Explainers News - Page 26
Who is Rajendra Arlekar, Tamil Nadu governor in spotlight amid Vijay govt formation drama?
Vijay’s TVK emerged as the single largest party in the Tamil Nadu election. Yet, Governor Rajendra Arlekar has turned down the actor-turned-politician’s claim to form the government twice. Arlekar is facing heat for it
India’s biggest military reform since Kargil? Integrated Theatre Commands, explained
One year after Operation Sindoor showcased unprecedented coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, India’s push for Integrated Theatre Commands has gained momentum. Here’s how the proposed military restructuring could transform India’s war-fighting capability and strengthen preparedness against China and Pakistan
Is hantavirus spreading across the world? Could it lead to Covid-like pandemic?
The hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise liner has stoked concerns of a potential global health crisis. Three passengers on board the ship have died and five others are suspected of having caught the infection. Can the rare, rodent-borne disease spread from contact with infected humans?
Movements tracked, 40-minute wait… How the killing of Suvendu’s personal aide unfolded in West Bengal
The killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal aide, Chandranath Rath, has shaken West Bengal. Initial investigation suggests that the murder was well-planned and that it was well thought-out, with his schedule being monitored. A vehicle with a fake number plate first stopped Rath’s car, and then bike-borne assailants shot at him repeatedly
How India carried out Operation Sindoor: A year on, the key elements explained
On the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, a look at how India pulled off precision strikes in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and its key components
Did Shivon Zillis, mother of Musk’s 4 children, operate as his insider at OpenAI?
Shivon Zilis’ ties to Elon Musk were detailed in the blockbuster OpenAI trial. Zilis, mother of Musk’s four children, testified on Wednesday (May 6) on whether she ‘funnelled’ information to the billionaire while she was sitting on the artificial intelligence giant’s board. OpenAI’s lawyers have painted her as Musk’s woman inside OpenAI. Tesla boss reportedly also discussed with Zilis poaching OpenAI staff for Tesla
Suvendu Adhikari’s aide shot dead: Tracing Bengal’s ugly history of political violence
Political unrest continues unabated in West Bengal. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s executive assistant, Chandranath Rath, was shot dead last night. Soon after the saffron party defeated the TMC in the Assembly polls on Monday, reports of vandalism and killings started to emerge. Violence has been entrenched in Bengal’s political history since the 1960s
1 year of Operation Sindoor: How the BrahMos missile became India’s ultimate 'bunker buster'
One year after Operation Sindoor, the BrahMos missile remains a pillar in India’s evolving military doctrine. From precision strikes on Nur Khan and Rahimyar Khan airbases in Pakistan to bypassing advanced air defences, here’s how the supersonic missile changed stand-off warfare
Will Vijay be able to form the government in Tamil Nadu? What’s going on?
Vijay’s dream of becoming the next Tamil Nadu chief minister will have to wait. The TVK chief still has to secure the magic number of 118 to stake a claim to form the government. As of now, the actor-turned-politician has the support of 112 MLAs, including five from the Congress. Will he manage to get the other six or will it be a hung assembly?
Can a one-page US memorandum really stop the Iran war?
The US and Iran are reportedly finalising a one-page memorandum aimed at ending the war that began in February. The proposed framework covers Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and the Strait of Hormuz, but major disputes over uranium enrichment and regional security remain unresolved
Why the Andes strain of hantavirus found in cruise ship passengers is most deadly
Officials have confirmed that a rare strain of hantavirus, known as the Andes strain, has been found in passengers aboard the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. This strain is quite deadly; it is the only one that transmits between humans. While little is known of the Andes strain, it is endemic to South America and has killed nearly 40 per cent of those infected
Who was Chandranath Rath, ex-air force veteran and Suvendu Adhikari’s aide shot dead in Bengal?
On Wednesday night (May 6), Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari, was shot dead in North 24 Parganas. Unidentified assailants on a motorcycle allegedly intercepted Rath's vehicle near the Doharia area of Madhyamgram and opened fire from close range. His killing has intensified political tensions in the Bengal amid the volatile post-election atmosphere
'You know, I own Rana'...What are the fresh bombshell claims by ex-JPMorgan banker in the case?
Chirayu Rana, a former JPMorgan Chase banker, has revived his explosive lawsuit against senior executive, Lorna Hajdini. Rana has introduced fresh witness statements, alleging a disturbing 'threesome invitation'
Uri vs Balakot vs Sindoor: How India’s three operations against Pakistan differ
From the September 2016 Uri surgical strikes to the February 2019 Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor in May 2025, India’s military responses to cross-border terror have steadily escalated. Now, on the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, we look at the three missions and their impact
Sailing through hell: Life onboard the hantavirus-hit cruise ship
At least three passengers have died aboard the MV Hondius ship operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, and four others are ill after a hantavirus outbreak. Passengers who have been stuck on board the ship for nearly a month are isolating in their cabins, watching movies, and taking lone strolls upon its deck
Why Indian widow, whose husband was falsely accused of 1997 Glasgow murder, plans to sue Scottish authorities
Sougat Mukherjee’s life changed for the worse in 2014 after he was labelled as a suspect in the 1997 murder of Tracey Wylde in Glasgow. While the real killer was caught in 2018, the accusations against him took a massive toll on his health and he died in 2023 in West Bengal. Now, his wife, Sapna, has urged the Indian government to help her in her bid to sue the Scottish authorities
Operation Sindoor anniversary: Did battlefield success power India’s Rs 24,000-crore defence export boom?
