Explainers News - Page 28
Tamil Nadu picks ‘Thalapathy’: How Vijay made a blockbuster election debut
The voters of Tamil Nadu have spoken and they have picked ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay. His party, the TVK, on its election debut has emerged as the single-largest party in the polls in early leads, breaking the dominance of the AIADMK and the DMK. How did the actor-turned-politician achieve this feat?
Will Trump accept Iran’s new 14-point peace plan to end the conflict?
Iran has unveiled a new 14-point proposal to end its conflict with the United States, calling for sanctions relief, troop withdrawal, and maritime guarantees in the Strait of Hormuz. While Donald Trump is reviewing the plan, deep divisions over nuclear issues and security concerns continue to stall a final agreement
Hantavirus outbreak kills 3 on cruise ship. How deadly is this disease?
A suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard a polar cruise ship has left three dead and several ill, raising global health concerns. Here’s everything to know about the rare rodent-borne virus, its symptoms, transmission risks, and why its emergence at sea has alarmed health authorities worldwide
Why oversharing may actually work in your favour
Most people fear saying too much, but research suggests the opposite can be true. Harvard professor Leslie John says that sharing personal experiences, even embarrassing ones, can build trust and deepen relationships. The key lies in knowing when to open up
How toxic leaders affect employees, and how to deal with them
Toxic leaders create a negative work environment through behaviours such as interrupting, ignoring others' contributions, and limiting others’ growth, which significantly harms employees' well-being. New research shows how work under such bosses affects the well-being of employees
Leopard, tiger and cheetah seen together in India’s Ranthambore. Why it isn’t as rare as believed
Earlier in April, a leopard, tiger and cheetah were seen in India’s Ranthambore national park. Overlap isn’t unusual in India’s forests. What matters is what drives it, and what happens when predators can no longer stay apart
Are you hiding out in your AC room, this summer? Why this could harm your health
In India, the mercury is rising. Amid the rising temperatures, many of us are seeking solace in air-conditioned rooms for prolonged periods. From respiratory health to dry skin, here’s how this could do more harm than good
Word of the Week: Prada... That’s all
Prada, the fashion behemoth, has been on everyone’s lips this week. Why? The blockbuster ‘Devil Wears Prada’, starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, has returned with a sequel
This Week in Explainers: Inside the bombshell sexual abuse lawsuit against JPMorgan executive
Wall Street is in shock; an executive at JPMorgan, identified as Lorna Hajdini, has been sued by her junior for sexual harassment and racial abuse. In his complaint, the plaintiff alleged that she referred to him as ‘little brown boy’. We discuss this lawsuit and more in our weekly roundup of world news
Did you get a loud alert on your phone? Understanding India’s new emergency messaging system
India has rolled out a nationwide test of its indigenous cell broadcast alert system under the SACHET platform, designed to deliver instant disaster warnings. The new technology bypasses SMS delays, reaches users in seconds, and aims to significantly improve emergency response and public safety across the country
How Dawood aide Salim Dola was tracked down in Turkey after years underground
The arrest of Salim Dola in Istanbul marks a major breakthrough against Dawood Ibrahim’s D-Company. After years underground, intelligence coordination, surveillance, and a crucial slip led to his capture, exposing global narcotics networks and strengthening India-Turkey security cooperation
Why is Jeff Bezos’ Met Gala sponsorship leading to boycott calls?
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are lead sponsors and honorary chairs of the May 4 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Activist group ‘Everyone Hates Elon’ has led boycott campaigns, while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and celebrities like Zendaya are skipping the event
Trump's Iran war crosses deadline: Does the US 60-day war powers law really limit presidents?
As Donald Trump defies a key deadline in the Iran conflict, the 1973 War Powers Resolution is under the lens. This report explains how the 60-day rule works, why presidents challenge it, and how past administrations have interpreted — or bypassed — its limits
This Week in Explainers: How India may gain from UAE’s Opec exit
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has left the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) amid the Iran war. The move could, however, benefit India. All this and much more in our weekly roundup
The tragic tale of Chandu Iraganaboina, young Indian man who died by suicide in the US
Chandu Iraganaboina, a 26-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, died allegedly by suicide at his home in the US on Thursday. He earned his Master's degree in Computer Science from DePaul University in Chicago last year. Reports say he was under immense emotional strain recently due to not being able to land a job
Who is Nithya Raman, the next Mamdani, projected to win the Los Angeles mayoral race?
