Explainers News - Page 18

What's the row over sombrero videos that Donald Trump keeps posting?

US President Donald Trump has been posting AI-generated videos depicting Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer in sombreros, moustaches, and mariachi-themed settings. While Republicans defend the clips as satire, Democrats and Latino groups denounce them as racist and dangerous

Now drone sightings in Munich. What is Europe’s plan to counter this new threat?

Over a dozen flights were grounded at Munich airport on Thursday, with around 3,000 passengers affected after drones were spotted. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have also been spotted in several other countries, like Denmark, France, Norway, and Poland, among others, over the past month. What is Europe doing to counter them?

Gitanjali Angmo moves SC against Sonam Wangchuk’s arrest: Who is she?

Dr Gitanjali J Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has approached the Supreme Court, seeking her husband’s unconditional release from prison. He was arrested on September 26 under the National Security Act (NSA) following violent protests in Leh. Angmo, the co-founder of the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), is an accomplished social entrepreneur and educationist

No more breast implants: Why North Korea is cracking down on cosmetic surgeries

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has declared cosmetic surgery, especially breast enlargement procedures, as 'anti-socialist', calling them a symbol of capitalist vanity that corrupts the country’s values. He will now deploy 'strike teams' monitoring local neighbourhoods, conducting invasive checks and flagging women with noticeable changes in their bodies

What is Sir Creek, the region at the centre of India’s warning to Pakistan?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has put the spotlight on Sir Creek — a 96-km tidal estuary dividing Gujarat and Sindh — with a sharp warning to Pakistan. The decades-old dispute, rooted in colonial-era maps, now carries high stakes involving oil, gas, maritime rights, fisheries, and security

Why shutdowns are a US speciality, not a global norm

On October 1, the US government shut down, putting thousands of federal workers at risk. Political experts have predicted a lengthy period of government closure.  But, why are these shutdowns common in the US alone, while the UK and other western countries remain immune to such steps?

How Jihad Al-Shamie unleashed 7 minutes of terror in Manchester synagogue attack

The holiest holiday in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, turned into a horrific tragedy in Manchester when a man ran a car into a synagogue, and then went on a stabbing rampage. Jihad Al-Shamie, the man who is the slain suspect, has been identified as a 35-year-old who moved to the UK from Syria

History Today: When OJ Simpson was acquitted in the 'Trial of the Century'

On October 3, 1995, OJ Simpson was acquitted in the 'Trial of the Century', a verdict that divided America. The day also saw Germany’s reunification, Britain’s first atomic test, and the debut of The Guinness Book of Records

FirstUp: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to be sentenced and other big headlines of the day

On October 3, American music mogul Sean Combs will learn how much more of his life will be spent behind bars. Also, the Czech Republic parliamentary elections will be held today. Here's the big news for the day

Why is Elon Musk telling people to cancel Netflix subscriptions?

Elon Musk has urged millions to cancel Netflix, citing outrage over comments by 'Dead End: Paranormal Park' creator Hamish Steele about Charlie Kirk’s death and the streamer’s diversity and LGBTQ content. The Tesla chief amplified posts accusing Netflix of pushing a 'woke agenda'

After Nepal, why have Gen-Z protests broken out in Morocco?

Morocco is witnessing its most significant youth-driven unrest in years, as the GenZ 212 movement rallies thousands online and on the streets demanding better healthcare, education and jobs. From Rabat to Agadir, protests have turned violent in several cities amidst growing anger at the government’s spending priorities ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup

US government shutdown: Which party will gain more from it?

The US shutdown is unlikely to have any winners. The Democrats are trying to that they are going to do some kind of fighting and use whatever small leverage they do have. On the other hand, the Republicans can lose a lot in terms of public relations because of who is leading their party

Jane Goodall dies at 91: How the British conservationist became the ‘chimpanzee whisperer’

At the age of 91, British primatologist Jane Goodall has passed away. She revolutionised our thinking on chimpanzees — discovering that primates are intelligent and even exhibit human emotions such as joy and sadness. Even a Barbie doll is designed after her

Why was Greta Thunberg detained by Israel and what happens next?

Greta Thunberg was detained by Israeli forces after joining a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted at sea. The high-profile mission, involving over 40 boats and 500 participants, aimed to deliver humanitarian supplies but was stopped 70 nautical miles from Gaza

How US government shutdown could be a new headache for Indians

The US shutdown is an added challenge for Indian professionals. The US embassy in India has already announced that it will not update its social media account regularly due to a lapse in appropriations. Also, funding to the US department of labour, which is key to processing H-1B visas, will be snapped

History Today: When journalist Jamal Khashoggi stepped into a Saudi consulate and was never seen again

On October 2, 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based Saudi Arabian journalist who wrote critically of the crown prince and his policies, was murdered by a team of Saudi agents in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul. His remains have not yet been recovered. Here’s the heinous tale

What is ‘TrumpRx’, website to be launched for discounted drugs?

