Explainers News - Page 17

Why US military’s beard ban has sparked concerns among Sikhs

The Pentagon has issued a memo directing all military branches to revert to ‘pre-2010 standards’ for beards, saying that 'facial hair waivers are generally not authorised'. This comes after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth’s remarks last month that the era of 'rampant and ridiculous shaving profiles' through waivers for medical or religious reasons is over

Another French PM resigns: Will President Macron survive the political crisis?

Sebastien Lecornu has become the shortest-lived prime minister in modern French history after resigning just after a month of his appointment. A close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, he stepped down hours after announcing a new Cabinet on Sunday. Lecornu was the seventh PM to serve under Macron’s presidency since 2017. But why did he resign? Will the president come out unscathed from the political crisis gripping the nation?

Why Chicago turned into a 'war zone' and which US city is next

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Chicago a ‘war zone’ after federal agents shot and wounded a woman over the weekend. The development comes as US President Donald Trump steps up efforts to deploy the National Guard in Democratic cities across America, which citizens and local authorities have protested against

What is at stake for Hamas as its negotiator gathers for talks with Israel and US in Egypt?

The Gaza ceasefire talks have placed Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya in the spotlight. As mediators push for a breakthrough amid intense fighting and humanitarian collapse, the negotiations in Egypt are being closely shaped by US President Donald Trump, who has taken personal ownership of the peace effort

Is Russia going to sell its advanced jet engines to Pakistan?

Following claims by the Congress that Russia was planning to sell its advanced RD-93MA engines to Pakistan’s fleet of Chinese-made JF-17 fighter jets, sources within Moscow’s establishment denied these charges, calling them ‘mischievous’. Notably, the claim comes right before Vladimir Putin visits India in December

How ex-Soros fund manager and financier Howard Rubin ran ‘sex dungeon’ at Manhattan penthouse

Howard Rubin and his assistant Jennifer Powers have been accused of sex trafficking women at his Manhattan penthouse, which has a ‘sex dungeon’. Rubin, 70, is a New York-based financier who worked for Merrill Lynch and Soros Fund Management. Rubin and Powers, if convicted, face at least 15 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. But what do we know about the shocking story?

Why Coldrif cough syrup, linked to over dozen children deaths in MP, Rajasthan, is dangerous

The 'Coldrif' cough syrup has come to the spotlight after 16 children died in Madhya Pradesh and at least two in Rajasthan. A batch of the medicine collected from a Tamil Nadu manufacturing unit was found to contain the toxic chemical diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond permissible limits. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has repeatedly warned of cough syrups contaminated with DEG and ethylene glycol (EG), linking them to over 300 child deaths globally since 2022

'Forced to wear Israeli flag': Were Greta Thunberg, other Gaza flotilla activists abused in custody?

The detention of hundreds of international activists off Gaza’s coast — including Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela — has brought allegations of abuse inside Israeli custody. There are allegations that the Swedish climate campaigner was dragged and beaten, while others, too, were mistreated

Inside the daunting op to rescue more than 200 trekkers trapped on Mount Everest slopes

Hundreds of trekkers on the eastern face of Mount Everest are awaiting help after a severe blizzard trapped them on the slopes. Officials are racing against time and the weather to bring them to safety. As of now, 350 have been rescued, while contact has been made to get another 200 to the base

Why Hamas has little choice but to accept Trump’s Gaza plan

US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza has been the talk of the town. Palestinian militant group Hamas has said that it accepts some of the US president’s proposed peace plan. But, how far will it go in accepting the terms?

‘No fire extinguishers, no water’: Was blaze at Jaipur hospital due to short-circuit or negligence?

Family members are inconsolable after a fire broke out at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, killing eight people. Relatives allege the hospital staff ignored their warnings before the blaze broke out and even fled the scene. But the administration has another version; the trauma chief states a short circuit led to the blaze, and they provided all the help required

History Today: When Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by Islamic extermists

On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated during a military parade in Cairo. The day also marked Austria-Hungary’s 1908 annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the outbreak of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and China’s 1976 arrest of the Gang of Four

FirstUp: Nobel Prize in medicine to be announced and other big headlines today

The Nobel Prize in the field of Physiology or Medicine will be announced today in Stockholm, Sweden. This will mark the beginning of the Nobel Week, which includes awards for Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics. Also, an appeal from one of the 51 men convicted in the mass rape of Gisele Pelicot in France will be heard. Here are the big stories of the day

Do strong friendships slow down ageing? Science says yes

A new study has found that people who build strong, supportive relationships over their lifetime don’t just feel younger, but their bodies may actually age more slowly. Published in the journal Brain, Behaviour & Immunity – Health, the research suggests that meaningful relationships can lower biological ageing and levels of chronic inflammation

This Week in Explainers: How a US shutdown affects American as well as Indian lives

The US government is in the grips of a shutdown, with several federal services suspended across America. However, the closure will also impact visa applicants, including Indians, as the agency tied to providing paperwork that is key for H-1B visas has shuttered. Here’s this and more in our weekly roundup of world news

History Today: When Harvey Weinstein was exposed in a scandal that shook Hollywood

On October 5, 2017, The New York Times exposed decades of sexual abuse allegations against Harvey Weinstein, igniting the global #MeToo movement. The date also marks milestones such as the death of Apple visionary Steve Jobs in 2011, the debut of Dr No in 1962, and the Dalai Lama’s 1989 Nobel Peace Prize

What’s the planetary health diet that could save lives and the planet?

