Indonesia Election Results 2024 
- Prabowo Subianto, a veteran of the military, has declared victory in the nation's presidential election. Experts analyze the circumstances that led to his decisive quick count majority victory and the potential implications for the nation.
- Some observers have questioned how the former general, despite his contentious past, acquired his sizable majority in the election's fast count, what a Prabowo president could mean for the nation, and what can be done moving ahead as supporters rejoice and others express sympathy.
Striking Indian farmers seek guaranteed crop prices, while others try to march to New Delhi
- On Friday, farmers in various rural parts of northern India staged demonstrations and blocked highways in protest over a variety of issues. Tens of thousands of farmers have also taken to the streets in tractors and waggons, marching towards the city.
- Supported by certain labor unions, farmers in the northern states of Haryana and Punjab staged sit-ins next to toll booths on major highways during the strike. To avoid clogged roads, commuters were advised by authorities to carefully plan their routes.
read more: https://apnews.com/article/india-farmers-protest-modi-23ab3613b388a43112b693a89a9c468c
In a crucial test, Japan's new flagship H3 rocket enters orbit following a difficult launch last year.
- After a disastrous first launch last year, Japan's flagship H3 rocket successfully completed a crucial second test, launching two small observation satellites into orbit and restoring hope for the nation in the international space race.
- The H3 rocket, which had been delayed by inclement weather, lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Centre on schedule on Saturday morning.
read more: https://apnews.com/article/japan-space-rocket-h3-launch-fe05ba22d3c0299e5712eef9864d18f9
In the Asia-Pacific region, South Korea emerges as the "top dog," defeating Japan and India; defence exports jump 140%.
- India has set a lofty goal to increase its defense exports from the current US $1.7 billion to US $5 billion by 2024–2025.
- The goal may be challenging to achieve, but Indian defense firms could learn from South Korea, which has overtaken China as Asia's top defense exporter.
read more: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/south-korea-beats-india-defense-exports-register-140-rise/amp/
Taliban demanded unacceptably high fees to attend a UN meeting, according to the UN secretary-general
- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on Monday that the Taliban imposed intolerable requirements on attendees of a meeting about Afghanistan that was sponsored by the organization.
- According to Guterres, at the end of a two-day conference in Qatar, the Taliban demanded treatment that amounted to formal recognition of them as the nation's legitimate rulers and the exclusion of representatives of Afghan civil society from the negotiations in Doha, Qatar.
read more: https://apnews.com/article/un-afghanistan-taliban-doha-meeting-d5a6fdca4ddeeb205ddb332161a5899c
After a critical test, ISRO has certified the CE20 cryogenic engine for use on human-rated Gaganyaan missions.
- With the conclusion of the last phase of ground qualification testing, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine, which drives the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions.
- February 13 was the day of the last test. It was the eighth in a run of vacuum ignition tests designed to mimic flight circumstances, conducted at the High Altitude Test Facility at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri.
read more: https://newsth.live/OVGpGn
India's Increasing Russian Oil Purchases Are Adding Fuel to the Ukraine War, Says European Think Tank
- According to a European think group, India has bought an unprecedented amount of Russian oil for $37 billion at a time when it is fighting a conflict with Ukraine, potentially weakening western sanctions.
- The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), located in Finland, conducted a research that found that India now purchases more Russian crude than it did prior to the war, more than 13 times as much.
Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi assumes office as the Army's vice chief of staff. 
- Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, who assumed command of the Udhampur-based Northern Command, was replaced as the vice chief of staff of the Indian Army on Monday by Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi. The roles of the two generals have been reversed.
- The nomination of Dwivedi as vice chief is noteworthy because, upon General Manoj Pande's retirement on May 31, 2024, he will be the most senior officer and the likely candidate for the position of army chief.
Sela tunnel will improve the army position close to the China border.
- Lieutenant General Harpal Singh (retd), who oversaw crucial project phases as the head of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), said that the upcoming inauguration of the Sela tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, which takes place exactly five years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the project's foundation stone in February 2019, signals a monumental enhancement in the army's logistical prowess in the strategically important Tawang sector where Indian soldiers hold posts close to the contested border with China.
- Officials familiar with the situation said on Monday that Modi is anticipated to shortly open the tunnel, which would be the longest twin-lane tunnel in the world over 13,000 feet.
- It will allow faster deployment of weapons, soldiers and equipment to forward areas near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the officials added
SC condemns Centre for denying women Coast Guard officers their rights.
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has denied permanent commission to female officers; the Supreme Court has chastised the ICG for its patriarchal treatment of its female officers.
- The court questioned why female officers in the ICG do not receive the same treatment as their male counterparts in the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
The first female scientist to win the G.D. Birla Award is Prof. Aditi Sen De.
- Renowned physicist Prof. Aditi Sen De of the Prayagraj-based Harish-Chandra Research Institute has received recognition for her exceptional contributions to Physics.
- She is noteworthy for being the first female scientist to win this prestigious prize, which is a significant turning point in the award's storied past.
Pakistan's debt is unmanageable and will eventually default.
- Pakistan is facing the dire possibility of a "inevitable default," which may set off a catastrophic economic spiral, if its debt levels approach dangerously high levels.
- A recent Gallup poll and a controversial election have revealed a backdrop of economic gloom among voters, amid mounting concerns about Pakistan's ability to sustain its debt.
Sri Lanka inflation to reach 5% during Q3-Q4 - cenbank official
Sri Lanka's inflation is forecasted to hit 5% in Q3-Q4, according to a Central Bank official, marking a return to the government's target amid economic stabilization following a severe financial crisis. Recovery efforts, including a $2.9 billion IMF program, have aided the economy.
The high base effect from tax increases may even lower inflation below 5% in early 2025.
Read more:
Taiwan chases Chinese coast guard boat away from frontline islands amid heightened tensions
Amid rising tensions, Taiwan's coast guard chased away a Chinese coast guard boat near Kinmen islands.
Taiwan vows to maintain surveillance and patrols for safety in the area. Earlier, China halted a Taiwan tour boat for inspection, causing panic among passengers.
- This comes after a fatal capsize incident last week, prompting increased patrols. The dispute worsens cross-strait relations.
Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/21/china-coast-guard-boat-taiwan-waters-driven-away-8029
The Two-Decade Fight for Two Letters on the Internet
The South Pacific island of Niue feels cheated out of its .nu domain, which turned out to be valuable. After a deal in the late 1990s, disputes arose, leading to legal battles lasting over two decades. Niue seeks $30 million in damages, claiming digital colonialism.
Winning the case could secure its financial future and aid its bid for U.N. membership.
Read more:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/21/world/asia/niue-nu-domain-sweden.html
X faces restrictions in Pakistan amid protests over alleged vote rigging
Protests erupted in Pakistan over alleged vote rigging, leading to a national-scale disruption of social media platform X.
Despite government denial, NetBlocks confirmed the accessibility issue. Officials, including interior and information ministers, remained unresponsive.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority didn't comment directly. However, the caretaker minister for information technology managed to post on X, despite widespread user restrictions.
Read more:
News bits drafted by:
Poulina Banerjee (B.A. I.R., 2nd Year)
Aditya Raj (B.A. I.R., 1st Year)
Published by:
