A new book claims Brigitte Macron’s viral slap happened after she saw flirtatious messages from an Iranian actress on President Emmanuel Macron’s phone. Journalist Florian Tardif says the couple argued intensely during a flight in Vietnam, turning into a public moment when Brigitte reacted. Macron’s team denies the story, calling the account false.
In Nagaland, villages like Kigwema and Khonoma run free, self-service libraries built on trust. Founded by brothers Akho and Thepfukelie Phira, the model lets anyone borrow books without a librarian, lock, or register—returning after reading. The same community-first ethics appear in local shops, reinforcing a culture of shared knowledge and honesty.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta launched two humour-filled legal books, The Bench The Bar and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful, built around strange real courtroom cases from abroad. In a light, candid explanation, he said he deliberately avoided narrating Indian legal incidents because of how he plans to practise—hinting at a practical motive behind the comedy.
Anke Gowda, once a Karnataka bus conductor and later a retired sugar factory worker, has transformed a childhood dream into Pustaka Mane in Mandya. The 16,000 sq ft public library now houses about 20 lakh books, growing from one man’s vision in a book-deprived village into a sprawling knowledge space that turns personal sacrifice into community learning.
Glasgow’s Mitchell Library is showcasing John James Audubon’s “The Birds of America,” hailed as the world’s priciest printed book. The rare, hand painted work is valued in the millions and features 1,037 bird species. Originally a personal gift, it has since become a global cultural treasure, inspiring films and drawing collectors for its enduring blend of art and science.
In Kolkata, English teacher Kalidas Haldar and his wife created a street library in 2021 using a repurposed refrigerator and a small shop to store over a thousand books. Operating on free borrowing, the initiative invites children and neighbors to read, transforming everyday streets into a community space built around the idea that every child deserves access to books.
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Retired Army chief Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane addressed a controversy over an unpublished memoir, saying his interpretations of the Galwan events were drawn from publicly available reportage. In an exclusive interview, he also launched his new book on military myths and mysteries while firmly reiterating that India’s armed forces remain apolitical and above politics.
Delhi’s World Book Fair is back at Pragati Maidan, unfolding across the city’s vast exhibition halls. Held once every two years, the 2016 event marks the fair’s 20th edition—turning a regular literary gathering into a milestone celebration. Expect a wide-ranging mix of publishers and readers, all under one roof for limited days.
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