FROM the barrage mounted by the corporate media globally, it would appear that the decision of the people of Britain to quit the European Union is an unmitigated disaster for Britain, for Europe and for the world. There are mournful requiems for the end of globalisation and a “liberal-capitalist” order. The crash in the world’s stock exchanges and financial markets indicate who is really hurt by “Brexit” – the masters of big finance and the banks. But there is an alternative view about the referendum held in Britain on whether it should remain in, or, leave the European Union.

THE Modi government has announced another set of sweeping liberalised norms for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in various sectors. In the last two years of the Modi government, there has been successive liberalisation of FDI norms across the board. The current relaxations include 100 per cent FDI in the defence sector, retail food trade, civil aviation, cable networks, DTH and other telecom services. Apart from this, 74 percent FDI through the automatic route will be allowed to facilitate takeover of existing Indian pharmaceutical companies.

THAT the BJP will indulge in “beef politics” to create communal polarisation in Uttar Pradesh has been made amply clear in recent days. Mohammad Akhlaq was lynched in his house in Bisara village in Dadri in September last year on the false charge that he had kept beef and consumed it in his house. Eighteen persons, including some BJP men, were arrested and are now facing trial for the murder of Akhlaq.

THE Bolivarian revolutionary process, initiated by Hugo Chavez seventeen years ago, is under siege. The attack on the Left-oriented government headed by Nicolas Maduro is part of the rightwing offensive which is unfolding in Latin America. In the first half of 2016, there has been a reversal of the Left tide.

THE BJP government has taken the dangerous step to allow foreign companies to fund political parties in India.  Till now, as per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), political parties were prohibited from receiving foreign money and this included foreign companies and their subsidiaries in India.So far, a company operating in India was considered foreign, if 51 percent or more of its share capital was from a foreign source.