Explainers News - Page 3
2 Covid deaths in Andhra, 8 cases reported: Could it lead to a fresh outbreak?
Andhra Pradesh has reported two successive Covid-19 deaths in the state. Eight people have tested positive for the virus. Several medical practitioners are concerned that this sudden surge may have been caused by a more virulent Omicron subvariant
Sonam Wangchuk loses 8.2 kg on hunger strike: What toll does intense fasting take on a body?
Educator and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has lost 8.2 kg since beginning his indefinite hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. His blood glucose level fell to 67 mg/dL as the fast entered its 16th day. Doctors explain that health risks rise sharply during prolonged fasting
Why is Dubai building a new port outside the Strait of Hormuz?
DP World is planning a new multipurpose port and container terminal in Fujairah, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The project follows a 90-95 per cent drop in Jebel Ali traffic during the conflict and aims to create a secure alternative route for cargo entering the UAE
India is campaigning for a UNSC seat. Here is why it matters
India has launched its campaign for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat for the 2028-29 term, but the larger objective remains permanent membership. Here's everything about New Delhi's SHANTI vision, the race against Tajikistan, Security Council reform, and the hurdles blocking India's ambitions
Inside Mossad's ‘secret plot’ to recruit Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for post-war Iran
Israel's regime-change plan decision reached its most dramatic stage on February 28 this year after an Israeli airstrike hit former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s compound, damaging the building of his security detail. Following the strike, a black Peugeot car reportedly arrived, picked him up, and drove him away to a safe house. The goal was to topple leadership and install Ahmadinejad immediately
Erling Haaland carries a raccoon from US as he returns to Norway. What’s the story here?
He didn’t win the FIFA World Cup trophy. But Erling Haaland returned home from the US with a rather spectacular souvenir — a taxidermied raccoon. Nicknamed ‘Whiskey Raccoon’, the Norway striker purchased it from a store in Dallas during the tournament for an estimated $750 (Rs 72,150)
Can Trump take over Hormuz and charge ships to pass? What would this mean for India?
US President Donald Trump announced a 20 per cent cargo levy and renewed blockade of Iranian ports, but international maritime law does not allow unilateral tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption could raise oil prices, shipping costs, and insurance premiums, directly affecting India's crude oil and LNG imports
Who is Jordan Brown? How did ex-US Navy man end up in India without a passport?
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have nabbed a US national, Jordan Brown, for trying to cross the Nepal border without having any valid travel or identity documents. The 36-year-old has told investigators that he previously served with the US Navy and Special Forces, which he quit two years ago. He has raised suspicion after giving contrasting accounts of how he landed up in India
How the Iran war has turned Strait of Hormuz into a death trap for Indian sailors
Yet another Indian seafarer has died in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran struck two UAE oil tankers on Monday (July 13). This incident highlights how precarious the situation has become in the vital waterway for ships to pass since the beginning of the conflict in February
Sam Neill's death: What was the rare blood cancer that Jurassic Park actor battled?
In 2023, Sam Neill disclosed being diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL), a rare type of fast-growing blood cancer. This rare form of blood cancer affects T lymphocytes (T cells), a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight infections. However, in April this year, the New Zealand actor revealed he was cancer-free
Anil Menon, Indian-origin Nasa astronaut, set for an 8-month ISS mission: What will he do in space?
Born in Minneapolis to Indian and Ukrainian immigrant parents, Anil Menon is set to embark on his first mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14. He will conduct a series of scientific investigations centred on understanding how prolonged space travel affects the human body
Can Trump really leave a ‘dead man’s switch’ to destroy Iran if he is assassinated?
US President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran would face total destruction if he were assassinated has put the spotlight on presidential war powers. Can a US president leave behind binding military orders after death? Here's what the Constitution, succession laws, and Pentagon protocols actually say
Mystery of the masked man at Ali Khamenei's funeral: Who was it? Mojtaba?
The masked mourner wearing a black baseball cap, seated in the front row during former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral, is Mohammad Javad Khamenei, not Mojtaba. Javad is Ali Khamenei's eldest grandson
How Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani made Qatar one of India's closest strategic partners
Under the late Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar became India's largest LNG supplier, signed the 2008 Defence Cooperation Agreement, expanded the Indian diaspora to over 830,000, and laid the groundwork for a Strategic Partnership targeting $30 billion in bilateral trade by 2030
China has built a ‘String of Pearls’ in the Indo-Pacific. Here’s how India is countering it
For nearly two decades, China has been building ports across the Indo-Pacific — from Pakistan’s Gwadar to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota. However, India isn’t trying to match Beijing port for port; it is focused on building partnerships. The Sabang Port agreement in Indonesia is the clearest indicator that New Delhi is writing its own playbook in the region
What’s aortic dissection, the ‘scary’ heart condition that killed Lindsey Graham?
Lindsey Graham, the four-time US senator and Donald Trump ally, passed away on Saturday (July 11). The medical examiner has noted that the 71-year-old died from an aortic dissection. This heart condition is reportedly deadly, sudden and can feel like the ‘worst chest or back pain’ of one’s life
Bangkok pub fire kills 27: How blocked exits turned bar into a tinderbox
A deadly fire broke out at a pub in Bangkok, killing 27 people and injuring another 63. The bar rapidly filled with smoke, forcing many to run to the back of the venue near the bathrooms, where the exits were blocked, according to officials
How India was often at the receiving end of Lindsey Graham’s controversial remarks
Following the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham, we take a look at his controversial stance on India over Russian oil imports, proposed 500 per cent tariffs and sanctions. Here's how his remarks, legislative efforts and foreign policy approach strained ties with New Delhi, one of Washington's key strategic partners
What’s fuelling Gen Z’s anger against millennial leader Balen Shah in Nepal?
Just months after he was sworn in as prime minister, Balendra “Balen” Shah is on the receiving end of Gen Z’s anger. The youth of Nepal are out on the streets in Kathmandu once again, angry over the recent eviction drives and the self-immolation of a driver over a parking row
A guide to answering questions about your career gap during job interviews
Extended periods between jobs have become more common and are less stigmatised today. Yet, the gap in the résumé invariably comes up during an interview. The key is to highlight the skills you picked up while taking a break. If you were laid off, avoid blaming the employer
Sleep on this: How staying up for FIFA World Cup games could make you fat
A new study has revealed that reducing sleep by 90 minutes leads to weight gain of 450 grammes in six weeks. This is significant, as thousands of football fans around the world are giving up sleep to cheer their favourite teams at the FIFA World Cup
E20 is the Word of the Week: The ethanol-blended fuel that has ignited debate in India
India’s use of E20 fuel has sparked debate, raising questions about fuel economy and maintenance costs. While social media posts have fuelled concerns about engine damage, the government has vehemently defended the ethanol-blended petrol, saying it helps reduce oil imports and cut carbon dioxide emissions
This Week in Explainers: Why did the US attack Iran amid Khamenei’s funeral?
The US and Iran traded strikes, as Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire is over. But what made him change his mind? We explain the latest crisis in West Asia and more in our weekly roundup
INS Mahendragiri joins Indian Navy: What makes the indigenous stealth frigate special?
The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mahendragiri, the sixth and final Project 17A stealth frigate, strengthening India’s maritime capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Built with over 75 per cent indigenous content, the warship enhances air, surface and submarine warfare readiness while reinforcing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India defence initiatives
If it’s pouring in Mumbai, why don’t the lakes always fill up?
After an unusually dry June, Mumbai's reservoirs rebounded within days. But the rain that floods the city isn't always the rain that replenishes its drinking water
What Modi, the first Indian PM to visit New Zealand in 40 years, achieved during the trip
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark New Zealand visit has elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, bringing major agreements on defence, trade, maritime security and science. Here's what the new deal includes, how the India-New Zealand FTA fits in, and where New Zealand ranks among India's strategic partners
Who is Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, the physicist called the next Einstein?
From building and flying her own aircraft at 14 to conducting groundbreaking research cited by Stephen Hawking, Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski has emerged as one of the world's most promising theoretical physicists. Here's why many compare her to Albert Einstein and what makes her work so significant
This Week in Explainers: Why renewed tensions in West Asia are concerning for India
The ceasefire between Iran and the US crumbled as the two sides traded strikes. The fresh fighting is bad news for India. We explain the impact of the conflict and more in our weekly wrap
Ryanair mid-air scare: How a passenger was nearly sucked out of airplane
A man was nearly sucked out of a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany after a window 'detached' mid-air. The passenger, identified as a 61-year-old Serbian, survived and was hospitalised with friction burns
Why is the Amarnath ice Shivling melting within days of the yatra?
Several news reports and devotees’ accounts show that the ice Shivling has melted dramatically within the first week of the Amarnath Yatra. The rapid melting of the lingam is not solely due to the weather or climate change. The combined effects of expanding infrastructure and increasing human activity in this ecologically fragile region may be affecting the cave’s delicate microclimate, according to reports