Explainers

SaaSapocalypse: Is Anthropic’s new AI tool a threat to India’s IT sector?

A 'SaaSapocalypse' hit the Indian stock market on Wednesday (February 3) with IT stocks such as Infosys, Wipro and TCS all crashing. This occurred after Anthropic launched a new AI tool for its Claude Cowork agent, which investors fear could displace traditional software platforms

The notorious legacy of Chinese-origin mafia families behind Myanmar’s deadly scam centres

China’s execution of members of the Ming and Bai families has exposed how powerful crime dynasties ran vast scam centres in Myanmar. Operating from Kokang, these networks oversaw online fraud, trafficking, torture and killings, defrauding victims of billions while exploiting political ties and weak governance

More Gen Z and millennials are getting cancer. Here’s why

For years, cancer was believed to be a disease that affected older people. However, in the last few years, cancer rates have been spiking among millennials and Gen Z. Food and lifestyle habits are being blamed

Who killed Saif al-Islam Gaddafi? The violent end of Libya's once-anointed heir

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was shot dead in Zintan on Tuesday (February 3). Libyan authorities confirmed gunshot wounds as the cause of death, ending the turbulent journey of a onetime heir, war crimes convict, and failed presidential contender

Bangladesh invites India as an election observer. How does this work?

Bangladesh, which is slated to hold its long-awaited polls on February 12, has invited over a dozen nations, including India, groups like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and missions from the European Union to act as observers. While India is yet to commit, what is this role?

Is India really stopping Russian oil imports as Trump claims?

India’s Russian oil imports are under scrutiny after US President Donald Trump claimed New Delhi agreed to halt purchases under a new trade deal. However, refiners, data trends, and official responses from India and Russia suggest a gradual recalibration rather than an immediate stop

Inside the USS Abraham Lincoln, the US aircraft carrier targeted by Iranian drone

The US military shot down Iran’s Shahed-130 drone as it ‘aggressively approached’ the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier deployed in West Asia on Tuesday. The incident shines a spotlight on America’s largest warship and its military might, which includes fighter jets, helicopters, missiles and other weaponry

FirstUp: Jaishankar in US, trilateral Ukraine talks to resume in Abu Dhabi... Big headlines today

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, DC, today. The second round of security talks among Ukraine, Russia, and the United States will take place in Abu Dhabi

In Graphics | Who is Sergio Gor, ‘architect’ of India–US trade deal?

Many were surprised when US President Donald Trump picked Sergio Gor as the ambassador to India last year. However, now Gor is being hailed as the architect of the India-US trade deal. But who is he?

Did Stanford students pose as Jain to avoid the Rs 7 lakh mandatory meal plan?

A piece written by a Stanford University undergraduate stating that some students falsely claimed to be Jain in order to avoid the college's mandatory meal plan which costs $7,944 (around Rs 7.17 lakh) has sparked controversy online

Are ultra-processed foods as harmful as cigarettes?

A new study by researchers in the United States is calling for authorities to treat ultra-processed foods (UPFs) at par with cigarettes. The researchers claim that UPFs have far more in common with cigarettes than fruits and vegetables when it comes to being addictive

‘Pizzagate’ is back: Why Epstein files have fuelled this conspiracy theory again

The ‘Pizzagate’ conspiracy theory has spurred a flurry of online activity again. The reported mention of ‘pizzas’ in documents released by the US Justice Department related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has fuelled the viral false claims linked to child trafficking

What is Trump’s plan for an India Gate-style arch in Washington DC?

US President Donald Trump is pushing for a massive India Gate-style triumphal arch in Washington DC to mark America’s 250th Independence anniversary. Planned to tower over the Lincoln Memorial, the proposed 250-foot structure would require multiple federal approvals, including potential congressional sign-off

Laptops, dairy & more: What may get cheaper for you as India-US reach trade deal?

US President Donald Trump has said tariffs on Indian exports will be slashed from 50 per cent to 18 per cent. As part of a much-awaited trade deal, he also claimed that New Delhi plans to reduce its import taxes on US goods to zero. If true, several imported items from America, including gadgets, dairy products, and crude oil, could become cheaper