Explainers News - Page 6

From Mona Lisa to golden toilet, the art heists that shook the world

A heist has taken place at Paris’ Louvre Museum, with thieves decamping with France’s royal jewels. It's just the latest in a long line of cunning art heists

History Today: When Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir sent Instrument of Accession to India

On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir sent the signed Instrument of Accession to India. The development came days after Pakistan initiated Operation Gulmarg, sending thousands of tribesmen to invade Jammu and Kashmir to plunder and rampage

Can the ‘military sleep method’ help you fall asleep in 2 mins?

The military sleep method, as the name suggests, is meant to help military personnel prime their body for sleep, regardless of the environment. While it is a catchy way to package healthy sleep techniques, in practice, it’s a blend of tools already grounded in sleep science: relaxation, breathing, and visualisation. How useful is it for those struggling to fall asleep?

How Argentina’s midterm polls are a big test for Trump ally, Milei

Argentina's midterm elections on October 26 will prove to be a pivotal test for President Javier Milei. The libertarian leader is under pressure as a $20 billion US rescue offered by Trump hinges on his party’s performance, as scandals and economic turmoil grip the South American country

When Osama bin Laden escaped Afghanistan disguised as a woman

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou has revealed that 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden had escaped the Tora Bora mountains in Afghanistan disguised as a woman, aided by an infiltrated translator when US forces had cornered the Al-Qaeda terrorist and asked him to surrender. The US eventually tracked bin Laden after 10 years in Pakistan's Abbottabad, where he was killed by Special Forces during a raid on his safe house

'The pressure was unbearable..': The shocking suicide of Maharashtra doctor who died by suicide after rape by cop

A young doctor from Phaltan in Maharashtra’s Satara district has died by suicide, leaving behind a four-page note that reveals a string of startling allegations. The 26-year-old alleged that she was raped several times by a police officer and was harassed by her landlord in a note written on her palm. Not only this, she also accused a Member of Parliament (MP) of threatening her after she refused to issue false medical certificates for people arrested by police

This Week in Explainers: How green crackers failed to stop Delhi’s air from turning toxic

Delhi woke up to a familiar sight a day after Diwali. The air had turned toxic, with a thick haze enveloping its skies. This came despite the Supreme Court allowing only green crackers, considered less polluting, to be burst on the festival. Here’s all this and more in our weekly wrap

Trump’s big Asia tour: Meetings with Xi Jinping, new Japan PM; trade deals and a war to settle

US President Donald Trump’s Asia tour — spanning Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea — marks his most ambitious diplomatic push in the continent in years. From trade deals and tariff talks to his first meeting in years with Xi Jinping, the visit aims to reset Washington’s influence in a region

History Today: When Rishi Sunak became Britain’s first prime minister of colour

Rishi Sunak became Britain's first prime minister of colour as well as the youngest in more than 200 years on October 25, 2022. His appointment came after Liz Truss resigned within 45 days of becoming the 56th prime minister of the country. On this day in 1983, the United States invaded Grenada, a small island in the Caribbean, in a military operation

What is the Reagan ad at the centre of collapsed US-Canada talks?

An advertisement put out by the Ontario government headed by Premier Doug Ford, featuring the voice of former US president Ronald Reagan, has left Donald Trump irate. The US commander-in-chief has called off trade talks, decried the ad as ‘fraudulent’ and claimed that Canada got caught cheating

China is building a new air defence site near Pangong Lake. Why India should watch out

Satellite images have revealed the construction of a complex by China in full swing at a site near Tibet’s Pangong Lake. This is fairly close to one of the spots where Indian and Chinese forces clashed along the border in 2020

In Graphics | Why are bus fires on the rise in India?

At least 20 people were killed today (October 24) after a private bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with more than 40 aboard caught fire, the second such incident in a fortnight. But how common are such tragedies? How quickly do these fires spread?

‘Sex warfare’: How Russian, Chinese spies are luring techies and stealing Silicon Valley secrets

Russian and Chinese operatives are targeting American tech workers to steal Silicon Valley secrets. In some cases, foreign spies have even gone to the extent of marrying and starting a family with their targets. China is also reportedly hosting competitions for startups in the US to 'steal' sensitive business plans

Anti-Trump protesters are wearing inflatable frog costumes. Here's why

Over the past few weeks, activists taking part in protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the US have donned inflatable animal costumes. This comes after a TikTok video showing an ICE agent spraying pepper spray into the air vent of an activist’s inflatable frog costume went viral. The costume, they say, aims to contradict the 'violent extremists' narrative echoed by the Trump administration for protest rallies

Why 25-year-old is suing Pakistan over ‘period tax’

Mahnoor Omer, a lawyer and women’s and minority rights activist, has filed a case in Pakistan asking that sanitary pads for women be declared as essential goods and that the tax on them be removed. Many say this could be a landmark case when it comes to accessibility of female hygiene products within the country

Poop cameras are the new health fad. Are they simply a waste?

