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News18 Explainers

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An audio series where we make complex issues easy, explain events and concepts in politics, economy and a lot more.
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Episodes

Tamil Nadu vs Hindi: The NEP 2020 flashpoint

Tamil Nadu has long resisted the imposition of Hindi, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has reignited the battle. Is the NEP a backdoor push for Hindi, or are these fears misplaced? With the Centre linking education funds to policy compliance, is this a fight over language or federalism? We break it down.

Mar 04, 202510 minEp. 203

Rohit Sharma, fat-shaming and the politics of cricket

A remark on Rohit Sharma’s weight by Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed has ignited a political storm. But is this just about fitness, or is there a deeper pattern of body shaming, media scrutiny, and political narratives in Indian cricket? We break down the controversy, past precedents, and what it says about sports culture in India.

Mar 04, 202510 minEp. 204

Trump’s Gold Card Visa: What it means for wealthy Indians

Trump’s 'Gold Card Visa' offers US permanent residency for a $5 million investment, replacing the EB-5 program. But will it benefit wealthy Indians? Are there restrictions? And does it favor the ultra-rich over skilled professionals? Economist Gaurav Choudhury breaks it down.

Feb 28, 202511 minEp. 202

Is Trump's criticism of Zelenskyy a sign of waning US support for Ukraine?

As Trump calls Zelenskyy a “dictator,” could U.S. aid to Ukraine be at risk? Why did the U.S. and Russia hold talks without Kyiv? Is Ukraine’s mineral wealth influencing aid deals? And with Russia launching its biggest drone attack yet, what’s next for the war? We break down the details in this explainer.

Feb 24, 202512 minEp. 201

Delhi's new leadership decoded

On 20th Feb, Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi's CM along with other cabinet ministers. This episode explores the new government's key players, priorities, and the potential for effective governance with power alignment between the Centre and state.

Feb 20, 202520 minEp. 200

Why Delhi Felt a big jolt from a 4.2 magnitude earthquake

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook Delhi-NCR on February 17, but why did it feel so intense? We break down the science behind shallow quakes, what caused this tremor, and whether Delhi is prepared for bigger ones.

Feb 17, 20257 minEp. 199

Regulate or tolerate? The India's Got Latent controversy

Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent started as a raw, unpredictable talent show built on humor and roasts. But its unfiltered content has sparked backlash. Has the show pushed the limits too far? Should digital platforms impose stricter content guidelines, or would that be a slippery slope toward censorship? We discuss.

Feb 11, 202511 minEp. 197

Why Trump is deporting Indians

President Trump has deported over 100 Indians, keeping them shackled throughout a 40-hour flight. We break down why Indians are being deported, what Trump’s policies mean for migrants, and how this could shape US-India relations. Tune in.

Feb 10, 202511 minEp. 196

What led to BJP's victory in Delhi?

BJP’s big win in Delhi marks a turning point in the capital’s political landscape. What changed this time? How will governance unfold under the new leadership? And does this signal a larger shift in urban politics? We break it all down in this post-election deep dive.

Feb 09, 2025Ep. 195

Trump's tariff war: What's at stake for India?

Trump has initiated a trade war, slapping tariffs on products from China, Canada, and Mexico. Although he has paused the tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month, the threat still looms large. In this explainer, we break down what this means for the U.S. economy, global trade, and India.

Feb 04, 202511 minEp. 194

Budget 2025: Taxes, Bihar, and big moves

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2025 hikes income tax exemptions, prioritizes Bihar’s development, and unveils sector-specific reforms. Tune in as we unpack the key announcements and their implications.

Feb 01, 2025Ep. 193

How deeply is DeepSeek disturbing

What is DeepSeek, and how is it different from other AI models? In what ways will DeepSeek disrupt the AI industry? We break it all down in this explainer.

Jan 29, 20259 minEp. 191

Mahakumbh, once in a lifetime experience

The Maha Kumbh Mela began on January 13, 2025, and will continue until February 26. The event is expected to attract 400 to 450 million pilgrims. But why is this year's Mela particularly significant? How is it contributing to the Indian economy? How is the Uttar Pradesh government managing the largest gathering on Earth? Tune in to find out more.

