Travel to Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, has become increasingly popular among modern travellers. Alongside planning itineraries filled with street food, bustling markets, and rich cultural experiences, many are now adding a small but essential item to their packing list—

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated once again after North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, according to officials from South Korea. The launches, which were detected and tracked by South Korea’s military, have raised fresh concerns over regional security

Colombo — Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka fell sig

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, India’s naval strategy played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the conflict. While much of the attention remained on ground operations, a strong Indian naval presence in the Bay of Bengal effectively restricted maritime movement and added pressure on Pakistani forces in East Pakistan (now

A deepening power crisis in Pakistan has come under scrutiny after a surgeon highlighted disparities in electricity supply at a major hospital, raising concerns about the prioritisation of essential services. According to the surgeon, operation theatres at Services Hospital reportedly experienced a power outage during ongoing surgeries due to a shortage of gene

India has confirmed that Bangladesh’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently under examination through established judicial and legal processes. The matter was discussed during recent talks betwee

The United States has issued a fresh month-long sanctions waiver permitting transactions involving Russian crude oil already in transit, marking a notable policy reversal within days of signaling a stricter stance. The waiver allows purchases of oil loaded onto vessels as of April 17 to continue until May 16, providing limited flexibility to global buyers amid ongoing disruptions in the energy market. The decision comes shortly after earlier statements ruled out any extension, highlighting the pressure created by rising fuel costs and tightening supply conditions. With gasoline prices climbing and geopolitical tensions affecting key supply routes, the move reflects an effort to stabilize markets rather than signal a broader policy shift. Importantly, the waiver applies only to cargo already at sea and does not authorize new purchases, reinforcing its temporary and targeted nature. For India, one of the largest importers of Russian crude, the extension offers short-term operational relief. Russian supplies currently account for nearly 38 to 40 percent of India’s total crude imports, making them a critical component of the country’s energy mix. Given that India relies on imports for more than 88 percent of its energy needs, even minor disruptions can have significant economic implications. Indian refiners had previously indicated their intent to continue sourcing Russian oil regardless of external sanctions frameworks, emphasizing that energy procurement remains a sovereign decision. The waiver, however, reduces immediate logistical and financial uncertainties by ensuring smoother completion of shipments already underway. As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global energy flows, the temporary waiver underscores the balancing act between policy objectives and market realities. For India, it reinforces the importance of maintaining diversified supply channels while navigating an increasingly complex international energy landscape.

As geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt global oil and gas markets, India is showing greater structural resilience compared with past crises, driven by a steady shift in how it produces and consumes energy. Data published in the Reserve Bank of India’s March Bulletin indicates that renewable sources accounted for 26.4 percent of India’s total electricity generation as of January 2026, rising from 22.1 percent in January 2025. This increase reflects a broader tran

India is set to continue importing Russian crude oil and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) even after the expiration of the 30-day sanctions waiver granted by the United States on April 11, 2026. Officials indicated that the country’s energy import strategy is guided by sovereign priorities and commercial considerations rather than external sanctions frameworks. Indian refineries are expected to maintain their existing procurement approach by sourcing supplies from non-sanctioned entities and c

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday said he had a “very good conversation” with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the discussion as constructive and reaffirming strong ties between the two nations. The leaders spoke for approximately 40 minutes, focusing on regional security

Gautam Adani has overtaken Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s richest individual, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Adani’s net worth has risen to $92.6 billion, placing him 19th globally, while Ambani now stands at $90.8 billion, ranking 20th worldwide. The shift reflects the dynamic nature of global wealth rankings, where even small market movements can alter positions at

Narendra Modi emphasized the need for diplomacy over military confrontation during a joint press conference with Christian Stocker in New Delhi, underscoring that armed conflicts in regions such as Ukraine and West

Reports indicate that a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah could be announced within days, according to Lebanese officials. The ceasefire is expected to come after Israeli ground forces complete their mission to capture the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, a stronghold of Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on April 15 that Israeli troops were “about to defeat” Hezbollah in the area. The potential truce marks a complex and pivotal moment in th

India reaffirmed its strategy of sourcing oil from a wide range of suppliers to safeguard its energy needs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global trade routes. Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing in New Delhi on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:29 PM IST, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the country’s approach is guided by the need to ensure energy security for its population of 1.4 billion while adapting to evolving internati

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth projections for India, forecasting a robust 6.5% growth for both 2026 and 2027, despite the global economic disruptions caused by the ongoing war in West Asia. India remains the fastest-growing major economy, although the IMF's global growth forecast has been downgraded to 3.1% for 2026, a decline from its January projection. The IMF report highlights the toll the war has taken on global markets and supply chains, especially in sect

A new report from Policybazaar highlights a significant rise in term insurance purchases by non-resident Indians (NRIs), with overall demand doubling over the past two years and younger buyers playing an increasingly central role in the trend. According to the findings, individuals between the ages of 25 and 35 now account for 54% of total demand, up from 44% in 2024. This shift underscor

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marking their first discussion since a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on Tuesday, April 8, 2026, following nearly 39 days of intense conflict that disrupted ener

Ken Griffin, founder and chief executive of Citadel, warned that a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could push the global economy into a recession, underscoring the fragile balance of energy markets and geopolitical stability. Speaking at the Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Griffin said that if the critical shipping route remains shut for an extended period, the economic consequences would be unavoidable. He noted that a disruption lasting between six and 12 months would almost certainly result in a global downturn, given the strait’s importance as a key transit point for oil shipments. The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of the world’s crude oil supply, and any sustained blockage would likely drive oil prices higher, intensifying inflationary pressures across major economies. While oil prices have eased slightly from peak levels reached during recent tensions, they remain elevated at around $100 per barrel, compared to under $70 before the conflict began. Griffin emphasized that global markets have so far shown resilience, with stock prices recovering to levels seen prior to earlier U.S. military actions in the region. However, he cautioned that investor confidence remains highly dependent on the duration and scope of the conflict. Many market participants, he said, may be underestimating the risk of further escalation and its potential impact on global growth. He also pointed to heightened vulnerability in Asian economies, which rely heavily on energy imports and are particularly sensitive to oil price fluctuations. A sustained increase in fuel costs could slow industrial output and consumer demand across the region. At the same time, Griffin suggested that prolonged disruption could accelerate a structural shift toward alternative energy sources, including wind, solar, and nuclear power, as countries seek to reduce reliance on volatile supply routes. His remarks highlight growing concerns among financial leaders that geopolitical instability in critical energy corridors could have far-reaching consequences for global economic stability.

The Malola Narasimha Swamy Temple, located in Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh, holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the nine Narasimha temples in Ahobilam and is dedicated to Lord Malola Narasimha, a unique and graceful form of the deity. Lord Malola Narasimha is believed to rule the planet Venus (Sukran) and is revered for his benevolent presence. This temple is considered larger and more majestic than the Jwala Narasimha Temple, which is also located

In a highly anticipated final at the 2026 Badminton Asia Championships, Ayush Shetty's dream of winning India's first men's singles gold in over six decades was dashed by the reigning world champion from China. Shetty, despite his best efforts, couldn’t find his rhythm against the Chinese player’s superior performance. The match ended with a convincing 8-21, 10-21 scoreline in favor of the Chinese champion, who displayed clinical precision throughout the match. This result furth