Explainers News - Page 21

Trump announces 100% tariff on pharmaceuticals. Would this hurt India’s drug makers?

The tariff blitz continues. Donald Trump has now imposed a 100 per cent duty on pharmaceutical drugs from October 1. This could hurt India’s drug makers, as America is one of their largest markets, earning $8.7 billion from pharma exports to the US in 2024 alone

MiG‑21 retires: The chequered history of IAF’s ‘warhorse’ that soared Indian skies for over 60 years

The Indian Air Force is bidding adieu to its iconic MiG‑21 fighter jets. The Soviet-origin aircraft were first inducted into the IAF in 1963. India’s first supersonic fighter played a critical role in several conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot air strikes. However, over the years, it came to be known as the ‘flying coffin’. Here’s a look back at the highs and lows of the MiG‑21s

FirstUp: Israel’s Netanyahu to address UN General Assembly and other headlines of the day

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York today. Before departing for the US, he said he would ‘denounce’ Western leaders who have recognised a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, thousands are expected to gather in New York City to call for sanctions on Israel and an end to the war in Gaza

In Graphics | Which French leaders have run afoul of the law?

Ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail. Sarkozy was convicted of a criminal conspiracy over attempts to raise campaign funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential bid. At the time, the late dictator Muammar Gaddafi ruled the country. While he will become the first former French president to spend time in jail, he is far from the only leader who faced legal trouble

How foreign students subsidise America's education and why Trump's H-1B may end it

Foreign students have been going to America for decades in hopes of landing a high-paying job and maybe even a green card. But did you know that foreign students actually subsidise American students? This is because international students pay far higher tuition for their seats compared to locals. Here’s how Trump’s H-1B crackdown could hurt the US education system

Who is Sameer Wankhede, ex-narcotics officer who sued Aryan Khan’s ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’?

Sameer Wankhede, who grabbed the national limelight in 2021 after arresting Aryan Khan in an alleged drug bust, has filed a defamation suit against the makers of ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ series directed by Shah Rukh Khan’s son. The former NCB’s Mumbai zonal director has alleged that Aryan Khan’s directorial debut contains ‘false, malicious, and defamatory content’ intended to tarnish his image. But what makes him believe so?

Is this fur-real? Why has an Italian city introduced a dog tax?

The Italian city of Bolzano may introduce a daily tax of €1.50 (Rs 156) for visitors and residents with furry companions starting in 2026. The reason? The growing dog waste crisis. The money raised, authorities say, would go toward cleaning the streets and building dedicated parks for the canines

Will Trump’s $20 billion bailout rescue Argentina’s economy?

US President Donald Trump has pledged to help Argentina amid its financial turmoil, with the US Treasury considering a $20 billion bailout through currency swaps and bond purchases. President Javier Milei seeks urgent support as the peso plunges and debt payments loom, hoping to stabilise markets and boost his political standing ahead of October elections

How much oil does India buy from US?

Piyush Goyal, speaking at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum in New York, said India is a huge importer of energy from around the world and that it expects to increase its energy trade with the United States in the coming years. But how much crude oil does New Delhi import from Washington every year?

Will Charlie Kirk’s image appear on US currency?

Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump’s ally, could soon feature on US currency. Two Republican lawmakers have said they are planning to bring a bill directing the US Treasury to mint 400,000 silver dollar coins with the 31-year-old slain conservative activist’s face on them. But who decides whose face features on the American currency?

What will be the impact of Trump’s $100,000 visa fee? 5,500 jobs each month

The Trump administration’s plan to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas could cut 5,500 foreign work permits every month, hitting Indian tech professionals and US companies reliant on global talent. Experts warn the move may disrupt hiring and drive jobs offshore

Huntington’s disease treatment found. Why is it known as world’s most ‘cruel condition’?

Huntington’s disease, known as ‘one of the world’s most terrible diseases’, is a hereditary, neurological condition that causes the cells in the brain to rot. This leads to impairment in movement and in cognitive abilities. Now, for the first time, there’s a treatment that offers hope to those suffering from this condition

Baby Boom: Why Polish hotelier is rewarding couples who conceive on his properties

Władysław Grochowski, who runs one of Poland’s largest hotel and property groups, is offering a 'baby bonus' to couples who conceive during their stay at his hotels. Parents who have children after purchasing a home from the company will also be given 10,000 zlotys (around Rs 2.5 lakh). Employees of the hotel who become parents will be eligible for rewards as well

Europe has a drone problem. Can it be solved?

Russian drones are increasingly breaching European airspace, disrupting airports, and exposing Nato’s weaknesses. From Poland to Denmark, low-cost drones are testing Europe’s defences as leaders rush to create new countermeasures, including a proposed 'drone wall'

MiGs-21s retire, Tejas still a deal: Why India desperately needs more fighter jets

As the MiG-21 fighter craft are set to be phased out, there are reports that the Ministry of Defence will sign a major contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (Hal) for 97 Tejas fighter jets at an estimated Rs 67,000 crore. But will the influx of light combat aircraft be enough to boost the depleted squadron strength of the Indian Air Force?

