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Sunday, September 29, 2024
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Opinion

Bangladesh elections have pitted the West against Sheikh Hasina. But she has Modi’s support

The UK’s BBC has described the Bangladesh elections as a ‘one-woman show’, while the US’ Associated Press says Sheikh Hasina ‘threatens democracy’.

2024 will be the year of AI. Here’s what to expect

Wherever the dust settles on the debates, one hopes that organisations will be mindful of the ethical implications of these technologies and deploy them responsibly.

Auschwitz Memorial wants followers on X to return. But it needs to listen first

It posted a statement on X supporting the Israeli bombardment of Gaza on 20 November. Its plea for engagement after losing followers was met with a lesson on how to practise what you preach.

King parties, fugitive prince, comeback queen—is 2024 Bangladesh election rigged?

Among 382 independent candidates in Bangladesh elections, 152 have chosen the eagle as their poll symbol. It's either Awami League's winning strategy or the opposition's.

Ramayan is back on Indian TV—this time on news channels

Since PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Ayodhya to inaugurate several projects, we have watched in wonder as almost all the news channels devoted themselves to ‘celebrating Diwali’.

Rama and the King: How an ancient hero was used by Pala poets, Chola emperors

For centuries, Rama has been used by litterateurs and rulers to legitimise themselves.

If Rajiv Gandhi had listened to Arun Nehru, Ayodhya politics would look very different

Arun Nehru, who sought to be Court Chamberlain in the Rajiv Gandhi-era, argued to continue with Indira Gandhi’s policy of playing the Hindu card in a subtle way that did not alienate Muslims.

Rape culture enters metaverse. Are women safe in Mark Zuckerberg’s game?

It’s alarming to think that guidelines for user safety are afterthoughts: minuscule bugs that can be fixed.

Red Sea attacks a rent-seeking gesture not war cry. Bombing Yemen won’t fix the crisis

For the moment, Israel's conflict in Gaza provides enough legitimacy to deploy substantial peacekeeping forces through the Red Sea, but the model is unsustainable.

What’s China’s roadmap for 2024? Xi’s New Year speech shows economic stability most important

Xi referred to China as a great nation with a rich civilisation and emphasised its role as a responsible major power.

On Camera

Drop that cigarette. Smokers are twice as likely to develop skin cancer compared to non-smokers

A noticeable effect of smoking is premature aging. Studies indicate that the skin biopsy of a 40-year-old heavy smoker can resemble that of a 70-year-old non-smoker.

10 yrs ago, battery leasing failed to boost demand for EV cars in India. Now, it’s making a comeback

Under this model, battery is provided to EV owners on a subscription basis or lease. With more people open to buying EV cars, the lower upfront cost could likely drive wider acceptance.

Morocco signs pact with Tata for joint manufacture of WhAP Infantry Fighting Vehicle

The armoured platform is India's first amphibious infantry combat wheeled vehicle. Last year, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces had procured 90 military trucks from the Tata Group.

Islam doesn’t kill democracy. The army-Islam combo does

How come Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Sri Lanka remain constitutional, democratic and stable despite Islam and Buddhism respectively, but Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar don’t?