Explainers News - Page 2
‘He was set to get married in 2 months’: Who was Kerala sailor among 4 killed in Russian attack on ship at Odesa?
Four Indian sailors have died after Russia attacked a commercial cargo ship departing Ukraine’s Odesa port. Of the four, one of them has been identified as Akhil Joyan, a resident of Kerala’s Kasargod. The 26-year-old mariner was set to marry soon and change jobs after sailing for more than seven years
Why Tulsi Gabbard's brother is facing police charges
Batarti Gabbard, former US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's older brother, has been charged after Honolulu Police said he attempted to lure children to his hotel room. According to his family, he is undergoing psychological treatment
From 'coolest girl in college' to 10 Downing: Who is Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel?
The newly appointed UK prime minister Andy Burnham's wife Marie-France van Heel is Dutch-born and raised in Belgium. Van Heel met Burnham at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and was considered 'the coolest girl in college.' The couple are parents to three kids: Jimmy, Rosie and Annie
Inside Pakistan’s HIV outbreak: What’s going on in Sindh as 130, mostly children, test positive?
A whopping 130 people, mostly children have tested positive in Pakistan’s Sindh province. An inquiry has revealed that improper use of syringes and other safety lapses by the medical staff at Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital are to blame for these infections
CJP protest: Who are the 3 students, who have called off their indefinite hunger strike?
Neha Bora, Manish Kumar, and Aameen Amitoj concluded their 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, according to All India Students' Association (AISA) on Monday (July 20). On Friday (July 17), Neha's blood sugar level dropped drastically, while Aameen and Manish also developed serious health complications
Andy Burnham replaces Keir Starmer as British PM: What it means for India-UK ties
Britain has got its seventh prime minister in 10 years — Andy Burnham, also known as the ‘King of the North’. The former Greater Manchester mayor is set to inherit a strong relationship with India after the free trade agreement came into effect last week. Experts note that the 56-year-old is likely to remain bullish on ties with New Delhi
5 months and counting… How many US soldiers have died in the Iran war?
The US death toll in the Iran war continues to climb. Over the weekend, three more American soldiers died after Tehran struck Jordan and Iraq, taking the total number to 17. Earlier, six troops were killed in Kuwait when the Islamic Republic struck a civilian port, and another six died after a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed amid operations
FIFA World Cup jackpot: What does Spain take home after beating Argentina?
A dramatic 106th-minute goal by Ferran Torres helped Spain beat Argentina in the FIFA World Cup finals. With this victory, Spain not only holds bragging rights but also earns a whopping $50 million (nearly Rs 482 crore) in prize money. The winning side also receives, for the first time, customised championship rings that are estimated to be around $150,000 (Rs 1.4 crore)
Why AI notetakers are raising serious privacy and security concerns
AI notetakers promise effortless meeting summaries, but experts warn they could expose confidential conversations, corporate secrets and personal voiceprints. As businesses increasingly adopt AI-powered meeting assistants, questions over data storage, privacy, consent and legal risks are becoming impossible to ignore
Can weight-loss drugs prevent cancer? Or are we jumping to conclusions?
GLP-1 drugs, once scrutinised for possibly causing cancer, are now being discussed as drugs that might prevent or even treat cancer. But are we misreading the evidence thrown up by studies and clinical trials? A doctor thinks so
What do the ultra-rich do to beat the heat in the West? Build snow rooms
Europe and the United States have been grappling with scorching heat. But the ultra-rich have been seeking solace in winter wonderlands inside their houses, courtesy of snow rooms. Built at an estimated cost of $130,000 and upwards, these custom-built luxury spaces give inhabitants the feeling of sitting inside a snow globe
Odyssey is the Word of the Week: What is the Greek epic that has inspired Christopher Nolan?
