 "This Week in Explainers: Why did Trump claim that Haitian immigrants are ‘eating’ pets?")
t’s been a week of debate and conspiracy theories. On Tuesday (10 September), Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in their first presidential debate. It started with a handshake and then came the attacks. The vice president is said to have rattled Trump and popular opinion is that she came out on top.
The next day, the two leaders attended the 9/11 memorial service. It has been 23 years since the terror attacks changed the world and yet conspiracy theories continue. With eight weeks to go for the US elections, we have been closely following everything that is going on in the country.
On the war front, Russia has reportedly received ballistic missiles from Iran and this has angered the West. The US, the UK, France and Germany have announced new sanctions on the Islamic Republic.
Southeast Asia was battered by Typhoon Yagi. Vietnam was the worst hit with the death toll in the country rising to 233. Thailand, Laos and Myanmar were also battling with flooding.
In, Pakistan political tensions continue and there is growing uncertainty about an IMF bailout package. But amid all the gloom, reserves of gas and oil have reportedly been found in its waters. Could this be a game-changer?
We answer this question and more in our weekly roundup of explainers from around the world.
1. Let us start with the Donald Trump and Kamala Harris debate. The big question everyone is asking is who won. The popular consensus is that the vice president was the winner of the night. But does it really matter? Do debates and their outcome influence voters and impact the election results? We explain .
2. The debate saw Donald Trump spewing some conspiracies. The most shocking among them was the claim that illegal Haitian immigrants in Ohio’s Springfield are “eating the dogs… they are eating the cats”. It’s a theory also peddled by Trump’s running mate JD Vance, Elon Musk and other rightwingers. It has grabbed headlines worldwide. But how did it all begin? The spotlight is now on a woman who reportedly killed a cat. Here’s what we know about her .
3. It’s been 23 years since the 9/11. There have been extensive investigations; Osama bin Laden has been eliminated. However, in America, many remain skeptical about official accounts. Theories that it was an insider job or that the US government knew about the attacks thrive even today. Here’s why .
4. In what the West sees as a major escalation, Iran has sent short-range ballistic missiles to Russia. The weapons have been identified as Fath-360, known for their precision and rapid deployment. How deadly are they and do they pose a big threat to Ukraine? How does Iran benefit from aiding Moscow?
5. One of our most-read stories of the week comes from Pakistan. The cash-strapped country has reportedly found substantial oil and gas reserves in its territorial waters. Some estimates claim this could be the fourth-largest in the world. But what does this mean for a country gripped by economic instability? Could the discovery change Pakistan’s fortune? We explain .
6. Asteroids continue to fascinate and startle us. The latest that has left scientists alarmed is the “God of Chaos”. Well, the name says it all. Discovered in 2004, 99942 Apophis may have a close encounter with Earth in 2029. A Canadian astronomer said that there is a likelihood that it could strike our planet. Here’s why experts are worried .
7. Our bizarre news of the week comes from the Chinese city of Chongqing. It found itself amid an ‘underwear crisis’ recently. Residents of the megacity woke up to a storm – it wasn’t dust flying around but bras, panties and boxers. We tell you what really happened in this story .
That’s all from us. Have a good Sunday. And if you like the reading list we’ve curated for you, bookmark our page for more.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
