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☆ Overwater bungalows started as a bottom-tier accommodation. Today, they're a status symbol in the luxury travel world.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Mimicking the style, they built three overwater bungalows to join the garden and pool bungalows that also filled the Raiatea property in 1967. Overwater bungalows in the lagoon of Bora Bora. But building an overwater bungalow in the Caribbean can be a hard task to accomplish, Danny Kalenov, the developer behind Six Senses Belize, an overwater bungalow resort that's set to open in 2026, told BI. In 2016, the Sandals Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, became the first overwater bungalow resort in the area. AdvertisementToday, Dream Overwater has cataloged nine Caribbean locations home to more than a dozen overwater bungalow resorts.

Persons: —, Vaihiria Kelley, — Jay Carlisle, Hugh Kelley, Donald McCallum —, Kelley, Jay Carlisle, Donald McCallum, Raiatea didn't, Ronan McLoughlin, Jason Toms, Toms, Lucy Rudgard, Scott Dunn, overwater, McLoughlin, Bora Bora, Matteo Colombo, Danny Kalenov, they've, Kalenov, It's, Vincent Organizations: Service, Life Magazine, Tourism, Bali Hai Boys, Audley Travel, Getty, Senses, Royalton Chic, Grenadines Locations: Tahiti, California, Moorea, Bali, Boys, Raiatea, Huahine, That's, Polynesia, Maldives, Bora, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Caribbean, Senses Belize, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Royalton, Royalton Chic Antigua, St

☆ 22 Indian crew members stranded on the ship that crashed into Baltimore bridge could be on board for weeks, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe crew of the container ship that crashed into the Baltimore bridge five days ago are still trapped on board the stricken vessel, a report says. The crew, all Indian nationals, are likely continuing to work to maintain the ship as they remain stranded, the Times said. The container ship Dali collided with a key bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday. Those onshore have devised inventive ways to contact the crew members who do not have consistent internet access on board. AdvertisementThe crew members seem to be faring well, given the circumstances.

Persons: —, Dali, Francis Scott Key, Michael A, McCoy, Wes Moore, Chris James, James, Joshua Messick, Andrew Middleton, I've, Grace Ocean Organizations: Service, Business, The New York Times, Times, Washington Post, Getty, Synergy, National Transportation Safety Board, Coast Guard, Baltimore International, Maersk Locations: Baltimore, Patapsco, Singapore, Danish, Colombo, Sri Lanka

☆ 6 people missing in the Baltimore bridge collapse are presumed dead, and the Coast Guard says their next job is to try to recover their bodies
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Six construction workers went missing during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. AdvertisementThe six construction workers who went missing after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed are presumed dead, a US Coast Guard official said on Tuesday night. Gilreath told reporters that they were suspending active search-and-rescue efforts on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., local time. AdvertisementBaltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge had collapsed on Tuesday morning after it was struck by a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, the Dali. BREAKING: Ship collides with Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse pic.twitter.com/OcOrSjOCRn — BNO News (@BNONews) March 26, 2024The Francis Scott Key Bridge is a key node within Baltimore's transportation network.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, —, Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, we've, Shannon Gilreath, Gilreath, Roland L, Butler Jr, Butler, Kevin Cartwright, Dali, Paul Wiedefeld, James Wallace Organizations: Coast Guard, Service, US Coast Guard, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Fire Department, New York Times, BI, Maryland Transportation Locations: Singapore, Dali, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Baltimore, Maryland

☆ Black box recovered from cargo ship that crashed into Baltimore bridge could help uncover what went wrong
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A black box has been recovered from the ship that crashed into a Baltimore bridge. The Dali, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, hit Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday. AdvertisementWhat exactly went wrong to cause the Baltimore bridge collapse this week? Officials on Wednesday recovered the ship's black box data recorder, which could help investigators piece together what caused the crash. The Singapore-flagged Dali cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, early Tuesday morning, causing it to collapse.

