Explainers News - Page 2

Why has Spain closed its airspace to US planes amid the Iran war?

Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in the Iran conflict, reasserting its opposition to Washington’s operations against the Islamic Republic. This move complicates America’s military campaign against Tehran and is likely to drive a bigger wedge between the two Nato allies

Fact check: Is FBI director Kash Patel dancing to Bollywood song in viral video?

Amid Kash Patel’s email-hacking controversy, a viral video of a man dancing to an old Bollywood track has emerged, with many suggesting it is the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director. However, the clip has zero connection to him, and the visuals date back to 2022

FirstUp: France's Macron heads to Japan amid Iran war and other big headlines of the day

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Japan from today (March 31) to Thursday (April 2). Macron, who has visited Japan several times, will hold talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Meanwhile, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will visit

How 35-yr-old ‘crypto bro’, who once cleaned toilets, influenced Trump’s views on Pakistan

Bilal Bin Saqib, a self-described ‘crypto bro’ from Lahore, is emerging as an unlikely bridge between Pakistan and Donald Trump’s crypto ecosystem. Here is what we know about him

Nasa's Artemis II mission: Meet the 4 astronauts who will be going around the Moon

The four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission will be the first to travel to the Moon in more than five decades. Americans Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch will make the voyage with their Canadian colleague Jeremy Hansen and are now preparing to take off as early as April 1. Their journey is set to last around 10 days

From AWACS to F-35: The million-dollar US military assets destroyed and damaged by Iran

From advanced fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to drones, missile defence systems and high-value radars, Iran’s strikes have taken out some of the United States’ most critical military assets. These including AWACS, an F-35 jet, drones, and a THAAD system

Canada tightens asylum rules: What does it mean for Indians?

Canada’s new Bill C-12 introduces stricter asylum rules, faster deportations, and expanded government powers over immigration processes. With Indians forming the largest group of asylum seekers and students, the law could significantly impact them

What’s next for Nitish Kumar as he resigns from Bihar Legislative Council?

Nitish Kumar has stepped down as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). Though Nitish remains Bihar's chief minister for now, the development has set off fresh speculation about his future. Let’s take a closer look

Can astronauts get pregnant in space?

New research reveals that getting pregnant in space would be a very difficult task. Research carried out by the University of Adelaide reveals that sperm lose direction in microgravity, reducing fertilisation rates by up to 30 per cent. This study is crucial to humans’ ability to live and survive in extra-terrestrial environments such as the Moon or Mars

US 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrives in West Asia: What's this elite task force?

The United States has deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to West Asia as tensions with Iran escalate. Operating from the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, the force enhances Washington’s strike and maritime security capabilities, offering flexible military options amid ongoing conflict and uncertainty over potential ground operations

Why Trump is eyeing Iran's uranium, and why it could prove a costly affair

US President Donald Trump is said to be considering authorising an operation to take Iran's uranium. However, experts think this will be a difficult and costly operation

Indian worker killed in Kuwait: Is the Gulf becoming dangerous for expats as war escalates?

The conflict in West Asia has entered its fifth week, with the death toll rising. On Monday, day 31 of the war, an Indian worker died after Iran struck a power and water desalination facility in Kuwait. This has cast a light on the dangers that Indians are facing as they live in Gulf countries. Already, six others have been killed, while nearly 10 million others are at risk

Italian job, the Kitkat edition: Who stole over 400,000 chocolate bars in Europe ahead of Easter?

A huge shipment of Nestle’s crunchy KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Europe. The lorry carrying 413,793 units of its new chocolate range had left central Italy and was en route to Poland when it was stolen. Confirming the theft, Nestle said, ‘The vehicle and its load are still nowhere to be found’

Why have Yemen’s Houthis entered the West Asia war now?

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have entered the escalating West Asia conflict with missile and drone strikes on Israel, raising fears of a wider regional war. Their involvement threatens key maritime chokepoints like the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab, potentially disrupting global trade and energy supplies

Could damage to US E-3 AWACS affect the offensive against Iran?

A pivotal US air force E-3 Sentry AWACS plane was among the aircraft damaged by Iran in a strike on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base. America has only 16 of these radars, which can track drones, missiles and aircraft from hundreds of kilometres away, making it a valuable asset amid the war

Is the US preparing for ground offensive in Iran?

