This Week in Explainers: Shefali Jariwala’s death and the dark side of brightening treatments

It’s been a big week for Indian diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an eight-day tour across five nations. He will be heading to Brazil for the Brics Summit today (July 5) and then concluding this trip in Namibia on Wednesday (July 9).

India is also in talks with the US for a trade deal. While Donald Trump has hinted that the two sides are close to sealing the pact, New Delhi is reportedly looking for concessions. It remains to be seen what happens before the US president’s July 9 deadline.

In defence news, the INS Tamal , India’s last foreign-made frigate, got commissioned this week. There were also reports that the US-made Apache helicopters will be delivered this month. That’s not all. India is also likely to develop its own bunker-buster missiles, similar to the ones the US used to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.

As far as crime goes, the case of the gang-rape of a student at a Kolkata law college continues to unravel. Four people have been arrested so far. Investigation reveals that the main accused, Monojit Mishra, was a serial offender, having targeted other women on campus.

Another heartbreaking story from India was the death of Shefali Jariwala of the “Kaanta Laga” fame. It has put the spotlight on anti-ageing and other cosmetic treatments and their side effects.

We talk about all this and more in our weekly roundup of stories about India.

1. It’s another busy week for PM Narendra Modi. He is on his longest diplomatic tour in more than a decade, visiting five nations over three days – Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia. The PM is now in the second leg of the trip; he will be spending four days in Brazil during which he will attend the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro. Here is why these nations matter to India .

2. Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline for tariffs is nearing. The US president said earlier in the week that the deal with India will be sealed soon with “much less tariffs”. However, the talks are ongoing, with reports that India’s negotiators are pushing back. How is the pact shaping up? And what’s the deadlock about? We explain.

3. China continues to poke India. This time, it appears to be coming in the way of Apple’s big “Make in India” push. As plans to ramp up production of the next iPhone are taking shape, hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians working at Foxconn factories in southern India have exited. So what’s really going on? Is this Beijing’s way to thwart India’s growth as a manufacturing hub?

4. With a volatile neighbourhood, India is going big on defence. It’s looking at developing high-powered missiles with bunker-buster capabilities, similar to the one the US used to attack nuclear sites in Iran. Here’s how the new variant of Agni-5 missile will be designed.

5. Investigations into the gang-rape of a student at the South Calcutta Law College reveal shocking details. The main accused, Monojit Mishra, is a serial offender – he not only harassed women but also threatened teachers and beat up a security guard.

Mishra reportedly targeted the survivor from her first day in college. Here’s how the gang-rape was planned .

6. A shocking story came from Karnataka. There have been more than 20 deaths over the past 40 days in Hassan, involving young or middle-aged people. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has hinted at a possible link with Covid-19 vaccines . Is there a reason to be alarmed?

7. Shefali Jariwala’s death grabbed headlines across India this week. After all, the model-actor was only 42. Her demise put the spotlight on the unregulated industry of anti-ageing and beauty treatments. Reports suggest that Jariwala took glutathione injections. What are these shots that promise skin brightening? And are they safe?

That’s our recommendation list that should keep you up to date with news related to India. If you like the way we take a deep dive into stories that matter, come back to this page for more.