Explainers
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CITY
‘Even a small dose can kill’: What is zinc phosphide, the deadly rat poison found in Mumbai family’s watermelon?Medical experts warn that phosphine gas can affect nearly every major organ in the body, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and brain, News18 reported. Even small amounts of the chemical can cause life-threatening poisoning and require immediate medical attention.
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CITY
Delhi's draft EV policy 2.0: Can capital really ban petrol two-wheelers by 2028? Proposal faces reality checkUnder the draft Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2.0, only electric two-wheelers will be permitted for fresh registration in Delhi from April 2028. The government released the draft for public feedback on April 11, and the comment window is set to close within days. The existing EV policy has been extended till June 30.
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INDIA
BJP's Bengal victory: Why Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground oath ceremony is politically significantThe venue has transformed from a Left stronghold to a contested political arena, and now into a stage for the BJP’s consolidation of power.
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EXPLAINERS
Beyond AI's perfect prompt: How India's great data centre boom will change world's digital mapWith the race to power artificial intelligence igniting fresh demand for data centres, India is now at an inflection point.
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INDIA
PM Modi’s Thanthania Kalibari visit: Non-veg 'dab-chingri' prasad, history and Bengal food politics | ExplainedThe shrine, known for its rare tradition of offering non-vegetarian prasad, sits at the intersection of faith, history, and contemporary politics.
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INDIA
Why Centre is pushing for delimitation in Lok Sabha and how is it linked to women’s quota | The 3 bills explainedThe Centre has proposed that the upcoming delimitation exercise will be based on the 2011 Census, with the total number of Lok Sabha seats increased by about 50% for all states.
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WORLD
'Unreasonable demands' vs 'best offer': Why marathon Iran-US talks collapsed in IslamabadThe Islamabad meeting, among the highest-level direct engagements in decades, had raised hopes of a temporary ceasefire but ended in a familiar deadlock, with both sides holding firm and pushing their own narratives.
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WORLD
US-Iran ceasefire explained: How Pakistan, China helped broker two-week truceAccording to News18, the turning point came through what top diplomatic sources described as a rapid-fire series of late-night diplomatic engagements led by Pakistan’s top leadership.
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WORLD
Who really won? As war pauses, US and Iran battle over the narrativeWithin hours of ceasefire announcement by Trump, sharp contradictions emerged over what exactly had been agreed, who conceded what, and how the deal should be interpreted.
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INDIA
Tamil Nadu 2026 election: Why Vijay’s Brahmin picks could matter beyond numbersThe move suggests an attempt to build an 'all-community' image, appealing across caste lines rather than relying on traditional vote banks.
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WORLD
Scientists claim Antarctica may hold vast gold and silver reserves: Which nations will the gain the most?Under high ice-melt scenarios, this region alone could see tens of thousands of square kilometres of new land emerge, potentially exposing deposits of gold, silver, copper and iron.
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WORLD
Behind Enemy Lines: How US pulled off a 'near-impossible' pilot rescue mission inside hostile IranThe operation involved hundreds of special forces troops, dozens of aircraft and helicopters, and integrated intelligence support across multiple domains
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INDIA
West Bengal elections: What Mamata Banerjee's SWOT analysis revealsPre-poll surveys show her party as the frontrunner, projected to win anywhere between 174–194 seats, with Banerjee herself leading in CM preference
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WORLD
How the US rescues downed pilots: Inside the high-risk mission as Iran downs fighter jetIn wars like Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. forces relied on coalition ground troops to secure areas and support rescues, an advantage largely missing in Iran.
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CITY
Delhi's freak April storms explained: What's behind the 'unstoppable' Western Disturbances hitting northwest India?India weather prediction: IMD Director General M Mohapatra cautioned that intense thunderstorms, lightning and hail can be expected in April, urging people to remain cautious.
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EXPLAINERS
New Tax Act 2025 kicks in, but ITR filing for 2026 to follow old rules: What taxpayers should knowA new financial year brings a new Income Tax Act, but does it change how you file your returns this year? In this video, Teena Jain Kaushal, Editor – Personal Finance (AG), interviews Sumit Singhania, Partner, Deloitte India, to break down what the new tax law actually changes, why ITR filing for FY26 will still follow the old rules, and what taxpayers should keep in mind. We also explain updates in ITR forms and the shift from assessment year to ‘tax year’, all in simple terms.