A new report from the EAT-Lancet Commission shows that shifting to mostly plant-based diets could prevent millions of deaths every year and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming. It warns that without big changes to the global food system, even switching to cleaner energy won’t be enough to stop the worst effects of climate change

How Nagpur hotelier, wife died in road accident in Italy

Javed Akhtar, owner of Nagpur's popular Gulshan Plaza in Sitabuldi, died in a tragic road accident in Italy's Grosseto with his wife, Nadira Gulshan. The couple's three children are critically injured and are currently in the hospital. The family was on their way to Tuscany when the vehicle was hit by a truck. The Indian Embassy is currently assisting the family

This Week in Explainers: How the Zubeen Garg death case is unravelling

Four people, including his manager Siddhartha Sharma, have been arrested following the death of singer Zubeen Garg’s in Singapore last month. His autopsy report has also shed light on the cause of his sudden demise. Here’s all this and more in our weekly roundup

Hostage release, Gaza governance: What has Hamas agreed and not agreed to in Trump's peace plan?

Hamas has responded to US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza's future, including ending Israel's war in the enclave. While the Palestinian militant group has agreed to several central demands, including Israel's withdrawal, the release of Israeli hostages and recovery efforts, significant disagreements over governance and its own future role remain

History Today: When Soviet Union launched Sputnik-1 and ushered in the space race

On October 4, 1957, the erstwhile Soviet Union sent Sputnik-1 into outer space. The launch of the world’s first artificial satellite by the USSR would leave its great geopolitical rival, the United States, horrified and forever change the world. Also, on this day in 1970, Janis Joplin, the American singer-songwriter and rock icon, was found dead in her hotel room of an accidental overdose

Crowdsourcing app for monitoring Ice disappears from Apple store. Here's what happened

While US President Donald Trump had promised his administration would go after criminals, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement instead seems to be targeting people who have been in the United States for decades without any incident. As a result, people are coming up with ways of countering Ice. One of the ways was a crowdsourcing app called ICEBlock, which keeps tabs on the activity of its agents. But now that app has disappeared from the Apple store

Why is Donald Trump creating new 'war zones' for US military?

In a development that has left many alarmed, US President Donald Trump seems to be attempting to expand the use of the military both at home and overseas. The Trump administration, in a memo, has claimed that the US is at war with drug cartels. He earlier also told America’s top generals that America is at ‘war from within’ and that US cities could be used as ‘training grounds’ for the military

Why is Japan just days away from running out of the popular Asahi Super Dry beer?

Japan is on the brink of running out of Asahi Super Dry as a cyberattack cripples the nation’s largest brewer. With production halted across most of Asahi’s 30 factories and shipments frozen, retailers warn that shelves could be empty within days

Does Afghan foreign minister’s visit to India indicate a change in Taliban-Delhi ties?

Early next week, India will receive an unlikely guest — the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Taliban government. This will be the first high-level visit from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021. But what will be the agenda of Muttaqi’s visit?

Why is facial recognition not as harmless as it seems?

Facial recognition technology is becoming an increasingly common form of identification. While it may seem quick, convenient and secure, at the same time, it evokes concerns over privacy violations, especially for children. Here's how

Happy soles: Why offices are asking employees to work without shoes

An increasing number of startups and businesses in the US and UK are asking their employees to ditch their shoes in the office and instead stroll around in socks or slip into comfy slippers once they arrive. The goal is to make the office feel less like a stiff, stressful place

Zubeen Garg death probe: Who has been arrested? What has autopsy revealed?

Assamese singer Zubeen Garg’s untimely death has triggered dejection and outrage in the northeastern state. The musician died reportedly while swimming in waters off St John’s Island in Singapore last month. Four people, including his manager and co-singer, have been arrested after the Assam CID launched a probe into the singer’s death. Here’s what we know

Meet Russ Vought, Trump’s shutdown architect

While Donald Trump is the front man, it is Russell Thurlow Vought who is the architect of America’s government shutdown. But who is Vought, 49, the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the co-author of Project 2025? What do we know about him?

Once an NSG commando, now a drug lord: The shocking story of Bajrang Singh

Bajrang Singh, a former NSG commando who fought terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was arrested in Rajasthan's Churu for masterminding a multi-state cannabis smuggling racket. The man, who carried a Rs 25,000 reward on his head, was nabbed with 200 kg of cannabis by the state’s ATS and Anti-Narcotics Task Force in a dramatic operation