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Best of BS Opinion: The rising heat across policy, trade, and power
The heat is rising — on the streets, in the markets, around boardroom tables, and beneath policymakers' collars. Not just the kind that scorches skin in the summer sun, but the kind that signals pressure, unrest, acceleration. It seeps into everything: decisions slow to arrive, reforms stuck in the pipeline, tempers fraying at the edge of legacy and ambition. Like a wildfire, it doesn't ask permission — it spreads. Everything feels inflammable. Let's dive in.
India's economy, for instance, has been fanned into motion by government spending, growing at a steady 6.5 per cent. But as our first editorial notes, the private sector seems to be withdrawing its hand from the flame. A 25 per cent drop in planned capital expenditure for 2025–26, despite last year's enthusiasm, hints that the blaze may not last. With US policy winds shifting and demand still cooling at home, the hoped-for private investment boom may be burning out before it really catches on.
At the same time, the literal heat is becoming lethal. Our second editorial highlights how April 2025 set new temperature records, pushing India's climate preparedness to the brink. Heatwaves are no longer freak events — they are the new norm, and yet health systems remain underprepared. With inconsistent policy action and rising power demand, the country's climate vulnerabilities are exposed. Unless India moves swiftly on renewables and mandatory heat protocols, the summer may become season of systemic breakdown.
Global trade, too, is under pressure. Ajay Chhibber captures how Donald Trump's tariff whiplash has reignited fears of protectionism. China has responded fiercely, and India stands at a crossroads — tempted to turn inward, yet urged by experts to fan the flames of reform. Lower tariffs, deeper FTAs, and manufacturing investments could help India ride this global slowdown, but the window is narrowing. The heat of inaction could cost dearly.
Even in the cool corridors of Tata Sons, the temperature is rising. Nivedita Mookerji breaks down the high-stakes standoff over its potential IPO. With conflicting interests, regulatory deadlines, and internal power shifts after Ratan Tata's passing, the pressure is no longer simmering — it's boiling. The outcome could redefine not just Tata's governance, but how legacy institutions evolve under scrutiny.
And then there's Prosenjit Datta's review of Legends and Soles, Sonny Vaccaro's tale of betting everything on a young Michael Jordan. In a world full of rules and resistance, Vaccaro lit a match that transformed Nike, basketball, and athlete branding forever. Proof that sometimes, one bold move in the heat of doubt can set the world on fire.
Stay tuned!
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Hindustan Times
6 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
No Kings protest locations: Key cities and venues for June 14 protests
Donald Trump's June 14 Army Day celebration parade in Washington DC seems to be under threat from multiple activism organizations such as Indivisible and the 50501 movement (50 states, 50 protests, 1 movement). Many groups have long been advocating against the parade due to its high cost and coincidence with the president's 79th birthday, which has been viewed as an indirect means to abuse power for personal gains. The sentiment multiplied when the National Guard and US Marines were deployed last week by Trump in an excessive use of presidential power to curtail the demonstrations that broke out in Los Angeles over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting homes of undocumented immigrants. 'On June 14—Flag Day—President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else. No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like,' reads the official website for the No Kings protest. Montgomery, Alabama: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Alabama Department of Archives and History, 624 Washington Ave. Homer, Alaska: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at WKFL (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith & Love) Park, 580 E Pioneer Ave Phoenix, Arizona: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Arizona State Capitol, 1700 W Washington St, Wesley Bolin Plaza Little Rock, Arkansas: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Broadway Bridge San Diego, California: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Ave. Boulder, Colorado: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the grassy area along Canyon between the Boulder Library and Municipal Building, 1777 Broadway New Haven, Connecticut: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at New Haven Green, Church St. and Chapel St. Wilmington, Delaware: 9 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. at North Bancroft Parkway & Pennsylvania Avenue Tallahassee, Florida: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Florida Historic Capitol, 400 S Monroe St Atlanta, Georgia: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Liberty Plaza, Capitol Ave SW Honolulu, Hawaii: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hawaii State Capitol, 415 S Beretania St. Boise, Idaho: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Idaho State Capitol, 700 W Jefferson St. Chicago, Illinois: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St. Indianapolis, Indiana: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Indiana Statehouse, 200 W Washington St. Davenport, Iowa: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at MLK Interpretive Center, 501 N Brady St. Wichita, Kansas: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at East Douglas Ave. and North Broadway St. Louisville, Kentucky: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Metro City Hall, 527 W Jefferson St. New Orleans, Louisiana: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 2400 Decatur St. Portland, Maine: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln Park, Pearl St. Annapolis, Maryland: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Maryland State House, 100 State Cir Brookline, Massachusetts: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Beacon St. and Harvard St. Detroit, Michigan: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Clark Park, 1130 Clark Ave. St. Cloud, Minnesota: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Courthouse Square