Bhubaneswar Slum Evictions Amid Severe Heatwave: OHRC Directs BDA to Provide Temporary Rehabilitation
by Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar
https://t.co/W7gntJtJgr
The Odisha Human Rights Commission has directed the Bhubaneswar Development Authority to provide temporary rehabilitation to families evicted from the Subarnapur-Sampur Bhoodan Slum during an extreme heatwave. The Commission expressed concern over the demolition of 1,226 houses without prior notice or due process, leaving hundreds of families without shelter, water, electricity, or sanitation. It recommended immediate interim relief, including safe shelter and basic amenities, while the legality of the eviction and related human-rights concerns continue to be examined. The case will be heard again on July 23, 2026.
What Is Education For?
by Ashish Singh
https://t.co/TTb7kroVlf
Education is widely seen as a pathway to employment and economic security, but Ashish Singh argues that its purpose extends far beyond earning a livelihood. As technological change reshapes labour markets, the ability to think critically, evaluate evidence, adapt to new realities, and exercise sound judgment becomes increasingly important. The article examines the limits of credential-driven education, the challenges facing professional programmes, and the growing need to distinguish learning from mere certification. It calls for an educational vision that nurtures intellectual independence, civic responsibility, and human development alongside professional competence.
Israeli Strikes Kill Nine Palestinians Overnight in Gaza, Wiping Out Entire Family
by Quds News Network
https://t.co/hgqgeFMGnr
Israeli airstrikes on multiple residential apartments in Gaza City overnight killed at least nine Palestinians, including four children, and injured 15 others. Among the dead were five members of the same family—a father, mother, and their three children—while a nine-year-old daughter survived. A husband and wife were also reported killed. The strikes triggered fires in several residential buildings, trapping residents and complicating rescue efforts. Medical teams reported severe burn injuries among survivors. The attacks add to the mounting civilian toll in Gaza amid continuing military operations and growing humanitarian concerns.
Dying in the Dark: The Mother Left Behind by Her Successful Children
by Zeenat Khan
https://t.co/T0SQSGeFAT
The death of Nur Jahan Begum, a 75-year-old woman found alone in her Dhaka apartment days after her passing, has sparked reflection on the growing isolation of elderly parents. In this article, Zeenat Khan examines the circumstances surrounding her death, the questions raised about family responsibility, and the wider social realities of aging and neglect. The piece discusses the tension between professional success and care for aging parents, as well as Bangladesh’s legal framework on parental maintenance. It is a sobering account of loneliness, family obligations, and the human cost of neglect.
Repetitive Folly: Israel’s Futile War in Lebanon Deepens
by Dr Binoy Kampmark
https://t.co/hhW6oExLHl
Dr Binoy Kampmark examines Israel’s expanding military campaign in southern Lebanon, arguing that it reflects a continuation of strategies seen in Gaza while failing to achieve lasting security objectives. The article traces the destruction of infrastructure, large-scale displacement, and mounting casualties alongside the resurgence of Hezbollah’s military capabilities, including the use of advanced drone tactics. It also explores growing tensions between Israel and the United States, the fragility of repeated ceasefire agreements, and the broader regional implications of the conflict. The piece contends that military escalation is deepening instability while leaving core political challenges unresolved.
The United States of War: 250 Years of Political Betrayal
by Dr Nayvin Gordon
https://t.co/FJpHRqED4M
In this article, Dr. Nayvin Gordon examines the relationship between U.S. military expansion, political power, and democratic accountability over the past 250 years. He argues that repeated military interventions abroad have coincided with growing military expenditures and pressure on social welfare programs at home. Drawing on historical documents, political theory, and campaign finance data, the article contends that economic and political elites have often shaped policy in ways that diverge from the priorities of the broader public. It concludes by advocating peace, international cooperation, and a more egalitarian political and economic order.
Urgent Appeal to Save the Life of Baloch Poet and Writer Habiba Pirjan
by Baloch Siddik Azad
https://t.co/xkBjspkob8
This urgent appeal highlights concerns over the reported enforced disappearance of Baloch poet and writer Habiba Pirjan following a raid on her home in Karachi. The article documents allegations that she was taken into custody by security agencies, while authorities have subsequently portrayed her as a fugitive and security threat. Supporters fear that the public narrative being constructed around her case could place her life at risk. Calling attention to a broader pattern of disappearances and repression of Baloch intellectuals, the appeal urges international human rights organizations, writers, and democratic institutions to seek accountability and ensure her safety.
