NASA’s Epic Flight, Trump’s Epic Fumble and Asian Dilemmas-by Rajan Philips Epic Crew (L-R): Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman Christina and Christina Koch Source:Island Three hours after the spectacular Artemis II flight launch in Florida, US President Donald Trump delivered a forlorn speech from Washington. Thirty three days after starting the war against Iran as Epic Fury, the President demonstrated on national and global televisions the Epic Fumble he has made out of his Middle East ‘excursion’. It was an April Fool’s Day speech, 20 minutes of incoherent rambling with the President looking bored, confused, disengaged and dispirited. He left no one wiser about what will come next, let alone what he might do next. There was more to April Fool’s Day this year in that it brought out the nation’s good, bad and the ugly, all in a day’s swoop. The good was the Artemis II flight carrying ...
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Oil prices rise after ships attacked near Strait of Hormuz File photo of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which has now ground to a halt [BBC] Source:Island Global oil prices have risen after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues to launch strikes across the Middle East in response to ongoing attacks by the US and Israel. Two vessels have been struck, and an “unknown projectile” was reported to have “exploded in very close proximity” to a third, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said. Iran has warned ships not to pass through the strait, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil and gas. International shipping has almost come to a standstill at the strait’s entrance, with analysts warning that a prolonged conflict could push energy prices even higher. In early trade in Asia on Monday, global oil prices jumped by more than 10% ...
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England tour of Sri Lanka 2026 ...
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Seifert, Allen fifties help New Zealand gallop to record-breaking win against UAE Tim Seifert and Finn Allen helped New Zealand soar (Cricinfo) Source:Island There was the odd hiccup or two. Glenn Phillips bowling the 18th over and giving up 27 runs. James Neesham turning a leg bye into an all-run four with an overthrow. But in the end, New Zealand wrapped up the win that was expected of them against UAE – with all ten wickets and 27 balls to spare – and look in good shape to make the Super Eights. Finn Allen and Tim Seifert knocked off the entire target of 174 by themselves. In the course of doing that, they recorded the highest partnership for any wicket, by any side, in the T20 World Cup. An even-paced pitch and its location on the square – making one side of the ground smaller than the other – resulted ...
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Madura Wasanthe (මධුර වසන්තේ) Janani Imathma | Derana Dream Star Season 12 | GRAND FINALE ...
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Diplomatic thaw in Middle East sparks hope for Sri Lankan tea exports-By Sanath Nanayakkare Iran and the Middle East are important markets for Sri Lankan tea Source:Island Amid softening diplomatic rhetoric between the United States and Iran, a senior economist told The Island Financial Review yesterday that the stability of Sri Lanka’s tea exports to the Middle East, particularly Iran, would be maintained. The economist, who closely follows regional developments, pointed to recent statements by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. President Donald Trump as signs of de-escalation. Araghchi denied plans to execute anti-government protesters, while Trump indicated he had received assurances that killings had stopped and that the U.S. was “watching the process.” “When geopolitical tensions ease, trade channels stabilise,” the economist said. “Iran and the Middle East are important markets for Sri Lankan tea. Any reduction in political risk is likely to support demand and reduce vulnerability in our ...
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Colombia sees ‘real threat’ of US military action, president tells BBC Gustavo Petro said Colombia preferred dialogue with the US, but added the country’s history showed “how it has responded to large armies” (BBC) Source:Island Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has told the BBC that he believes there is now a “real threat” of US military action against Colombia. Petro said the United States is treating other nations as part of a US “empire”. It comes after Trump threatened Colombia with military action. He said that the US risks transforming from “dominating the world” to becoming “isolated from the world.” He also accused US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of acting like “Nazi brigades”. Trump has significantly expanded ICE operations as part of what the administration says is a crackdown on crime and immigrants who illegally entered the US. The BBC has approached the White House for comment.t Following US ...
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Saveen Gunarathne bestowed to the most venerable order of St John By Clifford Lazarus There are many examples of people from all over the world who dedicate themselves to kindness and compassion and Hamilton, New Zealand, can be proud of young Saveen Gunarathne, who has been bestowed upon a promotion to the most venerable order of St John. On the recommendation of the New Zealand Priory Chapter, Chancellor of the Order of St John, John Whitehead CNZM KStJ, has advised Saveen that His Majesty King Charles III, Sovereign Head of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem has, in recognition of Saveen’s services for Hato Hone St John in Aoteraroa New Zealand, sanctioned Saveen’s admission in the Order of St John at the grade of Member. Membership of the Order to individuals is granted to those who have carried out their work with dedication and ...
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Feb 27, 2025
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Donald Trump declares victory in 2024 presidential election Source : dailynews Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida. “America has given us an unprecedented and powerful mandate,” he says cheering crowd. The Republican has picked up the battleground states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia, leaving Kamala Harris with only a narrow path to victory. A return to the White House would be an extraordinary comeback for Trump after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020. Source: BBC ...
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Tourist arrivals top 1.6 m mark by end Oct. Source : ft Sri Lanka has reached a significant milestone, surpassing 1.6 million tourist arrivals for the year, with over 117,000 visitors registered in the first 27 days of October. Despite this positive momentum, industry stakeholders believe the numbers could have been higher if not for recent challenges, including visa processing delays and travel advisories from foreign missions warning of potential security threats in Arugam Bay. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) had initially targeted 2.3 million arrivals for 2024, based on the benchmark set in 2018, along with a projected revenue of $ 4.5 billion. However, SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam recently suggested that these expectations were overly optimistic given current circumstances. Instead, Hewawasam now anticipates 2 million arrivals and just over $ 3 billion in revenue by year’s end.(https://www.ft.lk/top-story/Tourism-industry-unfazed-by-security-warnings-SLTDA-Chief/26-768463) Tourist arrivals in October were on an upward trajectory during the ...
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