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INDIA
How PM Modi’s ethanol push puts sugarcane belt at heart of 2027 Uttar Pradesh poll battleThe state is home to around 50 lakh sugarcane farmers. Their influence — along with their families — is expected to be decisive in nearly 80–100 Assembly constituencies, particularly in western and central Uttar Pradesh.
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WORLD
Fly me to the moon: Meet NASA's historic Artemis II crew set for a lunar voyageThe Artemis II, scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo program.
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BUSINESS
IMF warns 'all roads lead to higher prices' as Iran war rattles fragile economies: Who's most at risk?The IMF’s central warning is that the war could revive a familiar and difficult macroeconomic pattern - higher inflation coupled with slower growth.
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INDIA
India’s piped gas: Origin, supply, and how global tensions could hit your kitchenThe PNG that reaches kitchens and industries is part of a longer supply chain, starting either from domestic gas fields or imported LNG shipments.
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CITY
Telangana's new parental care law explained: What it means, who it covers and why it mattersThe Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026, brings a level of enforceability to elder care that existing national laws have long struggled to deliver.
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WORLD
Social media bans for children explained: How Austria, other countries are restricting under-14 usersIn India, Karnataka recently became the first state to ban social media use for children under 16, while Goa and Andhra Pradesh are considering similar steps
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EXPLAINERS
Bitcoin surges to $71,000, altcoins rally; key factors to watchPrices have recovered from recent stress. A decisive directional move will likely depend on liquidity signals rather than crypto-native momentum alone, says analyst.
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INDIA
Why BJP is betting big on these 54 seats in West BengalThe 54 seats across the region are strategically crucial for the BJP as it offers both electoral advantage and political opportunity in West Bengal.
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INDIA
33% women’s quota: UP, Maharashtra to be biggest gainers of govt’s push for 816 LS seatsTo ease political resistance and protect sitting MPs, the government is considering a significant expansion of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats. This would add 273 new constituencies that would largely be reserved for women.
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INDIA
Blockbuster, sleeper hit or flop? Decoding the Vijay factor in Tamil Nadu electionsVijay’s debut draws from a long tradition where film icons transitioned into beloved politicians. The state has seen leaders such as MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa successfully converting mass appeal into enduring political capital.
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EXPLAINERS
The Truth Behind Sensex Always Being Higher Than NiftyEver wondered why Sensex is flexing at 85,000 while Nifty chills at 26,000? Let’s decode the math behind the madness.
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CITY
Rare March Western Disturbance Explained: 1,000-km trough brings storms in north India, Pakistan, AfghanistanThe Western Disturbance system features a long, linear trough extending across thousands of kilometres, an unusual structure that can intensify cloud development and dramatically raise the risk of severe weather events.
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INDIA
How Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam could reshape Tamil Nadu election dynamicsFor decades, Tamil Nadu politics has largely revolved around two dominant Dravidian parties. The emergence of TVK introduces the possibility of a three-cornered contest, complicating vote calculations across the state.
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EXPLAINERS
Renting furniture? The convenience can cost more than you thinkA flexible option that feels light on the pocket upfront can quietly turn expensive over time.
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CITY
From LPG/PNG to toilet type, food choices: 33 questions you will be asked for India’s first digital census; Odisha gears up for phase-1The first phase of the Census House Listing Operations (HLO) will begin across all 30 districts of Odisha from April 16 and continue till May 15.
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WORLD
First fuel, now food: How the West Asia conflict is pushing the world towards a hunger crisisAs supply chains fracture, the knock-on effects are rippling from humanitarian operations to farm fields, with tens of millions more people at risk of hunger.
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CITY
Halala outlawed, polygamy banned and new live-in rules: How Gujarat UCC bill is modelled on Uttarakhand lawGujarat Uniform Civil Code (UCC) 2026 Bill: The bill was drafted on the recommendations of a committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai, which the state government had constituted to assess the need for a UCC and prepare a draft.
