Explainer

The Mecca Joint Defence Pact unites Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan under a collective defence commitment, signalling greater regional self-reliance. While the agreement resembles NATO’s mutual-defence principle, its effectiveness will depend on military coordination, shared threat perceptions and implementation

New research suggests crocodiles descended from warm-blooded, active archosaurs rather than cold-blooded ancestors. Fossil evidence from 81 species indicates both crocodile and dinosaur-bird lineages had high metabolic rates before crocodiles evolved cold-blooded metabolisms around 66 million years ago

Fifteen elephants in Kenya's Amboseli ecosystem died from suspected cyanide poisoning after consuming tomatoes, prompting an investigation. Authorities are probing the toxin's source, while farmers deny responsibility, highlighting concerns over expanding agriculture, wildlife conservation and increasing human-elephant conflict

A US study found schools are more likely to contact mothers than fathers, even when both parents are equally available. Researchers say this reinforces unequal caregiving responsibilities, adding to mothers' mental load and affecting work-life balance despite efforts to share parenting duties

Seven years after Article 370 was abrogated, Jammu and Kashmir has seen changes in security, governance, women's rights, tourism, and investments. While officials cite reduced separatist influence and stronger law enforcement, challenges from Pakistan-backed militant groups and cross-border terrorism continue

Iran's leadership remains united in resisting US pressure but is divided over the war's endgame. Hardliners seek total victory and oppose negotiations, while pragmatists favour diplomacy to secure concessions and ease economic strain. The internal power struggle may shape Iran's postwar future

More than 2,000 volunteers in Warsaw are helping Polish scientists restore a nearly six-metre Mastodonsaurus skeleton, a prehistoric aquatic predator from 240 million years ago. The rare fossil discovery could provide new insights into the species and will become a major museum exhibit

US President Donald Trump has threatened strikes on Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility amid escalating tensions. The deeply buried site near Natanz remains inaccessible to UN inspectors, raising concerns over uranium enrichment capabilities and challenges for potential military operations

The US and Russia opposed a new UN Political Declaration on AIDS, signalling growing politicisation of the global HIV response. Experts warn that shifting priorities, reduced funding and culture-war debates could weaken support for vulnerable communities and threaten decades of progress

But one thing survived all of it. One thing that every central bank in the world is quietly accumulating — while publicly calling it irrelevant. That which cannot be manufactured.

India has amended its Foreign Trade Policy to create a legal framework for prohibiting imports of goods produced using forced labour. The move aligns India's trade regime with global labour standards and comes amid a US Section 301 probe into countries that lack explicit bans on such imports

What your grandmother understood about money that the world’s most powerful institutions are only rediscovering now

Thirty years after Dolly the sheep became the first cloned mammal, cloning has evolved from a sci-fi idea into a biotechnology tool. Scientists now use cloning for disease research, conservation and agriculture, while challenges remain in efficiency, ethics, extinct species revival and human cloning

An exploration of popcorn's journey from an ancient snack to the world's favourite cinema treat traces its rise alongside the film industry. The article also highlights regional movie snacks, including choc tops in Australasia and roasted ants in Colombia

Researchers have discovered that southern right whale mothers in Australian waters often rest upside-down during calving season. The unusual behavior may help conserve energy, regulate nursing or prevent overheating, offering new insights into protecting the recovering whale population

Astronomers have identified TOI-2155b, a rare celestial object about 80.6 times Jupiter’s mass, lying on the boundary between a brown dwarf and a star. Its study could improve understanding of how stars ignite and where the stellar mass threshold begins

A heatwave occurs when the average temperature is unusually hot for three or more days in a row. That's compared to past weather data taken from the same location

Choosing the wrong lender, opting for a longer tenure, overlooking legal checks and ignoring hidden costs can make a home loan far more expensive. Understanding these common mistakes and reviewing loan terms regularly can help borrowers reduce repayment costs over time

Leaders of the G7 nations gather in Evian-les-Bains, France, amid discussions on the Iran peace deal, Ukraine conflict, trade, energy security, artificial intelligence and China. US President Donald Trump faces key talks with allies on global challenges

Renewed interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life has followed recent UAP disclosures and the film Disclosure Day. Scientists argue aliens may exist elsewhere in the universe, but immense distances, energy requirements, and biological challenges make regular visits to Earth highly improbable

As G7 leaders meet in France, debate grows over China’s exclusion from the group despite its massive economic influence. While China’s global clout makes it central to G7 discussions, its authoritarian system and geopolitical differences remain major barriers to membership

Children often learn conflict-resolution and bullying behaviours by observing adults, researchers say. Exposure to threats, manipulation or aggression at home can increase bullying tendencies, while modelling kindness, respect, teamwork and positive communication helps children develop healthier relationships and resist bullying

Xi Jinping is set to visit North Korea for the first time in nearly seven years to meet Kim Jong Un. The talks aim to strengthen China–North Korea ties amid shifting alliances involving Russia, nuclear policy concerns, and regional geopolitical competition

CBSE will implement the NEP 2020 three-language formula for Class 9 from July 2026, requiring students to study three languages, including two Indian languages. The policy revives debates over multilingual education, English classification, languages, and Tamil Nadu’s opposition to Hindi