One year after Operation Sindoor, India’s defence exports have surged to record levels, driven by combat-proven indigenous systems. With Rs 24,000 crore in fresh orders and exports hitting Rs 38,424 crore in FY2025-26, India is rapidly emerging as a key global supplier of advanced military technology
Congress dumps DMK for TVK. So, what’s next for INDIA bloc?
The MK Stalin-led DMK has slammed its INDIA bloc ally as a ‘backstabber’ for its decision to link up with the TVK in Tamil Nadu. DMK joint secretary and spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai called it a ‘foolish decision’ done to satisfy ‘a few egos’. So, what happens to the Congress-DMK relationship on the national stage as part of the INDIA bloc?
Now, an altered image of Meloni in lingerie: How Italian PM is a regular target of deepfakes
Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, reshared a post that included a deepfake image of her in lingerie, sitting on a bed. Criticising the altered image, she described it as a form of cyberbullying. This is not the first time that AI-generated, nonconsensual sexualised visuals of her have spread online
Meet Democrat Amy Acton, who is taking on Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio guv’s race
Amy Acton is a physician who previously served as Ohio’s state health director. Her campaign website describes her as a ‘mother, grandmother and a doctor of preventive medicine.’ She is now up against Vivek Ramaswamy in a high-stakes governor’s race
Congress, AIADMK & more: Vijay has no dearth of allies, who will he pick to form TN government?
The Congress has extended conditional support to actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government in Tamil Nadu. However, the party is still short of five seats to reach the majority mark in the Assembly. There are reports that a section of AIADMK MLA-elects is also in favour of supporting Vijay’s party. Who will he side with?
Explained: Vivek Ramaswamy’s rise from biotech billionaire to Ohio governor nominee
Vivek Ramaswamy has clinched the Republican nomination for Ohio governor, setting up a high-stakes contest against Amy Acton. From biotech success to a 2024 presidential run and Trump ally, his rapid political ascent now faces its biggest electoral test
Punjab twin blasts: What we know about the explosions near Amritsar cantt, BSF HQ in Jalandhar
On Tuesday (May 5), a blast occurred in a scooter parked just outside the BSF Punjab Frontiers headquarters in Jalandhar around 8 pm. Within two hours, at around 10:50 pm, a suspected explosion was reported along the outer wall of the Army's Khasa Camp in Amritsar. The NIA is stepping in to probe explosions
‘Took a deep breath and then launched’: How IAF’s Animesh Patni shot down Pakistani jet amid Op Sindoor
‘Time stood still. I wondered if something had gone wrong,’ says Group Captain Animesh Patni as he recounts firing the S-400 missile to take down a Pakistani jet amid Operation Sindoor. On the first anniversary of the military operation, we take a look back at how the Air Force officer carried out India’s longest air defence kill
Hantavirus on cruise ship: How the outbreak was identified almost a month after passenger died
The deadly outbreak of the rare hantavirus unfolded over weeks aboard a cruise ship that sailed from Argentina toward Antarctica and then across the Atlantic Ocean. On April 6, a 70-year-old Dutch man fell ill with fever, headache and mild diarrhoea. He died on board on April 11
Does Trump’s decision to pause ‘Project Freedom’ in Strait of Hormuz signal peace is near?
Launched on May 3 by Donald Trump, Project Freedom aimed to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of global oil flows. The US paused it on May 5 citing diplomatic progress with Iran, even as over 1,500 vessels and 22,500 mariners remained stranded
Is Iran using ‘kamikaze dolphins’ as a secret weapon to strike US ships?
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Tuesday (May 5) rejected the claim that Iran may be training ‘kamikaze dolphins’ to attack American naval vessels. The remarks came after reports suggested that Tehran might consider using dolphins fitted with mines as weapons during the conflict
How a dream Antarctic cruise became a hantavirus nightmare
A luxury Antarctic cruise has turned into a nightmare, with a deadly hantavirus outbreak leaving at least three passengers dead and around 150 people stranded at sea
US Boeing KC-135 disappears over Qatar. What do we know about ‘flying gas station’?
A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker has gone missing over Qatar. The plane had issued an emergency distress signal while flying over the Persian Gulf near Iran. The aircraft, which is known as a ‘flying gas station’, had been providing support to US operations in West Asia. But what happened?
Not so aam: How Americans are going gaga over Indian mangoes
Americans have found a new obsession — Indian mangoes. It is not just the diaspora that is driving this craze for the juicy fruit. The love for the Indian varieties, such as Alphonso and Kesar, is also rising among Americans, despite them costing more than their Latin-American counterparts