NORTH SOUTH DIVIDE
Indian Navy participates in RIMPAC naval exercise
The exercise will witness the participation of an aircraft carrier battle group, submarines, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted surface ships and also an amphibious force landing operations, Commander Madhwal said. The RIMPAC exercise will run till August 1.
China watches cautiously as Russia and North Korea strengthen ties
China is closely watching as Russia and North Korea strengthen their relationship through a new defense pact, raising concerns about power dynamics. China faces a strategic dilemma, aiming to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula while countering US influence. Its restrained response indicates uncertainty about how to navigate the situation. Experts suggest internal disagreements or difficulty assessing the situation may be hindering China's response. While some in China may see the pact as balancing US dominance, there is discomfort over potential outcomes.
Russia-North Korea pact could dent China's influence, but Beijing still holds sway over both
China appears concerned as Russia and North Korea strengthen ties through a new defence pact, potentially challenging China's influence over North Korea. Experts suggest China is struggling to respond due to conflicting goals of maintaining peace in Korea while countering the US. China's weak public response may indicate uncertainty on how to proceed. Concerns include Russia aiding North Korea's weapons program and the potential for a new Cold War alliance.
How did North Korean soldiers wander across the world's most heavily guarded border?
The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea is an intensely fortified strip of land, 248 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide, possibly the most heavily armed place on Earth. It features two million mines, barbed wire fences, tank traps, and tens of thousands of troops from both sides. Despite this, recent incidents of North Korean soldiers crossing into South Korea have been attributed to overgrown foliage obscuring the demarcation line markings.
How did North Korean soldiers wander across the world's most heavily guarded border?
On Friday, South Korea's military said it had fired warnings shots the previous day to repel several North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the military demarcation line that divides the countries while engaging in unspecified construction work.
Seoul fires warning shots as N. Korean soldiers cross border again
On Tuesday, dozens of North Korean soldiers briefly crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea but retreated after warning shots were fired. This marks the second such incident in two weeks, amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas. The North has been reinforcing its border, laying more landmines and building anti-tank barriers. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Seoul believe the crossing was accidental, involving soldiers carrying work tools. Recent landmine explosions have injured multiple North Korean soldiers engaged in these border operations.
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North Korea's trash balloons deepen tensions with the South. Here's what's happening between rivals
Tensions rise between North and South Korea as North Korea sends balloons carrying trash to South Korea, prompting retaliatory steps from the South. The North's actions threaten to escalate the conflict along the border.
North Korea flies trash balloons over the South as leader Kim doubles down on satellite ambitions
North Korea launched hundreds of trash-filled balloons into South Korea, prompting chemical and explosive response teams to recover the debris. This act follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's push to overcome a failed satellite launch and develop reconnaissance capabilities. Kim criticized South Korea's military exercises and warned of "stern" actions.
What is 'Friendly Father'? Why has South Korea banned North's TikTok hit song praising Kim Jong Un?
South Korea has banned a song from North Korea terming it as an attempt to wage psychological warfare. The song has already garnered millions of views.
Lok Sabha Elections: In India's political landscape, tensions among states are most dangerous divide
India's weeks-long election is reaching its conclusion as the remaining 164 of 543 constituencies in the lower house of parliament vote by June 1. The focus has been on religious and caste divides, but tensions between Indian states are prominent. Regional parties are leading opposition to the BJP, with concerns of power imbalances and federalism threats. The next government faces challenges in managing growing regional tensions and maintaining national unity. The BJP's dominance and regional alliances will shape India's political landscape in the coming years.
It's Sena vs Sena battle in three out of six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai
Battle lines have been drawn in six parliamentary constituencies in Mumbai, where Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray led outfit will battle it out in three seats. While two seats will witness fights between the traditional rivals - the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, in one seat the Shiv Sena (UBT) and BJP will fight it out.
Airstrike kills 27 in central Gaza and fighting rages as Israel's leaders are increasingly divided
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from the two other members of his War Cabinet, with his main political rival, Benny Gantz, threatening to leave the government if a plan is not created by June 8 that includes an international administration for postwar Gaza.
Nobody more Mumbaikar than me: Piyush Goyal on opposition's outsider tag
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, BJP candidate from Mumbai North, refutes Maha Vikas Aghadi's 'outsider' claim. Sanjay Raut, Varsha Gaikwad criticize Goyal as an outsider due to Pedder Road address, sparking debate on Mumbai identity.
Sam Pitroda ignites fire, says Indians in the East look like the Chinese & South look like Africans
Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, spoke about India's democratic values and diversity in an interview with The Statesman. He highlighted India's 75 years of peaceful coexistence, despite occasional conflicts, and emphasized the country's ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds. Pitroda noted the physical diversity across regions, mentioning that people in the East resemble Chinese, while those in the South resemble Africans.
