Explainers News - Page 17

Did Afghanistan shoot down Pakistan’s F-16 jet amid new clashes?

Amid fresh clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Kabul has claimed a huge victory. Afghan troops have shared a video that shows an F-16 being shot down. However, the authenticity of the visual is being questioned; Grok claims it’s a fake, while social media users argue that the aircraft’s size doesn’t match that of the US-made jet

Why Pakistan has launched ‘open war’ against Afghanistan

In the wee hours of Friday, Pakistan launched ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ against Afghanistan, targeting several military installations in cities like Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. The airstrikes came after the Taliban launched a cross-border strike earlier. Differing death tolls have emerged following the violence — Islamabad claims to have killed 133, while Kabul has claimed the death of 55 Pakistani troops

From trade to Ukraine war, the key takeaways from Merz's visit to China

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has wrapped up his inaugural visit to China on Thursday (February 26). Matters ranging from the trade gap with the EU to the situation in Ukraine and Taiwan were discussed between the two nations. Here are the key takeaways

What to expect from Canada PM Mark Carney’s first India visit?

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s India visit from February 27 to March 2, 2026, comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify trade beyond the US, revive strained ties with New Delhi, push CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) talks, and expand cooperation on clean energy, critical minerals, defence, technology, and security

FirstUp: Canada’s Carney begins India visit and other big news today

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney begins his visit to India today (February 27) and continues until March 2. This will be Carney's first official visit to India as PM. In the US, Defence Secretary Pete ⁠Hegseth has reportedly given AI company Anthropic today's deadline for full access to its technology for military use or face action

FTA in the making, UPI & more: How successful was PM Modi’s Israel visit?

India and Israel have elevated their ‘time-tested’ relationship to a special strategic partnership, PM Narendra Modi announced on Thursday (February 26) during his two-day trip to the West Asian country. The two sides have also decided to finalise a ‘mutually beneficial’ free trade agreement (FTA) soon. India’s UPI is also likely to be introduced in Israel

Who is Borge Brende, World Economic Forum chief who quit over Epstein files?

Borge Brende, president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, resigned after US Justice Department documents revealed multiple interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosures triggered an independent WEF review and political backlash in Norway amid the general scrutiny of Epstein’s network across business and political elites

South Korea’s birth rate rises: How ‘echo boomers’ helped in population crisis

South Korea logged 254,500 births in 2025, the biggest increase in nearly two decades. Analysts credit several factors, including ‘echo boomers’ and a rise in marriages, for the 6.8 per cent surge in total births last year. ‘Echo boomers’ or the ‘echo boom generation’ refers to people born between 1991 and 1995

US holds military edge, but Iran has ways to retaliate. Here’s how

The situation is tense between Iran and the US as the Islamic Republic faces the threat of major strikes by the world's most powerful military. But, even after this, Tehran has the power to inflict pain on American forces and allies. It has hundreds of missiles capable of hitting Israel

Stephen Hawking relaxing with bikini-clad women. What’s the story behind the image?

Renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has once again been linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. An image from the Epstein files shows the British scientist lounging by a pool with two bikini-clad women

An Indian family loaned Rs 35,000 to the British and now wants it back. Why?

Vivek Ruthia, 63, claims that the British government borrowed Rs 35,000 from his late grandfather, Seth Jummalal Ruthia, in 1917. The man extended the loan and received written documentation confirming the debt and promising repayment. But Ruthia claims the money was never repaid

Anthropic faces blacklisting by Pentagon. Why is the AI firm battling with Trump administration?

Anthropic is in trouble; it is at risk of being blacklisted by the US Department of War. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has given the AI firm, led by Dario Amodei, until 5 pm on Friday (February 27) to accede to the Trump administration’s demands. But what are they?

Can King Charles save Veeraswamy, UK’s oldest Indian restaurant?

Campaigners have delivered a petition with over 20,000 signatures to Buckingham Palace, urging King Charles to stop the closure of the UK's oldest surviving Indian restaurant. The lease of Veeraswamy, which opened in March 1926, is expiring this June, with the Crown Estate refusing an extension

Has Iran rebuilt its nuclear programme as US claims?

After US and Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites in 2025, US President Donald Trump now claims Tehran is rebuilding its nuclear programme. As indirect talks resume in Geneva amid US military buildup, questions remain over Iran's enrichment levels and whether these talks can avert fresh conflict

Why has Saudi Arabia banned poultry, egg imports from India and 39 other countries?

