Explainers News - Page 3

Trump has had 2 ‘Taco’ moments amid Iran war. A new index suggests when next

Donald Trump is seeking to end the war with Iran and has already had two ‘Taco’ moments. He has postponed attacks on Tehran’s power plants twice within a week. Now, a tool devised by a Deutsche Bank strategist charts the amount of pressure the US president is under to change course

Excise duty on petrol, diesel cut: Is fuel getting cheaper for you?

With crude oil prices crossing $100 (Rs 9,461) per barrel amid the Iran war, the Centre has cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10. But will consumers benefit?

Ominous videos, pixelated images: Decoding White House’s cryptic posts amid Iran war

After posting two cryptic videos on social media, White House has posted a few new pixelated images on Thursday (March 26) and today (March 27), sparking confusion and speculation among viewers. Some even wondered if the Trump administration's social media accounts might have been hacked amid Iran

Not Kharg alone: Could Iranian islands, Larak and Abu Musa, be next US targets?

Apart from Kharg Island, attention is shifting to other strategic Iranian islands, such as Larak, Abu Musa, and Qeshm, in the critical Strait of Hormuz. Here is why

Are Kashmir’s donations for Iran being misused for ‘anti-India’ activities?

Kashmiris have shown solidarity with war-struck Iran, donating cash, gold, copper and even livestock for humanitarian purposes. However, intelligence agencies fear that several middlemen and some dubious organisations could be misappropriating and misusing these funds for anti-India activities

Is Trump buying time to send in troops to Iran? What’s behind the extended pause on US strikes?

It’s another Taco moment (Trump always chickens out). Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days to April 6. The timing of the decision is significant, with some noting that it’s a ruse to amass more troops in West Asia

Noelia Castillo: The story of Spanish gang-rape victim, who died by euthanasia after legal battle with her father

Noelia Castillo, 25, died on Thursday (March 26) after a long legal battle with her father for the right to end her life by euthanasia. The Spanish woman attempted suicide in 2022 and was left paralysed. Castillo was raped twice, first by her ex-boyfriend and then by three other boys

Amid war, US soldiers in West Asia are now working out of hotel rooms. Here’s why

The Iran war has forced the US to go remote. American troops across West Asia are now working out of hotels and office spaces. That’s because the intense firing of missiles and drones by Iran has made American bases in the region uninhabitable

Is Iran crowdfunding a campaign to assassinate Trump?

Iranian social media platforms are reportedly running a campaign ‘plotting to kill’ US President Donald Trump. Iranians are receiving a mass text, promoting what it describes as an ‘international campaign to reward the assassination of Trump’. The campaign was launched in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

FirstUp: Rubio in France for G7 talks on Iran; Modi to host meeting with CMs… Top news today

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet G7 allies in France to push America's strategy on the Iran conflict as rising tensions and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz drive global oil prices higher. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet with chief ministers and review preparedness

Inside Israel’s plan to carve out a 'buffer zone' in Lebanon

Israel earlier in March launched strikes on Lebanon that left over 1,000 dead and a million displaced. Now, Israeli leaders are talking about establishing a ‘buffer zone’ in southern Lebanon. But why?

US to invade Kharg Island? Why some experts say it could be a suicide mission

Nearly two weeks ago, US forces bombed what US President Donald Trump called military targets on Kharg Island. Now, there is speculation that the Trump administration could try to wrest control of the island from Iran. But why are experts worried?

War vs Covid: Why the conflict in West Asia is being compared to the pandemic

The war in West Asia is nearing the one-month mark. Since the start of the conflict, markets have tanked, and oil prices have soared. This has caused many countries, especially in Asia, to impose fuel-saving measures, evoking memories of the Covid pandemic when work from home and other curbs were introduced

Rasputin song in ‘Dhurandhar 2’: Who was the infamous Russian royal adviser?

Ranveer Singh-starrer ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ has put focus on the 1978 hit song Rasputin by Boney M. The song is inspired by Grigory Efimovich Rasputin, a mystic healer, who was believed to have wielded outsized influence over the Romanov family, the last imperial dynasty that ruled Russia. Here’s the story of the controversial figure

Bab el-Mandeb Strait: The ‘Gate of Tears’ that Iran is threatening to block after Hormuz

Iran has now threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States attempts to take Kharg Island. The development comes as Tehran has dismissed a 15-point ceasefire proposal from Washington and offered up its own list of demands

Fact-check: Is the viral 35-day LPG refill rule correct?

