"India's Efforts to Secure Affordable Russian Oil Amid Tightening Sanctions" India’s state-owned refiners are expediting payments for Russian crude oil to complete transactions before expanded US sanctions take effect. These refiners now settle payments within two days instead of the usual five, aiming to secure discounted Russian oil while navigating an increasingly restricted global trade environment. The urgency stems from Washington's announcement of stricter sanctions targeting Russia’s oil industry, which are set to take effect next month. Refiners are keen to ensure transactions are completed during the “wind-down” period allowed for pre-sanctioned cargoes. At least 4.4 million barrels of Russian oil are en route to Indian ports like Jamnagar, Chennai, Paradip, and Visakhapatnam. Among these shipments is the tanker Mercury , carrying over 1 million barrels of Russian Urals crude, expected to arrive in Paradip soon. This vessel loaded its cargo in mid-December ...
Why Their Is Absence of Civics Sense in South Asia Civics sense, often synonymous with public responsibility and social etiquette, is a cornerstone of a functioning society. It encompasses respect for public spaces, adherence to laws, and consideration for the community. While countries in East Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, have set exemplary standards of civic consciousness, nations in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, continue to grapple with a severe lack of civics sense. This disparity raises a critical question: why is the state of civic responsibility so dire in these countries despite their shared aspirations for progress? The reasons for this deficiency are multifaceted and deeply rooted in the socio-economic, political, and cultural fabric of these nations. A glaring factor is the weak enforcement of laws. In India, for instance, over 63% of urban citizens report that they have seen laws regarding littering and waste managem...