Explainers News - Page 5
Why critical minerals are in focus as Modi visits Australia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Australia visit is expected to spotlight critical minerals as India seeks secure supplies for electric vehicles, semiconductors, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Here's why Australia's vast mineral reserves, ECTA and the Quad are becoming central to India's long-term economic ambitions
Ali Khamenei funeral: Why this Karnataka village has sent 100 mourners to Iran
People from Karnataka's Muslim-majority Alipura joined millions at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Tehran. The connection between the villagers and the slain leader dates back to his visit to the village decades ago
Has JD Vance become Donald Trump's clear 2028 successor over Marco Rubio?
JD Vance's role in Iran peace efforts, 33 media appearances, nearly $70 million in Republican fundraising and stronger GOP favourability ratings have boosted his standing as Donald Trump's preferred 2028 successor. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains focused on diplomacy and has shown little interest in a primary campaign
Did Siya Goyal secretly marry her ‘lover’ Chetan Chaudhary 4 months before Ketan Agarwal’s murder?
After recovering WhatsApp chats, police have discovered that Ketan Agarwal's fiancée, Siya Goyal, was already secretly married to co-accused and her lover Chetan Chaudhary months before the crime. The duo reportedly kept their marriage a secret as they feared opposition from families. They then conspired to eliminate Ketan, the probe reveals
Russia's missile blitz exposes Ukraine's air defence weakness: How serious is the crisis?
Russia's latest missile and drone assault has exposed Ukraine's worsening air defence crisis, with dwindling Patriot interceptor supplies leaving ballistic missiles largely unchecked. As Nato leaders meet in Ankara, Kyiv is urgently seeking advanced air defence systems to shield its cities and critical infrastructure from escalating Russian attacks
Missiles, minerals, Malacca and more: What are India’s big gains from PM Modi’s Indonesia visit?
India and Indonesia’s partnership has deepened further during PM Narendra Modi’s visit. The Southeast Asian nation will purchase additional BrahMos cruise missiles and the Astra air-to-air missiles. New Delhi has also extended support to develop the strategically important Sabang Port
Why has China's latest submarine missile test alarmed the US and Indo-Pacific nations?
China's rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the Pacific has raised alarms across the US and Indo-Pacific. While Beijing calls it a routine military exercise, analysts say the launch highlights China's growing sea-based nuclear capabilities
Celeste Amarilla: The Paraguayan leader who triggered a diplomatic spat with racist remarks against Kylian Mbappe
Following France’s victory against Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup, a senator from the South American nation, Celeste Amarilla, called Kylian Mbappe a ‘colonised Cameroonian desperately trying to pass himself off as French’. The remarks have prompted stern remarks from the French football captain as well as Emmanuel Macron
How Trump and Infantino’s bromance has become the FIFA World Cup’s biggest controversy
US footballer Folarin Balogun’s presence in the Round of 16 match against Belgium had little impact on the field but caused seismic shocks off it. FIFA’s decision to lift a ban on the American striker despite a red card has prompted questions about the friendship between Donald Trump and the federation boss Gianni Infantino
What are the mysterious space balls washing up on an Australian beach?
Australian authorities are investigating the origin of several large silver spheres that washed up on a beach in northern Queensland over the weekend. According to the country's space agency, what was thought to be space debris may 'appear to be pressure vessels from a space launch vehicle'
Why are the Indian Armed Forces looking to retain Agniveers beyond the 25% quota?
As the first batch of Agniveers prepares to complete its four-year tenure in October this year, India's Armed Forces are considering raising permanent retention beyond the current 25 per cent cap. Here's why the Army, Navy and Air Force believe the Agnipath scheme may need a major overhaul
What’s autoimmune gastritis that anti-ageing influencer Bryan Johnson suffers from?
Bryan Johnson, an anti-ageing influencer and millionaire, has disclosed that he is battling an autoimmune disease called autoimmune gastritis (AIG). The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the stomach lining. AIG is associated with a rising risk of gastric cancer
How a manic monsoon led to closure of nearly Rs 7,000-crore Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link, which opened in May
Inaugurated in May after being built for Rs 6,695 crore, traffic on the Missing Link of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway came to a grinding halt after a rain-triggered landslide occurred there. The closure caused commuters inordinate delays and inconvenience. It has also raised questions about one of Maharashtra’s most ambitious infrastructure projects
What to expect from Modi's Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand visits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand aims to strengthen India's Act East Policy, MAHASAGAR Vision and Indo-Pacific partnerships. From defence and trade to the India-New Zealand FTA and Quad cooperation, here's everything to know about the landmark three-nation diplomatic tour
‘Kylie Minogue is terrific’: Why Australia PM Albanese’s podcast appearance has sparked anger
Today (July 6), Australian PM Anthony Albanese apologised 'unequivocally' for remarks he made about pop star Kylie Minogue during a podcast interview last week. During a 20-minute conversation, Albanese picked the pop icon in a game of ‘shag, marry, date'. Here is what he said
‘Satluj’ removed from ZEE5: Who was the Sikh activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who inspired the film?
