How the US Lost the Opium War in Afghanistan

The US spent $1.5 million a day since 2001 fighting the opium war in Afghanistan.After hundreds of airstrikes failed to curtail the Taliban's $200-million-a-year opium trade, the US military......

Can the ISI keep the Taliban United?

Despite dependence on the ISI for years of sustenance, Taliban leaders may harbour resentment over the ISI's excessive control, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at the Research and......

Chinese Chequers on LAC is Not for the Faint-hearted

The Indian Army has shown it can face down the PLA, but is too often held back by a political leadership that lacks boldness, asserts Ajai Shukla. IMAGE: Indian soldiers disembark from a military......

Why China is building villages in Bhutan

'Its aim is to force the Bhutanese government to cede territory that China wants elsewhere in Bhutan to give Beijing a military advantage in its struggle with New Delhi.'Ajai Shukla reports.......

Has Mallya sought asylum in UK?

Vijay Mallya has applied to Home Secretary Priti Patel for "another route" to be able to stay in the UK, the liquor tycoon's barrister representing him in bankruptcy proceedings in the High Court......

Amid the gloom of Covid-19, art paints a happy picture

All rumours regarding the premature death of the art market have proven to be just that -- rumours -- with a healthy appetite for masters pushing prices up. Kishore Singh reports. IMAGE: S H......

Paytm's gameplan to replicate China's biggest ecom in India

Late last week, digital payments company Paytm held a press conference in New Delhi. Its chairman and managing director, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, chose the occasion to announce several new......

Will shale gas become a game-changer for India?

The UK shale gas 'pad allowance' would cut tax on production income by about half to 30 per cent, notes Kunal Bose. Experts across the world feel India, largely dependent on imports of oil and gas,......

Soccer: Ronaldo made to wait for Al Nassr debut

  IMAGE: Cristiano Ronaldo will miss his first two domestic games for the Saudi Arabian club after being suspended by England's Football Association (FA) for knocking a phone out of a fan's......

Transfer talk: Bale moving back to Spurs?

IMAGE: Gareth Bale has a contract with Real Madrid until 2022. Photograph: Sergio Perez/Reuters Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with Real Madrid to re-sign winger Gareth Bale, his agent said on......

Football Focus: Bale will not leave Madrid, says agent

IMAGE: Gareth Bale, who has scored more than 100 goals for the club, infuriated Real fans as he joked about falling asleep with a protective face mask over his eyes while watching the team's......

Bale could finish career at Real Madrid, says agent

IMAGE: Real Madrid's Gareth Bale 'not keen to return to the Premier League at the moment'. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale does not want to return to the......

Extras: 'Bale has never asked to leave Real'

News of all that's transpired on and off the football field  IMAGE: 'He has got a contract and as long as he is a Real Madrid player he will play at 100% - and do very well'. Photograph:......