Iran is reeling from a recent Israeli and American aerial onslaught that exposed its outdated and underpowered air force. In the wake of this military humiliation, Tehran is now turning to China for a critical upgrade—by purchasing Chengdu J-10C fighter jets. The move signals a strategic pivot and a desperate attempt to modernize its crippled…
In a surprising yet increasingly common move among Muslim-majority nations, Kazakhstan has officially banned face-covering garments in public. The law, signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, prohibits clothing that “interferes with facial recognition,” with exceptions for medical, weather-related, or cultural and sporting circumstances. While the legislation avoids direct reference to Islamic attire such as the niqab or burqa, its intent…
As Washington braces for a historic Senate vote on President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-immigration package, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” an unexpected war has erupted — not between Democrats and Republicans, but between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two of America’s most influential figures. The bill, which seeks to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, authorize…
The Power of a Fatwa and Its Political Impact In the Islamic world, a fatwa is a powerful religious decree issued by top clerics known as Marja, shaping not just spiritual doctrine but also political action. In a move that has drawn global attention, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi—one of Iran’s most influential Shiite clerics—has…
SAARC’s Significance and India’s Central Role The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), established in 1985, was envisioned as a platform for fostering peace, economic integration, and regional cooperation among South Asian nations. India, as the region’s largest economy and most populous nation, played a vital leadership role in the group—supporting multiple developmental initiatives, including the…
A Strategic Pause Before the Storm In a surprise Sunday night reversal, Canada announced it would suspend its planned digital services tax on U.S. tech giants just hours before it was due to take effect. The move, aimed at salvaging high-stakes trade negotiations with the United States, comes amid renewed dialogue between Canadian Prime Minister…
A New Chief in a Time of Challenge India’s premier external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), is entering a pivotal phase under new leadership. On June 28, the Modi government appointed Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, as RAW’s new Secretary. He will take over from outgoing chief…
Henley’s 2025 Report Tracks Global Wealth Migration Patterns The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, released by international investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners, sheds new light on the evolving dynamics of global wealth migration. With data based on movements of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs)—those possessing liquid investable wealth of USD 1 million or more—the report…
Ahmedabad’s Rath Yatra -A 148-Year-Old Tradition of Devotion Ahmedabad’s Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of India’s oldest and grandest annual religious processions. Dating back to 1878, it is second in scale only to Puri’s Rath Yatra and is marked by deeply rooted rituals, spectacular displays of devotion, and a massive public turnout. The 148th edition…
The Commonwealth Games and the Bid Process The Commonwealth Games, a legacy sporting event dating back to 1930, bring together athletes from across the Commonwealth nations every four years. Organized by the Commonwealth Games Federation (now known as Commonwealth Sport), the Games serve as a celebration of sport and cultural unity among member nations. Host cities are selected…
