki Sharma.

Gravitas: Nelson Mandela International Day

30 green sea turtles were stabbed in Japan. Nearly half a million animals were killed during lab tests in Belgium. UN report says 1 million species could become extinct because. Palki Sharma tells you why you must act now.

Gravitas: UN Report: 1 Million species on track to extinction

Netflix is all set to publish its earnings report for the second quarter of 2022. The results could determine the company's future at a time when it is losing share value and subscribers. Palki Sharma decodes Netflix's 2022 nightmare.

Gravitas: Why is Netflix losing subscribers?

Sri Lanka's acting President Ranil Wickrenesinghe declared an emergency to tackle widespread protests against his government. How does the emergency empower the government? Will it backfire? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Sri Lanka declares emergency to contain protests

Last week, the Hindu community in Bangladesh was targeted again. A temple and several houses of Hindus were vandalised in southwestern Bangladesh. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Angry mob targets Hindus again in Bangladesh

An elephant and her calf were rescued from a manhole in Thailand in a dramatic operation. The calf had fallen into the manhole, and the mother had refused to leave her baby's side, she had to be tranquilised. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Thailand: Elephant and her calf rescued in a dramatic operation

In China, a major financial crisis is unfolding. Chinese citizens in 86 cities are boycotting mortgage payments towards their homes. Chinese censors are erasing documents about this boycott. Palki Sharma tells you why.

Gravitas: Chinese citizens boycott mortgages in 86 cities

Israel and Saudi Arabia are taking steps towards normalisation of ties. Today, Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to Israeli planes. Meanwhile, Israel has given its nod to settle a long-standing dispute. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Israel-Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic ties?

The Madras High Court has observed that removal of Mangalsutra by wife is mental cruelty of the highest order. Would you agree? Is Mangalsutra even mandatory? Listen in to Palki Sharma.

Gravitas: Madras High Court: Removing Mangalsutra is mental cruelty

Joe Biden reaffirmed his support for the two-state solution during his visit to East Jerusalem and Bethlehem. But, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned that the window to implement the peace plan was closing fast. Palki Sharma decodes Biden's Palestine policy.

Gravitas: Joe Biden visits Palestine, promises $100 million aid

US House of Representatives has approved a sanctions waiver for India over its purchase of Russian S-400 missiles in 2018. What is the political implication of this move? What does it say about India's strategic importance? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: US House approves CAATSA sanctions waiver for India

Finance ministers of the G20 are meeting in Bali amid fears of a global recession. Their last meeting in April ended in failure after western leaders walked out to protest Russia's participation. Will this meeting be any different? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: G20 finance ministers huddle amid recession fears

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as Sri Lanka's President. The protests have turned into celebrations. But, will they be be short-lived? Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken over as acting-President for 5 days. A new President will be appointed on July 20. Will the new leader be accepted? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's President

Pakistan has reached an agreement with the IMF for a $6 billion loan. As soon as the deal was struck, Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif slashed petrol & diesel prices. Did Islamabad jump the gun? Palki Sharma reports.

Gravitas: Pak-IMF reach agreement for $6 billion loan

India will auction 5G spectrum soon. But Chinese companies won't be able to supply 5G gear to Indian companies. Chinese firms now face a "de-facto ban" in India. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: De-facto ban on Chinese 5G players