Explainers News - Page 10
What did Trump actually achieve in his war with Iran?
More than three months after launching military operations against Iran, US President Donald Trump is moving toward a peace deal that ends one of the West Asia's most consequential conflicts. But did the war achieve its goals on missiles, nuclear ambitions, regional proxies and regime change?
Times Square shooting: Why 17-year-old gunman fired shots at New York tourist hub
Bystanders and tourists ran for cover after shots rang out at New York’s Times Square, injuring at least one person. A 17-year-old has been held after the incident, with authorities noting that the shooting occurred after a dispute broke out between a large group at the famous tourist hub
FTAs, a reset in India-US ties and more: Why PM Modi’s France visit was a superhit
It’s a 10/10 for PM Narendra Modi. During his France visit for the G7 Summit, the Indian leader not only deepened trade and economic ties with Paris, but also rekindled his friendship with US President Donald Trump after several bumps in the relationship. While the FTA with the UK would be implemented on July 15, progress was also made on trade pacts with the EU and Canada
From IAF sorties to Telegram ban: Inside India’s solid plan for a leak-proof Neet retest
Ahead of the Neet-UG 2026 exam on Sunday (June 21), the IAF has conducted roughly 200 sorties to ferry question papers to 18 designated zones across the nation. The Centre has restricted access to Telegram, and those who set the test have been under lockdown
Natasha dolls: Why these dark-skinned baby toys are causing uproar over racism and violence
The viral Natasha dolls, trending on Chinese social media platforms, have sparked global outrage over racism. Some creators are reportedly pricking the dark-skinned toy with needles and cutting it with knives in videos that are going viral
No rain! Where has India’s monsoon disappeared?
The southwest monsoon reached Kerala on June 4. Two weeks later, several parts of India have yet to receive proper rainfall, with satellite imagery revealing little to no cloud formation. What’s the reason behind this? Is El Niño to blame?
What’s the custody battle over Kerala’s tallest elephant, Raman?
The Supreme Court has ordered the Kerala government to take custody of Raman, the state’s tallest elephant, and to relocate it to a suitable rehabilitation centre. This decision comes as the pachyderm is at the centre of a decade long dispute between caretaker Krishnankutty and the Mata Amritanandamayi Mutt
Building a cult, World War III and more… Inside US billionaire Peter Thiel’s invite-only club
After operating for years without any publicity, a secret society founded by US billionaire Peter Thiel has been exposed. A leak has revealed that the club, named Dialog, has over 200 high-profile members from the world of politics, tech, finance, and even entertainment. What’s even more interesting is that this elite group also has a matchmaking service
How El Niño could raise a stink for India’s fishing business
El Niño has developed in the Pacific Ocean and is about to exert its influence on rainfall and weather in India. However, the climate phenomenon will also impact the country’s fishing sector. The catch of sardines and mackerel will be affected. Additionally, warming seas could also make traditional fishing grounds less productive
Why has construction of Bangladesh’s tallest Ram statue been halted?
Construction of an 81-foot-tall Lord Ram statue in Bangladesh’s Palashbari has been put on hold after the temple authorities received threats from Islamist groups. One hardliner even went viral as he vowed to demolish the idol with a bulldozer. The move has triggered anger among many and raised questions about the rights of minorities in the Tarique Rahman-led country
Why Iran has emerged as the bigger winner from the peace deal with US
After months of fighting and negotiations, Donald Trump has signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding that aims to end the war with Iran. The deal allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington has touted as a big win. However, the pact offers Tehran much more, including a $300 billion fund for the ‘reconstruction’ and waivers for the export of oil
Burgenstock: Inside the Swiss resort where the US-Iran deal will be signed
On Tuesday (June 16), the Swiss foreign ministry asserted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the US-Iran peace agreement will be signed on Friday (June 19) at Burgenstock in the Swiss canton of Nidwalden. The resort is named after the 1,128-metre mountain on which it sits
US drops ‘Indo’ from Pacific Command. Is this a warning sign for the Quad?
The US has renamed its Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command, reversing a 2018 decision that highlighted India's strategic role in Asia. Command boundaries remain unchanged, extending from the US West Coast to India's western border, but the move has prompted questions about India's place in US strategic messaging and the future of Quad
India summons US envoy: The theatre of summoning a diplomat as a form of diplomatic protest, explained
Recently, there’s been a flurry of diplomatic activity. Bangladesh summoned India’s envoy to protest the treatment meted out to one of its senior leaders. The US Chargé d’Affaires was also called in by India’s External Affairs Ministry following the death of its three seafarers near the Strait of Hormuz. But what does it entail to summon a diplomat? And when did this process begin?
What’s the Benadryl challenge that has left a US teen critically ill?
Leah Presson, a teenage girl from Oklahoma, is in intensive care after allegedly participating in a dangerous viral social media trend. Presson took part in the Benadryl challenge, a trend that involves consuming large amounts of the over-the-counter allergy medication in an attempt to get high
From India to Iran: Why is Telegram banned, blocked or restricted across the world?