The Indian government has dismissed reports of changes to LPG refill booking timelines as ‘misinformation’, urging consumers to avoid panic bookings. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said no such revisions have been made to the existing refill booking norms, which are 25 days in urban areas and 45 days in rural areas

Metformin: How the diabetes drug is impacting the brain

A recent study has found that metformin, prescribed to those with type 2 diabetes, has a direct impact on the brain. The drug, which helps lower blood sugar, influences brain pathways. Here’s how

From Brent to Dubai: What are crude oil benchmarks and how they quietly decide what you pay for fuel

How a complex web of global benchmarks, traders and markets determines the price of every barrel

Op Urja Suraksha: How Indian Navy is helping India-bound vessels navigate Strait of Hormuz

Amid the conflict in West Asia, the Indian Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha to ensure the safe passage of India-bound cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has allowed a few ships to pass through the volatile maritime chokepoint, which remains shut for a large number of vessels. Here’s how the Indian Navy is securing critical maritime routes and protecting commercial ships destined for India from the region

H-1B registrations may decline 30-50%: What does this mean for Indians?

The H-1B visa registration process for fiscal year 2027 has closed, and according to immigration experts, filings this year are estimated to have dropped by around 30 to 50 per cent compared to last year. The decline in registration is linked to high visa fees and uncertainty amid an overhaul of the lottery system

How a teen’s Instagram addiction led to landmark verdict against Meta and Google

A Los Angeles jury has ordered Meta and Google to cough up $3 million after finding both companies liable for a young woman’s mental distress, including body dysmorphia and suicidal thoughts. This case could cost Big Tech billions — and potentially transform the use of social media

Will Iran and US be able to end the war? Why peace talks seem to be going nowhere

It’s a game of offer and counteroffer. Iran has rejected Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan, presenting its own set of demands, including reparations and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. These talks coincide with fresh US troop deployments and continued bombing campaigns, which suggests that neither side is interested in ceasing hostilities

What is BA.3.2, the new Covid variant spreading across US? Is it a cause of concern?

BA.3.2, an emerging Covid variant, has reportedly been detected in half of the United States and 22 other countries. The variant has as many as 75 mutations, far more than other strains. Dubbed 'Cicada', the strain could evade protection from current vaccines, researchers say. It was first detected in a respiratory sample in South Africa in November 2024

Online classes, WFH & price caps: How Asian nations are turning to Covid-era measures to save fuel

Several Asian nations are weighing work-from-home and other measures enforced during the Covid-19 outbreak as the war in West Asia disrupts oil flows, triggers fuel shortages and inflation risks. From shorter work week to fuel subsidies, governments are in a scramble as Strait of Hormuz disruption hits energy supply

FirstUp: Venezuela’s Maduro to appear in US court, Nepal's lawmakers to take oath… The news today

Venezuela’s deposed President Nicolas Maduro will return to a New York court on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy. He had made an appearance in the US court earlier where he pleaded not guilty. Also, Nepal’s newly-elected lawmakers will take their oath of office today

Iran war raises a big question: Does Israel have nuclear weapons?

One of Israel’s goals in the war is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, arms control organisations have assessed that the Jewish country itself has some 80–90 nuclear weapons, exposing the double standard of the West

LPG vs PNG: Why piped gas is a better option for you

The government has urged Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder users to switch to Piped Natural Gas (PNG). Have you ever wondered what the difference between PNG and LPG is? And which one is better for you?

HRA, Form 16 & more: What changes under new Income Tax rules?

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified new income tax rules days before the new income tax Act goes into effect from April 1. Under the new rules, individuals in four major cities, including Bengaluru and Pune will be allowed to claim HRA exemption of up to 50 per cent of their salary. Form 16 is also set to be replaced

Why is US deploying troops of 82nd Airborne Division to West Asia amid talks of peace?

The United States is preparing to deploy the elite 82nd Airborne Division to West Asia, even as there is a growing buzz around peace talks. Known for rapid deployment and parachute assaults, the force could play a key role as Washington weighs its next move

No shortage of petrol and diesel in India. Here’s why you should stop panic buying

People are rushing to buy petrol and diesel, with serpentine queues seen at fuel stations in cities across India. From Gujarat to Telangana, panic buying has led to massive crowds at fuel pumps despite the government’s assurance that there is no shortage. Will people’s anxiousness, not the war in Iran, cause fuel scarcity in India?