Seattle Daily Star

Many Indians experience rising prices without immediately connecting them to global events. Fuel becomes more expensive, grocery bills increase, and transportation costs rise. According to Sethurathnam Ravi , these changes often result from a phenomenon known as imported inflation , where international geopolitical developments influence domestic prices. India's economy is deeply connected to global trade. As a major importer of crude oil and essential commodities, disruptions across the world can quickly affect everyday expenses for Indian households. Sethurathnam Ravi explaining how global conflicts contribute to imported inflation and rising fuel and food prices in India. Understanding Imported Inflation Imported inflation occurs when rising costs in international markets increase the price of goods and services within a country. Unlike inflation caused by higher domestic demand, imported inflation originates outside national borders. Sethurathnam Ravi notes that geopolitica...

 The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to roll out a redesigned version of its online ticket booking platform, aiming to provide a faster and more user-friendly experience for passengers. The upgraded website is expected to improve Tatkal ticket bookings by handling significantly higher traffic and offering several new features. While the launch is expected to take place on July 15, some reports indicate the rollout could be delayed until the second week of August. IRCTC will soon launch a faster ticket-booking website with better features and higher Tatkal booking capacity Improved User Interface The redesigned portal features a cleaner layout intended to simplify the booking process. Passengers can expect fewer pop-up windows, reduced on-screen clutter, and fewer CAPTCHA interruptions, particularly during high-demand Tatkal booking periods. The updated website will also introduce a seat and berth selection option , allowing passengers to choose the...

The Indian government’s long-awaited plan to privatise IDBI Bank has gained momentum, with Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings reportedly leading the race to acquire a controlling stake in the lender. If the deal is completed, it could be valued between $5.5 billion and $5.7 billion , making it one of the largest foreign investments in India’s banking sector. The proposed transaction remains under review, with no final decision announced. However, it has already attracted significant attention due to its potential impact on India’s banking industry and the government’s broader disinvestment agenda. The proposed acquisition remains under review, and authorities have not yet announced a final decision on the transaction. Government and LIC to Sell Majority Stake The Centre and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) are jointly planning to sell a 60.7% stake in IDBI Bank. The government currently holds around 45.5% , while LIC owns nearly 49.2% , giving them a combined stake...

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved sweeping changes to the formats of the Men’s ODI and T20 World Cups, introducing new competition structures designed to make every match more competitive and meaningful. The revised formats were announced during the ICC’s annual meetings in Edinburgh and will take effect from the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup. ICC revamps ODI and T20 World Cups with Super 7 and Eliminator playoffs. ODI World Cup to Feature Super Series and Super 7 Stage The 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will retain its expanded 14-team format but with a significantly different structure. The tournament will begin with a Super Series , where the three lowest-ranked qualified teams will compete in a round-robin contest. Only the team finishing first will advance to the main tournament, while the other two sides will be eliminated before the group stage. The remaining 12 teams will then be divided into ...

The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) has indicated it may extend support to the Centre’s proposed Delimitation Bill, provided the legislation guarantees an equal 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats for every state. If the party ultimately backs the proposal, it would mark a significant departure from the broader Opposition’s stance on the issue. The development comes amid growing political speculation after reports of meetings involving senior leaders from both NCP factions and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The discussions have also fuelled renewed chatter about a possible thaw between the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar camps. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule clarified that the party’s final decision would depend entirely on the contents of the bill presented in Parliament. Sharad Pawar-led NCP is expected to support the proposed bills despite remaining outside the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). She said the party w...