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INDIA
The Rajinikanth effect: Why he mattered in TVK–BJP talks ahead of Tamil Nadu electionEven today the Rajini fans and political circles wait for a word from Rajinikanth to know if he wanted them to support a certain side or make individual choices.
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ELECTIONS
Assam assembly polls 2026: Can Badruddin Ajmal revive AIUDF's dwindling fortunes?The AIUDF, once a significant force in the state's Muslim-majority belts and a spoiler in Congress calculations, was wiped out in the 2024 general elections, with Ajmal himself suffering a landslide defeat.
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INDIA
Maharashtra passes Freedom of Religion Bill 2026: 7-year jail, Rs 5 lakh fine provisions | ExplainedAccording to the bill, individuals involved in unlawful religious conversions carried out under the pretext of marriage could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
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WORLD
US claims Iran missile power is crippled: How is Tehran still raining down fire in the Gulf?Despite US claims of "destroyed" missile capability, Iran continues to launch scaled-down attacks, shifting to drones, mobile systems and a war of attrition across the region
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INDIA
LPG concerns: Will piped gas to homes be affected?As of late 2024, India had just around 1.36 crore domestic PNG connections, compared with 33.2 crore LPG connections.
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INDIA
LPG, LNG, PNG, CNG explained: The gases powering India and why they matter amid the Iran warWhile the names may sound similar, LPG, LNG, PNG and CNG are distinct forms of fuel designed for different uses. Together, they form a vital part of India’s expanding gas-based energy economy.
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INDIA
What US Section 301 investigation into 16 countries means, why India is includedUS officials have often pointed to relatively high tariffs on certain imports, requirements related to local sourcing and data localisation, regulations affecting technology and digital services, and price controls in sectors such as pharmaceuticals.
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WORLD
Iran mining the Strait of Hormuz? Here’s how many naval mines it has and what they can doAccording to reports, the mining is not extensive yet. However, sources say Iran still retains upward of 80% to 90% of its small boats and mine layers so its forces could feasibly lay hundreds of mines in the waterway.
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CITY
What World Meteorological Organization's latest update means for India?Such predictions help sectors like agriculture, health, water management and energy prepare for possible climate changes.
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BUSINESS
Reinvested foreign ESOP dividends leading to under-reporting of overseas income in tax returnsDividends automatically reinvested into additional shares often go unreported as employees assume no taxable income will arise when no cash is credited
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WORLD
In war-hit Israel, an app now tells you when it’s safe to showerOne of the most talked-about tools is the “Can I Shower?” website and app, which attempts to estimate the safest time for Israelis to take a shower during ongoing rocket attacks.
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INDIA
Why Raj Bhavan reset caused a stir in poll-bound West Bengal, Tamil NaduThe Centre’s decision to place experienced administrators and diplomats in crucial states signals a focus on governance and security rather than ceremonial leadership.
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INDIA
From Supriya Sule’s initiative to Uddhav Thackeray’s support: Why MVA backed Sharad Pawar for Rajya Sabha seatPawar had earlier indicated he would not enter the fray but made a last-minute U-turn by expressing his desire to contest. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena, which had been staking claim to the seat for one of its own nominees, has withdrawn its demand.
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CITY
Maharashtra transport strike: Why buses, taxis and trucks are off roads today - key demands explainedMaharashtra transport strike news: Union leaders said the protest will take place at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Thousands of drivers and transport workers are likely to gather at the ground to press for their demands.
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INDIA
What is Sheshnaag-150? Know all about India’s quiet entry into long-range drone warfare amid Iran-Israel warThe long-range swarming attack drone was developed from the ground up by Bengaluru-based defence startup Newspace Research Technologies. Sheshnaag-150 made its maiden flight a year ago.
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WORLD
How Israel is using its Iron Beam to pulverise Iranian drones | WatchThe Israel War Room released a video showcasing the capabilities of the Iron Beam, described as Tel Aviv’s 'new era of warfare' defence system.
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WORLD
What Donald Trump means by ‘boots on the ground’ in the Iran context'Boots on the ground' is a military term. It refers to the deployment of combat troops physically present inside another country, instead of depending only on airpower, drones, or naval operations.
