The American Express Times
Friday, May 15, 2026
Environmental and economic damages due to Iran war
Since mid-2025, escalating US-led military operations against Iran have severely damaged Iranian nuclear and missile capabilities while triggering retaliatory strikes and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies. This ongoing conflict has caused widespread environmental pollution, fueled a global energy crisis, and intensified geopolitical tensions, with stalled diplomacy raising concerns about…
★ Featured Stories
Investigation into Nigel Farage’s £5 Million Gift
Nigel Farage is being investigated over a £5 million donation intended for his lifetime security following multiple attacks against him. The inquiry aims to determine…
It’s OK to scrub the daily bath
Dermatologists now advise that young children only need baths two to three times a week rather than daily, as frequent washing can worsen skin conditions…
India’s opposition politics and the future of the INDIA bloc
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Trinamool Congress suffered recent electoral losses, intensifying concerns about the weakening of the INDIA opposition bloc against the Bharatiya…
Agri Stack Revolution: Transforming Digital Delivery of Farmer Welfare
The Indian government launched the Digital Agriculture Mission in 2024, introducing the Agri Stack—a unified digital platform comprising farm, farmer, and crop registries—to streamline agricultural…
★ All Stories
Cooling doctrine: Access to safe indoor temperatures must be a public-health entitlement
India’s existing seasonal measures to combat extreme heat are proving inadequate, prompting calls for a national cooling strategy that includes mandatory indoor temperature standards and…
TVK Government Faces Critical Economic Challenges
The newly elected Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government faces a heavy fiscal burden with Tamil Nadu's state debt projected at ₹10.71 lakh crore in 2026-27, alongside…
Sebi Planning to Toughen Listing Norms
India’s securities regulator, Sebi, is considering stricter enforcement measures against promoters and companies repeatedly breaching listing and disclosure rules, including the possibility of attaching promoters'…
Calcutta’s New Chromosome: Blueprint For Bengal
West Bengal’s new non-Left government is initiating plans to revive the state’s economy through labor reforms, industrial partnerships, and sectoral growth in areas like healthcare,…
Palestinian president promises reform and elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pledged reforms and showed willingness to hold long-delayed presidential and parliamentary elections during Fatah’s first central committee conference in a decade.…
The Iran war and India's strategic autonomy challenges
An unprecedented Israeli-American attack in Iran followed by retaliatory strikes has complicated India’s efforts to maintain strategic autonomy given its critical ties with Tehran. This…
Increasing Import Duties on Gold: The Right Step
The Indian government has increased import duties on gold, silver, and platinum to about 15% to reduce foreign exchange outflows and ease pressure on the…
When Good News is Compelling News
The Pakistan Navy rescued seven crew members from the stranded Indian vessel MV Gautam in the Arabian Sea, providing food, medical aid, and technical support.…
Criminalisation in politics: Serious concerns over elected MLAs
The Association for Democratic Reforms report revealed that a significant number of newly elected MLAs from major parties, including TVK, DMK, and AIADMK, face criminal…
The enduring legacy left behind by Ted Turner
Ted Turner, the visionary media executive who founded CNN, the first 24-hour news network, died at 87, leaving a profound impact on global journalism and…
West Bengal and the Politics of Memory
The BJP’s electoral gains in the West Bengal assembly elections were driven by the consolidation of Hindu voters through historical and religious narratives, alongside widespread…
Why This Could Be a Good Crisis
India has introduced import duties on gold and silver as part of broader measures to counter economic strains caused by Middle East geopolitical tensions and…
Fuel conservation must begin with the Government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Indian citizens to conserve fuel amid rising global prices and environmental challenges, prompting calls for government-led reforms targeting fuel-intensive…
Riyadh school choir hits high notes celebrating Kingdom’s growth
Students from Beech Hall School in Riyadh performed a large-scale orchestra and choir concert in May 2026, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s history and future through a…
War on Iran no longer a short-term operation
The United States and Iran are engaged in ongoing military and diplomatic efforts centered on control and security of the Strait of Hormuz, a key…
Kerala CM selection highlights leadership and political experience