Enlightened leadership needed to resolve north-south divide on distribution of tax pool: Ex-RBI Guv Duvvuri Subbarao
Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has argued that enlightened leadership at both the Centre and State levels is necessary to resolve the north-south divide in determining the distribution of the tax pool among states. He cited the fact that richer states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra receive less than a rupee for every rupee they contribute to the Centre's taxes, while poorer states like Bihar and Jharkhand receive more than a rupee.
S. Korea slams 'irresponsible' Russian veto ending UN N. Korea sanctions monitoring
South Korea "clearly points out that the Russian Federation, despite its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has made an irresponsible decision", Seoul's foreign ministry said in a statement.
North Korea says Kim Jong Un supervised tests of rocket launchers targeting Seoul
Experts say North Korea's large-sized artillery rockets blur the boundaries between artillery systems and ballistic missiles because they can create their own thrust and are guided during delivery. The North has described some of these systems, including the 600mm multiple rocket launchers that were tested Monday, as capable of delivering tactical nuclear warheads.
South Korean defence chief says North Korea has supplied 7,000 containers of munitions to Russia
North Korea has reportedly sent 7,000 containers of military equipment to Russia to support its war in Ukraine, according to South Korea's defense minister. This includes artillery shells and missiles, with transfers accelerating after a summit between Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin. In exchange, North Korea may have received aid and military assistance. The North has also increased missile tests, possibly to distract from its domestic issues and to align with Moscow over the conflict. The recent missile launches follow joint military drills between South Korea and the U.S. and come ahead of South Korea's parliamentary elections.
Joined by the Vindhyas: Contrary to belief, India’s not cloven by a yawning north-south divide
Consider per-capita GDP in the top half of states. The richest are the mini-states of Goa and Sikkim. Among major states, toppers are Telangana and Karnataka, but Haryana, a northern state, is a close third. Tamil Nadu comes lower. Next are Gujarat, Kerala and Maharashtra. The West is India's industrial powerhouse. Mumbai is India's commercial capital.
CAA notification: Oppn calls it attempt to polarise LS polls; BJP says Modi's 'guarantee' fulfilled
Opposition parties on Monday slammed the Centre for notifying the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, alleging the BJP was trying to divide society and polarise the atmosphere ahead of general elections, even as the ruling party hailed it as a "historic" decision that fulfils the promise made by the makers of the Constitution.
South Korea says North Korea has fired cruise missiles, adding to provocative run in weapons tests
North Korea has fired multiple cruise missiles into the sea, marking its fifth test of such weapons since January. The South Korean and US militaries are analyzing the launches detected in waters northeast of Wonsan. Experts believe North Korea is increasing pressure on its rivals in an election year, with a long-term focus on forcing Washington to accept the North as a nuclear power and extract security and economic concessions.
Demanding constitutional rights, not creating north-south divide: Yechury
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accusing the opposition of creating a north-south divide in India. Yechury argued that the opposition is not trying to divide the country, but rather converting India's secular, democratic republic character into a fascistic, rabidly intolerant Hindutva rashtra. He argued that the Centre needs to understand India's geography and that the chief ministers of Delhi and Punjab joining a protest staged by Kerala government leaders show that there is no such division.
PM Modi slams 'North-South divide'; says nation one body in Rajya Sabha address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi refuted claims of a north-south divide propagated by the Congress, emphasizing the nation's unity in his Rajya Sabha address. Modi denounced divisive narratives, urging focus on collective progress. He criticized the Congress for historical shortcomings and pledged support for state development, underscoring the importance of unity for national growth.
The global future is north-south integration
As climate change reshapes our planet, the traditional global axis shifts. The South faces severe environmental challenges, prompting mass migrations. The North, ironically, gains livable land. Addressing this disparity requires innovative diplomacy to mitigate conflict and foster sustainable solutions. The future demands collective action and inclusive partnerships to navigate the impending geopolitical upheaval.
North Korea will no longer pursue reconciliation with South because of hostility, Kim Jong Un says
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has announced that his country will no longer pursue reconciliation with South Korea and has called for a rewrite of the North's constitution to eliminate the idea of shared statehood between the war-divided countries. This historic step comes amid heightened tensions, as both Kim's weapons development and the South's military exercises with the United States have intensified in a tit-for-tat.
North-South, real gaps, false binary
Some of the south's wariness is misplaced. Urbanisation leads to the same effects of increased economic clout combined with political marginalisation. And the north is urbanising faster than the south, in part because of a low base. Since migration is overwhelmingly intra-state, the model of economic development is becoming geographically diversified.
DMK MP Senthil Kumar expresses regret for north-south divide remark
DMK MP D N V Senthil Kumar on Wednesday expressed regret in the Lok Sabha over his controversial 'north-south divide' remark which had sparked a backlash. Kumar had on Tuesday used a pejorative to describe Hindi heartland states while attacking the ruling BJP. His comments led to ruckus and adjournment in the House, and were expunged by Speaker Om Birla later.
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