Persons: Dali, Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, —, Jennifer Homendy, Guy Platten —, Francis Scott Key, Wes Moore, James Wallace, Shannon Gilreath Organizations: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, Service, Transportation Safety Board, CBS News, International Chamber of Shipping, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Radio, Baltimore, Maritime, Port Authority, Synergy Marine, Baltimore Fire Department, US Coast Guard Locations: Baltimore, Singapore, Baltimore , Maryland, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Maryland, Asia Pacific

☆ Logistics companies scramble after bridge collapse closes Port of Baltimore until further notice
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the bridge collapsed, Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. At the time of the collision, the vessel had two pilots from the Port of Baltimore on board. The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge lies in the water after it collapsed in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 26, 2024. "For cargo already on water, we will omit the port, and will discharge cargo set for Baltimore, in nearby ports. "The collapse of the Baltimore bridge primarily affects coal exports from CNX and CSX terminals," said Madeleine Overgaard, dry market data manager for the global trade data platform Kpler.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Dali, Roberto Schmidt, Paul Brashier, Brashier, Goetz Alebrand, Wes Moore, Larry, Richard Meade, Meade, Kena Betancur, Andy Lipow, Lipow, Helen Delich Bentley, Judah Levine, Madeleine Overgaard, Levine, Tasos Katopodis Organizations: Afp, Getty Images Logistics, Port, Eastern Seaboard, ITS Logistics, Getty, Americas, DHL Global, Maryland Gov, Baltimore, AFP, Uber Freight, IKEA, Lipow Oil Associates, Maersk, Freightos, CSX, East, Francis Scott Key Bridge Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, Baltimore, New York, New Jersey, Norfolk, Port of Baltimore, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Port, American, Taicang Port, Suzhou, China's, Jiangsu, East Coast, Norfolk , Virginia, Maryland, Midwest, New England, Virginia, North East , Maryland, Gulf Coast, Philadelphia, Suez, CNX, Freightos, Asia, U.S

How the Key Bridge Collapsed in Baltimore: Maps and PhotosOn Tuesday, a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed into the water seconds after it was struck by a cargo ship, sending vehicles on the bridge into the river below. The collapsed span, the Francis Scott Key Bridge, is part of Interstate 695 and spans 1.6 miles over the Baltimore Harbor. Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Patapsco River The ship left the Port of Baltimore around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Francis Scott Key Bridge The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m. 1 mile Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Where impact occurred Direction of the ship 200 feet Baltimore The ship left the Port of Baltimore around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Patapsco River Francis Scott Key Bridge The ship hit the bridge at 1:28 a.m. 1 mile Francis Scott Key Bridge Patapsco River Where impact occurred Direction of the ship 200 feet Sources: Spire Global, Google Earth The New York TimesThe ship that hit the bridge is a 948-foot-long cargo vessel called Dali.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Baltimore Harbor . Baltimore Francis Scott Key, Scott Key, Wes Moore Organizations: Baltimore, Port, Google, New York Times, YouTube, Coast Guard Locations: Baltimore, Baltimore Harbor . Baltimore, Port of Baltimore, Patapsco, Dali, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Port, Southern, Maryland

☆ What we know about the ship that crashed into and took down the Maryland bridge
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The ship that crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday was the Dali, a Singapore-flagged vessel. The container ship is about 984 feet long and up to 157 feet wide, while the bridge is part of I-695. AdvertisementA container ship crashed into a key bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday morning, causing part of the structure to collapse into the Patapsco River. A livestream showed vehicles traveling on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just moments before the impact at around 1:28 a.m., indicating that the collapse caught at least several people. According to ship tracking data, the vessel is a Singapore-flagged container ship called the Dali.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Dali, —, It's, Matthew West, Grace Ocean Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Coast Guard, New York Times, Synergy, Maersk, Dali, Staff, Grace, Business Insider, BI, Hyundai Heavy Industries Locations: Singapore, Baltimore, Patapsco, Danish, South Korea, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Antwerp

PinnedA cargo ship struck a bridge that crosses outer Baltimore Harbor early Tuesday, triggering a collapse, the authorities said. The Coast Guard received a report of an impact at 1:27 a.m. Eastern time at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, said Matthew West, a petty officer first class for the Coast Guard in Baltimore. “I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike,” the agency said on the social media site X. Officer West of the Coast Guard said that a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, the Dali, had hit the bridge. The bridge — named after Francis Scott Key, the author of the American national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” — opened in 1977.