Nithya Raman, an Indian-origin Los Angeles city councilmember, has emerged as a key challenger to mayor Karen Bass in the 2026 mayoral race. With a background in urban planning and activism, Raman’s campaign focuses on housing, homelessness, and governance reforms amid growing political momentum
Beyond Kohinoor: Which Indian artefacts do the British still possess
The Kohinoor diamond is back in the spotlight after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for its return during King Charles’ US visit this week. There are many other Indian gems and artefacts that remain in British museums. We take a look
Is Trump among early nominees for Nobel Peace Prize despite starting Iran war?
US President Donald Trump may be a step closer to a goal he has longed for so long — the Nobel Peace Prize. POTUS is expected to be among the nominees for coveted award. However, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Kristian Berg Harpviken, has declined to comment on the US president’s nomination
Trump mulls reducing US troops in Germany, Spain, Italy: How many does Europe host?
Donald Trump’s review of deployments of US troops in Germany, Italy and Spain has raised questions about his Nato commitments. Currently, America deploys around 100,000 military personnel across Europe, including 36,000-39,000 in Germany. Key bases span Italy, Poland, the UK, and Spain, with increased deployments in Eastern Europe since 2022
How Vis Raghavan, accused by JPMorgan employees of ‘bullying’, was hired by Citi for $52 million
Viswas ‘Vis’ Raghavan, an India-born investment banker, has landed in soup. A bombshell report has claimed that staff at his previous workplace – JPMorgan Chase – accused him of bullying over the years. Just days before he was being forced to leave the bank in February 2024, Raghavan was snatched up by Citigroup
Charles Lieber was a Harvard scientist. Now, he leads a brain-computer lab in China
Charles M Lieber, a former Harvard scientist convicted in the United States for lying about his ties to China, has resurfaced in Shenzhen, China. Lieber is now leading advanced research in brain-computer interfaces for China. Lieber has been actively looking for a job in Beijing since at least last June
UFOs or nuclear testing? What triggered earthquakes in Area 51 in the US?
At least 17 earthquakes were recorded near Area 51 in the vicinity of Nevada in the US. The tremors have prompted unfounded conspiracies about secret nuclear testing. In the past, the highly-classified military base has been the site of weapons testing and is famous for its alien theories
Inside late-night drama between TMC and EC over vote tampering allegations in West Bengal
Kolkata witnessed drama on Thursday night with Trinamool Congress leaders staging a sit-in protest outside an election strongroom. They alleged vote tampering efforts were being made by the BJP. This also prompted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to spend hours inside a facility. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has dismissed claims of election irregularity
Was Trump wearing an ‘adult diaper’ in his latest interview?
Since US President Donald Trump’s big ‘60 Minutes’ interview last week, a photo of the US president during the interview has gone viral. The POTUS is seated on a chair and appears to have a big bulge on his back. The internet zoomed in and assumed that he is wearing an ‘adult diaper,’ fuelling speculations about his health
How deadly is the Dark Eagle missile that Trump is mulling to deploy in Iran war?
Donald Trump is mulling the deployment of the Dark Eagle missile amid the Iran war. The US army’s long-range hypersonic weapon boasts a range of approximately 2,700 kilometres and can travel at speeds reaching Mach 5
Who is Essa Suleiman, the suspect in the London terror attack?
Essa Suleiman, 45, the man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in north London, was previously referred to the government’s counter-extremism programme. On Wednesday (April 29), he was arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder and remains in police custody. Suleiman was born in Somalia but came to the UK lawfully as a child in the early 1990s
Did Jeffrey Epstein get artefacts from Mecca for his island 'mosque'?
New reports reveal Jeffrey Epstein may have sourced sacred Islamic artefacts from Mecca for a structure he called a ‘mosque’ on his private island in the Caribbean. Let's take a closer look
Is the new mystery statue in London a Banksy?
A new sculpture, seemingly in the style of the mysterious street artist Banksy, has appeared in central London. The statue was first spotted on Wednesday in the historic Waterloo Place outside the Athenaeum Club. It has been put up near statues of Edward VII, Florence Nightingale and the Crimean War Memorial. But is it a Banksy?
Why Trump is facing a May 1 deadline to end the Iran war
US President Donald Trump is facing a May 1 deadline by which he has to gain the approval of Congress under the War Powers Resolution or end the Iran war. But what happens if he overlooks it?
How Russia’s R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles will increase India’s aerial dominance
India is reportedly buying 300 R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles (LRAAM) in a $1.2 billion deal with Russia. With a range of 300-400 km, these missiles can strike airborne early-warning and tanker aircraft, giving a ‘significant operational edge’ to the South Asian country over its enemies