Unveiling the Secrets: A Journey into the Unknown

 India and the United Kingdom have concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement, finalizing negotiations in late April. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer praised the deal as a major milestone that will deepen bilateral ties, increase trade, and create new job opportunities. The FTA eliminates UK tariffs (2–18%) on Indian goods like textiles, footwear, auto components, and machinery—supporting India’s labour-intensive sectors. In exchange, India will gradually reduce duties on UK whiskey and gin from 150% to 40% over ten years, and cut automotive tariffs under a quota system. UK exports such as cosmetics, medical devices, and food products will also benefit from reduced Indian tariffs. Sensitive Indian agricultural items like dairy and apples remain excluded to protect local farmers. The textile and footwear industries welcomed the move, while the alcohol sector expressed concerns about similar future deals with other countries. A key highlight is the Double Contributio...

 On Sunday, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on movies produced outside the United States, claiming that the American film industry is “dying a very fast death” due to incentives offered by foreign governments to attract filmmakers. “This is a coordinated effort by other nations and, as such, poses a national security threat,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It’s not just about economics—it’s also about messaging and propaganda.” Trump stated he had directed relevant federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce, to immediately begin the process of imposing the tariff on all foreign-made films distributed in the U.S. He added emphatically: “WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick echoed Trump’s sentiments on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “We’re on it.” However, neither Trump nor Lutnick provided specific details about the implementation of the tariff. It remains unclear whether the tariff would apply to streami...

 Thousands of supporters of Hefazat-e-Islam, a prominent Bangladeshi Islamist organization, rallied in Dhaka on Saturday, calling for the dissolution of a government-formed commission on women's rights. The group argued that the commission’s draft recommendations conflicted with Islamic principles. The rally, held at Suhrawardy Udyan, was organized by Hefazat-e-Islam — a coalition primarily composed of teachers and students from non-government "kawmi" madrasas (Islamic seminaries). The group has long been recognized as a significant religious pressure group in the country. Protesters voiced strong opposition to the proposed reforms by the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, which was established under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The proposals aimed to ensure equal rights for women, particularly regarding property rights. In one of its largest public demonstrations in recent years, Hefazat-e-Islam denounced the recommendations as contrary...

  Russia to Help Taliban Fight Islamic State in Afghanistan Russia has announced it will support the Taliban in fighting the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, specifically its local branch known as ISIS-K. Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan and a former ambassador, called ISIS-K a shared enemy of both Russia and the Taliban. He told Russian state news agency RIA, “We see and appreciate the Taliban’s efforts against ISIS in Afghanistan, and we’ll provide them with the support we can through our expert organizations.” Although no country officially recognizes the Taliban government, which took over Afghanistan in August 2021 after U.S. troops left, Russia recently took a step toward closer ties. Last month, it removed the Taliban from its list of terrorist groups—a label it had used since 2003. This move reflects a warming relationship between Russia and the Taliban. Russian President Vladimir Putin even referred to the Taliban as an ally in the figh...

  Vietnam’s Propaganda Art Still Flourishes, 50 Years After the War Half a century after the Vietnam War ended, the country has transformed dramatically—its cities filled with smartphones, pop music, and modern commerce. Yet one symbol of its past remains unchanged: the vibrant propaganda art of the ruling Communist Party. Artist Tran Duy Truc, now 82, has been painting these patriotic posters since the war. Commissioned to create new works for the 50th anniversary of the war’s end, Truc sees his art as a tribute to history and unity. “This anniversary is special. I may not have fought, but I used my brush as my weapon,” he says. One of his new posters shows two female soldiers—one from the North, one from the South—embracing. The message: “North and South, we are reunited in one home.” Propaganda art first rose to prominence in the 1960s, rallying support with bold visuals and catchy slogans. Today, it still decorates public spaces and even tourist souvenirs. “It’s not just ...