Explainers News - Page 14
Word of the Week is CBSE... as India’s largest school board faces its biggest crisis in years
The removal of CBSE’s top leadership amid the On-Screen Marking controversy has raised questions about accountability, exam reforms, and governance. As millions of students await results, Firstpost takes a look at how CBSE evolved into India’s largest school education board and why it is under the scanner now
This Week in Explainers: What is India’s Chenab–Beas tunnel that has spooked Pakistan?
Pakistan has objected to India’s Chenab-Beas link project, claiming it violates the Indus Waters Treaty. Islamabad alleges the project amounts to the ‘weaponisation’ of water resources. We discuss this and more in our roundup of the news from around the world
Why did Trump cancel a mission to recover Iran’s uranium?
US President Donald Trump said he considered sending troops to recover Iran’s uranium but rejected the plan due to logistical challenges and security risks. He claimed the stockpile remains 'entombed' beneath damaged nuclear sites, while Washington continues monitoring the facilities amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran
Why is the US trying to intervene in the Henry Nowak murder case in the UK?
The murder of British teenager Henry Nowak has prompted responses from across the Atlantic with US President JD Vance and Elon Musk intervening in the domestic incident. Nowak, 18, was fatally stabbed in Southampton in December 2025 and footage showed police handcuffing him while he pleaded for help
This Week in Explainers: Why gold giant Rajesh Exports has come under Sebi lens
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has temporarily barred Rajesh Exports and its owner from the securities markets after accusing the gold giant of inflating revenues by Rs 15.15 lakh crore over a period of five years. Here’s all this and much more in our weekly wrap
Is Japan running out of plastic bags?
From plastic bags to food trays, rubber gloves and packaging material, Japan is running short of all these products. The reason for this is the unavailability of naphtha, which is extracted from crude oil and used to make them. The development comes amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. But how bad are things?
Explained: Why RBI and govt are easing foreign investment rules
The Reserve Bank of India and the government have moved to attract more foreign capital by expanding access to government securities (G-secs), easing foreign portfolio investors (FPI) norms, and scrapping long-term capital gains on such investments. We decode the RBI’s announcements and why they matter
What the Neet, CUET and CBSE crises reveal about India’s pressure-cooker education system
The Neet paper leak controversy, then CBSE's OSM row, along with uproar at recent CUET disruptions, have put India's education system under the scanner. As students juggle board exams and high-stakes entrance tests, questions are growing over whether the current model truly serves young minds
Forced to watch Zakir Naik videos, recite prayers: Chilling details from Nashik TCS case charge sheet
One of the complainants in the Nashik BPO unit case linked to TCS has claimed she was made to watch videos of Islamic preachers such as Zakir Naik and Tariq Jamil, and was urged to adopt Islamic practices. She claimed the accused told her that doing so would reduce her stress and improve her well-being
This year’s El Niño is labelled ‘Godzilla’! How devastating will it be?
The ‘Godzilla-like’ El Niño has been forecast to drive global temperatures to extreme highs later this year. The weather pattern is associated with intense heatwaves, floods, and droughts globally. A stronger El Niño would further raise the risks, triggering more intense weather
Why Bangladesh’s Tarique Rahman chose Malaysia, not India, for his first foreign visit
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has decided to make Malaysia his first foreign destination instead of India or China. Rahman will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 before travelling to Beijing on June 23. Malaysia hosts about 800,000 Bangladeshi workers and 12,000 students, while China remains Bangladesh's largest import partner
Why Pakistan is rattled over Chenab–Beas tunnel and its link to the Indus Waters Treaty
After India announced it would move ahead with work on the Chenab–Beas project, Pakistan has claimed that the project has 'dangerous implications for Pakistan’s economy' and that it could violate the Indus Waters Treaty. But what do we know about the project?
Why India is facing a sudden shortage of 2 key chemotherapy drugs
India is facing the shortages of two backbone cancer chemotherapy drugs —cisplatin and carboplatin over the last two weeks, prompting oncologists to raise an alarm. This is due to rising raw material prices, fuelled by the Strait of Hormuz crisis
The acrimonious child custody battle that led ex-wife of Dubai ruler’s nephew being ‘abducted by cops
The ex-wife of the nephew of the ruler of Dubai has been ‘abducted’ by the police, claims her lawyer. Zeynab Javadli has been locked in a bitter custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum since their divorce in 2019 over their three daughters
What is Rajesh Exports, accused by Sebi of Rs 15 lakh crore fraud? Who runs it?
Rajesh Exports is at the centre of a storm after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) accused the company of inflating revenues by Rs 15.15 lakh crore over five years. The firm, and its promoter and Chairman, Rajesh Mehta, have been barred from the securities markets until the regulator completes its investigation
Trump’s hair-loss drug is missing from his health report: Why is it concerning?
