Indian Sub-continent

Colombo, Apr 22 (PTI) Debt-ridden Sri Lanka's inflation soared to 21.5 per cent, according to official data released on Friday, even as finance minister Ali Sabry met IMF officials in Washington to negotiate a bailout package for the country.

Sri Lanka's nation-wide inflation for March 2022 under the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) surged to 21.5 per cent from 17.5 per cent reported in February 2022, the Department of Census and Statistics reported.

Consequently, the food inflation also increased from 24.7 per cent last month to 29.5 per cent for March.

Mumbai, Apr 22 (PTI) The rupee declined 32 paise to close at 76.49 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, in line with a sell-off in domestic equities and a firm greenback in the overseas markets.

Persistent foreign capital outflows also dented investor sentiment, forex traders said.

At the interbank forex market, the rupee opened sharply lower at 76.31 against the greenback and lost further ground during the session. The domestic unit witnessed an intra-day high of 76.19 and a low of 76.50.

Lahore, Apr 22 (PTI) In a veiled warning to Pakistan's military establishment, former prime minister Imran Khan has given an ultimatum to those who have ousted him to rectify their "mistake" by holding early elections or else his supporters will reach the capital to overthrow the "imported government".

Addressing a rally of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) at Minar-i-Pakistan in Lahore on Thursday night, Khan lashed out at the new coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and those who brought it to power.

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) The Delhi government on Friday made masks mandatory at public places with immediate effect, and imposed a fine of Rs 500 for any violation.

However, the rule on fine will not be applicable on people travelling together in private vehicles.

The Health and Family Welfare Department's order comes in the wake of rising coronavirus cases in the city.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority(DDMA) had in its meeting last Wednesday decided to make masks mandatory at public places.

Lucknow, Apr 21 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday ordered the construction of new jails and more barracks in the existing ones to deal with overcrowding.

He said there should be a facility of sanitary napkins, dispensers, and incinerators at the women's help desk in prisons.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — An Islamic State affiliate on Friday claimed a series of bombings a day earlier that targeted Afghanistan’s minority Shiite Muslims, while Pakistan issued a warning of IS threats in its eastern Punjab province.

The deadliest of three bombings on Thursday in Afghanistan exploded inside a Shite mosque in northern Mazar-e-Sharif. Hospital officials say at least 12 people were killed and as many as 40 were hurt.

New Delhi, Apr 21 (PTI) India on Thursday reiterated that it has been looking at keeping its economic ties with Russia stable and that it procures "very little" Russian crude oil.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this when asked at a media briefing about reports that India is buying more Russian crude oil.

Bagchi said India's position on Russia has been "clear and steadfast"

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Delhi Congress vice-president Abhishek Dutt's SUV car was stolen from near his residence in the Jangpura Extension area here on Friday morning, officials said.

In a tweet, he said his white colour Haryana number Toyota Fortuner car got stolen this morning.

A senior police officer said that a case has been registered and legal action is being initiated.

Footage from CCTV cameras is being examined to identify the accused persons . The anti-auto theft squad has been briefed about the incident, the officer said.

Rameswaram (TN), Apr 22 (PTI) Eighteen more Sri Lankan nationals who fled the crisis-hit island republic arrived in India on Friday, with the hapless families who landed at Dhanushkodi in the wee hours being accommodated at the Mandapam refugees camp.

They rued the severe crisis that has crippled the country's economy and said even milk powder could not be afforded by them and alleged government apathy towards citizens.

The 18 people, among whom there were children, came in two batches in as many boats and were dropped off at Arichalmunai.

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 22 (PTI) Targeting the BJP-led Union government at the Centre over the demolition drive in Delhi, veteran Marxist leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked whether India's 101st rank in the recent Global Hunger Index can be "erased with bulldozers?"

The CM was referring to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021, released last October, which placed the country in an alarming 101st position.