Explainers News - Page 13

FirstUp: Nato defence ministers meet, PM Modi to launch Bihar poll campaign... Headlines today

Defence ministers from Nato's 32 member countries will meet in Brussels today to discuss the defence spending targets; they will also meet with Ukrainian officials to assess the country’s defence efforts amid the ongoing war with Russia. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the BJP's campaign for the upcoming state elections in Patna and also interact with party workers

Do Pakistanis ‘just hate fun’? Why are they fuming over dating show ‘Lazawal Ishq’?

Pakistanis are angry over a dating show. ‘Lazawal Ishq’, hosted by ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ actor Ayesha Omar, has sparked a furious debate in the South Asian country, with critics labelling it ‘un-Islamic’. However, some have defended the reality show, saying it is harmless entertainment. Now, the furore has reached the Islamabad High Court

Private phone numbers of Australia PM, Donald Trump Jr leaked online. Who is responsible?

The phone numbers of Donald Trump Jr, Anthony Albanese and several other politicians, including Australian Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop, were all listed on a US website. How were their contacts leaked?

Why a Kerala school shut for two days over hijab row

A private school in Kerala’s Kochi was closed for Monday (October 13) and Tuesday (October 14) after a row erupted last week over the demand to allow a student to wear the hijab. The Class 8 pupil was denied entry on October 10 after she appeared at St Rita’s Public School donning the headscarf. The matter escalated after her father turned up at the school with several others. The controversy soon snowballed, creating a political storm in the southern state

Can Trump’s Gaza peace deal redefine his 'shock and awe' foreign policy doctrine?

US President Donald Trump’s visit to Israel and Egypt marks the start of implementing his Gaza peace agreement — a deal many see as his biggest diplomatic triumph yet. With Trump’s fast-paced 'shock and awe' diplomacy reshaping Washington’s approach, the question now is whether his unconventional foreign policy can deliver lasting global stability

What is Nexperia, the China-owned chip firm that Dutch govt has taken control of?

The Dutch government took control of the Chinese chipmaker, Nexperia, on October 13. This unusual step has provoked alarm in Beijing and led to concerns regarding ownership and control within the geopolitically sensitive semiconductor sector. What do we know about this firm? Who owns it?

How Americans are the ones losing after Trump’s tariff war

Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff campaign — designed to revive US manufacturing — has shifted much of the cost burden to American households and businesses. Goldman Sachs estimates that US consumers now bear 55 per cent of tariff costs, while companies absorb 22 per cent, and foreign exporters just 18 per cent

Can ‘one fare, one route’ solve India's airfare spike issue?

India’s airline sector has long operated under a dynamic pricing scheme – where airfares constantly rise or fall based on demand and availability. Now, the Centre has implemented a single, fixed rate ticket for a state carrier that remains consistent regardless of when you book, including the day of the flight. The scheme, known as ‘Fare se Fursat’, is being tested on a pilot basis for the next month

India’s loving silver and it’s caused a shortage this Diwali season. Here’s how

Diwali’s around the corner. But the festivities might shine a bit dimmer this year as there’s a shortage of silver. This dearth of the white metal has pushed up the prices to a record high and also caused mutual fund houses to halt new investments in the silver ETF Fund of Funds

What happens in Gaza after hostage-prisoner swap? Can peace hold?

Hamas has released the nearly two dozen living hostages it took prisoner on 7 October 2023, while Israel has freed almost 2,000 Palestinians from its prisons under the first phase of the Gaza peace plan. However, several issues between Israel and Hamas remain unresolved. Here’s what could happen next

How Madagascar’s Gen-Z protests forced President Rajoelina to flee

Madagascar is facing its gravest political crisis in years as weeks of youth-led protests escalated into a military rebellion. President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly fled the country after elite army units and the gendarmerie sided with demonstrators. The movement, driven by the Gen-Z Mada group, now demands sweeping political change

Awkward laugh to headphone fumble… Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif’s embarrassing moments go global

It seems that the global stage and Shehbaz Sharif don’t mix well. At the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, the Pakistani PM was mortified when US President Trump praised Modi and added that ‘Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely with one another’. The awkward moment became fodder for social media, with many mocking the leader for his many fumbles in public

Trump claims to have ended 8 wars. How accurate is he?

US President Donald Trump addressed Israel’s parliament on October 13, after the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire was put into action. During the speech, he said that he brought an end to eight wars in the world, including the conflict between India and Pakistan. Here are the facts

Explained: Why and how Hamas agreed to give up hostages

Hamas has given up its only leverage over Israel after it agreed to release the hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for two years. But how were they convinced?

The tragic tale of Bipin Joshi, the only Nepali abducted by Hamas and killed in captivity

After moments of elation following the release of 20 hostages, came grief and anguish as Hamas released the bodies of four hostages. Among the deceased is Bipin Joshi, the only Nepalese national to have been taken captive. But how did he end up there?

