balajigads@gmail.com Introduction Lamia once raced her brother to the tap in their small apartment in Gaza City. She climbed onto chairs to help her mother wash dishes. She loved to spin until she fell laughing to the floor. Today, her legs cannot lift her. Her cheeks are hollow, her hair is brittle, and the lightest blanket … Read more
Introduction The top official at the United Nations called the famine in Gaza City and surrounding areas a failure of humanity. His words came as a global food security body confirmed the highest level of hunger in parts of the territory. In technical language, that means Phase 5 on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. … Read more
Introduction When a platform announces yet another live action take on a beloved anime, the reaction often splits along a familiar fault line. One group is excited to see favorite characters brought to life with real actors and big screen spectacle. The other group braces for disappointment, worried that a corporate machine will flatten the … Read more
Introduction In the affluent Seoul neighborhood of Daechi, a cafe owner named Hyun Sung joo watched a customer unload two laptops, a six port power strip, cables, notebooks, and a stack of flashcards. The customer ordered a single latte and settled in for what turned into an all day study marathon. By mid afternoon, a … Read more
Introduction Prom is a milestone night, and for many US teens the dress is the main event. Over the last few seasons a growing share of that spotlight has shifted toward Nigeria, where dressmakers and fashion houses are turning out statement gowns that feel cinematic on the dance floor and unforgettable in photos. These dresses … Read more
Introduction The U.S. Department of Justice released audio and transcripts from a two day interview it conducted with Ghislaine Maxwell in July 2025. Maxwell is in federal prison serving a 20 year sentence for crimes related to the sexual exploitation of minors facilitated by Jeffrey Epstein. The materials include redacted Day 1 and Day 2 … Read more
Introduction Famine is now a lived reality in Gaza, within sight of loaded trucks and warehouses that could feed the population many times over. The shocking contrast between food abundance at the edge and hunger inside is not a mystery of logistics alone. It is the predictable result of a long series of policy choices. … Read more
Introduction Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says the Kremlin is doing everything it can to stop a face to face meeting with Vladimir Putin to end the war. The point is blunt. If there is no meeting, there is no chance for a political off ramp. If there is no off ramp, the shooting continues. His … Read more
Introduction Canada has signaled a new phase in its trade posture with the United States. The government will remove a significant share of the retaliatory tariffs that have been in place on a wide array of American products. At the same time, Ottawa will keep its most forceful measures on automobiles, steel, and aluminum. For … Read more
Introduction A Bangkok criminal court has cleared former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of a high profile charge that he insulted the monarchy, a case that carried a possible 15 year prison term and had hovered over the country’s politics for a decade. The ruling arrived on August 22, 2025, ending months of courtroom arguments … Read more