George Orwell Reviews Mein Kampf: “He Envisages a Horrible Brainless Empire” (1940)

Published in New English Weekly, 21 March 1940 It is a sign of the speed at which events are moving that Hurst and Blackett’s unexpurgated edition of Mein Kampf, published only a year ago, is edited from a pro-Hitler angle. The obvious intention of the translator’s preface and notes is to tone down the book’s ferocity and… Read More George Orwell Reviews Mein Kampf: “He Envisages a Horrible Brainless Empire” (1940)

Dilip

Dan Sabbagh: UK authorised £1.4bn of arms sales to Saudi Arabia after exports resumed

British officials authorised the export of almost £1.4bn of weapons to Saudi Arabia in the quarter after the UK resumed sales of weapons that could be used in the war in Yemen. Campaigners accused ministers of “putting profit before Yemeni lives” and said the figures highlighted the discrepancy between the UK and the US, which under President… Read More Dan Sabbagh: UK authorised £1.4bn of arms sales to Saudi Arabia after exports resumed

Dilip

Christopher Caldwell: Is This the End of French Intellectual Life?

 At the end of last summer, Le Débat, France’s most prestigious intellectual review, accompanied its 40th-anniversary issue with a wholly unexpected announcement: It would cease publication forthwith. Le Débat and its three or four thousand loyal readers had maintained an allegiance to the political left since the Cold War — but the meaning of “left”… Read More Christopher Caldwell: Is This the End of French Intellectual Life?

Dilip

Why Bitcoin is so bad for the planet – video explainer

In a year, bitcoin uses around the same about of electricity as the entire country of Norway. The digital currency is one that allows people to bypass banks and traditional payment methods. It is the most prominent among thousands of so-called cryptocurrencies and has been repeatedly reaching new records – but is it sustainable? The Guardian’s UK… Read More Why Bitcoin is so bad for the planet – video explainer

Dilip

Vrinda Grover: CJI Bobde's 'marry the victim' remark to rape accused trivialises sexual violence, denudes survivor of rights and personhood

I am deeply troubled and angry, though not shocked. Any person believing in equality and dignity of women, the right of a girl and woman over her own body, sexual autonomy and right to self-determination over their own lives and futures, will be enraged. Basically, anyone who considers women as human beings will oppose and… Read More Vrinda Grover: CJI Bobde's 'marry the victim' remark to rape accused trivialises sexual violence, denudes survivor of rights and personhood

Dilip

CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde Must Step Down Now For Asking Rapist to Marry Victim, and Condoning Marital Rape

NB: Newpapers today reported the Chief Justice of India asking an alleged rapist whether he would be willing to marry his victim, a minor girl. Many of us are rendered speechless at the utter depravity of the suggestion that survivors of rape can somehow be compensated for the violence done to them by being married… Read More CJI Sharad Arvind Bobde Must Step Down Now For Asking Rapist to Marry Victim, and Condoning Marital Rape

Dilip

Mukul Kesavan: The Absolutely Justifiable Renaming Of Stadium After PM Modi

The largest stadium in the world by capacity is the “Rungrado 1st of May Stadium” in Pyongyang, North Korea. Oddly enough, it isn’t named after Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Representative of the Korean People. Luckily for us, the Supreme Representative of the Indian People, unafflicted by bashfulness, stepped up to rename the second-largest stadium in… Read More Mukul Kesavan: The Absolutely Justifiable Renaming Of Stadium After PM Modi

Dilip

'Endure, everyone': final messages from Hong Kong democracy figures before detention

On Sunday, 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over accusations they organised unofficial primary elections aiming to “paralyse” the government by winning a majority and blocking legislation. The election was ultimately postponed for a year, purportedly because of the pandemic. All face terms of up to life in prison if convicted.… Read More 'Endure, everyone': final messages from Hong Kong democracy figures before detention

Dilip

Lauren Aratani: Electricity needed to mine bitcoin is more than used by 'entire countries

It’s not just the value of bitcoin that has soared in the last year – so has the huge amount of energy it consumes. The cryptocurrency’s value has dipped recently after passing a high of $50,000 but the energy used to create it has continued to soar during its epic rise, climbing to the equivalent to the… Read More Lauren Aratani: Electricity needed to mine bitcoin is more than used by 'entire countries

Dilip