What is the News? Japan’s Diplomatic Bluebook for 2022 described the Kuril Islands (which Japan calls the Northern Territories and Russia as the South Kurils) as being under Russia’s “illegal occupation”. This is the first time in about two decades that Japan has used this phrase to describe the dispute over the Kuril Islands. What… Continue reading The quarrel over kuril Islands
Tag: the hindu
Why are blue stragglers stars different from the norm
What is the News? Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru has conducted a study on Blue Stragglers to understand their aberrant behaviour. For this, the researchers used the UVIT instrument (Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope) of ASTROSAT, India’s first science observatory in space. What are Blue Stragglers? Blue Straggler Stars are hot, blue, massive stars and seem… Continue reading Why are blue stragglers stars different from the norm
At $76.6 billion, India is third highest military spender in world, says report
What is the News? Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI) has released a report on global military spending in 2021. What are the key findings of the report? Largest Military Spenders: The five largest military spenders in 2021 were the United States, China, India, the United Kingdom and Russia. These countries together account for 62% of… Continue reading At $76.6 billion, India is third highest military spender in world, says report
The goal of an energy-secure South Asia
Context: The electricity generation in South Asia has risen exponentially. Recently, Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have achieved 100% electrification in the last two years. However, the status of electrification in India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan is 94.4%, 97.7% and 73.91% respectively. What are the divergences in the electricity policies of South Asian countries? … Continue reading The goal of an energy-secure South Asia
Understanding the Olga Tellis judgment
What is the News? The Supreme Court Judgment in the “Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation,1985” may become a game-changer in the Jahangirpuri case. What is the Olga Tellis vs Bombay Municipal Corporation Judgment? Background: In 1981, Bombay Municipal Corporation had decided that pavement and slum dwellers in Bombay city should be evicted and deported… Continue reading Understanding the Olga Tellis judgment
Explained | Why has the China-Solomon Islands deal become the latest flashpoint between China and the U.S.?
What is the News? China’s government has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands. What does the China-Solomon Islands security deal contain? Firstly, it says that the Solomon Islands may request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement to the Solomon Islands. This is to assist the island in… Continue reading Explained | Why has the China-Solomon Islands deal become the latest flashpoint between China and the U.S.?
Demolishing the rule of law
News: Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to maintain “status quo” on the demolition drive against the illegal constructions in the Jahagirpuri Area, Delhi. Such demolition drives were also carried on the homes of the alleged rioters in Khargone in Madhya Pradesh and Khambhat in Gujarat which were also hit… Continue reading Demolishing the rule of law
Side-stepping irritants: On India-U.K. ties
News: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was in Delhi recently, committing to more cooperation with India on trade, defence, combating climate change and cybersecurity. What were the major issues discussed? The deadline to complete the full FTA has been pushed till October-end or Deepavali, with a view to doubling bilateral trade by 2030. Of concern… Continue reading Side-stepping irritants: On India-U.K. ties
Days of misery over, PM tells J&K youth
What is the News? The Prime Minister has launched several development projects in Jammu aimed at “reducing Dilli Saey Doori (distance from Delhi)”. Using the “Delhi ki Dooriyan” phrase, PM said the ‘ Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ initiative in the past eight years was aimed at reducing distances whether ‘ Dilli ki Dooriyan’ or “cultural… Continue reading Days of misery over, PM tells J&K youth
Towards a resolution of the Arunachal-Assam border dispute
What is the News? The governments of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have decided to form district-level committees for resolving boundary disputes. What is the Assam-Arunachal border dispute? Arunachal Pradesh shares a boundary of roughly 800 km with Assam. The dispute between these two states dates back to 1873 when the British announced the “inner line”… Continue reading Towards a resolution of the Arunachal-Assam border dispute
