Fuel Quota Increased: Three wheel quotas from 5L to 8L, motorcycles from 4L to 7L, busses from 40L to 60L, cars/vans from 20L to 30L, land vehicles from 15L to 25L, lorries from 50L to 75L, quadric cycle from 4L to 6L https://t.co/yIBtBPVHer

— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) April 4, 2023

The tweet above comes from Azzam Ameen, a media personality and the founder of Sri Lanka NewsWire. He is retweeting an update on the country’s fuel quotas posted by NewsWire, an independent media outlet in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka enacted a fuel quota in July of 2022 to combat the fuel shortage set on by the economic crisis the country has been consumed with for over a year. Citizens use QR codes at local pumps to keep count of their weekly fuel allowance. The QR codes are bound to the specific vehicle since various types of vehicles have different quotas. “The New Year’s festive” season was the reasoning behind this increase in the fuel quota since the prime minter suspects the season will require citizens to travel more. It has also been reported by the state that since the fuel allowance was increased, there have been fewer reports of citizens violating the quota to pump extra fuel…go figure. It will be interesting to see how the Island Nation continues to fight its fuel shortage with these quotas. Increasing the allowance too quickly and greatly could lead to some back sliding but restricting it too much would open the door to more illegal activity. With another IMF relief package and Chinese aid negotiations, one should watch the state of the fuel crisis more closely in the months to come to see if the shortage can be stabilized.

This article contains stories about multiple tech companies such as Snapchat, Google, Twitter, and some India based companies such as Koo and Sharechat pledge to begin campaigns against non-goverment related misinformation on their platforms. This follows a long history of misinformation in the Indian digital era. In addition to this the Indian government is moving to regulate more online gaming in order to stop illegal gambling and money laundering through internet games.

I believe that this article shows an improvement from the past of India’s digital competency. The part which specifically impresses me is the regulation steps taken to control online gambling operations. This shows a growing awareness for real world implications, outside of politics, from actions taken in the digital world. I wonder how this will effect the online economy of India and perhaps the types of games consumed?

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/newsletters/ettech-unwrapped/behind-self-regulating-indian-tech-industry-and-other-top-stories-this-week/articleshow/99680352.cms

HR: Article, Spellcheck

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-65380148

According to this article China will soon lose its spot as the most populous country on earth. This is significant as historically Asian nations have accounted for over a third of the world population in the last 70 years. While China’s population is on the decline India is projected to keep rising for the next several decades despite lower birth rates as compared to the 1950s.

I believe that this event is significant as India is already the world’s largest democracy and soon to be the world’s largest country. This means that it will have one more bargaining chip on the table and possibly more leverage in future negotiations within Asia and abroad. This amount of population I believe also shows the urgency in which India must learn to develop its digital footprint and competency. The prime minister of India right now, Modi, is a large advocate for technological innovation. Perhaps more private internet providers will see this change and be eager to work with him in order to strengthen the internet and cellular reach in India.

HR: Article, Spellcheck

After the military took control of Myanmar in 2021, guerilla fighters have been waging a war against the military junta, targeting military personnel, police who comply with the junta, as well as appointed political figures.  This past week, Sai Kyaw Thu was assassinated by the People’s Defense Force, which supports the democratic National Unity Government (an opposition group within Myanmar).  Thu was a former lieutenant colonel who was placed in charge of helping to prepare for elections to occur within Myanmar within the next few years.  The resistance fighters do not believe that it is legitimate elections because the government of Aung Sun Suu Kyi was violently deposed and replaced with the junta.

ABC news reported that “A member of the guerrilla group said in a text message on Sunday that Sai Kyaw Thu was assassinated ‘for being the deputy director-general of the illegal election commission of the military council, which disrespected the votes of the people in 2020 general election and abused the people unjustly, and also for being the one who falsely prosecuted President Win Myint and Aung San Suu Kyi as an accessory of the military council.'”

The issue with this assassination is the junta now has more incentive to use force to crush the opposition and may push back the upcoming elections even further.  The junta may point to the fact that the new election commission was created to give the population a chance to vote, but if resistance is so strong that officials are being assassinated, then there may be no reason to hold elections at all.

Justice Rozic

Top election official in Myanmar assassinated by guerrillas – ABC News (go.com)

Sri Lanka is facing backlash on twitter because the nation decided to gift two elephants to Pakistan. Maryam, the publisher of this tweet, is a student in Delhi, and she questions the decision because Pakistan is currently finding it difficult to take care of the animals the country already has in zoos and parks. A prized African elephant died named Noor Jehan, because of this animal’s death, Sri Lanka has promised to gift one elephant to the Kahari zoo and the other elephant will be delivered to Lahore. The elephant named Noor Jehan was very sacred to Pakistan and the animals death reached global news because of allegations of neglect. The symbolism of elephants in Sri Lankan culture relates to Buddhism. Under Ashoka’s rule, Buddhism quickly became associated with elephants. “Elephants were used to represent the Buddha’ (Asesg.org) and are considered very sacred to the culture of Sri Lankans. The gifting of elephants resembles the relations of both nations, they both have the same intentions in regards to the powerful neighbor they both share, India. Both Sri Lanka and Pakistan have had their fair shares of issues with India and align in the idea of not wanting India to be a dominant power economically and militarily in South Asia. The gifting of elephants displays Sri Lanka’s appreciation and friendship with Pakistan. The interest in discussing of the gifting elephants arose because of animal rights activists and the importance of these animals.

