ON August 7, the US Senate passed a bill, by a large majority (86-11), permitting the US Administration to impose up to 100 percent tariff on countries that import substantial amounts of oil from Russia in violation of the US-imposed unilateral sanctions against that country. The five countries which import substantial amounts of oil from Russia and are targeted by this bill are: India, China, Hungary, Slovakia and Azerbaijan.

Anger over abnormally high electricity bills has spread across Tripura, with consumers staging protests, gheraoing electricity offices and blocking the Assam-Agartala national highway at several places on August 7. Consumers alleged that repeated tariff hikes and the introduction of smart meters have placed an additional financial burden on ordinary households. Protests were reported from Manu Ghat, Gandatwisa, Kumarghat, Bishalgarh and other areas, with demonstrators demanding correction and withdrawal of inflated bills.

IN capitalism the contribution of labour in production is valorised in respect to its contribution to creating surplus value. Labour producing goods and services which are useful but not produced for exchange are not considered as productive work in capitalism neither are they captured in the measurement of GDP. The contribution of labour is recognised only when it creates surplus value, other forms of work are not recognised as productive labour.

79 years ago, we were celebrating the spring of hope. It was the best of times. Our collective mood was voiced by the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, at the stroke of midnight – “we must redeem our pledge” to fulfil our “tryst with destiny”. Our destiny demanded us to create a new nation, to realise the evolution of a huge and diverse India, united as never before. Breaking the colonial yoke, we were destined to be united, overcoming the forces of division and tragedy of partition.

THE BJP's defeat in Datia is being attributed solely to sabotage (bheetarghat) by Narottam Mishra. He has remained the focal point of discussion before, during, and even after the election. However, this is a calculated move by the BJP-aligned media. It is an attempt to mask the failures of the BJP government and the Chief Minister, as well as a ploy to divert attention from the fundamental reasons behind the defeat.