The All India Congress Committee has named V.D. Satheesan as Kerala's Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front's recent electoral win. This appointment underscores the…
Keonjhar Incident Exposes Institutional Failure in Banking
Jitu Munda carried his deceased sister Kalra Munda’s body on his shoulder to a bank in Odisha’s Keonjhar district to access her savings after multiple…
NEET Encrypted Tech Solution
India has canceled the 2026 NEET exam due to recurring paper leaks, prompting proposals to secure test distribution using encrypted digital delivery systems similar to…
Regional titans fall as BJP rises
The 2026 Assembly elections in India saw the BJP significantly expand its influence by unseating incumbent chief ministers in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala,…
Scarlett Johansson discusses pressures behind the scenes
Scarlett Johansson has spoken openly about the difficulties of balancing her high-profile acting career with motherhood and personal responsibilities. Her acknowledgment that perfect work-life balance…
Gaza aid flotilla sets sail again after Israeli interceptions
A flotilla carrying humanitarian aid set sail from Turkey to Gaza, marking the Global Samud Flotilla’s third effort to bypass Israeli naval blockades. This mission…
From ambition to execution: Saudi organizations redesign operations around AI
Saudi Arabia is rapidly embedding artificial intelligence into core operations across multiple sectors as part of its Vision 2030 digital transformation strategy. This widespread AI…
Capital flight and pressure on the rupee amid geopolitical tensions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged reduced gold and petrol consumption as India faces rupee depreciation and rising inflation driven by geopolitical tensions and the closure…
Walkability: Cornerstone of Future-Ready Urbanism
Walking accounts for nearly 60% of short trips in Indian cities, but inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and safety measures put vulnerable groups at risk. Successful interventions…
What Austerity?
Since the 1991 economic liberalization, India has transformed from an era of austerity and restricted consumer access to widespread availability of goods and robust manufacturing,…
Manipur demands immediate peace amid escalating violence
Violence in Manipur has intensified with recent killings in Noney and Kangpokpi districts amid ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The escalation…
‘The Big Bang Theory’ spinoff ‘Stuart Falls to Save the Universe’ unveiled
HBO Max will premiere "Stuart Falls to Save the Universe," a 10-episode spinoff of "The Big Bang Theory" starring Kevin Sussman as Stuart Bloom, on…
Families grieve Bangladeshis killed by Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least four Bangladeshi migrant workers, including Karim Miah and Sree Shuvo Kumar Das, amid intensified military operations…
Saudi consumer inflation stays subdued in April at 1.7%
Saudi Arabia's consumer inflation rose by 1.7 percent yearly in April, driven primarily by increases in housing rents, food, and transportation costs. This moderate inflation…
India's labour market shows gains, but challenges persist
India's labour market showed improvement in 2025 with higher workforce participation, lower youth unemployment, and increased salaried employment, especially among women. However, challenges persist around…
Starmer Rival Streeting Quits, Setting Up UK Leadership Bid
Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned, citing a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership amid rising pressure following poor local election results.…
The bot and I
A website required a user to complete an automated verification process to prove they were human and not a bot before granting access. This highlights…
Bharat, that is India: Reclaiming a civilisational identity
India is debating whether to prioritize the indigenous name “Bharat” over “India” in official contexts as part of Prime Minister Modi’s vision for cultural decolonization…
Peril along the shipping lanes
The British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon has been deployed to the Strait of Hormuz as part of a UK-France-led plan to secure maritime navigation…
Lebanon delivers record of Israeli truce violations in US talks
Lebanese and Israeli officials have resumed high-level face-to-face talks in Washington as their US-brokered ceasefire nears expiration, aiming to address ongoing violence along their border.…
MENA startup funding hits $15.4bn over 5 years
Venture capital investment in the MENA region totaled $15.4 billion from 2021 to 2025, with corporate investors contributing about 12 percent across 3,329 deals, primarily…
Building a preventive health culture in India
India has advanced its healthcare capabilities significantly but continues to struggle with shifting from primarily treating illness to actively preventing disease, particularly as non-communicable conditions…