Two days after its release on ZEE5, ‘Satluj’ has been removed from the OTT platform. According to government sources, the move comes as they feared that portions of the film could be used by anti-Indian elements. Starring Diljit Dosanjh, the movie is about the life of activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed alleged disappearances and secret cremations in Punjab amid the height of militancy
How did Instagram run ads promoting child abuse in India?
India has issued a notice to Meta after an investigation alleged that Instagram displayed paid advertisements promoting child sexual abuse material. MeitY ordered Meta to remove such Instagram ads and explain within seven days how they were approved
Another dowry death? The tragic tale of 28-year-old who fell from Delhi building just 72 days after marriage
Akriti Sutar died after allegedly falling from a building in Delhi’s Lodhi Colony area. Shortly after her demise, her relatives have accused her newly-wed husband, Arastu Sikka, and his family of harassing the woman for dowry and even threatening to kill her. They claim that the 28-year-old had even thrown a party at her office after resuming work, a sign that she wasn’t depressed
Mojtaba absent, but 3 other sons appear at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral. Who are they?
While Mojtaba has remained absent for his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremony on Sunday (July 5), his three brothers were seen offering prayers in Tehran. Mostafa, Meysam, and Masoud are all clerics in the country. While Mostafa, the eldest, chooses to remain private, Meysam and Masoud are more prominent and hold sway among senior officials
Think twice before scratching that bug bite. Here's why
Researchers have gained new insights into why scratching an itch, although temporarily satisfying, can ultimately make it worse. While itchiness can stem from various causes, excessive scratching has long been known to damage the skin. New research shows that scratching can trigger a self-perpetuating itch-and-scratch cycle at the cellular level
Do democracies win the FIFA World Cup more often than authoritarian states?
Do democracies perform better than authoritarian regimes at the FIFA World Cup? Since 1982, every FIFA World Cup winner has been a democracy. Analysis using Polity and Freedom House data shows democratic countries account for over 70 per cent of World Cup finalists since 1930 and nearly 90 per cent of finalists since 1974
Looking for love? The FIFA World Cup is where you may find the right match
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has become an unexpected dating hotspot, with dating app, Tinder, seeing a nearly 60 per cent increase in swipes, as compared to June 2025. Even offline, the football tournament has rejuvenated the dating scene, as people shed their inhibitions amid the high drama on the football field
This Week in Explainers: How the US celebrated 250 years despite heat and storm
Inclement weather played partypooper over America’s Fourth of July celebrations. But that did not stop Donald Trump from delivering his speech. In our weekly roundup, we talk about the US and more
Hailing heroes, deriding Communists... Takeaways from Trump’s speech for US@250 event
In a 40-minute speech, which was delayed owing to stormy weather, Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday, highlighting the country’s historic achievements at the National Mall in Washington, DC. While honouring many American war veterans, the US president also slammed Communism, referring to it as a ‘cancer that needs to be cut out fast’. His speech was capped with fireworks — which were loud and large
USA is the Word of the Week: The 250-year-old journey from British colony to a superpower
At first, it was a motley group of colonies that barely held itself together. But on July 4, 1776, with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the United States of America was born. In the years to follow, the country has grown into something even the Founding Fathers could never have imagined — an undeniable global power
India-Israel investment pact is now in force: What does the new BIA mean for businesses and Indians?
India and Israel's Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA) has officially come into effect, replacing the 1996 treaty with a modern framework for investment protection. Here's how the agreement could boost trade, technology, defence, startups, foreign investment and economic cooperation while benefiting businesses and Indian professionals alike
How was Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body preserved for 125 days before his funeral?
Following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s assassination, Iran preserved his body for 125 days before the state funeral. From refrigerated medical cold storage and Shia Islamic legal exemptions to wartime security concerns, here’s how Tehran managed one of the most unusual funeral operations in modern history
US turns 250: How Donald Trump plans to spend July 4
The United States is marking its 250th Independence Day, with nationwide celebrations led by President Donald Trump, from Mount Rushmore to Washington, DC. But alongside record-breaking fireworks and patriotic events, the Semiquincentennial is unfolding against polarisation, economic concerns and extreme heat
This Week in Explainers: How the Capgemini horror raises questions about India’s daycare facilities
Are your children really safe in daycare centres? The alleged abuse and mistreatment of children at IT firm Capgemini’s on-campus crèche has exposed the gaps in laws governing such facilities. In our weekly roundup, we talk about all this and more
How much will Trump’s July 4 fireworks cost, and who is paying for them?
The record-shattering 40-minute July 4 fireworks display is projected to cost millions, according to reports. Pyrotecnico is the company putting on the July Fourth show, and its CEO is targeting 'to make this fireworks the most memorable fireworks display that this generation will have ever seen,' reports suggest