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Explained: Why California is considering a ban on caste discrimination
Democratic lawmaker Aisha Wahab introduced the bill just a month after Seattle voted to outlaw caste discrimination. This issue has come to the fore in California since 2020 when the employment regulator sued Cisco Systems on behalf of a low-caste engineer. But some claim it will further fuel instan
Explained: Candida auris, the deadly fungus spreading across the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the Candida auris is spreading at an ‘alarming rate’ and that 30 to 60 per cent of infected have died. Some strains of the fungus are resistant to antibiotics – making it deadly to the elderly and the immunocompromised
PM Modi chairs high-level meet as India sees COVID-19 spike: Should we worry?
India on Wednesday saw 1,134 new coronavirus cases while active cases surged to 7,026. Some experts are blaming the XBB.1.16 variant for the spike in infections, but say there is no reason to panic
How war-torn Ukraine clinched $15.6 billion loan package from the IMF
Ukraine has reached an agreement with the IMF staff for funding worth $15.6 billion, the first for a nation at war. This comes after Kyiv’s allies, especially the US, have been pressuring the global lender for months to quickly release financial aid
Fumio Kishida visits Ukraine: What has been Japan’s stance on war until now?
Fumio Kishida made a surprise visit to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Since the war began, Japan has voiced support for Kyiv and joined other G7 nations in sanctioning Russia
Explained: Why a Chinese city is rolling out its own dating app
Guixi, a city of around 64,000 people in eastern China’s Jiangxi province, is using residents’ data to make matches. The attempt comes as officials try to crack down on traditions like ‘bride price’ – where a groom gives the bride’s family money prior to marriage
Why museums are renaming artworks and artists as Ukrainian, not Russian
The adjustments reflect a movement that is currently underway at museums all over the world, spurred by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Explained: The Stormy Daniels hush payment case in which Donald Trump expects to be arrested
Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen said he paid two women, including porn star Stormy Daniels $280,000 on the eve of the 2016 US election to buy their silence about alleged affairs at his behest. The question is whether the payments or the way Cohen was reimbursed violated state laws
No Longer a Safe Haven: Why Bali wants to end visa-on-arrival for Russians and Ukrainians
Officials say incidents of foreigners misbehaving, overstaying and illegally working on their tourist visas as hairdressers, tour guides and taxi drivers are on the rise. But some Ukrainians are objecting to being lumped in with Russians
Xi Jinping in Moscow: Will Chinese president convince 'good old friend' Vladimir Putin to end war in Ukraine?
Chinese president Xi Jinping is in Russia to meet his 'good old friend' Vladimir Putin. The two are expected to discuss a host of issues, including the war in Ukraine. Xi is likely to play peacemaker and reiterate Beijing’s proposal to settle the conflict
Explained: The growing menace of Khalistan in the United Kingdom
The attack on the High Commission comes just a month after a review of the UK's anti-terrorism scheme flagged ‘potentially toxic’ pro-Khalistan extremism as an area of concern. This isn’t the first time India has had cause for concern about Khalistani separatists in the UK
What is Barnevernet, Norway’s controversial Child Welfare Services in spotlight after Bollywood film?
The Rani Mukerji starrer Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway is based on the story of an Indian woman who fought the Norway government for the custody of her children. Other immigrant families have also accused the institution of taking away their children without proper justification
I Do Not: Why fewer and fewer couples are getting married in South Korea
Just 192,000 couples got married in South Korea last year – a 40 per cent decline since 2012 when 327,000 couples wed. Experts say the changing perception of marriage, particularly among young women, high-child rearing costs and workplace discrimination against married women are to blame
Around the world, bottled water sales are soaring: Here’s why that is a big worry
The report published by the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health said that while bottled water is considered a ‘healthier and tastier’ alternative to tap water, data show this isn’t necessarily the case. It also said half of what the world spends on bottled water cou
Why is Argentina facing a heatwave like no other in its history?
The early days of March have seen record-breaking temperatures in parts of Argentina. Experts say that while the La Nina weather phenomenon has driven the heatwave, climate change may be making matters worse
Explained: What Eric Garcetti's appointment as US ambassador means for India
Eric Garcetti, a close aide of President Joe Biden, is set to take over as relations between New Delhi and Washington continue to deepen. Here’s what the former Los Angeles Mayor said on the Citizenship Amendment Act and China
Can Japan and South Korea become friends with benefits?
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol will meet Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida today to hold high-level talks on several issues. The summit is important as it comes amid the historical feud between the two countries and the growing regional threat of China and North Korea
Explained: Why Gujarat is finally moving lions from Gir
Gujarat, the only abode of Asiatic lions in India, is set to move some of its big cats from Gir National Park to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary. While some call Barda a ‘natural home’ for the animals, others say Kuno in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh is the better choice
Taiwan unveils new drones amid China tensions: What we know about UAVs
Taiwan on Tuesday unveiled six drones developed by the military-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. The self-ruled island, which lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, said UAVs are the key to its ‘asymmetric warfare’ strategy
Explained: MQ-9 Reaper downed over Black Sea and other instances of US drones being attacked
The MQ-9 drone is a large unmanned aircraft remotely operated by a two-man team. It was given the ‘Reaper’ moniker by the US Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Primarily used to gather intelligence, it can also conduct precision strikes on high-value targets