Explainer

Recent viral videos show hospitals in China overwhelmed by respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, Influenza A, and COVID-19. While the WHO and Chinese authorities haven’t confirmed a new pandemic, the situation is causing panic. HMPV presents flu-like symptoms and spreads via respiratory droplets.

India’s World Test Championship qualification depends on the Melbourne Test result. A draw leaves India needing to win in Sydney and rely on Australia’s performance in Sri Lanka. A 3-1 series win guarantees India’s qualification, while a 2-1 win still keeps their hopes alive.

Conspiracy theories suggesting that Azerbaijan Airlines' plane was shot down by either Russian or Ukrainian air defenses are fueled by viral videos showing bullet holes, despite initial reports citing a bird strike and weather-related emergency landing.

A fiery mid-pitch altercation between Virat Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas during the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the MCG sparked debates, as Australian opener impressed with a quickfire 60 on debut.

Days after Bangladesh issued a note verbale to India seeking the extradition of its former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to face genocide charges in Dhaka, the country announced plans to send a follow-up note verbale.

The recent notification has formalised the end of the policy for Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, and other centrally governed institutions. Students who fail their year-end exams will no longer be automatically promoted. Instead, they will have a chance to improve their performance through additional instruction and re-examinations.

The Parker Solar Probe is on a historic mission to make the closest-ever approach to the Sun, exploring its outer atmosphere and uncovering mysteries about solar wind and the corona.

The assassination of Khalil Haqqani exposes fissures within Afghanistan's ruling regime, potentially leading to a Haqqani-Taliban split, which could cripple governance, create security vacuums, and ignite civil war.

The bench observed that Zubair is not a "dreaded criminal" to justify immediate arrest. This consideration came after the hearing could not conclude as the Uttar Pradesh government was yet to fully present its arguments.

Blue has become an enduring symbol in Dalit protests and movements. From the Khairlanji massacre protests in 2006 to the outcry over Rohith Vemula's suicide in 2016, blue flags have unified these voices.