All posts tagged: spikes

Firewood shortage looms as demand spikes amid LPG crisis

Firewood shortage looms as demand spikes amid LPG crisis

With the demand for firewood from households and the hotel sector rising, wood suppliers have warned of a possible shortage. Benny Nanatt, an eatery owner at Palarivattom, says that due to the unavailability of LPG cylinders, several hotels have turned to firewood. “Induction cooktops are not an option as commercial electricity connections have higher tariffs. So, firewood is largely relied upon,” said Mr. Nanatt. He has been using rocket stoves that run on firewood. “It has been two weeks since I booked firewood, and I have yet to get it. Moreover, scarcity of firewood has resulted in a sharp increase in prices,” he added. A tonne of firewood that used to cost around ₹2,600 has gone up to ₹3,500 within a few weeks. In the case of tamarind wood, the price has risen by ₹4,000, hoteliers said. Kerala Hotels and Restaurants Association State president G. Jayapal said the crisis was continuing unabated, resulting in the closure of several restaurants. Anto P.D., a firewood supplier from Irinjalakuda in Thrissur, said he used to supply firewood to …

MCX gold rises over 2 pc while silver spikes over 3 pc amid West Asia tensions

MCX gold rises over 2 pc while silver spikes over 3 pc amid West Asia tensions

Gold and silver prices surged on Friday, driven by safe-haven demand amid persistent uncertainty and fading hopes of de-escalation in the West Asia conflict.  Gold futures for April 2 delivery jumped as much as 2.27 per cent, or Rs 3,167, to hit an intraday high of Rs 1,42,660 per 10 grams on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) around 11:20 AM. The yellow metal was later trading at Rs 1,42,500, up Rs 3,007 or 2 per cent. During the session, gold touched an intra-day low of Rs 1,40,287, still reflecting gains of 0.56 per cent or Rs 794. Silver futures (May 5) also rallied sharply, rising up to 3.65 per cent to touch an intra-day high of Rs 2,27,901 per kg on the MCX. The white metal hit a low of Rs 2,23,515 earlier in the session and was trading at Rs 2,27,799, up Rs 7,925 or around 3 per cent at the last count. Analysts said the rise in precious metals was supported by geopolitical tensions, which have kept risk sentiment fragile and boosted demand …

As jet fuel spikes, govt removes airfare caps imposed after December cancellation mess| India News

As jet fuel spikes, govt removes airfare caps imposed after December cancellation mess| India News

The Indian government has withdrawn the temporary cap on domestic airfares imposed in the aftermath of the December 2025 flight disruption crisis involving IndiGo, marking a return to market-driven pricing at a time when jet fuel prices are increasing due to the West Asia war. Govt lifts curbs on ticket prices, flags action if fares spike again (ANI) Operations in terms of staffing, a key issue in December, have also stabilised across the aviation sector. It was learnt on Saturday that, in an order dated March 20, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the fare cap, introduced on December 6, 2025, was aimed at containing an “abnormal surge” in ticket prices and safeguarding passenger interests during a period of constrained capacity. The ministry added that the situation has since “stabilised”, with restoration of capacity and normalisation of operations across the sector. Following a review, it said, the fare cap will stand withdrawn with effect from March 23, 2026. The caps were introduced when widespread disruptions caused by mass cancellations of IndiGo flights triggered a sharp …

EXCLUSIVE: Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand’s King spikes huge demand for India distributor; Gets an offer of Rs 200 crore advance

EXCLUSIVE: Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Anand’s King spikes huge demand for India distributor; Gets an offer of Rs 200 crore advance

Earlier this week, Yash Raj Films was officially announced as the overseas distributor for King, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix Pictures, and starring the father–daughter duo of Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan. Following that, the trade is now abuzz with the talks of domestic distribution for the film. According to trade sources, multiple leading distribution studios are in contention for the India rights, including A.A. Films, Yash Raj Films (Distribution), Jio Studios, PVRINOX Pictures, Pen Marudhar and Dharma Productions. Among these, Pen Marudhar, Jio Studios and PVRINOX are understood to be the front-runners at this stage, although no formal announcement has been made yet. The proposed top offer is learnt to involve a Rs. 200 crore advance, along with an 8 per cent distribution commission, making it one of the largest commission-based offers in recent times. The commission-based distribution deal aligns with the prevailing industry norm, as in modern times, the acquisition model has taken a back seat. Most studios either have an in-house distribution team or are partners on a commission basis with independent distributors. Strengthening Pen …

Ashes | ‘Cummins was almost going to go pick up his spikes’: Brett Lee on how Australian captain would’ve felt on seeing lively MCG pitch | Cricket News

Ashes | ‘Cummins was almost going to go pick up his spikes’: Brett Lee on how Australian captain would’ve felt on seeing lively MCG pitch | Cricket News

The opening day of the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes at Melbourne Cricket Ground saw 20 wickets fall. However, one man missing the action was pacer Pat Cummins after the Australian captain decided to take rest for the remaining two Tests of the Ashes to prepare for the T20 World Cup. With the Melbourne pitch offering assistance to the pacers and 20 wickets falling to the quicks on Friday, former Australian pacer Brett Lee believes Cummins would have gone to the team hotel to pick up his spikes with the pitch offering so much of assistance to the pacers. “I think there’s a bit too much in it. I wouldn’t be complaining at the end of the day if I was a fast bowler. It’s a different surface; it’s that furry feeling. I rubbed my hand on the side of the wicket this morning, and you can feel the grass lift up. Cummo [Australia captain Pat Cummins] was almost going to go back to the hotel to pick up his spikes,” Lee said on …

