Explained Desk
‘Last nails in the coffin of British rule’: Remembering Lala Lajpat Rai on his death anniversary
In 1913, Rai set out for a lecture tour to Japan, England, and the United States, but was forced to stay put abroad after World War I broke and remained overseas until 1920.
Explained: How divorce cost Jeff Bezos the title of world’s richest person
Bill Gates, boosted by the Pentagon’s decision on October 25 to award a $10 billion cloud-computing contract to Microsoft ahead of Amazon, is now No. 1 on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Explained: What is the Citizenship Amendment Bill that govt plans to resurrect?
In other words, the Bill intends to make it easier for non-Muslim immigrants from India's three Muslim-majority neighbours to become citizens of India.
Explained: The three cases SC wants clubbed with Sabarimala review
'It is our considered view that the pending cases regarding entry of Muslim Women in Durgah/Mosque, of Parsi Women married to a non-Parsi in the Agyari, and the practice of female genital mutilation in Dawoodi Bohra community may be overlapping and covered by the judgment under review.'
Explained: Why tourist hotspot Venice has gone under water
As a result of the “apocalyptic” floods, the city’s historic basilica and other areas were left underwater. Subsequently, Brugnaro blamed the flooding on climate change.
Republic Day 2020: Who is Jair Bolsonaro, the man who will be Chief Guest?
For many years, Bolsonaro had been on the fringes of Brazilian politics, but was suddenly propelled to prominence after a major corruption scandal-tainted the image of the country’s mainstream political class.
Explained: Who was Bahaa Abu al-Ata, the Palestinian militant killed in Gaza?
Bahaa Abu al-Ata played a major role in the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing. He was a household name in Gaza, and had been on Israel’s hit list for years, being accused of plotting rocket fire, drone, and sniper attacks into Israeli territory
Sabarimala order: What is the ‘essentiality’ test in religious practice?
The doctrine of "essentiality" was invented by a seven-judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the 'Shirur Mutt' case in 1954. The court held that the term "religion" will cover all rituals and practices "integral" to a religion, and took upon itself the responsibility of determining the essential and non-essential practices of a religion.
Explained: On World Pneumonia Day, the disease and its burden
Every year, pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five years, accounting for 18% of all deaths of children under five years old worldwide, according to the WHO.
JNU protests: What is the hostel fee hike that students are protesting?
The JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has held several protests since October 28, especially against the steep fee hike.
Explained: How Mauritius re-elected Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth
Jugnauth, the current prime minister, assumed the country’s leadership from his father, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who resigned from the post in 2017.
Explained: Why Supreme Court rejected the Allahabad HC judgment on Ayodhya dispute
'Legally unsustainable... dividing the land will not subserve the interest of either of the parties or secure a lasting sense of peace and tranquillity.'
Explained: How successful is cloud seeding technology
In his letter, Dushyant Chautala mentioned about a IIT Kanpur project on cloud seeding that was on “standstill” due to “non-availability of technical support and aircraft from the Central government”.
Explained: What is SPG protection and who gets it?
The SPG is an elite force, specifically raised for the protection of the country's Prime Minister, former PMs and their immediate family. If the Gandhis lose the SPG cover, PM Modi will be the only one under the SPG's protection.
SC won’t review 1993 order that set up ‘collegium system’. What is it?
The collegium system of appointment and transfer of judges of the higher judiciary has been debated for long, and sometimes blamed for tussles between the judiciary and the executive, and the slow pace of judicial appointments.
Explained: Why govt is encouraging ethanol production
Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is a liquid that has several uses. At 95% purity, it is called rectified spirit and is used as the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages. At 99%-plus purity, ethanol is used for blending with petrol.
Gujarat law against terror — its long journey, and similar laws in other states
The new law defines a terrorist act as “an act committed with the intention to disturb law and order or public order or threaten the unity, integrity and security of the state”, apart from economic offences.
Explained: How China proposes to treat Alzheimer’s with new drug
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that typically affects people older than 65. When it affects younger individuals, it is considered early onset.
Explained: Will the odd-even scheme help reduce Delhi pollution?
While announcing the odd-even scheme in September, Kejriwal had said that a 10%-13% reduction in air pollution could be expected as a result of the intervention.
Explained: Why Saudi Aramco’s stock market debut is a big deal
Aramco IPO: The company is in control of the world’s second-largest proven crude oil reserves, and has pumped some 10 million barrels on average every day over the last several years. This is about a tenth of the world’s oil output.