Come 2026, US citizens will be able to buy medication at a discount via TrumpRx – a website bearing the president Donald Trump’s name. Trump has announced that the federal government is tying up with the drug maker Pfizer to allow the firm to sell its drugs straight to consumers. He said deals with other big pharma firms are in the works. Here’s what we know

Why an AI actor has irked Hollywood

Tilly Norwood, an AI actor, has triggered outrage in Hollywood. A-listers like Emily Blunt have criticised the synthetic performer created by Dutch comedian, writer and actress Eline Van der Velden. But why is the industry up in arms?

Pakistan successfully test-fires Fatah-4. But does India need to worry?

Pakistan has announced that it has successfully test-fired the indigenously-developed Fatah-4 missile on Tuesday. But what do we know about the subsonic cruise missile?

Meet the American woman who charges Rs 26 lakh to pick baby names

Taylor Humphrey, an American 'baby name consultant', turned her passion for naming children into a luxury service for parents who want the perfect, meaningful name for their child. The 37-year-old who calls herself a 'name nerd', has over 100,000 followers on social media and a portfolio boasting more than 500 names she has curated for families

Are tariffs making US ‘rich as hell’ as Trump claims?

US President Donald Trump, delivering a speech to top US commanders at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, claimed that America was raking in ‘trillions of dollars’ as a result of tariffs. But how much revenue are tariffs generating every month? Are they making the country ‘rich as hell’ as Trump claims?

Cyberfrauds, offences against women & more: The crimes on the rise in India

The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data has once again put the spotlight on women’s safety in India. It reveals that crimes against women rose in 2023, with a total of around 4.48 lakh cases. While murders saw a dip compared to 2022, crimes have increased overall. Here’s what the data tells us about cybercrimes and student suicides

A new US bill to replace H-1B lottery system? What it means for Indian workers and Big Tech

The H-1B visa programme is facing its biggest shake-up in decades. US lawmakers are pushing bipartisan bills to raise wages, tighten hiring rules, and end the lottery system in favour of higher pay-based selection. India accounts for 71 per cent of H-1B approvals

91 students missing 2 days after Indonesia school collapse: Why rescue ops are tricky

A catastrophe unfolded at the Al Khoziny Islamic boarding school in Sidoarjo, a town 780 km east of Jakarta. Hundreds of students had gathered for afternoon prayers when the roof suddenly caved in, trapping them under humongous amounts of concrete rubble. More than 300 personnel are on site for rescue, but progress has been slow and extremely risky

How did Keir Starmer go from a landslide win to Britain’s most unpopular PM in a year?

Keir Starmer entered Downing Street last year with a record-breaking Labour landslide. Just 15 months later, he has become the most unpopular UK prime minister on record, with satisfaction at 13 per cent and dissatisfaction at 79 per cent. Economic woes and Reform UK’s surge under Nigel Farage now raise questions about Starmer’s future

Why Bihar’s final electoral roll has 47 lakh less voters

The Election Commission (EC) has released Bihar’s final voter list after holding a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state. The final number of electors has fallen by about 47 lakh, or six per cent, leading to a total electorate of 7.4 crore. But why have so many names been deleted from the final roll?

Charlie Javice gets 7 years in jail for $175-million JPMorgan fraud case: Who is the millennial startup founder?

Former Frank CEO Charlie Javice has been sentenced for defrauding JPMorgan Chase in a $175-million acquisition deal. Accused of inflating user numbers to mislead the bank, Javice’s case has become one of the biggest recent corporate fraud scandals in the US

Churches damaged, roads split open: How 6.9 earthquake ravaged Philippines

A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook central Philippines late Tuesday, claiming more than 60 lives and causing widespread damage across Cebu province. The quake, centred near Bogo, led to massive power cuts and collapsed structures, including a centuries-old church. At least 147 people were injured across the central islands, with authorities declaring a 'state of calamity' in parts of Cebu to speed up rescue and relief operations

Has Shehbaz Sharif made a quick escape to London as Pakistan battles crisis after crisis?

After a hectic US visit during which he met with President Donald Trump and addressed the UN General Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif is in London until October 2. The Pakistani prime minister is in the British capital for medical tests as well as some ‘personal time’ — reportedly shopping, fine-dining and spending time with family. This comes as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is in the grips of mass anti-government protests

Does Donald Trump really have the power to fire military leaders?

At a high-stakes meeting with top generals and admirals, US President Donald Trump threatened to fire military leaders who oppose him, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told officers to resign if they disagreed with his agenda. The fiery remarks bring into question how much authority US presidents truly have over generals