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African responses to the US–Israel war with Iran have been far from uniform. Africa has not responded under a coordinated leadership of the African Union or any regional bloc. Based on geography and their individual ties with Israel, Iran, the USA, and the Gulf countries, African countries are taking divergent stances. There is no ideological…

In his primetime address on April 1, 2026 , President Donald Trump delivered a high-stakes update on the ongoing military conflict with Iran, characterized by a mix of triumph, combative rhetoric, and claims of imminent victory. Speaking during a period of escalating energy prices and international scrutiny, Trump portrayed the war as a successful, decisive…

Indian contemporary master Tom Vattakuzhy’s suite of works at Kochi Muziris Biennale consisted of a surreal creation of works created for short stories .Amongst all the works what stood out was his prowess as well as his passion for creating imagery that reflected ingenious techniques of compositional cohesion and realms of virtual vitality. Leninum Larshakanum …

As our winter holiday in Doon drew to a reluctant close and the annual separation from Grumpy—my faithful but temperamental steed—loomed, I felt I owed him (and myself) one last spin before his customary ten-month hibernation. So, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, I proposed a short farewell ride. Professor Vinay Rana, ever the willing (and far more…

While the world is witnessing paradigm shifts in international relations, Vietnam continues to pursue a steady and pragmatic foreign policy rooted in its doctrine of multi-alignment. PM Chinh’s visit to Moscow (March 22-25) at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Mishustin was far from routine. It marked a substantive step forward in elevating the Russia-Vietnam…

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day—a moment to pause, reflect, and recognize the experiences of millions of individuals on the autism spectrum. Yet, in 2026, awareness alone is no longer enough. The conversation must evolve from simply knowing about autism to actively embracing inclusion, acceptance, and meaningful support. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),…

1. Smog paints the sky, leaving it covered with sores,Cities and towns suffer, rivers and ponds cough.The world breathes in the pain, in smog that’s bad,When will people awaken, amazed by green?Should I pull it out, add something great, or let it run wild?Leaves quietly weep, trees stand dry and pale,Health moves like the ocean’s waves.Livelihood and the future fade, in a thick, hazy cloud—Is there any way to end the Earth’s dark time? 2. Slow hands that throw litter, tired little feet,Bring a lot of pain to our city,Their breath echoes, their eyes look lifeless,Brighten the sky and make everyone feel right.Children are the future of every country,They are the most important gift,A treasure to enjoy, a joy to feel.They bring love, happiness, and fun,Clearing their hearts and minds of haze and smog. 3. Motorists drive slowly near the smoggy city or the kiker tree,Grass-seekers walk through the banks of the…

I never thought that this was going to be the longest ever flight, from Kolkata to Delhi. As I sat messaging my husband that I was all boarded and good, a message on X popped up from a mutual who is a professional singer and more importantly, trustworthy. The message asked me to vote for…

Maharashtra’s Ashok Kharat is the latest in the long, inglorious line of godless ‘godmen’. Having caused so much shok , he has fittingly come to grief himself. ‘Rigged’ out as an astrologer too, he claimed twice the heavenly access. Under cover of this, he allegedly raped, robbed, and killed, including ghoulish human sacrifice. There’s enough…

By Radhanath Swami Hanuman is one of the most loved personalities in all of India. He is not just present in temples, rather, he lives in hearts of people. Across villages and cities, in homes and on streets, his name is remembered with affection and faith. What makes Hanuman so special? Hanuman’s trademark devotion for…