Jackson, Mississippi: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Southside, 400 High St. St. Louis, Missouri: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Kiener Plaza Park, 500 Chestnut St. Helena, Montana: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Montana State Capitol, 1301 E 6th Ave. Omaha, Nebraska: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 1 at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B Las Vegas, Nevada: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse at 333 S Las Vegas Blvd Concord, New Hampshire: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at New Hampshire State House, 107 N Main St. Trenton, New Jersey: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at State House Annex, 125 W. State St. Albuquerque, New Mexico: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mariposa Basin Park, 4900 Kachina St. NW New York, New York: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Bryant Park, 5th Ave. and East 41st St. Durham, North Carolina: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at CCB Plaza, 201 Corcoran St. Bismarck, North Dakota: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bismarck State Capitol grounds, North 6th St. and East Boulevard Ave. Akron, Ohio: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at John F. 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'Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption,' their statement reads.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why the Fulbright scholarship program is facing a crisis under Trump's oversight
Fulbright board resigns over blocked awards and unauthorized reviews under Trump. (AI Image) The prestigious Fulbright scholarship program, a cornerstone of US diplomatic and academic exchange for nearly 80 years, is facing a deepening crisis under President Donald Trump's administration. Designed to promote international understanding and academic excellence, the program is now caught in a storm of political interference and resignations that threaten its integrity and global reputation. A wave of resignations has shaken the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, with nearly all members stepping down in protest. In a public statement, the board members accused the Trump administration of unlawfully meddling in the selection process by denying scholarships to recipients who had already been approved to study and teach in the US and abroad. As reported by the Associated Press, the board declared that continuing to serve "would risk legitimizing actions we believe are unlawful and damage the integrity of this storied program and America's credibility abroad. " Board accuses administration of overreach According to the Associated Press, board members stated that the administration overrode their authority by blocking a substantial number of already-selected candidates, and launching an unauthorized review of an additional 1,200 foreign awardees. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo These scholars, previously approved to travel to the US, are now subject to a secondary evaluation process that could lead to their rejection. The board emphasized that these actions contradict both the letter and spirit of the Fulbright-Hays Act, which established the program with protections from political influence. The Fulbright program, which awards approximately 9,000 scholarships annually in over 160 countries, is known for supporting a wide range of academic fields. The canceled scholarships affected students and scholars in disciplines such as biology, engineering, agriculture, music, medical sciences, and history. Selection has traditionally been managed by nonpartisan staff at the State Department and foreign embassies, with the board providing final approvals. Administration calls board members 'political appointees' The State Department, which oversees the program, dismissed the board's claims, describing the resignations as a political stunt. As quoted by the Associated Press, the department stated, "It's ridiculous to believe that these members would continue to have final say over the application process, especially when it comes to determining academic suitability and alignment with President Trump's Executive Orders. " The department added that the board members were partisan appointees of former President Joe Biden. One remaining board member, Estrada-Schaye, told the Associated Press, "I was appointed by the president of the United States and I intend to fill out my term." Broader scrutiny of international students intensifies The controversy surrounding the Fulbright program is part of a broader pattern of increased scrutiny of international students under the Trump administration. According to the Associated Press, the government has expanded grounds for revoking foreign students' legal status, paused new visa interviews, increased social media vetting, and pressured institutions like Harvard University to implement reforms. Former board members expressed hope that Congress, the courts, and future boards will defend the Fulbright program from what they called attempts to "degrade, dismantle, or even eliminate" a pillar of American diplomacy, as reported by the Associated Press. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
US embassy in Jerusalem restricts staff movements
AI- Generated Image The US embassy in Jerusalem announced on Thursday it was restricting staff movements after President Donald Trump said US personnel were being moved from the potentially "dangerous" Middle East. "Due to the increased regional tensions, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (area)... Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice," the embassy said in a statement. Traveling between those locations, to Tel Aviv's airport or down the highway through the occupied West Bank to the Jordanian border, would be permitted, the embassy said. The security alert came after Trump said on Wednesday that US personnel were being moved from the potentially "dangerous" Middle East as nuclear talks with Iran faltered and fears grew of a regional conflict. Iran earlier threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out, amid mounting speculation that Israel could strike Tehran's facilities. A US official had said earlier that staff levels at the embassy in Iraq were being reduced over security concerns, while there were reports that personnel were also being moved from Kuwait and Bahrain.