HR:

When did we start to own these magnificent creatures God chose to put in this land 😒 we don't deserve good

— SafiyaS (@artistsafiya_s) April 24, 2023

Genuinely wondering about the logic behind this move at a time when Pakistan is also battling an economic crisis that has made it difficult for the country to care for the animals already in its zooshttps://t.co/UWKqJh2Nb5

— Maryam Azwer (@MaryamAzwer) April 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/artistsafiya_s/status/1650452976677552128?s=20

This second tweet displays the public’s sentiments regarding this decision

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/22/asia/pakistan-karachi-zoo-elephant-death-intl/index.html

https://www.prdb.pk/article/pakistan-sri-lanka-relations-a-story-of-friendship-1614

https://bnn.network/world/pakistan/sri-lanka-to-gift-two-elephants-to-pakistan-following-noor-jehans-tragic-death/

google “elephant meaning in Sri Lankan culture”

twitter

Within the tigers jungle we have always struggled with a change in our kingdoms leadership. For generations we have seen many Cobra’s slither into the ranks of the strongest tigers and have them stray away from the righteous path of our historic people. However, as time has shown, we as tigers have a tendency to be tenacious in our hunt for power leaving little regard for the lesser animals of our great kingdom. As we have developed into a powerful jungle one of the largest in the world with an extremely diverse population of animal species it has become hard to maintain peace and harmony amongst each other. In recent years our once long trusted and established council of tigers has failed us and have been slandered by the peoples committee of tigers who have centralized their power around their shrewd leader, the old white tiger. The old white tiger comes from the highest levels of our kingdom and has keen interests in promoting the sanctity of his fellow pure white tigers. In doing so, the great white tiger has ousted one of our kingdoms favored contesters to his power a descendant of the sacred bengal tiger leader. The great white tigers ferocity is not uncontested but he garners much support from those of his kind especially in his strong values of white tiger superiority and solidarity within our jungle.

This is the year in which we can oppose his rule but he leans on the elders of our jungle who make law and order. Time and time again our jungle has fallen short of glory in allowing other groups to be represented in the highest echelons of our kingdom. How is it that we can make a change, how can we as animals of this great and storied jungle stand in unity to protect the representation of all when the great white tiger has his teeth so deeply sunken into the roots of our jungle? We have heard fables of far away forests and mountain land who have seen leaders with the likes of the great white tiger, ferocious animals who hold such charisma and influence over the animals of their kingdoms. I see an option in utilizing our new found innovation in spreading messages of dissent and hope with a unique tigers cry that can be emulated and accessed by all animals of our jungle. This cry may enlighten and change the lesser animals of our kingdom and open they eyes like wise opening their claws; showing their teeth in opposition to the tyrannical great white tiger.

HR:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/world/asia/modi-india-gandhi-judiciary.html

Context:

China has rolled over a $2 Billion loan to Pakistan to help with liquidity struggles. This loan will aid in preventing Pakistan’s reserves from falling even lower. As an ally of Pakistan, China happily provides money in exchange for considerable investment within Pakistan.

Encryption:

There are eight pieces on a green monopoly playing board: a cannon, thimble, top hat, iron, race car, dog, battleship, and boot.  Of these pieces, you and your fellow countrymen possess the cannon, thimble, top hat, and iron. However, it’s seems clear that the battleship and boot are better off than any other piece. In fact, these two pieces own most of the property on this board. Whether you’re on the dark blue property of Park Place, the pink property of Virginia Avenue, or the utilities of the electric company, there is a price to be paid. You are paying out of pocket just to be present there. Yet have you ever bothered to question why there are payments to be made when you own the entirety of the board? Considering you occupy six of the eight pieces, there should be no reason you aren’t in charge.

At this point, it seems that you’re slowly losing your own money to these high rollers.  After making numerous successful trips around the board, you have lost most of your funding. You have the decision to make you either give in and beg the battleship and boot for help or look for other pieces to go to. You decide to go with the battleship and boot; however, this comes at a cost: the two pieces would like to overhaul their investment practices on your board. They want to become the primary go-to for you and your limited properties. You agree and begin to receive funding from both pieces leading to you coming back above water. Your countrymen can continue successfully circumnavigating the board, but at what cost?

Instead of passing go, it’s time for everyone to send the battleship and boot straight to jail. Instead of collecting our funds, it’s time for battleship and boot to be removed from their positions! Next time you land on a blue or pink property, you ensure you have power and authority over that region. You are the up-and-coming business owners! Be proud as you help raise money on behalf of each other. To be successful, you must be able to win. With the battleship and boot locked up and selling off their property, we can influence just how successful our game plan can be. We can alter to who and where the money flows. Who needs chess or checkers when you have the tradition of monopoly.

