Sri Lanka’s government delivered another blow to consumers Sunday, raising petrol and diesel prices by as much as 25% – the second increase in a fortnight. The decision reflects the brutal reality of global oil market chaos driven by the US-Israel-Iran showdown in the Middle East. Petrol for regular use leaped from 317 to 398 rupees per liter. Diesel, the backbone of buses and trucks, climbed 79 rupees to 382 rupees per liter. With crude prices up over 8% weekly and 57% monthly, import-reliant Sri Lanka had little choice but to pass on the costs. To mitigate shortages, authorities are…
Author: News Analysis India
New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr has shattered a long-standing T20I record, becoming the first cricketer to register 30-plus scores in 10 straight innings across men’s and women’s cricket. The milestone arrived in Wellington’s Basin Reserve, where the hosts thrashed South Africa by 6 wickets in the fourth T20I, clinching the series 3-1 with one game to spare. Opting to field, New Zealand’s bowlers, spearheaded by Kerr’s economical 1/32 in four overs, kept South Africa to a modest 159/6. Dercksen’s gritty 55* off 32 provided some resistance, with Luus adding 30, but it wasn’t enough. In reply, Devine’s masterful 64 off 34…
From the sacred banks of the Ganga to the ruins of ancient universities, Bihar’s diverse palette has captivated filmmakers for years. But now, with a groundbreaking 2024 policy, the state government is supercharging this appeal. Bihar Diwas on March 22 serves as the perfect stage to unveil how these incentives are poised to create jobs, spotlight local stories, and elevate tourism. The Bihar Film Promotion Policy taps into cinema’s economic powerhouse status, following a 12,226 crore revenue year in 2023. Under the Art, Culture, and Youth Affairs Department, the Bihar State Film Development Corporation acts as the nodal body. A…
As tensions flare in the Gulf, Pakistan Super League 2025 braces for a fanless edition. Starting March 26, all games will be played in deserted stadiums at Lahore and Karachi venues only, a stark departure from grand plans. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi revealed the update after marathon meetings with team owners and top government brass, including PM Shehbaz Sharif. ‘PSL launches on schedule to uphold its reputation—no delays possible,’ Naqvi declared from Lahore. Fuel shortages, critical amid the regional crisis, prompted the venue cull, eliminating Peshawar, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. The glittering inaugural event? Canceled. Players from abroad are rushing…
Delhi witnessed a high-profile political realignment on Sunday as former JD(U) stalwart KC Tyagi joined Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) under the watchful eyes of Union Minister and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary. The event at Mavalankar Hall highlighted Tyagi’s new chapter after severing ties with Nitish Kumar’s camp post the Bihar CM’s Rajya Sabha victory. Chaudhary shared the news on social media, hailing Tyagi as a ‘senior and experienced leader’ and former parliamentarian, alongside welcoming ex-UP minister Ashok Yadav. He described the formal induction as a moment of pride, predicting it would infuse fresh energy into RLD’s public service mission and…
A powerful voice from India’s foreign service has erupted in condemnation of the USCIRF’s annual report, labeling it a farce riddled with bias. Veena Sikri, former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, led the charge in a candid interview, echoing sentiments from over 275 retired judges, officials, and military leaders who jointly rejected the findings. ‘Completely baseless and lopsided,’ Sikri told IANS, aligning with New Delhi’s firm rebuttal. She defended key Indian organizations against what she called illogical attacks. ‘RSS isn’t just any group; it’s an NGO with a proven track record in social service,’ she explained. During the pandemic’s darkest hours,…
In a strategic boost to India’s mining ambitions, the seventh tranche of critical mineral block auctions launches Monday, led by Minister G. Kishan Reddy and his deputy Satish Chandra Dubey. Announced by the Mines Ministry, this round targets essential resources fueling the nation’s future. Critical minerals drive economic progress and secure mineral independence. Global pivots to renewables and cutting-edge tech have intensified needs for lithium, graphite, REEs, tungsten, vanadium, titanium, and more. Yet, supply constraints and regional monopolies threaten stable chains worldwide. India responded decisively with 2023 amendments to the MMDR Act, classifying 24 minerals as critical. Central authority now…
Cybercriminals have struck again, this time targeting a sitting MLA in Andhra Pradesh and making off with 12 lakh rupees through a cunning WhatsApp ploy. Jana Sena Party’s Polavaram representative Chirri Balaraju clicked on a fraudulent RTA challan link shared via messaging app, unwittingly granting scammers access to his banking details and funds. Upon discovering the breach, the lawmaker wasted no time in lodging a formal complaint at Jeelugumilli police station. Officers have initiated a probe, employing digital forensics to hunt down the perpetrators and retrieve the pilfered amount. This brazen heist serves as a stark reminder of how everyday…
Rajasthan Royals are poised to bolster their squad with Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka, who has opted out of PSL to chase IPL dreams with the Pink Army. The move addresses a critical gap left by Sam Curran’s groin injury, forcing the English star out of IPL 2026. Royals’ opener against CSK in Guwahati on March 30 now has an intriguing subplot. Shanaka, a seam-bowling all-rounder with a reputation for match-winning cameos, was unsold in last year’s IPL auction but secured a PSL contract with Lahore Qalandars for PKR 75 lakh. His decision to prioritize IPL echoes Blessing Muzarabani’s path this…
Gujarat’s Kutch district is witnessing a transformative leap with the ‘Road to Infinity,’ a 22-km concrete highway piercing the Khadir Bet’s white desert and sea. Modeled after the iconic ‘Road to Heaven,’ this Rs 140 crore endeavor under CM Bhupendra Patel will connect Ekla to Bambhanka, benefiting 12 villages and 12,000-plus souls. Travel times plummet dramatically. Bhachau, once 150+ km away, is now reachable in 75-80 km. Hardeep Singh Jadeja shares, ‘From 180 km to 70 km—huge savings in time and fuel for our 11 villages.’ This pathway unlocks hidden gems: the tortoise-shaped Hanuman Bet with its historic Raneshwar Hanuman…