ECONOMYNEXT – The United States has captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country, President Donald Trump said after military strike, while the European Union called for restraint. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said in a post on his Truthsocial.com post. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow.” The so-called ‘grab and snatch’ operation by US…
The Sri Lankan Report
President Donald Trump on Friday blocked U.S. photonics firm HieFo Corp’s $3 million acquisition of assets in New Jersey-based aerospace and defense specialist Emcore, citing national security and China-related concerns. In an order, opens new tab released by the White House, Trump said HieFo was “controlled by a citizen of the People’s Republic of China” and that its 2024 acquisition of Emcore’s businesses led the president to believe that it may “take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States.” The order did not name the individual or detail Trump’s concerns. “The Transaction is hereby prohibited,”…
IF post-2016 were the years when Peca’s misuse against those exercising their right to freedom of speech and press freedom was tested, 2025 was the year when the gaps in the state’s ability to fully abuse the law were filled. The amendments to Peca were made in an opaque manner and passed by parliament in January 2025 without any consultations, public debate, or even parliamentary debate. Those of us who managed to attend a hearing at a Senate committee were informed that the members had been told to vote for the amendment as it was, with no room for any…
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia, convicting them of terrorism-related offences linked to online activity supporting former prime minister Imran Khan. A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia, convicting them of terrorism-related offences linked to online activity supporting former prime minister Imran Khan. The cases stem from violent protests on May 9, 2023, when Khan’s supporters attacked military installations following his brief arrest. In response, authorities launched a wide-ranging crackdown on Khan’s party and dissenting voices, using anti-terrorism laws…
Prospects for a possible electoral alliance between the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the United National Party (UNP) remain dampened because of different views uttered by their representatives
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said he was deeply saddened to learn of the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which has resulted in the tragic loss of many lives and injuries to several others.
US President Donald Trump says that the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country’ following the strikes. The post US captures Venezuelan President & Wife appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka’s juvenile elephants’ population with tusks have seen a rise of 9.2 per cent during the period between 2021 and 2024, according to statistics quoted by Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi. The Minister told Daily Mirror that the juvenile tuskers accounted for 8.4 per cent of the total population in 2021, and it had scaled up to 17.6 per cent in 2024. Way back in 1993, the figure was at 11 per cent.
Questions have emerged over whether Bangladesh will play their scheduled matches in India during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 amid speculation that venues could be shifted following recent developments involving the Indian cricket authorities. The discussion follows comments attributed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad ahead of the 2026 season, citing unspecified “recent developments.” The decision has fuelled speculation on social media and cricket forums about broader implications for Bangladesh’s participation in India-hosted matches. Under the provisional World…
A fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort appears to have been caused by sparklers placed on bottles of champagne that came ’’too close to the ceiling’’, authorities said.
ECONOMYNEXT – Foreign investors bought around 3 million US dollars worth Sri Lanka government securities in the week ending January 1, extending the net overseas inflows into the risk-free fixed assets to 234.4 million US dollars, Central Bank data showed. It was the 13th week foreigners have bought rupee bonds in the last 18. The foreign holding in government securities are near 26-month high. Foreigners bought a net 938 million rupees (USD 3.07 million at 1$=305 rupees) in the week, bucking the global trend of outflows. Global bond funds posted $1.97 billion of net outflows in the week, their first…
The Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya has decided to auction around 70% of the gold items stored in its secure vaults and donate the proceeds to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, Basnayake Nilame Thilina Madushanka said. He noted that gold items bearing images of deities will be excluded from the auction, which will be conducted under the supervision of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. Madushanka clarified that only gold offerings made by devotees in recent years will be handed over to the government through a transparent process, adding that advice has been sought from the Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs.…
US President Donald Trump says that the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country’ following the strikes. Multiple explosions were reported in and around the Venezuelan capital Caracas early Saturday, amid a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Witnesses said at least seven explosions were seen and heard shortly after midnight, with low-flying aircraft observed over several parts of the city. Smoke was reported rising from multiple locations, including areas near military installations. Venezuela’s government accused the United States of carrying out military strikes and…
US captures Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and flies him out of the country after striking Caracas, Trump announces Explosions have been heard as smoke rises in the Venezuelan capital Caracas US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, US officials tell the BBC’s US partner CBS News Venezuela’s government rejects and denounces US military aggression Several of the surrounding communities are without power, following numerous reports of explosions in several places, including military installations It comes at a moment of heightened tension between the US and Venezuela, writes our correspondent Explosions have been heard…
In a major development ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to immediately release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The instruction, confirmed by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Saturday, comes amid a mounting political storm in India regarding recent violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Key Developments * Official Directive: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that “recent developments going on all across” prompted the board to instruct KKR to release the pacer. * Political Pressure: The decision follows intense…
Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, has criticized the government over the inclusion of an inappropriate link in a Grade 6 English language module. “In 2024, we warned about the government’s agenda to introduce distorted sexual concepts into society, but we were met with severe criticism. Today, we are witnessing the consequences,” he said. The Thera also criticized Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa for filing a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which alleged that the issue may have been a conspiracy orchestrated by external forces. “Now we have become the defendants, while…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka was targeting 3.0 million tourists in 2026, with marketing support, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Buddika Hewawasam said after reaching close to 2.4 million in 2025. “We are aiming at reaching 3 million tourists,” Hewawasam said in a video statement. “And we are aiming at reaching 5 billion dollars in revenue. That might be a challenging figure. Sri Lanka initially also targeted 3 million tourists for 2025 but later revised down to 2.4 million. In 2025 arrivals picked up in the latter part of December despite a hit from Cyclone Ditwah in the first…
A Ghanaian man who triggered widespread public alarm with a viral prophecy predicting a catastrophic global storm has been detained by police, who say he has no religious standing and was merely posing as a prophet online. The suspect, Evans Eshun, popularly known as Ebo Noah, was taken into custody by the Ghana Police Service following investigations into social media videos in which he warned of an imminent world-ending flood. Speaking in an interview, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department, Chief Superintendent Seth Sewornu, said the suspect has no religious credentials and does not…
Zimbabwe Cricket has announced Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March. Veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza will captain the side, continuing his leadership role as Zimbabwe look to make a strong impression on the global stage. Continuity is a defining feature of the selection, with fit-again fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani the only addition to the squad that competed in the T20I triangular series in Pakistan in November, which also featured Sri Lanka. The post Zimbabwe name squad for T20 World Cup appeared…
Sri Lanka on Friday reaffirmed its firm support for the One China policy, reiterating that it recognises the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China, in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. The assurance was conveyed during a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, held amid discussions on possible Chinese assistance to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s continued support to Sri Lanka, including assistance extended after recent adverse weather…