By Vijay Prashad   The agreement that brought the Syrian Kurdish enclave to an end has been marketed by its signatories as a pragmatic settlement, but in reality it marks a decisive political defeat for Syria’s Kurdish formations. The swift advance of armed groups loyal to President Ahmad al-Sharaa overwhelmed the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), yet this outcome cannot be understood without acknowledging the full backing extended by the United States to the Syrian government against its former Kurdish allies. 

By Harsh Thakor*  Vladimir Fock occupies a distinctive place in the history of twentieth-century science, not only for his profound contributions to theoretical physics but also for his sustained effort to reconcile the most advanced scientific theories of his time with Marxist philosophy. Born in 1898 and active through some of the most turbulent decades of Soviet history, Fock became a central figure in demonstrating that quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity need not be viewed as hostile to dialectical materialism. His life’s work unfolded at the intersection of science, philosophy, and ideology, where intellectual courage often carried personal risk.

By A Representative   Gig and platform service workers across the country observed a nationwide online strike on Republic Day, responding to a call given by the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) to protest what it described as exploitation, insecurity and denial of basic worker rights in the platform economy. The union said women gig workers led the January 26 action by switching off their work apps as a mark of protest.

By Vikas Meshram   As we marked the 77th Republic Day, the occasion called for introspection not only for those in power but also for the citizens of the country. Undoubtedly, the stature of the world’s largest democracy is ensured by the people-centric and accountable nature of our constitutional institutions. However, it is essential that democracy is not overshadowed by the dominance of systems and structures. Citizens’ lives must remain smooth, and they should not face barriers in accessing power and administration. At the same time, citizens must closely monitor the functioning and accountability of constitutional institutions.

By A Representative   A new Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) report has highlighted gaps in India’s reporting framework that could raise compliance costs and restrict access to global capital.  As climate transition planning becomes a central requirement for global investors and lenders, many Indian corporates are increasingly apprehensive about deeper climate-related disclosures, citing regulatory uncertainty, higher compliance burdens and potential exposure of business risks. The IEEFA assessment explains why these concerns persist and how gaps in India’s sustainability reporting framework may compound them.

By A Representative   Delhi–NCR’s air pollution crisis has shifted from a seasonal challenge to a structurally embedded, year-round problem, according to a new data-driven analysis released by Grant Thornton Bharat. The report states that long-term air quality data show a clear inflexion point between 2009 and 2011, after which pollution levels stopped responding to incremental policy interventions and began deteriorating persistently.

By A Representative   Several social activists, lawyers and minority rights representatives have raised serious concerns over the alleged lack of transparency in the selection process of State Hajj Inspectors (SHIs) for Haj 2026. In a joint representation submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Hajj Committee of India (HCI), Mumbai, they questioned the secrecy surrounding written examination results, interview outcomes and the repeated selection of the same candidates.

​ By Ram Puniyani   ​What is Indian culture? Is it purely Hindu, or a blend of many influences? Today, Hindu right-wing advocates of Hindutva claim that Indian culture is synonymous with Hindu culture, which supposedly resisted "Muslim invaders" for centuries. This debate resurfaced recently in Kolkata at a seminar titled "The Need to Protect Hinduism from Hindutva."

By Sunil Kumar*  Bihar has long been a “labour-exporting” state—during colonial rule and after Independence. Bihari workers have travelled far and wide, within India and overseas, selling their labour to survive. Today, their numbers in the Middle East have grown substantially. Within India too, a disproportionate share of workers killed in industrial accidents come from Bihar. This is why migration emerged as a major issue in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, prompting the government to announce measures to curb out-migration from the state.