Saudi Arabia has banned poultry and egg imports from India and 39 other countries. The decision was part of precautionary measures to safeguard public health and protect its domestic food supply chain. It comes amid rising global concerns over bird flu outbreaks

Explained: The significance of Yad Vashem, Holocaust memorial, Modi is visiting in Israel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Israel visit includes a stop at Yad Vashem on Thursday (February 26), the country’s official Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. From its museums and memorial halls to its global significance, here’s what the site represents

Viral videos, sold-out toys… Why the world is going bananas over Punch, the Japanese monkey

The world is going gaga over a seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch. This primate, who was abandoned by his mother, has spurred thousands of videos online, a surge in the sale of an IKEA toy, and even an offer to be bought. But what’s our fascination with the baby monkey?

What is the 'Speaker of Knesset Medal' that Israel awarded PM Modi?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official two-day visit to Israel, was awarded the Speaker of the Knesset medal after addressing the Israeli parliament. This honour is the Jewish nation's highest parliamentary award

Hugs, praise and more… The Modi-Netanyahu friendship looks solid

Day 1 of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel was all about the bonhomie that he shares with Benjamin Netanyahu. The two world leaders shared warm hugs and laughs, lavished praise on one another and even carpooled. The Israeli leader even donned a ‘Modi jacket’, surprising his Indian counterpart

FirstUp: PM Modi's Day 2 in Israel, Iran-US talks in Geneva... The news

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin the second day of his official visit to Israel. He will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and also visit the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre to pay tribute to the victims. Iran and the US are scheduled to convene in Geneva, Switzerland, for a critical third round of diplomatic negotiations

Stuffed animals and nude photos: What secrets did Epstein’s Paris home hide?

Previously unpublished police photos reveal disturbing details inside Jeffrey Epstein’s luxury Paris apartment, including massage rooms, sex toys and walls lined with nude images. French prosecutors are reopening probes into alleged abuse, trafficking and financial crimes linked to Epstein’s network in France

Is India eyeing the Iron Beam as Modi visits Israel?

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi commences his two-day visit to Israel, India is weighing the induction of Israel’s Iron Beam laser defence system as part of a major overhaul of its integrated air defence network. The move could reshape how India counters drone swarms and low-cost rocket threats while strengthening defence cooperation with Israel

Why Israel’s ‘hexagon of alliances’ with India has spooked Pakistan

When Prime Minister Modi sits down for talks with Benjamin Netanyahu, the two leaders will discuss the Israeli leader’s latest proposal of a ‘hexagon of alliances’. This six-sided bloc, with India and other Arab and African nations, is expected to take on ‘radical’ adversaries. However, Pakistan has already condemned this proposal, calling it an ‘anti-Muslim Ummah bloc’

How did 72 tigers die in 2 weeks in a Thai tourist park?

At least 72 tigers died at two facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, a popular tourist attraction in northern Thailand. Preliminary tests indicate the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV), a highly contagious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems

Defence, tech, trade: What’s the agenda of PM Modi’s Israel visit?

PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel for a two-day visit. Defence is expected to be the main focus of the Indian leader’s first trip to the West Asian country since 2017. He will also address the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset

Nearly 5,000 sailors, malfunctioning toilets: What’s happening on US’ largest warship amid Iran tensions?

The USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest warship, is deployed in West Asia amid rising threats of the US striking Iran. However, for the 4,600-strong crew on board, the biggest problem is not the enemy, but blocked toilets

How a Rs 590-crore fraud unfolded at IDFC FIRST Bank

IDFC FIRST Bank is in trouble after a Rs 590-crore scam was discovered at its Chandigarh branch in Haryana. Investigations reveal that bank officials and external parties perpetrated the fraud through deceitful cheque-debit transactions. Now, four people have been arrested — the bank’s former manager and three others

Trump delivers the longest State of the Union speech. Who held the record before him?

At one hour and 48 minutes, US President Donald Trump delivered the longest State of the Union speech. Before him, former President Bill Clinton held the record for speaking for one hour and 28 minutes to the US Congress

UK’s new travel rules explained: Will Indian travellers be affected?

The UK is rolling out Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from Wednesday (February 25), for visa-free travellers, while Indians remain visa nationals under a fully digital eVisa system. Here’s a complete explainer on who needs the ETA, who is exempt, costs, enforcement, and what Indian travellers must know

‘Want to come back home, but can’t’: Why Indian medical students are reluctant to leave Iran

Following India’s advisory to all its citizens, including students, to leave Iran amid rising tensions with the US, hundreds of medical students fear an academic setback due to crucial exams scheduled for early March. They have now appealed to PM Narendra Modi to intervene and engage with the Iranian authorities to consider the option of ‘postponing’ the tests