US President Donald Trump’s once-disclosed use of finasteride, a popular hair-loss medication, has vanished from White House health reports during his second term. The omission has resulted in questions over presidential health transparency and what Americans should know about the health of their commander-in-chief
How Britain’s ‘longest divorce’ battle ended with an Indian-origin woman winning Rs 85 crore
Varsha Gohil, an Indian-origin woman, secured a 6.6 million pounds (around Rs 85 crore) payout after years of litigation over her husband's concealed £28 million (around Rs 360.06 crore) fortune. The 23-year divorce battle between an Indian-origin couple in the UK concluded after the court awarded Varsha millions and ruled that there would be no further appeals in the case
How Delhi University professor’s murder has befuddled police officials
Debosmita Paul, a 42-year-old Delhi University professor, was found dead inside her apartment in east Delhi’s Vasundhara Enclave. The police have registered a case of murder after finding a head injury on her, along with her wrists being slit. However, the door being locked from the outside has puzzled them
Will Putin meet with Zelenskyy to end the Ukraine war? It is easier said than done
Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written an open letter to Vladimir Putin in Russia, urging they meet face-to-face and find a way to end the war. But it is not that easy. The Russian leader questions his Ukrainian counterpart’s legitimacy. Also, when they met last in 2019, it ended in failure
After TCS Nashik, ex-Wipro Pune employee alleges forced conversion: What’s going on?
An ex-female employee at Wipro's Pune office has alleged that her ex-supervisors harassed her over religious grounds and tried to forcefully convert her during her tenure with the company from 2019 to 2025. She has filed a police complaint and approached the state’s human rights body against her former colleague. This incident comes months after attempts at forced religious conversion at Tata Consultancy Services' (TCS) Nashik unit
Straight out of Star Wars: Inside Barack Obama's $850 million presidential centre in Chicago
Barack Obama's presidential centre, which officially opens on June 18 in Chicago, has been nicknamed the 'Obamalisk', and compared to a Star Wars spaceship and the Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings. While some, including Donald Trump, have unflatteringly compared its centrepiece to a trash can, those behind it say it reflects the core messages of his presidency
Is Elon Musk trying to ‘whip up’ division in UK over Henry Nowak murder?
Elon Musk has posted about British politics, including the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton, over 100 times over the past week. This includes reposting a video from far-right activist Tommy Robinson, in which he claims Nowak was ‘murdered by racist police policies that target white people’
Why TMC MLAs’ revolt is against Abhishek Banerjee, not Mamata
The Trinamool Congress appears headed for a split after the rebel MLAs got Ritabrata Banerjee recognised as the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, defying Mamata Banerjee and rejecting her pick. However, the disgruntled MLAs say they are not against the TMC supremo but her nephew Abhishek Banerjee
Rajesh Exports scam: How Sebi uncovered a Rs 15 lakh crore financial 'mess'
Rajesh Exports is under the scanner of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The market regulator has accused the gold giant of misrepresenting revenues worth Rs 15.15 lakh crore from FY21 to FY25. Sebi has said these revenues comprise nearly 99.8 per cent of its total reported consolidated revenue
Delcy Rodriguez in India: Why Venezuelan interim president is visiting Sathya Sai Baba ashram
Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who is in India for a five-day visit, will also travel to Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh to pay homage to the late Indian guru Sathya Sai Baba. The godman has a strong presence in the Latin American nation; deposed leader Nicolas Maduro is also one of his followers
Malviya Nagar fire: What is Delhi’s B&B policy that govt is scrapping?
A day after a deadly fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar killed 21 people, the Delhi government has decided to withdraw its Bed and Breakfast policy. Launched in 2007, the scheme aimed to provide affordable homestays in the city's residential neighbourhoods
Spy vs Spy: How China is using LinkedIn to target UK officials, military staff
MI5 has warned that Chinese spies are posing as recruitment agents to trick UK officials into disclosing state secrets. A Five Eyes bulletin notes that these Chinese agents advertise for non-existent jobs, aiming to draw in people with access to classified or sensitive information
Why has Pakistan delayed its budget? The army link, explained
Pakistan has delayed the unveiling of its budget amid a tussle between the army and the government. Sources have said there are differences over the defence allocation, funding for provinces and targets set by the IMF, which has provided a $7 billion (Rs 67,032 crore) bailout to the country
Flesh-eating screwworm detected in US: How dangerous is it?
The US Department of Agriculture has identified one case of New World Screwworm in South Texas in a calf, sparking fears about the flesh-eating fly across the country. The parasite poses a significant threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals. While human cases are rare, they can be fatal
Romance gone wrong: Why a young Army officer is in trouble for a viral proposal video
Indian Army Captain Bharat Bhardwaj’s video proposing to his girlfriend, shortly after the passing-out parade at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS) in Nashik, went viral on social media earlier this week. However, the Army has now expressed its ‘displeasure’ over the episode