This Week In Explainers: Should the world worry as ‘mystery illness’ sweeps China?

For many around the world, this week seems to be one of déjà vu. A mystery illness in China – sounds familiar – has sent thousands of children to the hospital. The rise of a charismatic nationalist in Europe has caused a massive political earthquake in Netherlands and left much of the continent stunned. In Israel, while the war with Hamas continues to drag on interminably, the release of hostages has given many a glimmer of hope that the end is near. We take you behind the scenes of the hostage deal as well as provide a look at the Israeli Defense Forces’ spy wing operating behind enemy lines in Gaza. Meanwhile, OpenAI, one of the most cutting-edge tech companies in the world, was thrown into chaos after the ouster of its CEO Sam Altman. Altman, who was quickly snapped up by Microsoft and Satya Nadella, was in an incredible turn of events, rehired by OpenAI after an employee revolt. All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers. 1. Across the world, many had the same thought. Another mystery illness out of China? It can’t be.

No, not again.

But in fact, a pneumonia outbreak has indeed left hospitals in many Chinese cities “overwhelmed with sick children." This article takes a close look at the rising cases across China , how scientists and epidemiologist are sounding the alarm, the current line from Beijing, what the WHO is saying and if the world needs to worry.

2. Europe has seen the ascent of yet another nationalist politician. Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom netted 35 seats in the 150-seat Lower House of Parliament – more than doubling its previous tally. The man who is often described as the Dutch Donald Trump has vowed to return “the Netherlands to the Dutch.” This piece examines Wilder, his anti-Muslim and stridently anti-immigrant policies and what is likely to happen next in the Netherlands. 3. Israel has taken much flak for its operations in Gaza. The country has insisted that Hamas is using hospitals to hide its terror facilities and that its chief Yahya Sinwar is hiding “like a little Hitler in a bunker” inside a Gaza tunnel. [caption id=“attachment_13413522” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Israel Defense Forces’ spy Unit 504 has worked with combat troops in Gaza and helped expose the use of hospitals by Hamas. Image courtesy: @IDFSpokesperson/X[/caption] This article takes a look at Israeli Defense Forces’ Unit 504 – which is on the frontlines of Israel’s ground war in Gaza – and how it has played a key role in laying bare Hamas’ use of hospitals as a shield for its terrorist operations. 4. By now, some of the hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October attack have been returned to the loving arms of their families.

But making the deal between the two warring sides was no easy feat.

This piece lays out how the deal was eventually reached, its terms, what either side wanted and what they received as well as the instrumental role played by Qatar and to a lesser extent the United States. 5. What just happened at OpenAI? That’s what the entire tech world is asking after the company fired and then rehired its CEO Sam Altman. The very public defenestration of Altman, the man whom many in the tech and finance world see as the face of the AI boom, was truly shocking. Equally shocking was news that an agreement had been reached for Altman to return to OpenAI. This piece provides a day-by-day blow of the stunning events – which puts one in mind of scenes from the HBO prestige drama Succession – that occurred over the space of a few days in the $29 billion dollar company. 6. Need a good cry at work? You’re far from the only one. Trust us. But one Japanese company has hit upon a novel idea – renting out ‘handsome weeping boys’. For just 7,900 yen (approximately Rs 4,000), these handsome young men will come to your place of work and wipe away your tears. And if you can’t get your emotions flowing there’s no reason to worry – the weeping boys are trained in the subtle art of bringing out the waterworks. [caption id=“attachment_13419092” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A Japanese company is now renting out handsome weeping boys that wipe away the tears of employees. Image Courtesy: ikemeso-office.com[/caption] The piece traces the origins of the idea from a Tokyo-based, firm, the options on offer and why this service is needed in the Land of the Rising Sun. 7. Celebrities. They’re just like us. Except for when they’re not. At all. This piece lays out how the rich and famous , since the beginning of 2022, have clocked up more than 11 years of airtime on their private jets. That’s equivalent to the emissions of 40,000 of us common folk. Among the list of all-too-likely suspects are Elon Musk, The Rolling Stones, Kylie Jenner and the Murdochs.

Et tu, Kylie?

But one name remains conspicuously absent from the list – Taylor Swift, who seems to have massively cut down on flights and even bought a bunch of carbon credits prior to her latest blockbuster singing tour. But despite Tay Tay’s best efforts to do her part, activists continue to argue that private jets need to be banned for the good of the planet. There’s just no pleasing some people.  If you’ve been too busy to keep an eye on the news lately, this list will come in handy in catching you up. Watch this space for more.