Science of induction cooktop, in demand amid LPG pinch

The War in West Asia has disrupted the supply of cooking gas to India and driven up the price of LPG cylinders, leading to a surge in the sales of induction cooktops in recent weeks. Traditional gas stoves rely on combustion to create an open flame, but an induction cooktop bypasses this chemical reaction. Its glass surface also remains relatively cool. So how does it manage to cook your food?.

Heatwaves to hailstorms, how March weather has turned erratic

This year, sweltering temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, unusual heatwaves in Himachal Pradesh, and dry and hot weather across Gujarat and Maharashtra marked the beginning of March, a month that climatologically sees a slow transition from winter to summer.

Since last week, the heat has been replaced by thunderstorms, hailstorms and rain that have cooled down temperatures.

Why did such erratic weather unfold?

Andhra Pradesh's effort to improve fertility rate is promising, but not enough

To cope with a declining total fertility rate (TFR) in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government led by Chief Minister N Chandra-babu Naidu has incentivised births through a population policy introduced earlier this month. The state government said that shifting to a "population management" method will help the state towards better workforce participation

Trump gives 48-hour deadline on Hormuz, Iran warns of full closure

Iran Said on Sunday it would strike the energy and water systems of its Gulf neighbours in retaliation if US President Donald Trump follows through with a threat to hit Iran's electricity grid in 48 hours, escalating the three-week-old war.

The prospect of tit-for-tat strikes on civilian infrastructure could deepen the regional crisis and rattle global markets when they reopen on Monday morning.

For public-health reform, fix urban governance

The Union cabinet recently approved the launch of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), worth Rs 4 lakh crore. The Centre will provide an assistance of Rs 1 lakh crore, and at least 50 per cent of the cost will be raised from the market. Projects will be selected through a "challenge-based framework" across verticals, including economic corridors, urban mobility, climate resilience, disaster management, and water and sanitation. The UCF's emphasis on competitive selection, market finance and private participation raises equity-related concerns.

Why India is opposing China-led WTO deal, despite isolation risk

The Rapid expansion of support for China-backed Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), up from 70 countries in 2017 to 128 out of a total of 166 WTO members till last year, has left India at risk of political isolation ahead of next week's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon. India and South Africa are among the handful of countries opposing IFD and are drawing criticism from smaller countries facing an investment crunch.

How India has used forex reserves to tide over global uncertainties since 1991

In times of crisis, adequate foreign exchange reserves give comfort, acting as a buffer and giving strength to a country's macroeconomic fundamentals. Even if the current account deficit (CAD) is small (as is now at about just 1% of the GDP), funding it can become difficult if capital outflows are high. When there is an increase in foreign portfolio investment (FPI) outflows, as has been the case recently, RBI can smoothen rupee volatility by selling forex reserves to take care of the demand for foreign currency created by such out-flows. Since the 1991 balance of payments (BoP) crisis, India has seen similar stresses on multiple occasions.

How India is trying to regulate children's social media use

The Centre is considering a curb on children's social media usage, and is exploring a graded approach to regulate their access to social media platforms. The move follows growing worries regarding harmful content such as online grooming and cyber-crime, with children spending more time on the internet.