Author: Shristi.Mishra

A Decades-Long Tradition of Presidential Debates The agreement between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump to participate in two debates ahead of the 2024 election upholds a decades-long tradition of presidential candidates facing off in high-profile televised events. These debates have played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and swaying undecided voters in closely contested races. Since the first-ever televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960, these events have become crucial inflection points in American elections. Memorable moments, such as Ronald Reagan’s “There you go again” jab at Jimmy Carter in 1980…

As cash-strapped Pakistan desperately seeks loans and financial aid from international lenders to stay afloat, a massive data leak has exposed a startling disconnect – Pakistani nationals own a staggering 17,000 to 22,000 properties worth $12.5 billion in the opulent emirate of Dubai. The revelation, first reported by Dawn.com on Tuesday, comes from a trove of leaked data that provides an unprecedented window into the world of Dubai’s real estate market, offering granular details on hundreds of thousands of properties, including information about ownership and usage, largely spanning 2020 to 2022. Wealth Stashed Abroad as Pakistan Grapples with Debt Crisis…

Delicate Diplomatic Tightrope In a move that could potentially escalate tensions between India and the United States, the US government issued a stern warning hours after India signed a significant agreement to operate Iran’s Chabahar Port for the next decade. The deal, inked on Monday, allows India to invest $500 million to develop and operate two terminals and five berths at the strategic port on the Gulf of Oman for the next 10 years. The Chabahar Port is a key establishment for India, providing a vital maritime trade link to access markets in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and beyond, while bypassing…

Voices for Change and Development The picturesque region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been gripped by a wave of civil unrest, with residents taking to the streets to voice their grievances against the government. The protests, which began last week, have shed light on the long-standing issues of economic stagnation, lack of development, and the growing disparity between the privileged elite and the common people. Catalyst for Unrest: Power, Flour, and Privileges The immediate catalyst for the protests was the attempt by Pakistani authorities to clamp down on demonstrations organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). This…

The Backbone of Governance India’s civil services have long been regarded as the backbone of the nation’s governance system. These dedicated individuals, selected through a rigorous process, are entrusted with the responsibility of implementing policies, administering programs, and ensuring the smooth functioning of governmental machinery. However, as former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Duvvuri Subbarao highlights in his recently published memoir, “Just A Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career,” this steel frame has begun to show signs of rust, necessitating urgent reform and reinvention. The Challenges Within Subbarao’s candid assessment of TOUGHEST EXAMS IN INDIA stems from his…

Maldives Regains Full Sovereignty After Decades of Indian Military Presence After over five decades of allowing Indian military personnel on its soil, the Maldives has confirmed the full withdrawal of Indian troops from the island nation. Heena Waleed, President’s Office Chief Spokesperson, told the Sun.mv news portal that “the last batch of Indian soldiers stationed in the Maldives have been repatriated,” though she did not provide specifics on the number of troops involved. Historical Indian Military Presence The Indian military presence in the Maldives dates back to 1988 when the mercenary outfit Persio Liberation Organisation attempted a coup against then-President…

In a recent judgement, the honourable Supreme Court of India presided over a matter of conflict between certain elected members of the local municipality and their overlooking superiors and political bosses. The matter pertained to disqualification of certain elected members in the state of Maharashtra by their superiors, the honourable court held that the elected members are the representatives of the democracy at the grass-root level and cannot be thrown out of the office at the ‘whims and fancies’ of civil servants or their ‘political masters’. In the cases filed as Makarand Alias Nandu v. State of Maharashtra and Nitin…

In a move seen as countering China’s growing clout in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States has launched a new multilateral security forum called SQUAD, comprising the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. The formation of the group comes amid heightened tensions over maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The SQUAD forum, an acronym for the four participating nations, aims to bolster cooperation on regional security matters and uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. officials have stated that the alliance is focused on maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other internationally recognized principles. “The establishment…

Devastating Floods in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul The southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has been grappling with the devastating consequences of unrelenting heavy rains, which have triggered widespread flooding across the region. As of Sunday, local authorities reported a staggering death toll of at least 78 individuals, with the situation continuing to unfold as rescue efforts persist. Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis The catastrophic flooding has displaced a staggering 115,000 people from their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in temporary shelters or with friends and relatives. This mass displacement has created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands…

Labour’s Victories Embolden Opposition The British political scene has been sent into a tailspin following the recent local council and mayoral elections across England. While the opposition Labour Party savored significant victories, adding to the pressure on embattled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the results have laid bare the deep fissures within the Conservative ranks.As the dust settles on the hard-fought electoral contests, Labour supporters are riding high on a wave of optimism. Their success in capturing several key mayoral positions, including the prestigious West Midlands post previously held by the Conservatives, has infused new energy into the party’s ambitions. Keir…