Help Received: Below sites – Wesley Barbara

1. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-rolls-over-2-bln-loan-pakistan-finance-minister-2023-03-31/
2. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinese-loan-rollover-2-billion-pakistan-process-govt-source-2023-03-30/
3. https://www.dw.com/en/china-pakistan-investment-ties/a-58734281

Context: India’s economic growth has been declining with the saying of the government’s contention that the economic problems have been shown as a “smoke screen” and it is singularly responsible for the woes. Anshul Avtiji, Congress spokesperson has stated “Inflation remains high, unemployment is increasing and growth estimates are being revised downwards with each passing day,” which means that more people are losing their jobs and their production of economics have been going down every day. Anshul Avtiji also states that the BJP government has been blamed on the global economic crisis but Anshul says that the BJP government has been hiding this problem and trying to cover it so that they don’t get blamed for it and get criticized. With this low economic growth, India couldn’t create new jobs and have more businesses as economies are in crisis and can’t provide them with the funds that the people needed to live or survive which explains many jobs have been shutdowns and more people go unemployed that they are having the struggle to find a job in India.

Encryption: India BJP Government was one of the reasons why India was having a financial issue because India has not been not making great decisions on their finance and the government is trying to cover it up by making up an excuse so that people won’t blame them for their economic problems. India has been facing challenges like a slowdown in the economic growth rate have been going down in recent years, many businesses are starting to go down which leads to a lot of people going unemployed people are struggling to find jobs to support themselves or their families. BJP Government have demonetization in Big currency which can prevent corruption however this caused many small businesses to close and farmers not be able to have their farms due to a shortage of crops and money. They have also made the GST which is an Indian tax system they made to create a good market but it has backfired since many businesses are having trouble going along with GST and begin to have a slowdown in economic growth. They also didn’t really create new jobs and the BJP government doesn’t pay attention to job creation and wants to promote different things like entrepreneurship and manufacturing.

Can there be a solution to the economic problems that the BJP can figure out? Why can’t they offer more jobs or more opportunities to people in India? Will the BJP government be reelected after these problems they have in India?

Help Received: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-singularly-responsible-for-indias-economic-problems-congress/article65970113.ece

https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/society/current-major-issues-in-india

https://www.ft.com/content/6886014f-e4cd-493c-986b-1da2cfc8cdf2

Google

Situation:

Since the military coup in 2021, the military has taken full control of the state of Myanmar. In the past few months, the militant government, also known as the Junta, have jailed hundreds of peaceful political protesters and labeled them as a terrorist to the state. In jail, they have faced extremely cruel conditions and many have died. Additionally, a new law was released in February allowing pro-junta citizens to bear arms and own assault weapons. Although they said the civil war has ended, the Junta continues to attack citizens they have classified as “rebels”. On March 30, Junta fighter jets bombed a village killing 10 people and injuring 20 others. Unprovoked attacks like these continue as the Junta struggles to gather support from Myanmar’s citizens. In the first two months alone there have been 53 airstrikes against unarmed civilian villages. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/airstrike-03302023162908.html

In a last effort to “unify” the nation, Myanmar has banned 40 different political parties and has jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the rest of the NLD politicians.The citizens of Myanmar have been silenced and oppressed and do not stand a chance against its very oppressive government. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/30/us-uk-japan-and-australia-condemn-myanmar-for-banning-40-political-parties

Encryption:

Once upon a time, there was a pride of lions that was set to choose their new ruler after decades of turmoil. For the longest time, the pride court has been in internal conflict and the way the pride should be ruled has been a source of tension. In recent years; however, the great lioness Aung San rose to popularity in the pride because of her selfless ideas and her consideration and care for the other lions. She said that all lions should have a say in the direction of the pride’s court. Other lions did not accept this, however,  Lion Min Aung, general of the Lion Guard, believed the lion’s court should remain strict and craved power. On the day of the final decision where all the lions of the pride would stand behind who they wanted as Ruler of the Pride Lands, the Lioness had the most support. This angered Lion Min Aung and he immediately ordered the lion soldiers to seize the Lioness. “This was a fraud! Seize her!”, Min Aung roared across the savannah. As the other lions all scattered away, the lion guards captured other rulers of the lion court and exiled them away from the pride lands. “I am the Lion King!”, announced Min Aung. While some lions clawed at the lion guards and protested against this violation of tradition, they still were captured and many were thrown off the edge into the canyon. Lion Min Aung continued his terror as he ordered lion guards to raid other lion villages, killing many cubs. Now, lions of the pride continue to fear for their lives and the once peaceful pride lands have turned into a warzone. The lion guards continue to attack and Lion King Min Aung releases his anger. Lion resistance groups have called for help to other animals in the pride lands. While the elephants, antelopes, and zebras know the situation, they do not act. If no one helps to restore the lion court, peace will never return to the pride lands.