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On the controversial Kuril Islands Russia conducts military drills
Russia said on Friday that it is conducting military drills on the Kuril Islands, just days after withdrawing from WWII peace treaty discussions in response to Tokyo’s stance on the Ukrainian war, in what is being interpreted as a dire message to Japan. Moscow claims sovereignty over the Southern Kurils, which Japan refers to as the ‘Northern Territories,’ and the two countries have been at odds over the chain of islands since WWII. Although Russia administers the Kuril Islands, Tokyo asserts that the Northern Territories, which were taken by Soviet soldiers during WWII, have never been disputed.
Tokyo argued and mocked Russia for discontinuing its cooperation economic ventures about the four disputed islands, which have been part of Japan since the early nineteenth century.
Russia’s Eastern Military District stated on Friday that it is conducting military drills with more than 3,000 troops and dozens of army vehicles on the archipelago that separates the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency. The southernmost islands of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and Habomai, which are only a few kilometers off the north coast of Hokkaido, Japan’s main island, were conquered by the Soviet Union forces in 1945. During WWII, Tokyo surrendered in front of the Soviet Union.
Over the island dispute, both Russia and Japan have yet to formally end World War II hostilities. Japan has been attempting to reclaim the island, which is currently under Russian control. It claims that the expansion was unlawful and wants that they are returned, while Russia claims that it was a necessary result of the conflict.
According to Kyodo, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has repeatedly assured the parliament that “our country’s sovereignty covers the Northern Territories,” and that he will resolve the disputed island with Russia “very soon.”
“Our country’s sovereignty includes the Northern Territories [Southern Kuril Islands]. The government’s position on this issue has not changed. The ownership of the four islands is the subject of negotiations on the signing of the peace treaty [with Russia]. This has always been Japan’s policy “Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had informed Parliament.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has stated that Russia “does not intend to continue negotiations with Japan.”
Due to the concerted Western sanctions against Russia, Russia also unilaterally withdrew from WWII peace treaty discussions with Japan and stopped collaborative economic initiatives relating to the disputed Kuril Islands. “Russia does not want to continue negotiations with Japan on a peace treaty under the existing circumstances,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement. It sneered at Japan’s “openly hostile positions and attempts to harm our country’s interests” Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s Deputy Security Council Chairman has stated that Japan and Russia will never reach an agreement on the Kuril Islands. The suspension of dialogue with Japan was described by Medvedev as “unacceptable.” “On his Telegram channel, he said, “Historically justifiable, obsolete, and fair.”
Last Thursday, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the Kuril Islands are a part of Japan, not Russia. He referred to the area as Japan’s “original lands” during a debate in the National Diet (Parliament). The Minister stated that the islands are “primordially Japanese,” reaffirming Japan’s position on the long-standing contested issue.
Potholes and traffic congestion on the Uran route could make the festival journey difficult for thousands of devotees.
The Roads
With Ganeshotsav approaching, thousands of devotees from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are preparing to travel to their hometowns in Konkan. However, poor road conditions along the Uran route have raised concerns about their journey.
Several stretches, including parts of the Mumbai–Goa National Highway and the Khopate Bridge, are reportedly affected by potholes. The Gavanphata–Chirner–Kharpada route is also in need of repairs, raising fears of slower traffic and longer travel times during the busy festival period. Traffic congestion has already been reported on the Chirner–Gavanphata–Dighode stretch. With a significant increase in vehicles expected during Ganeshotsav, residents fear that the existing problems could become even worse.
Roads maintained by CIDCO and the Public Works Department (PWD) have also come under scrutiny. The Khopate–Koproli road, in particular, has several potholes, while unauthorised parking in some areas is further adding to traffic difficulties. For many families travelling to Konkan for Ganeshotsav, the journey is an important part of the festival. Residents have therefore urged authorities to repair the damaged roads before the rush begins.
Meanwhile, Uran traffic police are preparing measures to manage the expected increase in traffic and minimise congestion during the festival.
Court seeks a clear plan to prevent new unauthorised structures as civic authorities step up action.
The Constructions
The Bombay High Court has sought answers from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) over the growing issue of illegal constructions in the city. The court has asked the civic body what concrete steps it plans to take over the next three months to prevent new unauthorised structures from coming up.
According to claims made before the court, Navi Mumbai has around 4,000 illegal constructions. Since the court’s June 16, 2026 order, NMMC has taken action against 88 structures, including 43 in Airoli. Officials said another 25 structures had been acted against by September 7.
However, NMMC told the court that its demolition drive could face challenges in the coming months due to staff being engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work and preparations for upcoming festivals. During the hearing, petitioners also alleged that some illegal structures in Airoli were being spared because of political pressure. CIDCO, meanwhile, clarified that the areas in question fall under NMMC’s jurisdiction.
The court has scheduled the next hearing after three weeks. For residents concerned about unauthorised construction in their neighbourhoods, the proceedings could be significant, as the civic body is now expected to show how it intends to prevent fresh violations rather than simply act after structures are built.
Candidates who appeared for the civic body’s recruitment exam can check their scores from September 11 after a long wait.
The Exam
Candidates waiting for the results of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) recruitment exam finally have some good news. The civic body is set to release the exam scorecards on September 11, 2026, bringing an end to a long wait for thousands of applicants.
The recruitment drive was announced for 668 posts across 30 categories. A total of around 84,774 candidates applied, while 68,149 candidates appeared for the online examination held in July 2025. The release of the results had been delayed due to a legal dispute involving contractual employees working with NMMC. The employees had approached the Bombay High Court seeking protection for their jobs, following which the court had directed the civic body to hold back the examination scores.
The situation changed after the court allowed NMMC to proceed with the recruitment process while ensuring that the existing contractual employees would not lose their current service. Accordingly, NMMC will now publish the scorecards for all 30 categories on its official website on September 11.
There are currently around 477 contractual employees in the civic body. Their positions will be protected, while appointments to the remaining vacancies will proceed according to the recruitment process and the court’s final decision. For candidates who have been waiting for more than a year, the scorecard release will be an important step towards knowing their chances of securing a job with NMMC.
Poor Road Conditions Raise Concerns for Konkan-Bound Ganeshotsav Travellers
High Court Questions NMMC Over Illegal Constructions in Navi Mumbai
NMMC Recruitment Exam Scorecard to Be Released on September 11
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