Explainers

Did a Chinese major pose as server to spy on Elon Musk at Xi’s state banquet for Trump?

A user on X has shared a collage of a purported photo from the state banquet in Beijing for US President Donald Trump, showing a server standing beside Elon Musk and a woman in a military uniform in the other picture. The post claimed that the server was a Chinese military officer, indicating China was spying on the American delegation

‘Leave US to apply for green card’: What Trump’s new policy means for Indians, other immigrants

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new policy that would lead to most immigrants seeking a green card to leave the country and apply at an embassy or consulate abroad. The new rules, which have further created uncertainty for foreign nationals waiting for permanent residency in the US, have been criticised by immigration experts

No place for women in Trump’s Cabinet? Tulsi Gabbard is the latest casualty

Tulsi Gabbard on Friday (May 22) said she is resigning as the US Director of National Intelligence, citing her husband’s recent diagnosis of an extremely rare bone cancer. She is the fourth Trump Cabinet member to depart this year — all were women. But is there more to her exit than meets the eye?

This Week in Explainers: How ‘Melodi’ frenzy gave Melody toffee its viral fame

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gift of a packet of Melody toffees to his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome has generated global buzz about the Indian candy. Their clip took the internet by storm, pushing up the prices of the stocks of the namesake Parle Industries. All this and much more in our weekly wrap

A history of the US Consulate in Kolkata, one of the oldest missions in the world, that Rubio will visit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India will include Kolkata’s historic US consulate. Established in 1792 during George Washington’s presidency, the mission is among America’s oldest diplomatic posts and has witnessed colonial trade and Cold War tensions

Ireland’s ‘George Floyd’ moment? How death of 35-year-old Congolese man has sparked protests

Yves Sakila, a 35-year-old Congolese man, died after being taken down and pinned by security guards outside Ireland's biggest department store in the capital, Dublin. Protesters are now demanding justice for Sakila, and lawmakers, including Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, are calling for a thorough investigation

West Asia crisis: How Venezuela just became India’s third-largest oil supplier

In May 2026, Venezuela emerged as India’s third-largest crude oil supplier. It is now only behind Russia and the United Arab Emirates and has surpassed Saudi Arabia and the United States. And why are Indian refiners increasingly turning to Caracas?

Why your favourite namkeens, biscuits, and sodas could soon feature prominent warning labels

India may soon introduce strong front-of-package warning labels on processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The Supreme Court has called the measure essential to safeguard citizens’ right to health. Here is why this is a big deal

Why Ebola vaccines won’t stop the latest outbreak: The Bundibugyo problem explained

The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has left hundreds dead. Though there are vaccines for the virus, the problem is that this latest flare-up is being driven by the little-seen Bundibugyo strain. Experts say there are two potential vaccine candidates, but neither of them has undergone clinical trials

Why are diphtheria, measles and whooping cough making a dangerous comeback in Australia?

Australia is facing its biggest diphtheria outbreak on record, while measles, whooping cough and syphilis cases are also rising sharply. Falling vaccination rates, overcrowded housing, weakened public health systems, and post-pandemic immunity gaps are helping once-controlled infectious diseases return across the country

Cockroach Janta Party a ‘national security concern’: Why its X account was blocked

Amid the virality of the Cockroach Janta Party, its X account was blocked, with Intelligence Bureau citing ‘national security concerns’. Officials have flagged the inflammatory content posted by the satirical movement started by 30-year-old Abhishek Dipke. Moreover, many of its followers are reported to be of foreign origin, mostly from Pakistan and Bangladesh

Meet Rustam Nabiev, the ex-Russian soldier who climbed Everest using only his arms

Russian mountaineer Rustam Nabiev, who lost both legs in a military barracks collapse, has become the first double amputee to scale Mount Everest using only his arms without prosthetics. The former paratrooper climbed the world's tallest mountain peak on Wednesday (May 20) during the ongoing spring climbing season in Nepal

Why IRGC’s Ahmad Vahidi could be the biggest obstacle in US-Iran talks

Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, the chief of the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is said to have taken control of both Tehran’s military response to the US and its negotiations. Vahidi, a hardliner, is said to be in the inner circle of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

Amid a gruelling heatwave, how is India meeting record power demand?

India’s peak power demand crossed the 270-gigawatt (GW) mark for the first time on Thursday (May 21), touching a record 270.82 GW as heat intensifies across the region. The government has directed all thermal power plants to remain fully operational throughout the summer, with no maintenance shutdowns permitted