In the most dangerous situations, let’s identify those who want war, not peace
by Bharat Dogra
https://t.co/bjTNJiBqFH
In this article, Bharat Dogra examines the forces that may be contributing to the continuation of the wars involving Iran, Israel, the United States, Russia, and Ukraine. He argues that beyond governments and official diplomacy, powerful political interests, military establishments, lobby groups, and ideological factions can play a significant role in obstructing peace efforts. The article explores competing pressures within several countries, including the influence of hardline actors, wartime corruption, and geopolitical rivalries. It calls for closer scrutiny of those who benefit from prolonged conflict and stresses the urgent need to strengthen efforts aimed at negotiated peace.
When Judiciary Delays, Executive Wins by Default
by Abdul Moid
https://t.co/uPEJn6MY2k
In this article, Abdul Moid examines a recurring pattern in India’s constitutional disputes: major executive decisions are challenged in court, but prolonged judicial delays often allow those actions to become irreversible realities before final judgments arrive. Drawing on cases such as electoral bonds, Article 370, the Citizenship Amendment Act, voter roll revisions, farm laws, and UAPA detentions, the article argues that time itself has become a decisive factor in governance. When constitutional questions remain unresolved for years, executive actions can achieve their objectives regardless of eventual judicial outcomes, raising concerns about accountability, rights, and democratic checks and balances.
‘Insulting Phone Call’ And Power Shifts
by Abdul Bari Atwan
https://t.co/Ag0z9b3e5S
Abdul Bari Atwan examines the shifting balance of power in the Middle East following recent tensions involving Iran, Israel, the United States, and Lebanon. He argues that Iranian military responses and regional developments have altered long-standing assumptions about American and Israeli dominance, while exposing new vulnerabilities among Gulf states aligned with Washington. The article traces the political and military calculations behind these events, the changing posture of regional actors, and the broader implications for future conflicts. It presents a perspective on how recent confrontations may be reshaping alliances, deterrence, and influence across the Middle East.
The Desolation of the Word “Ceasefire”
by Vijay Prashad
https://t.co/8tkwsaqORj
Vijay Prashad examines how the word “ceasefire” has been stripped of its traditional meaning in contemporary conflicts involving Gaza and Lebanon. The article argues that declarations of ceasefire increasingly coexist with ongoing military operations, displacement, insecurity, and civilian deaths, creating a gap between diplomatic language and lived reality. By tracing how terms associated with peace and restraint are used amid continuing violence, Prashad reflects on the erosion of political language, international norms, and public trust. The piece highlights the human consequences of this linguistic shift and its implications for international law, accountability, and the pursuit of genuine peace.
Dissection of Sijimali Violence: Who is Accountable and What Official Records Say
by Prakash Kumar Samantsinghar
https://t.co/yNu2XojBcl
The conflict over the Sijimali Bauxite Mining Project has intensified as questions emerge about the handling of protests, police action, and official procedures. Drawing on government records, FIRs, and administrative documents, this article examines allegations of fabricated consent processes, multiple criminal cases against protestors, and the events leading to the police operation in Kantamal village. It explores competing narratives surrounding the violence, the rights of tribal and Dalit communities, and concerns about accountability, due process, and democratic governance. The article presents a detailed review of official records and the broader implications for constitutional rights and environmental justice.
Bolivia: Another Seismic Struggle That Will Not Lead to System Change
by Ellen Isaacs
https://t.co/N6ctzWSH7v
Mass protests across Bolivia have brought together workers, miners, teachers, indigenous communities and small farmers in opposition to President Rodrigo Paz’s government. The movement is driven by anger over land privatization, fuel price hikes, austerity measures and growing foreign influence in the country’s economy. In this article, Ellen Isaacs examines the roots of the unrest, the legacy of Evo Morales and the limitations of both the current government and the opposition. She argues that despite the scale and militancy of the protests, the absence of a coherent revolutionary alternative limits the prospects for systemic change.
