Akshay Deshmane

<New Work> The National Green Tribunal is scrutinising allegations that cement companies from the Adani, Aditya Birla and Tata Groups promoted illegal limestone mining in Gujarat. It has asked companies to reveal details of their supply chains. frontline.thehindu.com/environment/ng…

I recently read this short critique by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar about M.K. Gandhi and the fact that he is seen as a 'Mahatma'. His critique about Gandhi's public perception is telling: "Treachery and deceit are the weapons of the weak. Gandhi has always used these weapons."

Fair & Lovely join the BJP. Don’t worry @SanjayAzadSln you’re far better off without deadwood.

A black fungus feeds on radiation in Chernobyl. In the radioactive ruins of Chernobyl’s Reactor 4, scientists found an extraordinary black fungus, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, thriving in one of Earth’s most toxic environments. Rather than merely enduring radiation, this fungus seems to harness it through radiosynthesis—a process akin to photosynthesis but driven by gamma radiation, converting it into chemical energy. It’s among the rare organisms capable of this feat. Even more remarkable, when tested on the International Space Station, the fungus flourished, forming a biofilm that blocked up to 84% of cosmic radiation, hinting at its potential as a living radiation shield for astronauts. With radiation posing a major hurdle for deep-space missions to Mars and beyond, this self-regenerating biological layer could revolutionize spacecraft design by replacing heavy, bulky shielding. On Earth, researchers are exploring its use in bioremediation to detoxify radioactive sites too hazardous for humans, potentially transforming nuclear disaster recovery. As one scientist put it, “It’s like nature crafted a biological radiation shield.” From Chernobyl’s ruins to space, this humble fungus could help humanity thrive in the universe’s harshest environments.

<New Work> In this piece, I show why most taxpayers' funds under the MPLADS scheme were not spent. I also reveal why funds for Dalits & Adivasis were not spent by most MPs; and how BJP MP Hema Malini tried to divert these funds for other castes. newdelhipost.co.in/opaque-oversig…

Analyzing 51 OCCRP investigations in 23 countries, a new report maps the mechanics of state capture and identifies journalism as a critical countervailing force. Get a copy here: occrp.org/en/feature/exp…

The most effective way to steal from a nation isn’t to break its laws — it’s to rewrite them. That’s state capture. A new report co-authored by OCCRP’s Impact Team explores how journalism can counter state capture and why reporting on it is so challenging. Become an OCCRP member for access to all briefings: membership.occrp.org/briefings/?utm…

Elon’s Spies investigates how this free-speech champion uses hackers to target whistleblowers at his companies, online critics & people in his own life. Incredible podcast ▶️▶️ tortoisemedia.com/listen/elons-s… This reminded me about a famous Delhi editor who uses similar tactics.

Karma

On the morning of 13 April, workers across sectors launched a protest demanding better working conditions and a hike in wages in Noida, in Uttar Pradesh. The protest followed recent workers' strikes in Haryana, which compelled the state government to announce a 21% increase in the minimum wage. The Uttar Pradesh Police lathicharged workers, harassed women and verbally abused people at the Noida protests. The police also detained several hundred workers and children. Activists have alleged that more than one thousand workers and other people have gone missing in Noida since the protests. The whereabouts of some were traced to the district jail, while those of several others remain unknown. The Caravan spoke to some of the families of those who went missing during the police action. The police has confirmed the arrests of 396 persons, including four women. They have also filed seven First Information Reports on the protests, charging individual workers and over four thousand unidentified persons of attempt to murder, attacking public officials, rioting, destruction of public and private property, criminal intimidation, provoking breach of peace and other serious acts. Watch the full video here: youtu.be/QLMwmYRUFZ4

US Justice Department Moves to Seize Kurdish General's Beverly Hills Mansion occrp.org/en/news/barzan…

Romania’s Top Judge Cleared Man Linked to Family Deal occrp.org/en/news/romani…

Narcissists will tell everyone how you reacted — but they’ll leave out the part about what they did to cause it.

Distress is a normal response to being ganged up on. Anger is a normal response to being lied about. Falling apart is a normal response to watching people you trusted turn on you. None of that makes someone the aggressor.

In narcissistic abuse dynamics, this is the entire point. The target’s emotional response becomes the evidence used against them. The more they protest, the more “unstable” they look. The calmer the group stays, the more “reasonable” the group appears. It’s a setup — and it works because most people read visible distress as guilt and composure as innocence. They’ve got it backwards. When you see one person surrounded by accusations and that person is the only one who looks like they’re in pain — consider the possibility that they’re the only one telling the truth.

The group has had time to coordinate. They’ve aligned their stories, rehearsed their grievances, and decided on a narrative. They’re calm because they’re in control. The target is reactive because they’re outnumbered, blindsided, and being told that reality isn’t what they know it to be.

When one person is being singled out and that person looks upset, angry, or like they’re falling apart — pay attention. That’s not evidence they’re the problem. That’s what it looks like when someone is being mobbed.

Books are a centerpiece of learning and advancement. They also have the ability to inspire and transport our minds, particularly during times of stress or difficulty. More from @UNESCO on Thursday's #WorldBookDay. unesco.org/en/days/world-…

Bhavana has sent a letter to the President of India and to the CJI saying Judge Honey Verghese should not be elevated as a High Court judge. There are reports that the collegium has cleared her name. Here is a long profile we did on the judge. thenewsminute.com/kerala/the-jud…