Explainers News - Page 5

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

Iran war sparks worst energy shock since 1970s oil crises: What happened then?

The global energy crisis triggered by the Iran conflict has reached historic levels, with the IEA warning that it exceeds the combined impact of the 1970s oil shocks and the Ukraine war. As the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, supply losses and rising prices are rattling economies worldwide

Pilots dead after plane collides with truck at New York Airport. How did the tragedy unfold?

Both the pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada plane have died after the aircraft collided with a fire truck at the LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The tragedy has forced the authorities to shut down the airport until further notice, causing more strain to the American aviation sector

Is Mojtaba Khamenei really running Iran? Questions emerge about the new Supreme Leader’s authority

Intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Mossad, are continuing the search for Iran's unseen Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Reports suggest that Khamenei Junior is alive but may not be in full control, and the US national security team is still assessing who is in charge in Tehran

Why is Trump deploying ICE agents to US airports?

Amid a prolonged US government shutdown, Donald Trump has ordered ICE agents to assist TSA staff at major airports facing severe shortages. With rising absenteeism, long queues, and political deadlock over DHS funding, the move has resulted in concerns over screening or immigration enforcement

Why are Kashmiris donating gold, cash and utensils to Iran?

Residents of Kashmir are donating cash and their possessions — gold, copper utensils and even cars — to support Iranians as the West Asia war continues unabated. Responding to the largesse shown, the Iranian embassy said their ‘kindness will never be forgotten’

Is Iran charging $2 million for ships to pass through Strait of Hormuz?

Amid rising tensions with the US and Israel, Iran is reportedly charging up to $2 million for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. With selective access, military threats, and disrupted oil flows, the crisis is reshaping global energy markets and maritime security

Jalebis, cricket and missiles: Inside Dimona, Israel’s ‘Little India’ under attack from Iran

Over 100 people were injured when Iran launched missiles at Dimona in Israel over the weekend. This city in the south is often known as ‘Little India’ because it houses a sizeable Indian-origin population, mostly from Maharashtra. Several stores sell famous Indian foods such as jalebi, chaat and residents can be heard speaking Marathi and Hindi

FirstUp: EU’s Ursula von der Leyen to visit Australia, Trump to travel to Memphis… The news today

The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, will begin her visit to Australia during which the two sides are expected to conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement. Meanwhile, in India, hotels in Kerala will go on a strike to protest the ongoing shortage of LPG supply

Can difficult friends age you faster?

A new study suggests that a hassler, someone who often causes stress or makes life difficult, could increase an individual’s biological age. The research showed that for each additional hassler caused a slightly faster pace of ageing — 1.5 per cent faster

What can thinking about tequila and wine do to your mood?

According to new research, different alcoholic drinks often carry distinct psychological cues, especially for young consumers. Tequila is commonly associated with partying, whiskey activates a masculine mindset, while wine has a sense of refinement and sophistication

Having trouble falling asleep? Why cognitive shuffling could be the solution for you

Are you facing trouble staying asleep at night? Try a hack called 'Cognitive shuffling' that eases the brain in many ways and helps you to fall back into bed if plagued by thoughts in the middle of the night

Are Maga men the most emotional leaders in US history?

Donald Trump won against two supremely qualified presidential candidates in 2016 and 2024. It is often stated that women are too emotional to be trusted with such an important position as the president. But it's the men in the White House that might be the most emotional leadership group the US has ever seen

Netanyahu had to prove he was alive 3 times. Why proof of life is ‘Word of the Week’

Amid rumours of his death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted three proof of life videos. However, the visuals were dismissed as artificial intelligence, meant to deceive the world about the leader’s well-being

This Week in Explainers: Is Iran expanding the war to the Indian Ocean?

The Iran war seems to be escalating as it enters the fourth week. Tehran fired two ballistic toward a US-UK base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, representing a formidable leap in the country’s military reach. We discuss this and more from the battlefield in our weekly wrap

How Indian Merchant Navy captain died near Strait of Hormuz amid Iran war

Captain Rakesh Ranjan Singh, a Merchant Navy veteran from Ranchi, reportedly died of a cardiac arrest after the oil tanker he was on board got stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively shut amid the war in West Asia. His family has urged the government's urgent intervention to bring his body back at the earliest

Are terror groups using online gaming platforms to recruit young children?

Teens and children accounted for 42 per cent of all terror-related investigations across Europe and North America in 2025, a study warned. The Global Terrorism Index found that young people on online gaming platforms are becoming radicalised ‘within weeks’, leading to a rise in lone-wolf attacks in the West

Iran fires at Diego Garcia: Can Tehran’s missiles hit targets beyond 4,000 km?

Iran reportedly launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia but failed to hit the US-UK military base at the remote island in the Indian Ocean. Diego Garcia is located about 3,800 to 4,000 kilometres from Iran. However, Tehran claims to have imposed a range of 2,000 km on its missiles, capable of targeting Israel and the rest of West Asia

This Week in Explainers: Why Iran striking Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility could spell trouble for India

Iran struck Qatar’s massive Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in response to Israel targeting South Pars, the world’s largest natural gas field located in the Persian Gulf. But should India be concerned? All this and more in our weekly roundup

Why is Zohran Mamdani’s wife facing backlash over old social media posts?

Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, is under scrutiny after past social media posts resurfaced. The controversy includes alleged remarks on Israel, reposts linked to militant figures, and activity during the October 7 attacks

Why Shashi Tharoor’s West Asia war remarks have sparked a political debate in India

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor in an opinion piece, called the Modi government’s position on the Iran war ‘responsible statecraft’. His view puts him at odds with his party, which has criticised India’s 'silence' on the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran war marks three weeks: Who is winning, and at what cost? Experts weigh in

The West Asia war has completed 21 days. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu claim they are winning, but Tehran continues to strike back across West Asia. What’s next?

Quicksplained: Who was Ali Mohammad Naini, the IRGC spokesperson killed in airstrikes?

Iran has confirmed that Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been killed by Israeli airstrikes. But what do we know about him?

Split between Trump and Netanyahu? Are US and Israel at odds over Iran?

All may not be hunky-dory between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu as they jointly battle against Iran. The first glimpse was when US President Donald Trump took to social media to distance himself from Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Do the two countries have different goals in the battle?

Why are US 'Warthogs' being used to secure the Strait of Hormuz?

The US has deployed A-10 Warthog aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz to counter Iranian boats, drones, and mine threats. Built for close air support, the aircraft is now central to maritime security operations under Operation Epic Fury in one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints

India’s Ozempic moment: Why country could see a boom in cheap weight-loss drugs

India’s semaglutide patent expiry has triggered a wave of cheaper generic versions of Ozempic, slashing prices and expanding access to diabetes and obesity treatment. With dozens of drugmakers entering the market, the country could change global affordability

How a sailor’s routine jog exposed French aircraft carrier’s secret location

A French naval officer accidentally exposed the location of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle after sharing his morning run on a fitness app, highlighting a major security risk.

'If I were, I certainly wouldn't tell you': Is Trump preparing to send US troops into Iran?

US President Donald Trump has suggested that is not looking to send troops into West Asia after initial reports indicated that he was weighing such options. From securing the Strait of Hormuz to targeting nuclear sites, the stakes are rising in a conflict that shows no signs of deescalating

Who was Saleh Mohammadi, the teenage wrestler executed in Iran?

Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old Iranian wrestling talent, was executed after being accused of killing police during protests in Qom. His case, marked by allegations of torture and an unfair trial, has drawn outrage and scrutiny of Iran’s crackdown on dissent and athletes