Explainer

Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash near Baramati, joining a tragic list of political leaders and prominent figures in India, including YS Reddy, Sanjay Gandhi, and General Bipin Rawat, who lost their lives in air accidents

India has safeguarded sensitive sectors, including dairy, cereals, poultry, soymeal, certain fruits and vegetables, balancing export growth with domestic priorities

Russia is recruiting both locals and foreigners, including prisoners, through contracts offering high pay, benefits, and citizenship to fight in Ukraine, avoiding a full mobilization. Many are misled, coerced, or trafficked, highlighting rising costs and human rights concerns

Seashells, the durable skeletons of marine animals, are abundant and long-lasting, offering scientists vital clues about ancient ecosystems, climates and species interactions. Through biomineralization and fossilization, shells act as natural archives, revealing how marine life lived, evolved and died

Late January 2026 winter storm threatens central and eastern U.S. with snow, sleet, freezing rain, outages and emergencies. Scientists link impacts to jet stream dynamics, Arctic air, Gulf moisture and stratospheric polar vortex interactions amid a warming climate trend concerns

Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland now appear shaky amid public opposition, Republican resistance, European military reinforcements and fears of economic retaliation. With diplomacy stalled and force deeply unpopular, Trump faces shrinking options and risks lasting damage to U.S.–Europe relations

At Davos, Donald Trump seeks to launch a “Board of Peace,” expanding from a Gaza ceasefire body into a forum. Allies are skeptical, some decline participation, while others weigh joining amid controversy over mandate, membership, and implications for United Nations

Indian intelligence agencies have warned of an ISI-backed plot to infiltrate terrorists into India via Bangladesh ahead of Republic Day, citing links with smuggling syndicates and relaxed controls there, as Pakistan-based groups seek alternative routes amid tighter LoC security

Ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, an Oxfam report warned that billionaire wealth hit a record USD 18.3 trillion in 2025, deepening economic and political inequality, with billionaires far more likely to hold power while global poverty, hunger and unrest intensify

In Gaza, the “yellow line” established under the October ceasefire has become a deadly zone for civilians. While intended as a buffer between Israeli troops and Palestinians, its shifting and poorly marked boundaries have led to at least 77 deaths from gunfire near the line, including children and teenagers

Australia said social media platforms have removed or restricted 4.7 million child accounts since banning under-16s in December, marking early success of the landmark law. Officials said enforcement is working, encouraging other countries to consider similar child safety measures

The WHO urges higher taxes on sugary drinks, fruit juices, and alcohol to combat non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. Low taxation keeps these products cheap, boosting consumption and profits while straining global health systems

Nobel Laureate Jack Szostak highlighted telomeres’ key role in ageing, cancer, and cell repair, explaining that stress shortens them. He emphasized genomics, including the Genome India Project, to understand disease susceptibility and guide healthier lifestyles and therapeutic development 

Small lifestyle changes such as five extra minutes of sleep, brief moderate exercise, and slightly improved diet can significantly extend lifespan, studies suggest. Research published in The Lancet shows combined improvements in sleep, activity, and nutrition deliver outsized benefits to population health

New Australian research finds hot takeaway coffee cups shed microplastics, especially all-plastic cups. Heat, not soaking time, drives release, with millions of particles possible. Material choice and cooler drinks can reduce exposure, globally consumed daily by billions of people worldwide

Nationwide protests over Iran’s collapsing economy have triggered a deadly state response, internet blackouts and fresh tensions with the United States

Greenland's small population, lack of its own military, and strategic Arctic location have fueled renewed US interest — but any forced takeover would spark a major NATO confrontation and global backlash

The Oreshnik can launch a powerful conventional strike anywhere in Europe, giving the Kremlin a new instrument of escalation without tapping its nuclear arsenal. There will be no way to know if the missile is carrying a nuclear warhead until it reaches its target

Iran faces renewed unrest and rising anxiety after the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, fueling fears in Tehran that similar action could target Iran’s leadership amid protests, regional tensions with Israel, and heightened rhetoric from US and allied politicians

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has triggered global backlash after generating non-consensual sexualised images of women and children, prompting demands for action and investigations by governments across Europe, India, Asia and Latin America over AI safety and digital abuse

The US capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro has sparked global concern over the erosion of international law. Critics warn it could embolden unilateral military actions, affect Ukraine, Greenland, Taiwan, and the Middle East, and strain alliances with Europe, highlighting the fragility of the post-World War II global order

Trump’s plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry is unlikely to affect oil prices immediately. Years of mismanagement and sanctions have left production low, requiring massive investment and political stability before output can significantly rise

Finland combats fake news by teaching media literacy from preschool, now expanding to artificial intelligence education. Integrated into national curricula, these efforts aim to strengthen democratic resilience and counter disinformation, particularly amid rising AI use and heightened Russian propaganda concerns

A newly unsealed US indictment accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a cocaine-fueled narco-terror network. Captured in a US-backed operation, Maduro and his wife now face major drug and weapons charges in a New York federal court