Bharat Bandh Today Live Updates: Highways, rail tracks blocked; strike successful, says Rakesh Tikait / Bharat Bhushan: Time for farmers' movement to launch a political party

Normal life was hit as farmers blocked highways and squatted on railway tracks at many places on the occasion of the Bharat Bandh called on Monday against the three contentious farm laws. The bandh began at 6 am and ended at 4 pm on Monday. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait said, “Our Bharat Bandh was successful. We had… Read More Bharat Bandh Today Live Updates: Highways, rail tracks blocked; strike successful, says Rakesh Tikait / Bharat Bhushan: Time for farmers' movement to launch a political party

Dilip

Mukul Kesavan: Photobombing death and the banality of evil / Evil, framed. By SLAVENKA DRAKULIĆ

NB: India’s Prime Minister has warned the world of the threat of ‘regressive thinking.’ The  rhetorical artistry of our Great Leader is indeed admirable; although I think his camp-followers will miss the irony. The article below describes what can happen in India in the name of politically correct nationalism. And here’s another: A Grateful Nation. We… Read More Mukul Kesavan: Photobombing death and the banality of evil / Evil, framed. By SLAVENKA DRAKULIĆ

Dilip

The West isn’t dying – its ideas live on in China. By John Gray

NB: I agree with much of Gray’s argument about the fragility of liberal democratic values, but would like to underline one of his sentences, containing the phrase about earlier generations of ‘liberal and socialist thinkers downplaying the colossal human toll of communism in Russia and China‘. There’s no denying this, but let us also remember that… Read More The West isn’t dying – its ideas live on in China. By John Gray

Dilip

Nancy Lindisfarne & Jonathan Neale – Afghanistan: The Climate Crisis

Last month we wrote about the end of the American occupation of Afghanistan and the Taliban victory. This piece is about climate change in Afghanistan. The topic is urgent. Afghanistan is one of countries in the world most vulnerable to climate change. This year a long-running drought caused by climate change has reduced the harvest by almost… Read More Nancy Lindisfarne & Jonathan Neale – Afghanistan: The Climate Crisis

Dilip

CHAUNCEY DEVEGA – America's political class: They knew, and did nothing / The real crime Gen. Milley exposed: the cowardice of Senate Republicans

NB: The criminalisation of the state in the USA has been fairly obvious for some decades now. But our op-ed fraternity persists in spinning American interventions abroad (for example in this editorial) as attempts to ‘remake other societies in the name of US global leadership.’ Were the 1953 coup in Iran, the prolonged bombing of… Read More CHAUNCEY DEVEGA – America's political class: They knew, and did nothing / The real crime Gen. Milley exposed: the cowardice of Senate Republicans

Dilip

German election: Hunger strikers want greater action on climate change

A group of young people are in the third week of a hunger strike in Berlin, claiming Germany’s political parties aren’t adequately addressing climate change ahead of this month’s general election. The protestors – aged from 18 to 27 – have vowed to continue their hunger strike until the three leading candidates vying to replace… Read More German election: Hunger strikers want greater action on climate change

Dilip

Mundra Port: Nearly three tonnes of heroin seized at Gujarat port

Indian anti-smuggling intelligence officials have seized nearly three tonnes of heroin – reportedly worth around $2.7bn (£1.9bn) – in a major operation at a port in Gujarat state. Forensic testing is still under way to determine the exact value of the seized drugs, officials told the BBC. Two people have been arrested and several others… Read More Mundra Port: Nearly three tonnes of heroin seized at Gujarat port

Dilip