Explainers News - Page 22
Explained: Where robotics is thriving and where it needs to catch up in India
India’s robotics ecosystem is growing, with strong research and innovation. Though it is being adopted in logistics, warehousing, agriculture, healthcare and defence, issues of scale, products and adoption continue to hold it back
Twerking for votes: Shelby Campbell, the 32-year-old Democrat vying for office in Michigan
Shelby Campbell, a Democrat candidate to represent Michigan’s 13th Congressional district, has come under fire after videos emerged of her twerking. This, however, isn’t her first brush with controversy. In the past, she made insensitive remarks about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and slammed US troops
What’s the 'jihadi drug' India has seized for the first time?
A total of 227.7 kg of Captagon in tablet and powder form, valued at approximately Rs 182 crore, has been seized from a residence in Neb Sarai, New Delhi, and from Mundra Port in Gujarat. Its nickname as the ‘jihadi drug’ stems from reports that terrorist groups such as Islamic State have used it to induce endurance, focus, and fearlessness while fighting battles and conducting operations
How an Indian massage therapist sexually abused 61 women in 9 months in Australia
An Indian man, Sumit Satish Rastogi, has been sentenced by Australia’s Adelaide court to 13 years and 10 months in prison for sexually abusing 61 women at a massage parlour. Rastogi was working at the parlour; however, he was reportedly not qualified for the job. South Australia District Court Judge Carmen Matteo described his conduct as ‘out of control’ and ‘exploitative’ during a three-hour sentencing hearing
How Iran war has left rich Gulf nations like Qatar, Kuwait economically vulnerable
The US-Israel war in Iran is at an impasse. Since the war began in February, energy infrastructure across West Asia has come under attack. As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively shut, countries like Qatar and Kuwait’s oil and gas exports have been seriously disrupted
Inside the 134-year-old Vishnu temple in Iran that Amitabh Bachchan posted about
Amid the US-Iran war, Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has sparked interest with a video of an ancient Hindu temple in Iran’s Bandar Abbas. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the religious site was built by Indian traders. While it is no longer operational, this temple is an example of Indo-Iranian architecture
43 years in the making: Norway envoy on why Modi’s Oslo visit and India’s Nordic pivot are historic
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Norway after 43 years, Norwegian envoy May-Elin Stener tells Firstpost how India-Nordic ties are expanding across green energy, maritime cooperation, Arctic research, investments and digital innovation amid Europe’s changing security and economic landscape
Will a drone attack on UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant cause Iran war to escalate?
A fire broke out on the perimeter of the Barakah nuclear energy plant in the United Arab Emirates after the site came under a drone attack. While there have been no injuries or damage, it marks an important escalation amid the Iran war. This power plant, the first of its kind in the Arab world, produces a quarter of the Emirates’ energy
Idaho air show crash: How 4 US navy pilots survived a deadly mid-air fighter jet collision
In an extraordinarily rare mid-air disaster, four US navy pilots survived after two EA-18 G Growler fighter jets collided during an air show in Idaho. The dramatic footage shows the crews ejecting moments before the aircraft exploded on impact by deploying parachutes on time
Ebola outbreak declared a global emergency: Is India at risk?
After the hantavirus scare comes the Ebola panic. The WHO has declared the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, which has resulted in at least 88 deaths and more than 300 cases, to be a ‘public health emergency’. Is India vulnerable to the disease?
How India is testing waters amid oil shocks and rivalries in West Asia | Ex-envoy decodes
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May 15 UAE stopover visit, both sides signed a major defence framework amid rising Gulf tensions and the UAE’s exit from OPEC+. Former envoy Sunjay Sudhir explains to Firstpost how New Delhi is balancing regional rivalries, safeguarding oil supplies, and advancing strategic autonomy in a polarised world
The horrific tale of suicide of 2 sisters in Rajasthan after being blackmailed and gang-raped for years
Two sisters in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur died by suicide within weeks. On March 20, the elder sister died by suicide after years of gang rape and blackmail. On Friday (May 15), her younger sister ended her life over the lack of police action against the eight accused of sexually assaulting and blackmailing her and her elder sister. Two accused have been detained, and several others are being questioned in this matter, police said
What would it have been like to witness the asteroid that killed all dinosaurs?
Sixty-six million years ago, a huge asteroid famously hit the Earth, causing the extinction of dinosaurs and about half of Earth’s other species. Would you have died – or survived?