Persons: Francis Scott Key, Matthew West, Niki Fennoy, Brandon M, Scott, “, Dali, Grace Ocean, Scott’s, —, Derrick Bryson Taylor Organizations: Coast Guard, Baltimore Police, Fire Department, Maryland Transportation, Grace, Maryland Transportation Authority, Maryland Port Administration, American Locations: Baltimore, ”, Singapore, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Maryland

Read previewA container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing its collapse into the Patapsco River. Baltimore first responders called the situation a "developing mass casualty event" and a "dire emergency," per The Associated Press. pic.twitter.com/ipoTR2HljY — Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) March 26, 2024The vessel is the Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship about 984 feet long, and 157 feet wide, per a listing on VesselFinder. The Dali's owner is listed as Grace Ocean, a Singapore-based firm, and its manager is listed as Synergy Marine, which is also headquartered in Singapore. AdvertisementStaff for Grace Ocean declined to comment on the crash when contacted by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Francis Scott Key, James Wallace, Wallace, Richard Worley, Wes Moore, Pete Buttigieg, Moore, Baltimore Francis Scott Key, ipoTR2HljY —, Dali, Grace Ocean, Barbara Rossi, Claudia Norrgren, it'll Organizations: Service, Baltimore, Associated Press, Business, Sonar, Biden Administration, Volunteer Firefighters, Volunteer Swift Water Team, Team, Unified Command, ipoTR2HljY — Harford Co, Synergy, Shipping, Staff, Grace, Maersk, Dali, University of Oxford, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Port Locations: Baltimore, Patapsco, Maryland, @jmvfc8, Singapore, Danish, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Port, South Korea, Antwerp

☆ The bridge collapse in Baltimore is a 'developing mass casualty event,' first responders say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after it was struck by a ship on Tuesday morning. A representative for the Baltimore Fire Department called the situation a "developing mass casualty event." AdvertisementThe collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is a "developing mass casualty event," a representative for the Baltimore Fire Department said on Tuesday morning. I-695 Key Bridge collapse due to ship strike," the Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X shortly after. Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said in an X post that the authorities "are closely monitoring the ongoing situation at the Key Bridge."

Persons: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, —, Francis Scott Key, Kevin Cartwright, Cartwright, 9IgvJyi46Y — Hayward, Dali, Matthew, Johnny Olszewski, Jr, Olszewski Organizations: Baltimore Fire Department, Service, Associated Press, Maryland Keybridge, US Coast Guard, USCG, Baltimore Sun, Coast Guard, Matthew West, NBC News, Maryland Transportation Authority, Baltimore, Business Locations: Baltimore, Singapore, Colombo, Sri Lanka, BALTIMORE, Maryland

☆ I rode the $1 coastal train in Sri Lanka from Bentota to Colombo. There was a 2-hour delay, and I didn't have a seat on board, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently went on a solo trip to Sri Lanka and rode its famed coastal rail. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The teardrop-shaped island in South Asia is known for its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and foliage-covered mountains. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Sri Lanka, South Asia, Colombo, Singapore

☆ I'm a millennial mom who's visited 57 countries with my kids thanks to many income streams, including $4,000 a month blogging and extra cash from flipping homes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Karen Edwards has traveled to or lived in 57 countries with her husband and four children. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards, who blogs about her family's life abroad. Karen Edwards' son and the camper van they lived in. My kids played with Peruvian children — it was really, really special. AdvertisementKaren Edwards' husband and children.

