A mixed bag of reactions
How people perceive various important aspects of the current situation in the country? This question becomes particularly important at the time of important general elections in the country.
How people perceive various important aspects of the current situation in the country? This question becomes particularly important at the time of important general elections in the country.
Today, as the first votes are cast in India’s general election, the spotlight naturally turns to the bustling political activities across the country.
As the world is in the midst of the ‘Great Election Year’ of 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sounded the alarm on the perilous tight-rope walk between democratic exercises and fiscal responsibility.
Emily Dickinson, the American lyrical poetess, passed away in 1886, about one and a half centuries ago. Her poems, however, continue to linger on, casting a profound influence on readers.
Nearly two crore young voters, or those between the ages of 18 and 29 would be first-time voters. Regardless of the outcome of the elections or the imperfections that might impact its conduct, the fact that a system has been created where some 100 crore people are going to determine who will represent them in the highest institution of governance is a tremendous collective achievement to be proud of.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has been under increasing scrutiny from rights groups and Western allies ever since the killing of the Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, in 2018. The kingdom has faced strong criticism of its restrictive laws on political and religious expression, and the implementation of the death penalty, including for defendants arrested when they were minors.
Already, the Chinese are subject to elaborate, state-mandated tracking of their movements. In locked-down areas, they endure poor access to food, necessities, and medical help. In port cities and border areas, which have faced frequent shutdowns, there is great disruption of economic activity. Migrants have been left stranded at borders.
No less important is the role played by dirty money. The phenomenon is not confined to the US only. Today a global economy of dirty money is undermining democracy across the world. The US is ruled not by Democrats or Republicans, but by free market plutocrats. The biggest threat is not that Donald Trump will steal the next presidential election, but that he may win it hands down
Sadly, it seems rather unlikely that I would receive the remarkable windfall from Nigeria any time soon. My hope to sit bare-chested in sunny Cayman Islands and sip numberless Piña Coladas looks – to quote a metaphor from my dear uncle who too, like Daniel Ziwaga, liked gin and-tonic and died of acute cirrhosis – like a derelict liver.
The US Supreme Court has existed for 233 years, with 115 sitting justices. If confirmed, Jackson would become the sixth woman to serve on the court – after Sandra Day O’Connor, Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Barrett. And if appointed, Jackson would become only the third Black justice – after Clarence Thomas and Thurgood Marshall. And Black women justices are not at all common in American society.
