The Sen Times

August 21, 2026 (Conversation) Online spaces, and social media in particular, are forums for vigorous political debate. They provide a space for members of the public to express political opinions, organise, and sometimes even interact directly with politicians. While they clearly have democratising potential, these platforms have also become fertile ground for hate speech, toxic interactions and online violence. By analysing over 3.2 million responses on X (formerly Twitter) to 88 candidates fo

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday sat on a dharna at the Parliament Street police station here seeking the registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by a youth during the CJP-led July 20 protest and said brutality against a peaceful protest is a serious crime. The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha said neither Union Home Minister Amit Shah has offered an explanation on the use of pellet guns at the protest, nor has Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologis

TORONTO (AP) The premier of a Canadian province launched a blistering attack on U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, calling him a bad person and not to be trusted and urging Canada to keep fighting rather than rush to make concessions in trade talks with Washington. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Canada has leverage in the talks even as his province weighs restoring U.S. alcohol sales at Prime Minister Mark Carneys urging to help secure a deal that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs.

Mumbai, Aug 20 (PTI) The rupee pared initial gains and settled for the day with gains of just 3 paise at 95.70 against the US dollar on Thursday, as the support from the weaker dollar index was negated by elevated crude oil prices. Forex traders said while a weaker US dollar eases some depreciation pressure on the domestic currency, crude oil hovering above USD 90 would continue to keep pressure on Indias import bill. The dollar index fell to its lowest level since late May after the US Treasury

New Delhi, Aug 20 (PTI) Gold price climbed by Rs 264 to Rs 1.58 lakh per 10 grams in futures trade on Thursday, tracking firm global cues as a sharp fall in US dollar boosted the demand for bullion. On the Multi Commodity Exchange, the yellow metal futures for October delivery increased by Rs 264, or 0.17 per cent, to Rs 1,58,260 per 10 grams in a business turnover of 10,450 lots. Analysts said easing US Treasury yields and a weaker dollar supported gold prices, while persistent inflation concer

LOS ANGELES, August 20, 2026 (AP) U.S. immigration officials worked with Iran to deport Iranians in 2025, newly released emails show, revealing a working relationship between the U.S. and Iranian governments despite tensions mounting between the countries. Hundreds of emails exchanged between U.S. immigration officials, which were obtained by the National Iranian American Council and made public Tuesday, offer the most transparent play by play yet of how the two countries worked together to arr

SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2026 (AP) OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers the first generation to grow up with artificial intelligence who are already using it for schoolwork, questions about daily life and even companionship. The San Francisco-based company says ChatGPT for Teens is tailored for kids ages 13 to 17 with stronger protections including content restrictions around things like suicide, self-harm and romantic or sexual chats. It also provides hom

Aug 19 (Reuters) At least nine people were killed, including a child, in a fire at a hotel in Indias eastern city of Kolkata on Wednesday, local police said. The fire broke out at around 2:50 a.m. local time on the second floor of the hotel building and was brought under control within an hour, a senior police officer told Reuters. Around 30 people were evacuated safely in the incident, which may have been triggered by electrical short circuiting, the officer said. The exact cause of the blaze

August 13, 2026 (Conversation) Widespread denial accompanied the public exposure of Jeffrey Epsteins decades-long sexual abuse and trafficking of girls and women. After the U.S. Justice Department released millions of case documents on Epstein in January 2026, billionaires, politicians, heads of state and academics proclaimed their ignorance of Epsteins global network of sexual exploitation. Why would so many intelligent and powerful people repeatedly trumpet their lack of awareness, especially