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is one of the biggest films of the year. A visual spectacle, starring Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway and many more, the movie is an adaptation of the Greek poem by Homer. It tells the story of mythological hero Odysseus and his quest to return to his homeland
This Week in Explainers: Why Argentina’s banner after beating England is controversial
The Argentinian national team is under FIFA’s scanner for their celebrations following the win over England in the semi-finals of the World Cup. The players displayed a banner reading ‘Las Malvinas Son Argentinas’. We discuss why this has created such an outrage and more in our weekly roundup
What Vikram-1 launch says about India’s future in space
From such profound philosophical roots, India has long gazed upward. Yet the Vikram-1 ascent carries a distinctly modern resonance
How water has emerged as the newest battlefield in US-Iran conflict
As the US-Iran conflict escalates again, desalination plants and water infrastructure have emerged as strategic targets alongside military bases and oil facilities. Here's why Gulf nations' dependence on desalinated water has turned access to drinking water into a critical security issue with major humanitarian consequences
How Skyroot's Vikram-1 launch is a giant leap for India's space sector
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 successfully completed its maiden orbital mission, Mission Aagaman, making India the third country after the US and China with an independent private orbital launch capability. The landmark launch signals a new era for India's commercial space sector, private rocket industry, and satellite launch ambitions
Why the Canada wildfires continue to burn with no respite in sight
Canada's wildfire season has turned into a major North American crisis, with hundreds of fires burning across multiple provinces and smoke spreading into the US. Here's why Canada's vast boreal forests, extreme weather and unique fire behaviour make this blaze so difficult to extinguish
This Week in Explainers: How India benefits from the ambitious trade deal with UK
The India-UK FTA is now in force. One of the most significant trade pacts signed by New Delhi, it has plenty in store for Indian exporters and buyers. We talk about the deal, India’s UNSC campaign and more in our weekly wrap
Is India set to get plastic currency notes? How polymer banknotes differ from paper currency
The Reserve Bank of India is set to trial polymer banknotes into circulation. The move to introduce what is popularly known as plastic notes comes amid the surge in the cost of printing paper currency notes and their durability — they are expected to last anywhere between two to six times longer than paper currency
Rock on: How meteorite that crashed into US home provide clues to life’s origin?
In 2024, a meteorite crashed through a bedroom ceiling in New Jersey. Now, researchers have discovered traces of ancient salty water, organic compounds and amino acids inside the space rock. The findings may provide new insights into how the building blocks of life were distributed billions of years ago
How Pakistan is footing India's arbitration bill over the Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistan has ended up paying not only its own legal expenses but also India's share of arbitration costs in the ongoing Indus Waters Treaty dispute after New Delhi boycotted the proceedings. Here's why Islamabad is footing the bill, what the legal battle is about, and what comes next
Trump limits student visas to 4 years. Why this spells bad news for Indians
The Trump administration has issued a final notice of stricter rules on foreign students, barring them from staying in the US for more than four years unless they receive federal approval. This new measure spells trouble for Indians, who form the largest international student community in the US
How the Northeast could be the next frontier for India’s rare earth ambitions
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has revealed that Northeast India has promising rare earth element deposits. But success doesn’t depend only on mineral discovery. India can emerge as a critical player by leveraging the Act East Policy, and investing in human capital and technology in the region
How a Red Sea crisis could become India's next economic headache
After the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has reportedly asked the Houthis in Yemen to prepare for a possible closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. This potential closure could impact India’s energy security, exports, imports, inflation, supply chains and overall economy
PM Modi flags off India’s first hydrogen train: What makes it so special?
PM Narendra Modi flagged off India’s first hydrogen train, travelling from Haryana’s Jind to Sonipat. With this, the country joins an elite club of nations who possess this technology. The Indian train, with 10 cars, boasts of being one of the longest and also most powerful in the world
Accusations against China, threats against TV networks: Big moments from Trump’s speech on elections
In a 25-minute prime-time address, Donald Trump revisited his long-running issue about the security of the vote in the country. The US president made a range of claims, including China trying to interfere in the 2020 presidential polls and the American intelligence community covering it up. He also made threats against TV networks that refused to cover his speech in real time
Is Trump’s crackdown behind drop in illegal immigration from India to US?
The US border authorities recorded 20,614 encounters with Indian migrants between October 2025 and May 2026, down 69 per cent from 2023. In the same eight-month period at that time, the numbers had soared to a whopping 67,212. Donald Trump’s intensified campaign against illegal immigration could be the reason for this steep decline
Why Zelenskyy’s sacking of defence minister has sparked protests in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is facing backlash over his move to oust the defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, as part of a Cabinet shakeup. Some speculate that Fedorov’s removal is linked to tensions between him and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi
Is Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike legal? Can the Indian activist be force-fed to break fast?
Sonam Wangchuk is on Day 19 of his hunger strike, with his weight rapidly declining and doctors claiming that he’s entered a critical phase. A public interest litigation was filed, seeking urgent medical intervention, including force-feeding. But what does the law say on this?
Did JD Vance order a military helicopter to take his son for golf lessons?
Secret Service agents have reportedly shared their concerns internally about US Vice President JD Vance and his office pressuring them into last-minute travel. Among Vance's demands was a request for a US Marine Corps helicopter to transport his young son to a golf lesson on Thursday last week