News18 Explainers

Who's Behind Karnataka's Honey Trap Scandal?

Minister KN Rajanna’s shocking claims have sparked a political storm in Karnataka. We explore the history of honey-traps in India, and the deeper battle for power, as well as who might be behind the latest controversy. Tune in!

Who Will Be The Next BJP President?

The BJP is about to pick its next national president, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will the leadership baton go South to expand the BJP’s reach? Could we witness history with the party’s first female president? Or will loyalty and past electoral wins seal the deal?

Russia Plays Hardball on Ukraine While Sweet-Talking Trump. It’s Working

Over the past two days, separate discussions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—one between the US and Ukraine, and another between the US and Russia—have sought to establish a ceasefire. Yet, while Ukraine remains engaged in negotiations with Washington, the US appears increasingly preoccupied with coddling Putin, while Russia, in turn, is raising its stakes. Shubhangi Sharma explains.

Straight Talk | Punjab’s Economy At A Crossroads

After losing Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party is in survival mode. A defeat in Punjab in 2027 could relegate it to political obscurity. So, when the Punjab Police came cracking down on protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on March 19, many were quick to connect the dots

The Great Indian Language War — Manufactured Divide Divorced From Reality

India’s strength lies in its ability to embrace multiple identities without conflict. Hindi is not a threat to Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, or Bengali — just as English has not erased India’s regional languages.

Modi Meets Luxon: New Dawn In India & New Zealand Relations?

This is the first official visit by a New Zealand PM in a long time, and Luxon means business in every sense of the word. He wants a deeper engagement with India — not just in trade but also in defence cooperation. Could this be a new dawn in the making for India-New Zealand ties? Shubhangi Sharma explains.

Hindi Rupee vs Tamil Rupee

After sparring with the Centre over NEP and the proposed delimitation exercise, Tamil Nadu has now opened a new front — ditching the rupee symbol for a Tamil letter in its 2025-26 state budget logo. How will the move pan out?

Can New Canadian PM Mark Carney Mend Ties With India?

Mark Carney steps in as Canada's new Prime Minister and immediately faces a turbulent landscape — strained US relations, China's sanctions, and domestic political shifts. Will he stabilise Canada's global standing? More importantly, will he be able to get India-Canada ties back on track? Abhijit Majumder breaks it down.

1,000 Killed In 4 Days: What Is Driving The Bloodshed In Syria?

Syria has suffered its worst bloodshed since Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power. The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority. What has driven the violence, how has interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa reacted, and what have world power said? We explain

Manipur Crawling To Normalcy As Centre Tightens Grip

The road to lasting peace in Manipur will be long and fraught with challenges. The scars of the 2023 violence run deep, and the wounds between the Meitei and Kuki communities will not heal overnight. However, what is clear is that the government is not going to let the state remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence and instability