Bathroom brand Kohler has unveiled a smart toilet camera that actually analyses what you flush. Called Dekoda, the smart device uses sensors and AI to study your waste and offer health insights such as your hydration levels and your gut health. The tracker costs Rs 55,722 (approx USD 599)

Why Trump’s ballroom in the White House is unlike any other renovation by US presidents

This week, we all gasped with horror when bulldozers demolished the East Wing at the White House. The move comes as part of Donald Trump’s plan to construct a multi-million-dollar ballroom. This isn’t the first such ‘renovation’ that the more than 230-year-old house has undergone, but it does seem to be more significant than the others. Here’s why

Is cloud seeding Delhi’s pollution ka solution?

Delhi has successfully carried out a trial of the cloud seeding method to bring some respite from toxic air. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Thursday that, depending on weather conditions, the weather modification technique, also sometimes known as artificial rain, could be deployed in the city on October 29. But does it work?

Why did Trump pardon convicted Binance founder? Was it business?

US President Donald Trump has pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao just months after his prison term for money-laundering failures. The pardon comes amid the US president’s rollback of Biden-era crypto regulations and Binance’s financial involvement with the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial, a $3-billion digital asset enterprise

Did US fly B-1 bombers near Venezuela?

Tension has been ratcheting up between the US and Venezuela in recent weeks over the Trump administration carrying out strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. Now, there are reports that two US Air Force B-1 bombers conducted a training mission off the coast of Venezuela. This comes just a week after three US B-52 bombers were seen flying in the area for several hours

Andhra bus fire: What caused the deadly blaze that killed 20 passengers?

Tragedy struck on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway when a private bus, carrying over 40 passengers, went up in flames near Chinnatekur village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The bus, operated by Kaveri Travels, collided with a two-wheeler during early hours on Friday (October 24). At least 20 people were burned to death, while others jumped out of the vehicle

How Piyush Pandey gave India its most famous political slogan, ‘Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar’

India’s legendary adman, Piyush Pandey, is no more. While many will remember him for his unforgettable campaigns for brands such as Asian Paints and Fevicol, he is also the brain behind India’s most popular political slogan — ‘Ab ki baar, Modi sarkar’ — which helped catapult Narendra Modi to success in the 2014 general elections

Will Trump’s oil sanctions on Russia hurt Putin and his plans for Ukraine war?

US President Donald Trump has launched the most sweeping sanctions yet on Russia, targeting oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil. The move aims to cripple Moscow’s wartime economy and push Vladimir Putin toward negotiations — but it’s also shaking global energy markets

Tomato prices soar 400%: How shutting down of Afghanistan border is hurting Pakistan

Tomato prices have risen nearly 400 per cent in neighbouring Pakistan this month. This can be attributed to the border closure between Pakistan and Afghanistan following clashes between the two nations. The prices of other fresh fruits, vegetables, minerals and dairy products have also been affected

Hours after Louvre, another museum robbed in France. What happened?

Hours after the 'heist of the century' unfolded at the Louvre Museum on Sunday, another museum in northeastern France was robbed. The theft took place at the Maison des Lumières (House of Enlightenment) in Langres, a mansion-turned-museum dedicated to the 18th-century philosopher, Denis Diderot. Thieves, who remain at large, stole nearly 2,000 gold and silver coins worth over Rs 91 lakh

Mafia, illegal poker games and NBA players: The gambling racket in the US, explained

A mind-boggling gambling racket has been unearthed in the US. Multiple basketball players and even a coach have been charged with rigging NBA games and participating in illegal poker games sponsored by four of the five big American mafia families. The scandal has generated tens of millions of dollars, say authorities

History Today: When the United Nations was born in the hope for a new beginning

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations came into existence — a global commitment to prevent another world war and promote peace among nations. The date also saw Concorde’s final flight in 2003, the emergence of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the selection of America’s Unknown Soldier in 1921

FirstUp: China and US to hold trade talks in Malaysia, Security Council meeting on the future of UN... The headlines

China is set to hold economic and trade talks with the United States today in Malaysia. The Chinese team will be led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will head the US delegation. Meanwhile, the Security Council will hold discussions on the future of the United Nations

Meet Zhang Shengmin, China’s graft-buster and new No 2 general

Zhang Shengmin, a veteran of the armed forces who has overseen anti-corruption efforts, has been promoted to vice chair of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC). Zhang is now the third top-most official in China’s top military body – after CMC chair President Xi Jinping and senior vice-chairman Zhang Youxia. But what do we know about him?

Going bonkers over boba? Why you shouldn’t be drinking bubble tea every day

Who doesn’t love bursting those bubbles while drinking boba tea? However, a new study may make you rethink your obsession. High levels of lead have been found in some of America’s bubble tea products