Affairs

Magazine

Oil, sanctions and sovereignty — the ongoing conflict between Venezuela and the United States

The conflict between Venezuela and the United States is not a conventional war, but rather a prolonged political, economic and diplomatic standoff rooted in ideological differences, contested elections, sanctions policy, energy geopolitics and regional security concerns. Over the past decade, tensions have intensified, eased at moments and then resurfaced—particularly around Venezuela’s electoral legitimacy, US sanctions,… Continue reading Oil, sanctions and sovereignty — the ongoing conflict between Venezuela and the United States

VHP-linked Hindu temple in Manchester lists event “Sponsored by Bajrangdal”

An email from the Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple brings far-right Hindutva organising in the UK into question On the 10th of May 2026, a prominent Manchester mandir sent an email to its mailing list advertising an event that took place twenty days later, on the 30th of May. Alarmingly, it said the event was being… Continue reading VHP-linked Hindu temple in Manchester lists event “Sponsored by Bajrangdal”

The Rohingya Crisis From My Bedroom

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Nausea was spilling like soup in my eyes around 1 am, as I turned in bed. It was the Monday night I had just finished marking 2100 MCQs and 42 mini essays. Meanwhile, I got an urgent email from two of my students, saying they had 24 hours to apply for a Rohingya student scholarship… Continue reading The Rohingya Crisis From My Bedroom

Social justice culture and the New Left — how pragmatism beats idealism

It’s been a long, long war. Like the majority of my generation, my memories of peacetime are sparse and foggy. I remember the day I made my Instagram account, in the afterglow of the summer of 2012. The skeuomorphic icon of the colourful camera, the grainy photos of my guinea pigs uploaded for my zero… Continue reading Social justice culture and the New Left — how pragmatism beats idealism

Who gets laughed at — speech, power and the limits of “inclusion”

Two persons talking, Therapy, Grief therapy. Facilitator talking to patient, or a friend providing emotional support.

We live in the age of performative inclusion and the political destruction of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Newsrooms, late-night shows and political figures discuss the impact and relevance of diversity, equity and disability rights as casually as a morning routine. And yet some of the most ordinary forms of difference — speech patterns —… Continue reading Who gets laughed at — speech, power and the limits of “inclusion”

Farage’s warnings and Starmer’s fears — Britain waits for vindication

In the way it is being played in England and across the UK, contemporary politics has almost become something unreal to many people. The complaint of the sceptics and the wide disillusionment about the current premiership of Keir Starmer is that politics, politicians and promises mean nothing to many. For some, it is a game… Continue reading Farage’s warnings and Starmer’s fears — Britain waits for vindication

Are billionaires trendy now?

As we reflect on the past year and attempt to digest its wildest moments, it feels fitting to coin these past 12 months as “the year of the billionaire”. Some of 2025’s biggest moments were headed by business moguls, most notably Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk; whether they were launching rockets into space or making… Continue reading Are billionaires trendy now?

Deadly Floods in Valencia – Can the same Happen in the UK?

In recent years, Spain’s Mediterranean coast — particularly Valencia — has faced devastating storms known as DANAs (Depresiones Aisladas en Niveles Altos — or in English, Isolated Depressions at High Levels). These weather events bring sudden, torrential rain, flash floods and severe damage. As Europe (and the rest of the world) experiences more unpredictable climate… Continue reading Deadly Floods in Valencia – Can the same Happen in the UK?

When parody becomes propaganda — laughing our way toward disaster

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Scrolling through our feed, thumbs flicking past the absurd headlines that have become the wallpaper of our modern life: “Satire, Propaganda, or Just Tuesday?”, “Everything’s Fine, Experts Assure, as World Burns’ We laugh, a small, nervous sound that dies in the blue glow of our screens. “At least the jokes are still funny, right?” muttering,… Continue reading When parody becomes propaganda — laughing our way toward disaster

The kettle and the cage —rising authoritarianism in the UK

A reaction to being kettled and reflection on the authoritarian turn of the British state through policing It produces a horrible feeling. Animal instincts and feelings swell up as you are trapped in an enclosed space by other animals. They form a tight circle around you and slowly constrict that circle, coming closer to you,… Continue reading The kettle and the cage —rising authoritarianism in the UK

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Category: Affairs