Don't want to grow old? How a cup of coffee and fruit could be the answer you're looking for
A new study suggests that consuming fruit and a cup of coffee a day can reduce the risk of unhealthy cell ageing. Findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul revealed that polyphenols found in berries, apples, coffee and tea protect our DNA from ‘bad’ ageing
Word of the Week: Work from Home, the Covid-era measure that PM Modi is batting for
Almost six years ago, India went into a national lockdown, prompting companies to pivot to work from home. Now, as the West Asia war drags on with no end in sight, PM Narendra Modi has urged Indians to revive this practice as a fuel-saving measure
‘Thin outside, fat inside’: How Indians are measuring obesity incorrectly
A new paper published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology argues that Asians, including Indians, are more likely to develop diabetes-related diseases even when they are thinner and have lower Body Mass Index (BMI) levels compared to Westerners. But why does BMI miss the mark?
This Week in Explainers: Did the Trump-Xi summit sizzle or fizzle?
Donald Trump was on a two-day China visit during which he held ‘good talks’ with Xi Jinping. A lot has been said about the choreography of the US president’s trip. But what did the American leader achieve? We analyse this and more in our weekly wrap of stories from around the world
Who was Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, senior ISIS leader killed in joint US-Nigeria op?
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS-linked leader operating in West Africa, was killed in a joint US-Nigeria counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin. The operation comes as American military cooperation with Nigeria is growing as well as ISIS affiliates expand across the Sahel region
Explained: Why has the India-UK FTA rollout been delayed?
The India-UK free trade deal, expected to take effect in May, has been delayed after Britain introduced stricter safeguards on steel imports. The dispute over tariff-free quotas and higher duties has created fresh hurdles for Indian exporters, even as both countries continue negotiations to operationalise the landmark trade pact
Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy: What India expects to gain from Modi’s Europe visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s four-nation Europe visit to the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy is aimed at boosting India’s semiconductor ambitions, defence manufacturing, green energy partnerships and trade ties. The trip also highlights New Delhi’s push to attract investment, secure critical technologies and strengthen strategic cooperation with Europe
This Week in Explainers: Why India’s fuel price hike is needed to absorb oil shocks
India has finally raised petrol and diesel prices by Rs 3 per litre after the war in West Asia disrupted global energy supplies. This is the first time India has increased fuel prices in four years. Here’s all this and much more in our weekly wrap
Trump–Xi summit shows how tensions over Taiwan persist despite diplomatic bonhomie
Despite the warm words and bonhomie at the banquet at which Donald Trump and Xi Jinping raised glasses to each other over lobster, beef ribs and Beijing roast duck, there is clearly the potential for a serious misunderstanding over Taiwan
PM Modi in UAE: From boosting strategic petroleum reserves to deepening defence, big outcomes of visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the three-hour visit, held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This was Modi’s first visit to the region since the beginning of the conflict in February. But what were the big outcomes?
What’s the injectable 7-minute cancer drug launched in India?
Tecentriq SC, launched in India by the pharma giant Roche, is subcutaneous. This means it is injected directly under the skin rather than intravenously, which takes hours. This is the world’s first such immunotherapy aimed at treating certain types of lung cancer
Trump’s China visit: Were there breakthroughs or was it all political theatre?
US President Donald Trump’s high-profile China visit showcased grand diplomacy complemented by uncertain trade promises, Iran discussions and sharp warnings over Taiwan. While both Washington and Beijing projected optimism, the summit ended without major breakthroughs, raising questions over whether the trip delivered substance or just symbolism
Why do ships and planes disappear at the Bermuda Triangle? Do scientists have an answer now
The Bermuda Triangle, an area of ocean between Florida, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, continues to grab the world’s attention. Over the years, reports of ships and planes vanishing over this stretch have puzzled scientists. Now, they have found a geological structure unlike anything seen on Earth beneath the island
‘Less aggressive. More measured. Almost restrained’: Did Trump cow down to Xi in China?
Donald Trump has departed China after two days of talks with Xi Jinping. From lavishing praise to staying mum on the thorny issue of Taiwan, the US president was measured, almost subdued, in his interactions with his Chinese leader. Some observers even claimed that the American leader appeared to be grovelling. But why?
Kash Patel’s snorkelling adventure in Hawaii is facing flak. Here’s why
Kash Patel is once again under fire. Reports revealed that he took part in a military-coordinated 'VIP snorkel' around the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbour during his Hawaii trip last summer. Critics question the FBI director's conduct, calling it an act of disrespect to Pearl Harbour victims
Keir Starmer to be ousted as UK PM? How a leadership challenge could unfold
Dozens of MPs have called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down or at least set out a timetable for his exit. Now, a number of challengers have emerged including ex-health secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham
No women on the table: Why Trump-Xi summit faced backlash for being masculine and exclusionary
The lack of mention of human rights abuses, the plight of prisoners and China's tendency to flex its muscles around the world, at the US-China summit, garnered attention sceptics.