Explainers News - Page 4

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?

West Asia peace plan: From US to Iran, who wants what?

US President Donald Trump shocked many earlier this week by announcing that Washington and Tehran were negotiating to end the conflict. But what are America's demands? What do Iran and the Gulf nations want?

Maharashtra’s Epstein files? How Ashok Kharat, a Nashik godman, conned believers and raped women

Ashok Kharat, a self-styled godman accused of sexually assaulting several women, is now being suspected of carrying out multiple human sacrifices. As per the public prosecutor, key findings indicate that the self-styled godman is possibly linked to the alleged killings of several people. Kharat has been sent to five more days of police custody, until March 29

Operation Searchlight: How Pakistan’s brutal massacre led to the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971

Bangladesh is marking March 25 as Genocide Day to commemorate the brutal crackdown by the Pakistani Army in 1971. Fifty-five years ago, Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight to hunt down any Bengali who desired independence. For nine months, rape and murder became a reality of every street in then East Pakistan

Harish Rana dies after spending 13 years in coma: What are India’s euthanasia laws?

India’s first passive euthanasia patient, Harish Rana, was cremated in Delhi on March 25 (today) after spending 13 years in a vegetative state. The 31-year-old’s death came after the Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal of life support, shining a light on India’s euthanasia laws

Open Hormuz, quit nukes… Why Trump’s 15-point peace plan may be unacceptable to Iran

The Donald Trump administration has sent a 15-point plan to Iran via Pakistan. It includes strict restrictions on its nuclear programme, halting support for proxy groups, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The question, however, remains: Will Tehran accept the proposal?

No cans, no beer? How the Iran war threatens India’s beer industry

Global brewers in India may face potential price hikes and supply disruptions due to the West Asia conflict. The gas shortage is impacting the production of glass bottles, and the significant shipping delays for aluminium are hitting can production

Saudi Arabia’s MBS is ‘pushing’ Trump to continue Iran war. Here’s why

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has been urging Donald Trump to continue the war against Iran, even as the US president looks to wind down the hostilities. There are political and economic reasons why Riyadh’s de facto ruler wants the fighting to continue

Why has the West Asia war caused more concerns for LPG than LNG in India?

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war in West Asia has hit India’s energy supplies, with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) being a greater cause of concern than liquefied natural gas (LNG). Six LPG tankers reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the conflict, but this dropped to just one tanker each on March 18, 20 and 21

FirstUp: Centre holds all-party meet over West Asia crisis… today’s big news

The Centre has called an all-party meeting today (March 25) to discuss the situation in West Asia. Also, Rahul Gandhi will launch the Congress’ poll campaign in Kerala. In America, Republicans are gathering for the annual Conservative Political Action meet in Texas

Iran war: Are talks really on between Washington and Tehran?

While President Donald Trump has said that Iran and the US are holding talks, Tehran has denied such claims. So, what do we know?

Why is Pakistan rushing to help end Iran war? It’s not because of peace

Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are reportedly passing messages between the United States and Iran to help end the conflict in West Asia. A meeting between US and Iranian officials is likely to be held in Islamabad this week. But why is Pakistan positioning itself as a mediator?

Quicksplained: Who is Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, Iran's new security chief?

After the death of Ali Larijani in a strike last week, Iran has appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as the secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council. But who is the ex-IRGC commander?

Rs 938 crore in 20 minutes! Why profits made just after Trump paused Iran strikes seem suspicious

Traders made large bets on crude oil futures just minutes before US President Donald Trump delayed the bombing of Iran’s power plants on Monday (March 23). As stock markets rebounded and oil prices plunged following the announcement, an estimated Rs 938 crore profit was made in just 20 minutes. Was it just a coincidence or insider trading?

Iran war: How India is withstanding oil shock as other nations struggle

As the price of crude oil has crossed the $104 (Rs 9,752) mark, several Asian nations, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, have taken steps such as capping domestic fuel prices, scrapping tariffs on fuel imports, and introducing a four-day work week. India, meanwhile, has largely remained insulated from the fallout of the war. But how?