Jan 29, 202516 minEp. 192

Trump overhauls America on Day 1

Since Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, he has issued several executive orders. His decisions—including ending birthright citizenship, reviving the Mexico border emergency, and withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO)—have garnered significant global attention. We will analyze the implications of these actions for both America and the world.

Jan 24, 202518 minEp. 190

Expectations from Budget 2025

Union Budget 2025 Income Tax Anticipations Live: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for 2025-26 on February 1, 2025. Economist Gaurav Choudhury anticipates a focus on job creation, consumption boost, new tax framework, support for women and farmers, industry incentives, and fiscal discipline.

Jan 21, 202520 minEp. 188

Will Gaza be peaceful finally?

A ceasefire in Gaza began on 19th January, following a truce mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, ending 15 months of conflict. While there are still some issues with identifying hostages for release, this marks a positive development. Tune in for more details.

Jan 21, 202510 minEp. 189

Why did Hindenberg Research shut down?

Hindenberg Research, the American short-selling firm has shut down. Why did founder Nate Anderson close the firm despite its high-profile investigations? What will happen to the pending allegations against Adani and SEBI? Tune in for an in-depth analysis.

Jan 17, 202512 minEp. 187

Delhi elections 2025: Can AAP weather the storm or is change coming?

Delhi gears up for a high-stakes election on February 5, 2025. With infrastructure failures, rising pollution, and political drama, will the Aam Aadmi Party maintain its grip on power, or is Delhi ready for change? We break it down in this explainer.

Jan 14, 2025Ep. 186

Is HMPV as deadly as Covid 19?

Recently, images of crowded hospitals in China have raised concerns about the possibility of a new pandemic. Beijing officials have reported a rise in HMPV cases, especially among children. These cases have also been confirmed in India. Should we be worried? Is HMPV as deadly as Covid 19? Tune in.

Jan 08, 20257 minEp. 185

What after Justin Trudeau?

On January 6th, Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, stepped down not only from his role as Prime Minister but also as the leader of the Liberal Party. He is currently serving in a caretaker position. His resignation marks the conclusion of a significant chapter in Canadian politics. Who will succeed him, and how might this affect India? We discuss.

Jan 07, 202514 minEp. 184

Dip in Goa tourism: Myth or fact?

While social media has been abuzz with alarming news of tourist footfalls dropping in Goa, the state's government denies the reports, saying it's a defamation campaign. The facts and issues explained.

Jan 03, 202516 minEp. 183

How will 'One Nation, One Election' work

On December 17, the government took its first concrete step toward making the idea of 'One Nation, One Election' a reality. But how is it actually going to work? We discuss.

Dec 27, 20247 minEp. 182

Why did Ravichandran Ashwin retire mid-season?

India's star spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced his retirement from international cricket on December 18. But why did he make this decision in the middle of the season? Will more players from the older generation announce their retirement in the near future? We discuss all this in this explainer.

Dec 20, 202410 minEp. 180

Was Laapataa Ladies the wrong pick for the Oscars?

The 2024 film Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, is no longer in the Oscars race. However, before its nomination failure, the film was mired in controversies. We explore whether it was an appropriate choice for the Oscars.

Dec 20, 202414 minEp. 181

Stock-taking time for INDIA

After tasting blood at the Lok Sabha election 2024, the opposition of INDIA is struggling once again, thanks to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staking her claim of leadership. Why? How? Explained.

Dec 17, 202412 minEp. 179

What's the truth in the Atul Subhash case?

Atul Subhash from Bengaluru died by suicide on December 9. In his note, he alleged harassment by his wife and her family. Atul also raised concerns about marital laws and the justice system. This explainer discusses the details of the case, the ongoing investigation, and more.

Dec 13, 202411 minEp. 178

Why South Korea has plunged into crisis

In the past week, South Korea has faced a surprising declaration of martial law, police raids on President Yoon Suk Yeol's office, and a suicide attempt by the former defence minister. Today's explainer discusses the factors that led South Korea into this emergency.

Dec 11, 20249 minEp. 177

Volatile Syria and the fall of a dictator

Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the rebel forces of Syria, have seized Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee. We discuss Assad's downfall, Syria's future, and more. Tune in!

Dec 09, 202417 minEp. 176
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