Anu faces harassment as…; Mohit spikes Prem’s drink to…

Anu faces harassment as…; Mohit spikes Prem’s drink to…

Anupamaa TV serial starring Rupali Ganguly is at the top of the TRP chart. There is never any dearth of drama. Manish Goel entered the show recently and brought a new challenge for Anu. His character Raghav was jailed on false chargers. However, he is now out of prison. But is struggling as the locals are not willing to live him in peace. Anu is trying to help him as much as possible. But her actions have now brought trouble for her and Shahs. Here’s what happens in today’s episode. Also Read – Anupamaa serial update: Anu’s support for Raghav creates…, Mohit to separate Prem and Rahi? Today’s episode of Anupamaa, sees a lot of drama as everyone opposes Anu’s decision to support Raghav. Leela and others are not convinced with Raghav staying nearby. Even the society members are not happy with it. Despite Anu (Rupali Ganguly) requesting all to give Raghav a chance, everyone’s against it. Meanwhile, in today’s episode, we see Vasundhara visiting the Shahs. It is for the Navratri celebrations. Vasundhara does …

Sikandar ticket prices surge to ₹2200 in multiplexes, ₹700 in single-screens as buzz for Salman Khan film spikes | Bollywood

Sikandar ticket prices surge to ₹2200 in multiplexes, ₹700 in single-screens as buzz for Salman Khan film spikes | Bollywood

Mar 28, 2025 07:40 AM IST Sikandar advance bookings have opened and the ticket prices for the Salman Khan film are already touching astronomical amounts. Salman Khan’s next film, Sikandar, is set to be released in theatres this Eid, March 30. Since this is Salman’s first big release in over a year, many felt that the buzz for the film was initially low. The late release of the trailer – just a week before the release date – puzzled many. But now it seems that the buzz is finally picking up. If ticket prices for the film are any indication of the demand, Sikandar is buzzing for sure. Across metros, tickets for Sikandar are selling for over ₹2000, with even some single-screen theatres pricing recliner seats as high as ₹700. (Also read: Salim Khan reviews Sikandar ahead of release, Salman Khan says he used two dialogues from Deewar) A still from Sikandar featuring Salman Khan. Sikandar ticket prices surge to over ₹2000 The advance booking for the Salman Khan film opened on Thursday. Booking website …

Woman Spikes Husband’s Food, Kills Him With Mother’s Help In Bengaluru: Cops

Woman Spikes Husband’s Food, Kills Him With Mother’s Help In Bengaluru: Cops

Bengaluru: A 37-year-old real-estate businessman was allegedly murdered by his wife and mother-in-law over his alleged multiple extramarital affairs and illegal business dealings in Bengaluru last week, police said on Monday.  The two accused have been arrested.  According to the police, the incident came to light when the body of the victim, Loknath Singh, was found by a few people in an abandoned car in a deserted area in Chikkabanavara on Saturday. “We had received a distress call on 112 at 5.30pm on Saturday, informing us about the body. We have arrested his wife and mother-in-law for the crime. Further investigation is underway,” North Bangalore Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Saidul Adavath said. The police said that a preliminary probe into the crime revealed the accused initially spiked the man’s food with sleeping pills in a bid to make him feel drowsy. They then drove him to a secluded spot where they slit his throat with a knife before fleeing. Police also attributed the killing to the victim’s alleged extramarital affairs and illegal business transactions.  …

Fossils of Dinosaur With Armoured Plate and Bony Spikes Found, Could Withstand Impacts From Car Crash

Fossils of Dinosaur With Armoured Plate and Bony Spikes Found, Could Withstand Impacts From Car Crash

A study has shown that the well-preserved fossil of a nodosaur, a plant-eating dinosaur, could withstand the force of a high-speed car crash. The fossil, discovered in Alberta, Canada, belongs to Borealopelta markmitchelli , a species that lived around 110 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. This fossil is one of the best-preserved dinosaur specimens ever found, offering unprecedented insights into the defensive capabilities of the nodosaur’s armour. Study Insights from Expert Researchers The research, led by biomechanical paleontologist Dr. Michael Habib from UCLA, revealed that the keratin sheaths covering the nodosaur’s bony spikes were significantly thicker than originally thought. The thickness of the keratin layer on the fossil was measured at nearly 16 centimetres in some areas, much thicker than the keratin found in modern-day animals like cattle horns. This keratin, combined with bony spikes, provided an exceptionally strong defence. According to Dr. Habib, the strength of the nodosaur’s armour was such that it could withstand over 125,000 joules of energy per square metre—equivalent to the force from a high-speed car collision. …

Magic pill to control blood sugar spikes? A new study reveals why cutting down on ultra-processed food is key | Health and Wellness News

Imagine grabbing a quick breakfast – a sugary cereal with bright packaging, paired with a carton of juice. For lunch, maybe a sandwich stuffed with processed meats, followed by a snack of cookies or chips. By dinner, it’s a frozen pizza. You don’t think twice as you scroll through your phone while eating, but soon after, you feel a wave of sluggishness, followed by a quick spike in energy – and then the crash. Your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster, and you may not even realise it. A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health: Europe, conducted in collaboration with experts from the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London, has found that this very pattern – filling your diet with ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – could be driving up your risk of type 2 diabetes. The research revealed that higher UPF consumption is closely linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, while opting for less-processed, whole foods could significantly lower that risk. What exactly is ultra-processed food? According to Dr …