The who’s who of leadership in Iran as Trump looks to wind down the war

Donald Trump says Iran has entered peace talks with the US and signalled it is open to a deal. But who is in charge of Iran today? From Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, here's a look at the leadership in Tehran

The miraculous survival of Air Canada flight attendant during crash at New York airport

A flight attendant, who was violently thrown from the Air Canada flight that crashed into a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York, has survived with some injuries. The collision killed two pilots and injured dozens of passengers and crew. However, the flight attendant sitting in a jump seat was found alive by rescuers

Why Hong Kong police can now demand phone and computer passwords

Authorities in Hong Kong can now demand phone and computer passwords after amending the National Security Law (NSL), which was passed in the aftermath of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong

Is Iran to blame for explosion at Texas refinery? The bizarre conspiracy theory, explained

Dark plumes of smoke engulfed the Texas skies after an explosion occurred at an oil refinery in Port Arthur. While officials are still determining the cause, people online are speculating that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are linked to the tragedy

Who was Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of porn platform OnlyFans, who died of cancer at 43?

Leonid Radvinsky, the owner of OnlyFans, best known for pornographic material, died of cancer at the age of 43, the company announced on Monday (March 23). He reportedly purchased the firm in 2018 from its two UK-based founders. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the site's popularity surged, landing Radvinsky on Forbes' annual list of billionaires

Which nations are leading Iran-US negotiations, and what is Pakistan’s role?

Is peace on the cards? After 25 days of fighting, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey have emerged as mediators to secure a truce between the United States and Iran. Islamabad has also offered to host talks, with Donald Trump’s envoy reportedly travelling to the country

Is Trump’s pause on Iran strikes a ‘Taco’ moment?

Donald Trump seems to be having yet another ‘Taco’ (Trump Always Chickens Out) moment, backing down on a threat to ‘obliterate’ Iran’s power plants if it didn’t open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. However, some within Tehran and elsewhere claimed that the pause in attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure was the US president’s attempts to manipulate the markets

Who is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's strongman in the spotlight after Trump's pause on strikes?

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Monday (March 23) firmly rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that Washington and Tehran were engaged in 'productive talks' to end the West Asia conflict. The Israeli media claimed that Ghalibaf has been in talks with US officials, including Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff

FirstUp: Danish elections, IPCC meet... The big news today

Denmark is holding its general elections today (March 24), with voters set to determine who sits in the 179-member parliament. Also, the 64th session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will begin in Bangkok, Thailand

Trump says Iran and US want to ‘make a deal’: Is West Asia war ending?

US President Donald Trump has announced a five-day pause on strikes targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing ‘productive’ conversations over the weekend aimed at ending the war. Iran, however, has denied any talks. So, what’s going on?

Trump gold coin for US 250th anniversary sparks row: Is this legal?

A proposed 24-carat gold coin featuring Donald Trump for America’s 250th anniversary has triggered a debate. Critics say it breaks democratic traditions, while supporters call it symbolic. Here’s a clear breakdown of the controversy, legal loopholes, and historical context

Why Germany is turning to Indians as it faces shortage of workers

Like many other European nations, Germany has been facing a demographic crisis. A 2024 study estimated that the country needs 288,000 foreign workers per year, or the tax-paying workforce could be reduced by 10 per cent by 2040. This is where Indians come in

Are Israel’s sophisticated air defence systems failing against Iran?

On Saturday, 200 people were left injured in Israel’s Dimona, near the country’s main nuclear centre. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv on Sunday witnessed a separate attack in which over a dozen people were injured. Iran is crowing about these developments, claiming Israel’s skies have been ‘defenceless’. But is that true?

Are Iran’s power plants now safe as Trump halts strikes for 5 days?

Donald Trump has instructed the US Department of War to postpone military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. Here’s why this infrastructure is critical to the Islamic Republic and the rest of West Asia