Sri Lanka imposes 36-hour lockdown to quell protests over food, fuel crisis - Hindustan Times
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A Sri Lankan man shouts anti government slogans during a protest outside Sri Lankan president's private residence on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 

Sri Lanka imposes 36-hour lockdown to quell protests over food, fuel crisis

Sri Lanka on Saturday declared a 36-hour lockdown as hundreds of lawyers urged president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revoke the emergency declared after violent clashes that began late Thursday night in Colombo. India sent a consignment of 40,000 tonnes of diesel on Saturday, a fourth load of relief materials, to mitigate the crisis. The 'state of emergency' order raised fears that the Sri Lankan government could resort to a crackdown to quell agitations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak shares ‘hard balance’ of being a ‘good father’ as UK PM

British PM Rishi Sunak opens up about the challenges of balancing fatherhood with leading the country in a podcast with William Hague. He reflects on his Indian heritage and the journey of his immigrant family. Despite inheriting a tough situation as PM, he remains optimistic about better times ahead, believing his hard work will make a positive impact on people's lives.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and PM Mohammad Mustafa

Palestinian PM Mustafa forms new cabinet, calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

The Palestinian Authority forms a new Cabinet under President Mahmoud Abbas to address international pressure for reform. The incoming ministers are not well-known figures, led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, an independent economist. The PA, controlling parts of the West Bank, aims to rebuild Gaza with a technocratic government. The U.S. supports a revitalized PA for postwar Gaza, but Israel maintains security control.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Afghanistan not taking steps to eliminate terrorism: Pakistan

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urges Afghanistan to increase border controls to tackle terrorism threats after recent attacks. Despite efforts, Kabul is not addressing the issue, leading to concerns over sanctuaries for terrorists. Asif emphasizes the need for a regional approach and stricter enforcement of international laws at the Pak-Afghan border. Pakistan has implemented new visa requirements for Afghan citizens to enhance security measures.

Handout picture released by the Brazilian Presidency showing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron holding hands as they hold a bilateral meeting.

Wedding photos or diplomatic visit? Macron and Lula's photo sets netizens alight

French President Macron's warm embrace of Brazilian counterpart Lula during a visit to the Amazon has sparked social media frenzy, with users joking about a possible marriage. The trip symbolizes a shift from Macron's strained relationship with former President Bolsonaro and aims to strengthen ties between France and Brazil through a billion-dollar green investment plan for the Amazon.

New York has become the first U.S. city to approve congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown. Transit authorities approved the congestion pricing plan Wednesday, March 27, 2024

MTA approves NYC congestion pricing plan, here's what you need to know

New York City drivers are close to facing a new congestion pricing fee to enter Manhattan's business district. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved the plan, aiming to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and modernize transit infrastructure. Despite support from MTA, transit advocates, and environmental groups, the program faces legal challenges and criticism for potentially burdening residents and businesses. The toll could begin in mid-June pending final approval.

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Jaishankar's Malaysia visit provided opportunity to further develop Enhanced Strategic Partnership: MEA

Jaishankar's visit to Malaysia reaffirmed commitment to enhance bilateral ties under the Enhanced Strategic Partnership. Meetings with Malaysian leadership, including Prime Minister Anwar, focused on various areas of cooperation such as trade, defense, and education. Discussions also highlighted the importance of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India-Malaysia relations.

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Lawmakers in Thailand overwhelmingly approve a bill to legalize same-sex marriage

Thailand's lower house of Parliament approved a marriage equality bill, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of any gender. The bill passed overwhelmingly, with 400 members voting in favor. The legislation now goes to the Senate and then to the king for royal endorsement. The bill aims to provide full legal, financial, and medical rights for LGBTQ couples.

Police experts work at the site where buildings were damaged by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Russia strikes Ukraine's Kharkiv with aerial bombs for the first time since 2022

Russia bombed Kharkiv, Ukraine, killing one civilian and injuring 16. The attack caused significant damage, hitting residential buildings and an emergency surgery institute. Ukrainian forces are facing shortages and increased pressure from Russian troops. President Zelenskyy replaced a top security official amid the escalating conflict.

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Greek govt faces censure motion over train tragedy

Greece's conservative government faces a censure motion in parliament for allegedly manipulating an investigation into a train tragedy. Opposition parties claim the government edited key sound recordings to shift blame onto human error. Despite government denials, public opinion doubts progress in the investigation. The motion is expected to fail as the government holds a majority. The disaster, which claimed 57 lives, remains a contentious issue with calls for accountability and transparency.

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Indonesia's top court hears appeals from losing presidential candidates who want a revote

Indonesia's top court hears appeals from losing presidential candidates demanding a revote due to alleged irregularities. Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto won with 58.6% of the vote, but opponents claim election fraud. They accuse the court and outgoing President Widodo of bias. Protests outside the court call for fairness. Verdict expected on April 22.

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Pope appears in better health, praises Israeli and Arab fathers who both lost daughters in conflict

Pope Francis, appearing in better health, walked with a cane at his weekly audience, discussing patience and calling for peace amid ongoing conflicts. He highlighted the friendship between two fathers who lost their daughters in the Middle East conflict. The men, Bassam Aramin and Rami Elhanan, met with the Pope before the audience. Their story is featured in the novel "Apeirogon" by Colum McCann.

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In Vienna, 2 portraits of Alexei Navalny are painted near a monument to Soviet soldiers

Portraits of Alexei Navalny, a late Russian opposition leader, were painted on a property owned by the family of a former Czech foreign minister in Vienna. The wall behind a monument to Soviet soldiers was chosen for the portraits, which were completed by graffiti artists. The monument was built after Soviet troops took Vienna in 1945, and Navalny's portraits are seen as a tribute to victims of dictatorship.

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Banksy tree mural that sprouted in London is fenced off after apparent vandalism

A Banksy mural in London, depicting a figure with a pressure hose beside a pruned cherry tree, was vandalized with white paint. The artwork has been encased in plastic and fenced off to protect it from further damage and control crowds. Islington Council fenced off the site to address residents' concerns about disruption from visitors. Banksy's work often faces theft or removal by building owners.

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Disney settles Florida dispute after 'Don't Say Gay' bill backlash

Disney and Florida tourism authorities settled their dispute over the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The agreement follows a conflict over Disney's criticism of the bill, which led Florida to revoke a special arrangement with Disney regarding land development. The settlement paves the way for future cooperation between Disney and Florida authorities on managing the Walt Disney World Resort site.

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Families of 5 men killed by Minnesota police reach settlement with state crime bureau

Families of five men killed by police in Minnesota reached a $165,000 settlement with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for access to investigative files on the shootings. The families, represented by attorney Paul Bosman, will now have full access to the case files and information on obtaining their relatives' belongings. Prosecutors had cleared officers of wrongdoing in all shootings.

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