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End of the Elizabeth era?

  The death of Queen Elizabeth, UK's longest-reigning monarch, comes at a moment of great uncertainty for United Kingdom. A lot is happening in the UK. The Kingdom's inflation had hit double digits for the first time in 40 years; consumer prices rose 10.1% from a year ago. As inflationary pressure moves beyond energy into food costs, the Brits are struggling, and it's expected that many could have a tough time to make ends meet. Rising food prices made the largest upward contribution to annual inflation rates between this June and July, and the Bank of England expects inflation to top out at 13.3% in October 2022. It's a grim scene at supermarkets — they had to pass on price increases from suppliers — contending with the unprecedented inflation in raw material and ingredient costs. The Bank of England has implemented six consecutive hikes to interest rates as it looks to rein in inflation, earlier the Bank had launched its largest single increase since 1995 while pr
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South Africa witnessing worst violence, civil unrest since 1994?

I've visited the Republic of South Africa twice, both long-stay visits. A beautiful and diverse nation, with adorable people, she has a lot to offer. As the events of violence, rioting, unrest, looting, and arson unfold, I've seen several glimpses online and heard reports of the mental and physical agony. If I'd to go by recent reports, the death toll due to these riots neared 80 people, as violence continues across the country following the 15-month prison term and jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. An agonizing scene of a baby being thrown from a building (in Durban) set on fire, after ground-floor shops were looted, is also doing the rounds on social media. Other distressing video clips and chilling incidents, including usage of arms and petrol-bombs, are also broadcasted and circulated. It's a given that such violence and civil unrest is unacceptable; however, is jailing of Zuma the burning issue or cause — behind such gross anti-social, criminal and hear
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India's 2021 Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) election results, consequences, way ahead

Legislative Assembly election results and outcome of five Indian states in the limelight.  West Bengal * Several people are ridiculing BJP. According to them, BJP is hammered, trounced. Let's look at facts, figures: The BJP has already won 77 seats. In the 2016 (Legislative Assembly) election, BJP had won only 3. Hence, there is a massive difference between 77 and 3!  * Mamata Banerjee was defeated in Nandigram, in a prestige fight  — by a BJP candidate!  * It's also learnt that TMC members/supporters have resorted to violence.  * INC, Left, etc, whitewashed.  Assam * BJP has won 60 seats and along with its allies will form the government. Kerala * CPI(M) led the show. INC came a far second. Leftists and their supporters are filled with ecstasy.  * India is predominantly a democratic country. The state of Kerala (or at least its leaders) is trying to be a 'communist' role model. Big deal. Everyone knows what happened and is happening in West Bengal. Development is a bi
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Colonial Cousins: Kejriwal & Vijayan?

  A recent headline read: "Setback for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as President Ram Nath Kovind gives assent to NCT Delhi (Amendment) Bill". Let's give the present CM of Delhi the benefit of doubt, and not knock him out. He may be right. However, there's a difference — in the CM's chair and Mr Kejriwal's position as the supreme leader of the Aam Aadmi Party. Let's delve deeper. The 'disputed' bill will enhance the power of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) — that's what is said, and is the bone of contention. The Houses of India's Parliament, notably, had already passed the bill. It was cleared in Lok Sabha (lower house) on March 22 and Rajya Sabha (upper house) on March 24.   The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi has been against the National Capital Territory (NCT) Bill and its chief Arvind Kejriwal called it Bharatiya Janata Party's assault on democracy and federalism. The CM also took to his official Twitter account and rep
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Farmers calling the shots, not respecting the Supreme law authority, holding their countrymen at ransom

 On January 12, farmer leaders in India welcomed the Supreme Court's order to stay the implementation of three farm laws, but also said they would not call off their protest until the laws are repealed. In a statement, the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) also said that they will not participate in any court-ordered committee process. The Supreme Court suspended the implementation of the three farm laws until further notice and decided to set up a committee comprising experts to hear the parties and understand the ground situation. I'm no authority, nor judge, nor 'farm law' expert to pass a judgement. I also understand that 'farmers' are crucial for our country and they need to be respected. However, as a normal person, common sense throws these questions:  1). For decades, everything was hunky-dory and in-place for the Indian farmers? 2). Were not the farmers in a troubled state and committing suicide before 2014? 3). How can the farme
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Biden-Harris a Welcome Change for USA?

Many (or at least it appears so), Americans are on top of the world. They are boisterously exhibiting a sigh of relief, a reassurance akin to victory of ‘good over evil'! No doubt, Harris' niece Meena had once publicly portrayed her (Kamala Harris) as goddess Durga, a goddess owing allegiance to Hinduism. Meena had also depicted Donald Trump as a demon. Aha, so the enmity and furore had reached that level! Probably the several Indian-origin Americans didn't mind all that, or were ready to forgive and forget the divinity case — It was all about going all guns blazing against Donald Trump, come what may! So, is this the change that the doctor ordered? Is this change God-sent? I don't know. Probably the Americans know better, or they think they know better! Biden, 77, strategically didn't stake his candidacy on any distinctive political ideology. Then what made him click? He simply galvanized a broad coalition of voters around the notion that Trump actually posed a thr
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US heading for another Civil War?

George Floyd's death is termed as a case of homicide, a shocking tragedy. It 'resulted' in massive, unfathomable, uncontrollable, unthinkable riots, looting, arson, etc, which would undermine the word 'protest'. Riots rage in 140 cities, for seven days (and counting). Strict curfews imposed in 40 cities. If your countryman is wronged and killed, do you destroy your own country? Do you attack your own people? Is arson and looting the answer? Did Donald Trump kill or even direct Floyd's homicide? The 2020 United States presidential election is scheduled for 3 November 2020. Are Trump's detractors and the Democrats using the 'Floyd case' as a catalyst and is this a conspiracy? Definitely ‘Black lives matter’, but what about the 100s and 1000s of lives (including blacks, whites, coloured, etc) in danger, and at stake, after all the violent rioting, arson, and looting? What about national security? I'm no authority, I'm no judge, I'm
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