Author: Durgawati Vaknis

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa’s World Cup run has ended without a trophy, but experts say that his stellar performances will have a monumental impact on the game in the country. The Indian grandmaster had to settle for the runner’s up title after his opponent, the world’s top-ranked Magnus Carlsen defeated him in a round of tie-breakers on Thursday, after their previous two games ended in a draw. But experts have highlighted the youngster’s grit and exceptional skills throughout the tournament in Baku. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the youngster on X for his “remarkable” performance and for putting…

For many years now, Anil Jonko’s life follows a simple routine. He starts his day by offering prayers at his parents’ grave in Chaibasa, a small village in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand dominated by the Ho tribal community. The 40-year-old then heads to a special court – set up two years ago to deal with civil matters of local tribespeople – where he is fighting a land dispute case. In India, special courts for tribal communities have been established to protect their culture and distinct identity. While there is no official figure on their number, a similar system…

Some Western officials are offering Ukraine agreements on territorial concessions to end the war, but they do not meet the goals of both Kyiv and Moscow. Source: The Wall Street Journal , citing unnamed officials in the West, European Truth Details: According to the publication, the United States and its key European allies, such as Germany, want to prevent a Russian victory, but are wary of the costs and risks associated with helping Ukraine to achieve its complete victory. The material says that in private conversations, many Western officials do not believe that the United States and its allies can leave it up…

In Crimea, they complain about an alleged hacker attack. Locals began to receive messages from the Ministry of Emergency Situations about an air alert on the Kerch bridge. It is reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to the Telegram channel of the adviser to the head of the occupation administration of Crimea Oleg Kryuchkov. “Crimean phone numbers are receiving messages allegedly from the operational headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Situations about an air raid on the Crimean bridge,” writes Oleg Kryuchkov, adviser to the Russian head of Crimea. In a manner familiar to Russians, Ukrainians are to blame for everything. Attacks on the Crimean bridge…

What happens when India bans exports of a food staple that is essential to the diets of billions around the world? On 20 July, India banned exports of non-basmati white rice in an attempt to calm rising domestic prices at home. This was followed by reports and videos of panic buying and empty rice shelves at Indian grocery stores in the US and Canada, driving up prices in the process. There are thousands of varieties of rice that are grown and consumed, but four main groups are traded globally. The slender long grain Indica rice comprises the bulk of the global trade, while the…

Fifteen people have died after an electricity transformer exploded on the banks of the Alaknanda river in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Authorities say a police official and five home guards are among those killed in the accident which took place in Chamoli district. The state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has ordered an enquiry into the incident. Police say at least 15 people have also been severely injured in the accident. They are being treated at the district’s main hospital. Chamoli’s superintendent of police Pramendra Dobhal said the incident took place last night, but was reported to them…

According to intelligence, among the consequences of the “Wagner rebellion” for Ukraine, the compromising of the Russian leadership and the fact that Yevgeny Prigozhin’s subordinates will no longer fight against our state are significant. Source: Kirill Budanov, head of the MOU Main Intelligence Directorate, in a commentary to Ukrayinska Pravda Direct speech: “We have received a compromise of the Russian leadership. Once again, the myth of the steadfastness of the Russian regime has been destroyed. Losses were inflicted on the military space forces of the Russian Federation. And also, Wagner PMC will no longer participate in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.…

The destruction of Ukraine’s Kachowka Dam caused an estimated $1.2 billion in damages. A two-day reconstruction conference for Ukraine is taking place in London. Although the water has receded in the Cherson region, according to Ukrainian sources, one helper was killed and eight others injured by Russian fire in the flooded area. The men had cleared the area of ​​mud at the time of the attack. “We can go. No exaggeration, that was a layer of mud. I have now rented an apartment on the floor above mine. From my ‘big’ pension” so that I don’t burden anyone.” Oleksandr Mashukov, resident of…

Senior leader of India’s opposition Congress party Rahul Gandhi’s tour of the violence-hit Manipur state has been stopped abruptly by the police. Mr Gandhi is in the north-eastern state on a two-day visit to meet people displaced by the violence and leaders of civil society groups. For the past two months, Manipur has been convulsed by clashes between the majority Meitei and Kuki communities. More than 100 people have died and over 400 have been wounded so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held a meeting with top government officials to review the situation in Manipur but he has been criticised for…

Last week, a retired lieutenant general in India’s army bemoaned the volatile situation in his native Manipur, a violence-wracked state in the north-east of the country. “The state is now ‘stateless’,” tweeted L Nishikanta Singh. “Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria etc.” Nearly two months after it was convulsed by ethnic violence, Manipur is teetering on what many believe is the brink of a civil war. Clashes between the majority Meitei and Kuki communities have left more than 100 dead and over 400 wounded. Nearly 60,000 people have been displaced and taken…