'Was really fun': How an Indian-origin man chased and stabbed a sex offender in US

An Indian-origin man, Varun Suresh, allegedly murdered 71-year-old David Brimmer, a registered child sex offender in California. Chillingly, Suresh reportedly confessed to police that he had long harboured a desire to kill the old man, and he 'didn't feel sad at all'

Lunar Shock: Why is the Moon turning rusty? Is Earth to blame?

The Moon is turning rusty, and Earth may be the cause. Scientists suggest that our planet’s atmosphere could be behind the Moon’s rusting. Researchers have found hematite, a form of iron oxide also called rust, on the Moon’s surface, particularly near its poles. Earlier in 2020, scientists also confirmed that India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission had detected hematite in the same regions

It’s a missile train! Why India’s latest Agni-Prime launch is significant

India successfully test-fired its Agni-Prime missile, capable of striking targets up to 2,000 km, from a rail-based mobile launcher. This test shows that the country has the capability of being able to fire a missile from under the sea, surface, air, and even from a railway network, a technology that few other nations possess

Escalator-gate: Were UN ‘mishaps’ sabotage against Trump?

US President Donald Trump has accused the United Nations of 'triple sabotage' after a dramatic escalator stop, teleprompter failure, and an alleged sound issue disrupted his address. The UN denies foul play, blaming technical glitches and human error, but Trump insists the incidents were intentional and has called for a full investigation. Conspiracy theories also abound

Meet Agastya Goel, the Indian-origin Physics wizard seen with Trump after Olympiad win

Agastya Goel, a 17-year-old Indian-origin student, was part of the United States Physics Team that clinched all five gold medals at the 2025 International Physics Olympiad in Paris. The five-member team delivered the country's best-ever performance at the competition that saw participants from 85 countries. The teenagers were honoured at the White House, where US President Donald Trump hosted them

Who was Joshua Jahn, ‘anti-ICE’ gunman who went on rampage at Dallas immigration facility?

Twenty-nine-year-old Joshua Jahn has been named as the suspect who shot three migrants at an immigration centre in Texas before shooting himself. One of the bullets he fired had the words ‘anti-ICE’ written on it. Investigators also found a car believed to be his, which had a worn printout of a map with a message displayed above it

Who is Sonam Wangchuk, the activist at the centre of the Ladakh violence?

There’s an uneasy calm in Ladakh after four people died and 70 others were injured in clashes in Leh on Wednesday. The government has blamed innovator and activist Sonam Wangchuk’s speeches for inciting the demonstrators

History Today: When Nasa first lauched the Mars Observer to explore the Red Planet

On September 25, 1992, Nasa launched the Mars Observer, aiming to unlock the mysteries of the Red Planet, while in 1977, the first Chicago Marathon was held, ushering in a new era of long-distance running in the United States

FirstUp: Trump-Erdogan bilateral in US; PM Modi to inaugurate World Food India... The news today

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit the White House today to hold bilateral talks with his US counterpart, Donald Trump. They will be concluding trade and military agreements, said Potus. In India, PM Narendra Modi will be inaugurating the fourth edition of the World Food India, while the country's longest cantilever glass bridge will open in Andhra Pradesh

What's a good age to retire? For Europe, it's heading towards 70

Europe as a whole seems to be heading towards 70 as the age of retirement. This comes after news that Italy is considering freezing its retirement age at 67. Denmark, earlier this year, announced it would raise its retirement age to 70. How do the other European countries stack up?

How soon could ‘Day Zero droughts’ become a reality?

A major global study warns that 'Day Zero droughts' — when taps run completely dry — could hit parts of the world as early as the 2030s. With climate change disrupting rainfall and water demand surging, regions like the Mediterranean, southern Africa, and the western US face mounting risks

Why did 'Gen Z' protests in Ladakh turn violent?

Four people were left dead and over 50 injured in Ladakh’s Leh as protesters clashed with the police today (September 24). This came after students and youth organisations called for a shutdown in the city. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is spearheading the agitation, ended his hunger strike following the unrest. But what led to the demonstrations turning violent?

How Pakistan is teaching its students fake history about the clash with India

India had launched Operation Sindoor in May after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which left 26 dead. A ceasefire was called after Pakistan's DGMO reached out to India. However, its textbooks are now telling a different tale, one about victory

'Best friends forever': Who installed the Trump-Epstein statue in Washington?

A bronze statue titled ‘Best Friends Forever’ has appeared on the east end of the National Mall in Washington, DC, showing US President Donald Trump and late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein smiling, holding hands, and seemingly walking towards the Washington Monument. A largely anonymous group called ‘The Secret Handshake Project’ has reportedly taken responsibility for the art piece

Is the world ending today? Why some Christians believe so

Some Christians believe the world will come to an end today (September 24). TikTok is brimming with videos using the hashtag ‘Rapture’, a belief in some forms of Christianity that Jesus Christ will return and all Christians, dead or alive, will be raised into heaven. But why has the prediction come now?