Blogs

In a thrill-a-minute World Cup, where goals are flying in at an unprecedented rate – 102 goals from 33 matches so far, at a rate of 3.1 goals per game, the highest since 1958 – consider the goalkeeper.As the Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano wrote in Football in Sun and Shadow , “He’s alone, condemned to…

When electronic door locks jam, burning buildings become death traps. A fix must be found  A fire in a Lucknow commercial building left 15 people dead on Monday. The usual suspects – building code violations and civic neglect – are evident in the case already. But another factor demands urgent attention, because it’s been making…

Iranians say thank you to Los Angeles, and remind everybody that football is still a great uniter In America, Trump’s America, the World Cup has met its most disagreeable host ever. Americans, however, are a study in contrast. Their own chanting and cheering is fire, but their real gift may be the enthusiasm with which…

How an AirPod’s seen more of the world than its owner There are two kinds of travellers: those who pay for their seats, and those who are forgotten in them. To the second, and more fortunate, class one is proud to belong. One’s escape began, as the best ones do, in seat 6A of United…

A decade after “taking back control”, Britain is instead defined by how often it replaces its PMs  Italy is pouring a Negroni and slow-clapping, Benvenuto al club, britannici. Set to welcome a seventh PM in a decade, Britain’s become a legit member of the revolving-door club, where govts change oftener than curtains. Thing is, while…

Trump’s intimidation tactic is getting old. Countries are no longer shocked and awed Trump is still behaving like a bully. While American and Iranian negotiators were meeting in Switzerland to talk about ending the US-Iran war, Trump was posting threats on social media. He also told Fox News that he had warned Iran not to…

A decade after “taking back control”, Britain is instead defined by how often it replaces its PMs  Italy must be watching Britain with a smile and a raised eyebrow. Italy is famous for changing governments very often. Since World War II, Italy has had 68 governments. But now Britain is starting to look just as…

Imagine a mother’s worst nightmare unfolding in broad daylight. On May 9, 23-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, a young gig worker, is allegedly picked up by police from Krishna Lanka station in Vijayawada. For the next forty-one agonising days, his mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, is left pleading at the same station gates. No answers. No trace…

Yog is the union of the body with breath, of breath with mind, of a human being with the Source from which we came and to which we return. The world sought to practise yog, seeking relief from pain, calm for the restless mind, and yog gave all of this generously. Science now confirms what…

It’s unusual for Europe’s royals to be seen dancing in public, yet, on Sunday, after tiny Curaçao – a nation of 1.6L people – drew their World Cup match against Ecuador, Dutch king Willem-Alexander and queen Maxima landed in their locker room to shake a leg. Their joy is understandable, for Curaçao is part of…