Author: Tirthankar Mitra

Len Deighton, the man who brought the “office memo” to the spy novel, has passed away. From his groundbreaking debut to his masterful military histories and culinary writing, Deighton proved that the most compelling stories aren’t found in gadgets and martinis, but in the gritty, human complexities of real life.

Len Deighton, the quiet architect of modern.spy thrillers is no more. Featured in the bestsellers list for decades, his novels were known for their tough stylish presentation of a cloak and dagger profession.

In a star-studded room usually known for glitz, the 2026 Oscars took a somber, meaningful turn. By awarding the top prize to the father-daughter dystopian drama One Battle After Another, the Academy embraced a “mood of urgency,” favoring stories that mirror our current social ruptures over traditional Hollywood blockbusters.

Often referred to as the greatest Englishman, Winston Silencer Churchill, the war time prime minister of Great Britain is as much part of the English lore as a cricket test match in Lords, Wimbledon tennis tournament and fish and chips. Small wonder, his belligerent visage often stare at users from currency notes; it will soon be a thing of the past as pound notes will replace his pugnacious visage with that of a badger.

Receiving an Oscar award is considered to be the ultimate accolade in film making. But when modesty makes its place in it, the moment is indeed a new high.

One may rub critics and fans the wrong way. But when it comes to a cat or cat lovers, do it at your own peril.

Seeking to return to power for a fourth term, Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee has placed her poll strategy on three planks.

Pratik-ur-Rahman an upcoming CPI(M) leader joining Trinamool Congress less than a week after his resignstion from the party is akin to a strike from a double edged weapon to CPI(M) . The party whose writ ran in West Bengal for more than three decades has lost a young leader with a clean image at a time when it is trying to regain electoral relevance; Rahman post his resignation has opened a can of worms about intra-party affairs landing the Marxist outfit on a sticky wicket before 2026 Assembly elections.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention for two decades. But it has not diminished her political stature, it has only altered its firm. The Nobel Laureate was once the voice of moral resistance. Now she is a silent symbol in a country where silence itself has become a weapon.

William Mark Tully, who passed away recently had become more of an institution than an individual scribe. Credibility was the middle name of the man who reported momentous events from India for the BBC.