MUCH of the ex-colonial world, having set up dirigiste regimes to wrest control over its natural resources from metropolitan capital and to build up industries behind protectionist walls, was sought to be re-assimilated into imperialist hegemony through the neo-liberal economic order; but in one segment of this world decolonisation itself was never completed. The former French colonies of West Africa belong to this segment.

THE cruel death due to the ragging of a first-year fresher in Jadavpur University (JU) Main hostel has sent shock waves in the university and across the state. Swapnadeep Kundu, who hails from Bagula, Nadia, came to the university just three days before he “fell” from the third floor of his hostel building on the night of August 9 and breathed his last around 4.30 am the next day. The horrific incident sparked a furore, with many terming it a clear case of ragging and murder. The police are investigating the death.

ON August 13th, a political tremor shook Argentina. Javier Milei, a far right politician pushed behind the contenders of the two established political parties in Argentina and emerged as the leader in the presidential primaries. Milei’s electoral gains were immediately acknowledged by almost all the far-right leaders of Latin America.The rising popularity of Milei in Argentina is one among the many instances that point towards the growing right-wing forces throughout the world. In Germany, we find the Alternative for Duestchland (AfD) gaining in strength.

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi’s Red Fort speech on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day had all the hallmarks which have become typical of his independence day speeches of the past years.  There were the boastful claims of how, since 2014, India has made tremendous progress in all fields.  The only new addition was Modi’s claim that we can look forward to a thousand years of `Amrit Kaal’ as compared to the thousand years of slavery which began with Muslim rule and ended with British rule.

To overcome the challenge of such disasters, we must change our mindset for development and learn from nature by collaborating with local communities.HIMACHAL Pradesh has been the epicentre of (un)natural disasters for more than a month. More than 300 people, including 35 on August 14 (Monday), have been killed, thousands left homeless and property worth more than Rs 1,500 crore destroyed.Himachal is situated in the Himalayas, which has been affected by climate change.