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On the controversial Kuril Islands Russia conducts military drills

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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.

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Navi Mumbai Electoral Roll Update: Over 3.84 Lakh Voters Await Digital Verification

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Civic administration completes processing of forms received by August 18 as residents prepare to verify their registration status on upcoming draft lists.

The Verification

The Special Intense Revision (SIR) drive to update electoral rolls across Navi Mumbai concluded recently, with local authorities finalizing the initial round of data collection. Administrative records show that out of 9,19,697 registered voters across the Airoli and Belapur assembly constituencies, 5,35,214 enumeration forms were digitally processed. Meanwhile, approximately 3,84,483 forms remain pending in the digital registration phase.

Field reports indicate that verification teams faced various logistical challenges during door-to-door visits in neighborhoods like Ghansoli, Koparkhairane, Digha, and Turbhe. Unavailability of residents, locked homes, and delays in returning completed enumeration forms contributed to lower collection rates in specific pockets. In response, municipal authorities organized special local camps and coordinated with political representatives to boost outreach efforts before the submission deadline.

With initial form collection closed, civic officials clarified that additional submissions will no longer be accepted for this phase, shifting attention to the upcoming publication of the draft voter list.

Citizens looking to check their voter status or file corrections can visit the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra Portal or access the central Election Commission of India Voters’ Service Portal to verify their details, submit claims, or track upcoming electoral roll revisions.

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4 Robbers Break Into House, Hold Woman at Knifepoint in Ulwe

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Intruders enter through the roof in Gavhan village, fleeing with gold and cash worth Rs 9 lakh.

The Robbery

What was meant to be a peaceful night’s sleep turned into a terrifying ordeal for 53-year-old Shevanti Koli. In the early hours of Tuesday, four unidentified robbers broke into her home in Patil Ali, Gavhan village, holding her at knifepoint before fleeing with valuables worth around Rs 9 lakh.

At around 2:30 AM, while Shevanti was sleeping alone, the intruders made their way inside by quietly removing roof tiles and climbing through the kitchen. Woken by suspicious noises, Shevanti attempted to call for help. However, the men quickly cornered her, brandishing a knife and threatening to take her life if she made a sound.

Terrified and forced into silence, Shevanti could only watch as the group ransacked her home. The robbers grabbed five tolas of gold jewellery along with Rs 2 lakh in cash before disappearing into the dark.

The incident has left the local community shaken, raising fresh concerns over nighttime security in the area.

Ulwe Police and Crime Branch teams have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are actively analyzing nearby CCTV footage and technical evidence to identify the suspects and trace their escape route.

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Tragedy on Thane-Belapur Road, Hit-and-Run Claims Lives of Son-in-Law and Father-in-Law

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A quiet evening commute turned into a devastating loss for a Khairane village family as police search for the fleeing driver.

The Accident

What was meant to be a routine Wednesday evening commute ended in a heartbreaking loss for a family in Khairane village. Raj Pancham Jaiswar, 42, and his 61-year-old father-in-law, Shivmurat Ramlochan Jaiswal, lost their lives following a hit-and-run accident on the busy Thane-Belapur Road.

Around 7:15 PM, Raj was riding his TVS Scooty toward Thane with Shivmurat seated behind him. Near the drain below Khairane Bridge in Pawane MIDC, a speeding vehicle slammed into their scooter from behind. The severe impact threw both men onto the road, leaving them critically injured.

Instead of stopping to help or calling for emergency services, the driver sped away from the scene. Passersby helped rush both men to a nearby municipal hospital, but tragically, doctors declared them dead on arrival.

The sudden loss of two family members has left the local community in deep shock and grief. Turbhe Police have launched an investigation to trace the unidentified vehicle and driver. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving causing death. Officials are reviewing CCTV footage and appealing to anyone who witnessed the accident to step forward with information.

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