With peace talks in limbo in West Asia, the United States is weighing limited ground operations inside Iran while boosting troop deployments. With key targets identified and Iran warning of retaliation, the situation hangs in the balance between diplomacy and escalation

Netanyahu says cardinal to have full access to church in Jerusalem. Why was he blocked earlier?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, would have ‘full and immediate access’ to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Earlier, Israeli authorities had prevented Pizzaballa from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass (March 29) there, citing ‘safety concerns’. However, this decision invited condemnation from leaders across the world

FirstUp: Myanmar presidential elections, Syrian president to visit Germany… The news today

Myanmar’s parliament will start the process to elect a new president. Today, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will visit Germany today for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In India, Nitish Kumar is expected to resign from Bihar’s Legislative Council

Did aliens shape ancient civilisations? Why the theory still has believers

The theory that aliens assisted the builders of ancient monuments was popularised by Swiss author Erich von Däniken in his 1968 bestselling book Chariot of the Gods. However, these ideas have since been challenged and repeatedly debunked, yet some believe that extraterrestrials played a role in the rise of ancient civilisations. Is it true?

‘Ih-ran’ or ‘E-ron’? How your pronunciation of the name may reflect your politics

It is probably not a big surprise to learn that listeners often hear certain words or accents as indicating someone’s political inclinations. That is because people are primed to notice patterns that mark group membership

Too much screen time? It may be driving eating disorders in youth

New research has found a strong link between excessive smartphone use and disordered eating behaviours among young people. The negative effects are significantly stronger for young people who use their smartphones for more than seven hours a day

The ‘Word of the Week’ is lockdown. No, India isn’t imposing one

In 2020, lockdown became a part of our daily lexicon as the Covid pandemic took over the world. Six years later, memories of the restrictions are back to haunt us as rumours swirl amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. However, the government has said that there shall be no lockdown

This Week in Explainers: Is Trump looking to escalate Iran war?

US President Donald Trump’s extension of the deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by April 6 has raised hopes that peace could be close. However, the US is also sending additional troops to West Asia. Is a ground invasion of Iran imminent? All this and more in our weekly wrap

A month of Iran war: What’s the human toll? How much does the conflict cost?

The war in West Asia has completed a month. There is no end to the fighting so far, even as US President Donald Trump talks of ending the conflict with Iran. The war has claimed the lives of over 4,500 people. The US is spending about $1 billion per day on the conflict

10-minute check-in, 3,900-metre ‘all-weather’ runway: What makes Noida’s new airport stand apart?

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of Noida International Airport in Jewar on Saturday (March 28), describing it as a symbol of ‘India's new spirit’. Envisioned as an international gateway for NCR, the Jewar airport offers an alternative to flyers from Western Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the region. Here’s what makes it special

Who is Nepal’s ex-PM KP Sharma Oli, arrested over deadly crackdown on Gen-Z protests?

Nepal’s former PM Khadga Prasad (KP) Sharma Oli was arrested on Saturday (March 28) morning over his alleged involvement in last September’s deadly crackdown on Gen-Z anti-corruption protests. He, along with his ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak, is being held at the Kathmandu Police Office and would be produced before the court on Sunday

This Week in Explainers: Why India has not hiked fuel prices, opted for WFH amid West Asia war

One month into the West Asia war, India’s neighbours like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal have hiked fuel prices and restricted travel. However, India is not hitting the panic button. In our weekly roundup, we talk about the impact of the conflict and more

Inside Nasa’s Rs 283.8-crore plan to stop a falling satellite from crashing to Earth

Nasa’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been orbiting the Earth for over two decades. Now, it is slowly falling out of orbit. Here’s how the space agency is trying to save the satellite from crashing into the Earth

Iran war nears one month: Which way could it go?

There are reports that the White House and the Pentagon are mulling over sending at least 10,000 more troops to West Asia in the backdrop of the Iran war. But will Trump give the go-ahead for an invasion?

How Pakistan became the owner of New York's iconic Roosevelt Hotel

Pakistan’s closeness with the US has become more visible in recent months, with Islamabad reaching a deal with Washington to jointly redevelop New York's famed Roosevelt Hotel last month. The century-old hotel in Midtown Manhattan is owned by Pakistan's national airline. But how did it acquire the property?