Explainers News - Page 25
Who is Khabir Moraes, the chef from Goa on board the hantavirus-hit cruise ship?
Khabir Moraes, a native of South Goa’s Cuncolim, is among the crew members on board the MV Hondius cruise ship, which is at the centre of the current hantavirus outbreak. Moraes, who is also a popular YouTuber, said that no one is ‘symptomatic’ on board at present, denying reports of a ‘widespread rescue of sick passengers’
Work from home, don’t buy gold: Why PM Modi has urged for a return to Covid-era measures
Will the work-from-home mandate return to India? On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an appeal to all Indians to reduce fuel consumption as well as delay foreign travel and gold purchases for one year. Is this a sign of bigger measures as the US-Iran war drags on?
What’s the row over Vande Mataram at Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony?
On Sunday (May 10), during C Joseph Vijay’s oath ceremony as Tamil Nadu chief minister, ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung in full, followed by the national anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and the state song ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’. The DMK locked horns with the TVK over the sequence of songs played in the programme. It even accused Vijay of bending in front of the BJP
Is your AI chatbot flattering you? Here is why you should watch out
In 2025, OpenAI replaced ChatGPT 4 with ChatGPT 5; however, backlash from users who preferred the older model forced the company to restore access. The episode highlighted AI 'sycophancy', the tendency of chatbots to flatter users and validate their ideas, even when they may not be strong or original
Kickbox and keep calm: What are rage workouts that people are opting for to vent anger?
People are turning to 'rage workouts,' where they don’t just exercise — they work through their anger. According to experts, intense physical activities—like running, kickboxing, or even high-intensity dancing—are effective for processing anger
Hantavirus is our Word of the Week: How worried should you be?
The sight of people in hazmat suits and phrases like ‘isolation’ and ‘contact tracing’ are back, all thanks to a hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship, MV Hondius. But what is this infection, and why is it giving us Covid déjà vu?
Why IMD and Skymet’s monsoon forecasts don’t always align
Different models, evolving climate drivers and a system that is hard to predict keep forecasts from lining up. But how accurate are weather predictions? And what should people watch out for?
This Week in Explainers: Why hantavirus outbreak won’t cause the next pandemic
The hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship has evoked memories of Covid-19. The rodent-borne disease has killed three passengers on board the MV Hondius cruise liner. But it is unlikely to turn into a pandemic. Here’s all this and more in our weekly wrap
Tamil Nadu political drama nears climax: How Vijay finally got the numbers to form govt
Tamil Nadu’s post-election political drama reached a boiling point as TVK chief Vijay secured backing from Congress, Left parties, VCK and IUML to cross the majority mark in the Assembly. Legal battles, forged-letter allegations and Governor deadlock have turned government formation into a historic power struggle in the state
From hantavirus to norovirus: Why cruise ships are a hotbed for deadly disease outbreaks
Eight people linked to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak have fallen ill so far, including three deaths, while over 115 passengers and crew aboard another vessel, the Caribbean Princess, contracted norovirus. Health experts say dense populations, shared spaces and enclosed environments make cruise ships highly susceptible to infectious disease outbreaks
Pentagon UFO files are out... but do they finally prove aliens exist?
The Pentagon has released hundreds of UFO-related files, including Apollo mission transcripts, military videos and eyewitness reports of unexplained aerial phenomena. While the disclosures have raised questions over extraterrestrial life, experts say the documents stop short of proving aliens exist or confirming recovered alien technology
This Week in Explainers: The rise of Suvendu Adhikari, first BJP CM of Bengal
It’s a big day for the BJP in Bengal, as Suvendu Adhikari takes oath as chief minister. In our weekly roundup, we analyse how the saffron party ended Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year rule, Vijay’s win in Tamil Nadu, and more
What is Russia’s Victory Day, and why is the military parade scaled down this year?
Russia’s Victory Day parade, once a grand display of military power, has been significantly scaled back in 2026 amid security fears and the ongoing Ukraine war. Experts say the changes could reflect deeper political and military challenges facing the Kremlin
From Mamata’s man to BJP architect in Bengal: The rise of Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari will become the BJP’s first chief minister in West Bengal. Adhikari, a protégé turned bete noire of Mamata Banerjee, joined the BJP in December 2020. He has since steadily risen in the ranks of the BJP and now finds himself set to occupy the most powerful seat in the state
Reform makes big gains in local UK polls: Will this pressure Starmer to quit?
Reform UK has surged in the local and regional body elections held in England, Scotland and Wales. This is the biggest election since 2024, when the Keir Starmer-led Labour government came to power. The development comes as the 63-year-old Starmer has been under fire over the Peter Mandelson scandal. Will it further turn up the pressure on Starmer to quit?
