Better pill

Merck’s new oral antiviral could be a game changer

It's about time, period

As schools warily begin to resume offline classes, maintenance and disinfection of school toilets can no longer be a low-priority area

Prevent third wave, don't wait for it

Exclusive interview Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist, World Health Organization

The virus continues to be highly transmissible

Exclusive interview Dr Priya Abraham, director, National Institute of Virology

Mundra Drug Bust Has Afghan Links

The Taliban-Pakistan-Khalistan nexus could boost Afghan drug production and trade, posing a major threat to India

Salima Mazari Tells About The Final Days Of Her Battle Against The Taliban

Salima Mazari—one of the three women district governors in Afghanistan—barely survived the brutal Taliban takeover. THE WEEK has been in constant touch with Mazari during her perilous journey. She opened up from an American military base about her escape, on why she despises the Taliban and the challenges she faced in her life and career

In defiance and defence

How a woman police chief from Jowzjan stood up to the Taliban to protect her city

India never does things we expect it to do

INTERVIEW MAHBOUBA SERAJ, human rights defender and president of Afghan Women’s Network

Unfriendly fire

Congress faces an uphill battle in Goa as one of its key leaders leaves for the Trinamool Congress, giving a boost to Mamata Banerjee’s national ambitions

THE SEED MAN

Prabhakar Rao, landscape architect of the Central Vista project, is on a mission to preserve heirloom seeds and wants native trees for our avenues

The fault in their stars

Women Army officers denied permanent commission are now fighting the “systemic discrimination” in courts

Poll-vaulting ambitions

A year after the start of the farmer agitation, unions prepare to face the big election test

Distrust and distress

Experts are talking about last resorts and avoiding famine, even as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka says all is well

A VILLAGE, MINED

The victims of a recent landslide in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra blame an iron ore mine for the disaster

Virat Kohli - Why He Stepped Down

Stepping down from T20 captaincy could help Virat Kohli rediscover the superstar batsman in him

IT'S IN THE GAME

ISL set to debut in FIFA 22

IMPOSSIBLE ROAD TO SOMEWHERE

In his memoir, Akash Kapur reminds us why imperfect utopias are better than creating none

Splitting rage

BOOK EXTRACTS

Gandhis Initiate Purge; More Steps Underway To Revamp Congress

The ruthless removal of Amarinder Singh shows a newfound decisiveness in the Congress high command. But the bravado has not answered the existential questions that the party and the Gandhis face

The flying workhorse

Known for precision and reliability, the MQ-9 Reaper combat drones will boost India’s offensive capabilities

Will do my best to protect Punjab from anti-nationals like Sidhu

INTERVIEW Amarinder Singh, former Punjab chief minister

Club class

In the turbulence of geopolitics, India seeks a balance between groupings and bilateral ties

Coping by copying

The Congress leadership in Kerala is converting the party into a semi-cadre organisation for its revival

SILENT SPECIALISTS

Anaesthetists are a rare breed, barely seen or heard. They work tirelessly, ensuring painless surgeries for patients. But little is known about their work and the pressure involved

Fight to the finish

With elections on the horizon, Mayawati is hoping for a strong comeback

Beyond Bhabanipur

Mamata Banerjee wants to not only win Bhabanipur, but also weaken the BJP in West Bengal

A MOUTHFUL OF AVADH

A few connoisseurs and chefs are trying to revive erstwhile Avadhi dishes in their authentic form

How An English Poet Triggered A Buddhist Revivalist Movement

How a buddhist revivalist movement was triggered in India by an english poet’s visit to Gaya

Nehru's Buddha; Modi's, Too

Ashoka desired to be the chakravarti, the supreme conqueror, and he was determined to add the kingdom of Kalinga, a powerful maritime state, to his empire.

India's Buddhist Heritage: The Way Forward

After reading his own obituary in a newspaper, Mark Twain said, “The news of my death is grossly exaggerated.”