From India's Neet-UG controversy to China's long-standing ban and Pavel Durov's legal troubles in France, Telegram has repeatedly faced scrutiny worldwide. Here's a detailed look at why governments across continents have restricted, blocked, or investigated one of the world's most popular messaging platforms
IAF officer’s wife raped, forced to convert: Does Maharashtra have an anti-conversion law?
A 24-year-old woman, whose husband serves in the IAF, has accused her former classmate, Ayyaz Taj Madare and two other men of drugging, raping and blackmailing her over several months. She was allegedly forced to undergo a religious conversion ceremony in Maharashtra's Nagpur
Pakistan ends ‘period tax’ after years of activism and court battles: What changed?
Pakistan has abolished the 18 per cent sales tax on menstrual hygiene products and contraceptives, following sustained legal challenges and grassroots campaigns. The reform follows a constitutional challenge led by Mahnoor Omer and Ahsan Jehangir Khan
Will Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena see another split? Inside ‘Operation Tiger’
Fresh fears of a split have surfaced in the Uddhav Thackeray Shiv Sena, with six MPs reportedly in touch with the Eknath Shinde camp. After downplaying the rumours, veteran leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the ‘rebels’ were being offered Rs 15 crore to engineer trouble. If this happens, it could endanger the Thackeray legacy and the future of the Sena (UBT) unit
Is Trump keeping Netanyahu in the dark over the details of Iran deal?
As Donald Trump prepares to sign a landmark agreement with Iran, reports suggest Israel was denied access to the deal's text despite provisions affecting its military operations in Lebanon. The controversy has exposed growing tensions between the US president and his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, over Hezbollah and Iran
Who is Aman Sanger, the 25-year-old desi selling his company, Cursor, to SpaceX for $60 billion?
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has announced it will acquire the AI coding platform Cursor for $60 billion. At the heart of this company is a 25-year-old Indian-American, Aman Sanger, who began coding at the age of 14
No hugs with Trump, PM Modi’s subtle message to US… What unfolded at the G7 summit in France
The US-Iran war dominated the G-7 Summit in France, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended. Without naming the US, the PM referred to the safety of seafarers, but not the deaths of three Indian sailors. The Indian leader also came face-to-face with Donald Trump, but the trademark hug was absent
Naked body, bloodstains & more: How Delhi techie was found dead in Mussoorie homestay
A 27-year-old newlywed woman software engineer, P Radha Gayatri, who was on a vacation with her husband, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a homestay on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti Road, Uttarakhand, on Monday (June 15), according to police. Police said that Gayatri was found naked inside the room, with bloodstains on the bedsheet. The cause of her death is yet to be ascertained
Why Telegram is the only app banned ahead of the Neet retest
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has blocked popular messaging platform Telegram in India until June 22 at the request of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The development comes ahead of the Neet-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21 after the cancellation of the initial May 3 exam following a paper leak
A $220-million blow as US Supreme Court shuns TCS: What happened?
Tata Consultancy Services faces a $220 million hit after the US Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal in a trade-secrets dispute with DXC Technology. The ruling ends a seven-year legal battle over life-insurance software and revives attention on TCS’s history of intellectual-property litigation in America
What’s the multi-crore donation ‘scam’ at Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir being probed by SIT?
A three-member SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government is currently at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya investigating allegations of missing donations. The entire scandal first broke when former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav alleged that crores of money given by devotees had been embezzled. The case became murkier when authorities arrested two temple officials and recovered Rs 10 lakh in cash from one of their residences
Hormuz won’t have tolls but transit fees. Can Iran charge for passage?
The Strait of Hormuz carries about 20 per cent of global oil and 25 per cent of LNG trade. While US President Donald Trump says the waterway will remain toll-free, Iran plans to charge service-related fees. But is this legal as per international law?
How a 9-year-old Australian girl was mistakenly shot dead by Pakistan police in Punjab province
On Wednesday (June 10), Hania Ahmed, a nine-year-old Australian girl, was killed, and two members of her family were seriously injured after police opened fire on their vehicle in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The officials mistook the family's car for one being used by armed robbers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for Pakistan to conduct a transparent investigation into the incident
US B-52 bomber crashes: Why ‘Buff’ still remains one of America’s most valuable aircraft
Eight people died on Monday after a B-52 bomber crashed in southern California. The incident has once again raised questions about the long-range aircraft, which was first inducted into the American military in the 1950s. Since then, it has been heavily involved in many of the US operations, including Epic Fury against Iran
Fans defy FIFA ban on Iran’s pre-revolution flag. What’s the controversy all about?
When Iran’s national football team took to the field against New Zealand, many fans in the stadium held up the country’s pre-revolution flag, featuring the lion-and-sun symbol. This came despite FIFA banning this version of the flag, with a Los Angeles court upholding the decision. But what’s the history behind this flag?