The importance of India in Vietnam's balancing act with China
During Vietnam President To Lam's recent visit to India, the two countries elevated their relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and signed 13 agreements.
Why do women struggle to lose weight? It has nothing to do with motivation
Research shows that when men and women follow the same diet and exercise plan, men lose weight faster. Biology is the reason, experts say
Explained: US court blocks Trump’s 10% global tariffs... but only for a select few
A US federal trade court has struck down President Donald Trump’s temporary 10 per cent global tariffs, ruling that the administration exceeded its legal authority under the Trade Act of 1974. The levies remain blocked only for Washington state, spice importer Burlap & Barrel and toy manufacturer Basic Fun! while the administration prepares an appeal
Cloudflare latest to cut jobs: How AI has led to more than 90,000 layoffs this year
Cloudflare announced on Thursday (May 7) that it will slash more than 1,100 jobs globally, reducing about 20 per cent of the workforce. The cybersecurity company is the latest to announce layoffs, citing artificial intelligence (AI). The trend of companies trimming their workforces has continued this year, with over 93,000 roles cut in the first five months
Hantavirus vs Covid: Which infection is more dangerous?
The hantavirus outbreak has got the world worried. With five confirmed cases on board the MV Hondius, people are drawing comparisons to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. But the two infections are very different. The pathogen on the cruise ship is more lethal but less contagious than Covid
How an Islamic celebration at waterpark led to funding cut threats in Texas
A private Eid celebration advertised as ‘Muslims only’ at a Texas waterpark in the US has been cancelled. This came after Governor Gregg Abbott threatened to pull the state funding the facility receives. The event, scheduled to take place on June 1, faced intense backlash with Abott calling it ‘unconstitutional’
Will DMK and AIADMK join hands in Tamil Nadu? What then for Vijay’s TVK?
It remains unclear who will form a government in Tamil Nadu. While the TVK has emerged as the single largest party, the rivals – the DMK and the AIADMK – are reportedly considering coming together to keep Vijay’s party out of power. TVK has threatened that its 107 MLAs will resign if the Dravidian giants come together
Hantavirus scare: Inside MV Hondius, the luxury Antarctic cruise at the centre of the outbreak
All eyes are on the MV Hondius, a luxury expedition cruise ship, at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak. The vessel operated by Oceanwide Expeditions undertakes Antarctic and Arctic voyages, which reportedly cost between 14,000 (Rs. 15.53 lakh) and 22,000 (Rs. 24.40 lakh) euros per person
Bengal and Tamil Nadu voted for change, but why are there no new governments yet?
On May 4, the states of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu witnessed a political tsunami when the BJP and Vijay’s new party, the TVK, won, respectively. However, days have passed, and the new governments are yet to take the oath of office. In Chennai, ‘Thalapathy’ struggles to prove a majority. In Kolkata, the governor had to dissolve the Assembly after Mamata Banerjee refused to resign
Watermelon deaths in Mumbai: How rat poison inside the fruit killed a family of 4
Officials have found the cause of death of a Mumbai family of four — rat poison. They have confirmed the presence of zinc phosphide, a highly toxic rat poison, in the victims’ bodies as well as the watermelon they had consumed, ruling out earlier suspicions of simple food poisoning. Officials are now probing how the chemical reached the fruit
Has the US-Iran war restarted? Why are they exchanging fire?
Fresh missile and drone exchanges between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz have raised fears that their fragile ceasefire may be collapsing. As Donald Trump insists negotiations continue, oil prices have surged, and tensions across the Gulf region are once again escalating
Hantavirus map: From Germany to US and Singapore, the countries linked to hantavirus
The current Hantavirus outbreak on board the Dutch cruise ship, MV Hondius, has pushed health officials across the world into a scramble. As of now, five cases, including three deaths, have been confirmed, while another three are suspected to carry the infection, but there are fears of it spreading
Mahua Moitra faces ‘TMC chor’ slogans on plane. What happened?
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has alleged that she was harassed by a group of men on board an IndiGo flight to Delhi on Thursday (May 7). According to the video shared by the MP, several men can be heard raising slogans such as ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ ‘chor chor TMC chor,’ while filming her inside the aircraft. IndiGo is yet to respond to the incident
Why Alberta province is seeking to separate from Canada
Alberta’s push for independence has gained momentum after a secessionist group submitted over 3 lakh signatures for a referendum. But what is driving the movement? How likely is it to succeed? -
Why China has given suspended death sentences to ex-defence ministers Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu
A military court in China on Thursday (May 7) has sentenced former defence ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges. This comes amid Chinese President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on corruption, especially in the military