History Today: How the sound barrier was broken for the first time

The era of supersonic flights was ushered in after US Air Force pilot Captain Charles 'Chuck' Yeager flew above the sound barrier on October 14, 1947. He piloted the experimental Bell X-1 aircraft, nicknamed Glamorous Glennis after his wife. On this day in 1918, then-corporal Adolf Hitler was blinded during a British mustard gas attack in Belgium

FirstUp: Tariffs on wood products to come into effect, Clintons to testify in Epstein case... The news today

US President Donald Trump's tariffs on lumber and wood products will come into effect from today. Imports on soft timber and lumber will face a 10 per cent tariff while upholstered wooden products, including couches, sofas and chairs, will incur a 25 per cent duty. Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have been summoned to examine the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case

Travelling to Europe? Get ready for this new entry rule

After many delays and false starts, the European Union on Sunday finally launched its new digital Entry and Exit System (EES). This is a new automated and biometric system that will eventually replace the manual stamping of passports. But what is EES? How does it work?

Why China’s crackdown on underground church pastors has irked the US

Chinese authorities arrested 30 pastors and church staff of Zion Church during raids across the country last week. The pastor, Jin Mingri, who founded the underground or ‘house’ church in 2007, is also among those arrested. The latest crackdown on religion has prompted criticism from the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for the release of the pastors

What is the TLP, the Islamist group at the centre of violent Pakistan protests?

At least five people are dead, including a police officer, after major clashes in the Punjab province between the police and the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Thousands of members of the far-right Islamist party began marching from Lahore to Islamabad on Friday. But what do we know about the TLP? Who is Saad Rizvi, the party leader who is reportedly in critical condition?

Rare earths are the new oil. Why India, US are stocking up a strategic reserve

The Centre will be launching the National Critical Mineral Stockpile (NCMS) soon. Officials have said this is a dedicated scheme aimed at ensuring the availability of rare earth elements in the country. The government wants to create a stockpile of such critical materials. India isn’t alone. The Pentagon is also looking to snap up over $1 billion (Rs 88.68 billion) worth of rare earth materials. But why?

Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav in legal trouble: What’s the IRCTC scam case?

A Delhi court on Monday (October 13) charged former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav in the alleged IRCTC scam case, just weeks ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections. The case pertains to Lalu Yadav’s tenure as Railway Minister between 2004 to 2009. The RJD patriarch is accused of ‘abusing his position as a public servant’. But what is the case about?

How a deadly flu outbreak is making Japan sick

Japan faces a nationwide epidemic, with over 4,000 people hospitalised with influenza. The outbreak has already forced hundreds of schools to shut down and left hospitals overwhelmed with patients. This year, the flu season has arrived almost five weeks early, sparking concerns about the evolving virus

Mass bomber, Hamas commander and more… The Palestinian prisoners to be freed by Israel

Hamas has released all 20 hostages today (October 13), which in turn has facilitated the discharge of nearly 1,900 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli prisons. Those being freed have been in prison on terrorism-related crimes such as mass bombings, kidnappings and murder. But some notable names, such as Marwan Barghouti, also known as ‘Palestine’s Nelson Mandela’, have been kept off the release list

Cameroon’s Paul Biya is world’s oldest president. Will the 92-year-old secure another term?

Cameroon held presidential elections on Sunday (October 12), with Paul Biya, the country’s 92-year-old ruler, seeking another term. Nine candidates, including his former allies, were in the race against the nonagenarian. Will Biya, who has ruled with an iron fist for more than four decades, return to power for another seven-year term?

Inside the Israeli ‘homecoming units’, which will treat 20 hostages released by Hamas

Israel welcomes home all 20 hostages, who suffered 737 days in Hamas' brutal captivity. Medical teams across Israeli hospitals are all geared up to receive them, with special treatment rooms set up

Israel-Hamas ceasefire: After hostage release, what will be discussed at Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt?

The leaders of nearly two dozen countries will be in attendance at the Gaza Peace Summit a the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, where representatives of Hamas and Israel had earlier engaged in indirect peace talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will co-chair the gathering attended by 20 world leaders. Who is representing India?

Who are the 20 hostages released by Hamas after 2 years in captivity?

After the first batch of seven Israeli hostages were freed, the remaining 13 have also been released by Hamas and handed to the Israeli military. These are their stories

Why are Pakistan and Afghanistan battling at the border? What does it mean for India?

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan surged over the weekend with the Taliban government claiming to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in fierce clashes at the shared border. On the other hand, Islamabad has reportedly killed 200 Taliban terrorists. But what’s the trigger for these clashes? Will it escalate into a bigger conflict?

Durgapur horror: Was the MBBS student, gang-raped near college, 'abandoned' by her male friend?

After a second-year MBBS student was allegedly gang-raped near her medical college in West Bengal’s Durgapur on Friday night, the woman’s family has alleged that she was 'abandoned' by her male friend at the time of the attack. The National Commission for Women also asked police to interrogate him, as it was the man’s insistence that led the woman to step out of the college campus. So far, three suspects have been arrested in the case, which has triggered outrage in the state