Sijimali: The Earth Is Not for Sale
by Ma Mati Mali Surakhya Mancha
https://t.co/mKIt15W8Xv
As communities across South Odisha mark World Environment Day, Maa Mati Mali Surakhya Mancha issues a powerful statement from Sijimali, where Adivasi and other local communities continue to resist proposed bauxite mining projects. The leaflet links the struggle for land, forests and water with broader concerns about ecological destruction, climate change and the rights of future generations. It also documents allegations of repression, arrests and criminal cases against villagers opposing mining. Calling for solidarity among people’s movements across the Eastern Ghats, the statement argues that natural resources should be protected as a common inheritance rather than exploited for private profit.
Cuba’s Health Miracles While Under Blockade
by Nuvpreet Kalra
https://t.co/m9B9WUJvBQ
Cuba’s advances in public health and biotechnology continue to draw international attention despite decades of economic blockade. This article examines the country’s development of pioneering treatments, including lung cancer vaccines, its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its broader achievements in disease prevention, vaccination, and medical research. It also explores how Cuba’s state-supported healthcare model has enabled scientific innovation, expanded access to medicine, and fostered international medical solidarity. At the same time, it reflects on the challenges posed by sanctions and their impact on healthcare and scientific development.
The Right Incentives for Climate Action
by Paula Carvalho Pereda
https://t.co/T7M1ZnG1Ak
As climate crises intensify and geopolitical conflicts reshape energy priorities, the challenge of reducing emissions is increasingly tied to incentives, policy design, and collective action. Paula Carvalho Pereda argues that climate change is fundamentally a problem of market failures and misaligned incentives. Drawing on examples from Brazil, including successful efforts to curb vehicle pollution and Amazon deforestation, she shows how effective regulation, reliable monitoring, and informed consumer choices can drive meaningful change. The article explores how governments can balance economic realities with environmental goals and why well-designed policies remain essential for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future.
Gilgit Baltistan Elections: Why Pakistan Army Must Step Back and Let the People Breathe
by Murtaza Shibli
https://t.co/3gvuAbtOlW
Gilgit Baltistan heads into elections amid growing concerns over political interference, restrictions on opposition campaigning, and the continued marginalisation of the region’s people. Murtaza Shibli argues that the credibility of the electoral process depends on allowing voters to choose their representatives freely, without military influence or administrative bias. The article examines the region’s long history of political disenfranchisement, constitutional uncertainty, and sectarian divisions, while warning that another disputed election could deepen instability. It calls for a transparent and fair vote that respects democratic participation and gives the people of Gilgit Baltistan a meaningful voice in shaping their future.
The Scorching Heat and Silent Death: India’s heat crisis is killing the poor in silence
by Varanasi Subrahmanyam
https://t.co/pUn050C9c4
India’s intensifying heatwaves are exposing deep inequalities in who bears the greatest burden of climate change. Drawing on recent research, Varanasi Subrahmanyam examines how extreme heat disproportionately affects construction workers, street vendors, agricultural labourers, the homeless, and other vulnerable communities. The article highlights the gap between official heat-related death figures and estimates of excess mortality, showing how many victims remain uncounted. It also explores the links between poverty, inadequate housing, unsafe working conditions, and rising temperatures. As heat extremes become more frequent, the piece argues for urgent public action to protect those most at risk.
Education Beyond Earnings
by Ashish Singh
https://t.co/KMD0iKBPQ2
Education is increasingly viewed through the lens of employability, salary prospects, and economic returns. In this article, Ashish Singh examines the limitations of reducing education to a pathway for income alone. Drawing on the ideas of Paulo Freire and Adam Smith, he argues that education must also cultivate critical thinking, ethical judgment, civic responsibility, and social awareness. At a time of technological disruption and rapid social change, the article highlights the importance of preparing individuals not only for the workforce but also for meaningful participation in democratic society and the broader challenges of human development.
Beyond Victory: Neo-Realist Films and the Tragedy of War
by Bharat Dogra
https://t.co/eDCMSq0vvR
As global tensions and the risk of war continue to grow, Bharat Dogra revisits a group of remarkable postwar neo-realist films that focused on the human consequences of conflict rather than military triumphs. Drawing on classics such as Germany Year Zero, The Path of Hope, Bicycle Thieves, and Umberto D, the article highlights how these films portrayed the hardships faced by ordinary people, especially children, in the aftermath of World War II. It argues that such anti-war cinema remains deeply relevant today, offering powerful reminders of the lasting social, economic, and emotional devastation caused by war.