Persons: Karen Edwards, —, I've, Edwards, Karen Edwards I've, It's, We've, it's, Karen Edwards ⁠, they've, we'll Organizations: Service, Sri Locations: Sri Lanka, Dublin, London, Abu Dhabi, London Borough, Croydon, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, Argentina, US, Mexico, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Belize, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombo, Peru, Bolivia, Europe, Central Asia

☆ I thought I'd hate all-inclusive resorts. Then I went to one.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I thought all-inclusive resorts didn't foster experiences unique to a destination. It was peaceful, quiet, and far from anything I envisioned when it came to staying at an all-inclusive resort. Between the picture-perfect accommodations and excursions, I was willing to challenge thoughts on all-inclusive resorts. We were told to meet at the outdoor dinner table at 7 p.m.Sure, Thatch Caye missed some elements of many all-inclusive resorts. And while I still plan to steer clear of many of the major all-inclusive resorts, I'll no longer shudder when I see those two little words.

Persons: —, Matteo Colombo, I've, you've, Justin Francis, Jobs, Monica Humphries, Katie, I'd, wasn't, Guy Organizations: Service, Getty, Quintana, Quintana Roo Tourism, US Travel Locations: Belize, Dangriga, Cancún, Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Quintana Roo

☆ It Started as Winter Break. It Ended With a Doomed Moon Mission.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Kenneth Chang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A gaggle of students from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh traveled to Florida last month during their winter break. The students, many of them studying to be engineers and scientists, went there to watch a rocket launch that would send a small 4.8-pound robotic rover that they had helped build on its journey to the moon. Afterward, they hoped to have time for some sun and fun, renting a large house just three blocks from the beach. The rover, named Iris, headed toward the moon on schedule in a perfect inaugural flight of Vulcan, a brand-new rocket. “We had a mission,” said Connor Colombo, the chief engineer for Iris.

Persons: ”, Nikolai Stefanov, Iris, “, Connor Colombo, I’m Organizations: Carnegie Mellon University Locations: Pittsburgh, Florida

☆ Sri Lanka targets debt restructuring framework in first 6 months of 2024, says president
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Anti-government protesters gather to demonstrate outside the president's office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Sri Lanka expects to implement a debt restructuring framework within the first six months of 2024, the country's president said on Wednesday, expressing confidence that the nation was recovering from its worst financial crisis in decades. Sri Lanka's economy is estimated by the World Bank to have contracted by 3.8% last year but is expected to grow by 1.7% in 2024. Sri Lanka's central bank has projected a more optimistic growth of 3% for this year. There are no short-term solutions," he said, adding that Sri Lanka's overall debt at the end of September was at $91 billion.

Persons: Ranil Wickremesinghe Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank Locations: Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's

☆ Sri Lanka Votes on New Law to Regulate Online Content
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Uditha JayasingheCOLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's lawmakers are set to vote on a social media regulation bill on Wednesday which opposition politicians and activists allege will muzzle free speech. The Online Safety Bill proposes jail terms for content that a five-member commission considers illegal and make social media platforms such as Google, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, liable for those posted on their platforms. President Ranil Wickremesinghe's government says the bill is aimed at battling cyber crimes including child abuse, data theft and online fraud. This is why we are bringing this law," Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said on Tuesday while introducing the bill. "We unequivocally stand by our position that the Online Safety Bill, in its current form, is unworkable and would undermine potential growth and foreign direct investment into Sri Lanka's digital economy," the AIC said in a statement.

Persons: Uditha Jayasinghe, Bill, Ranil Wickremesinghe's, Wickremesinghe, Tiran Alles, Eran Wickramaratne, Jana Balawegaya, Sudipto Ganguly, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Public, Asian Internet Coalition, AIC, Yahoo, Sri, Wednesday Locations: Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Lanka's

☆ Pope Francis takes on vested interests to speak out on humanitarian crises
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Analysis Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Pope Francis received an emotional welcome on the island during a visit showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis confesses in St. Peter's Basilica during the Vatican's Penitential Celebration on Friday, March 4, 2016. Alessandro Di Meo/AP Pope Francis arrives for his visit with prisoners in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Friday, July 10, 2015. Franco Origlia/Getty Images Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I address the faithful in Istanbul on Sunday, November 30, 2014. Gokhan Tan/Getty Images Pope Francis speaks during the feast-day Mass while on a one-day trip to Italy's Calabria region in June 2014.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Francis, “, ”, Regina Coeli, Vincenzo Pinto, Juan Manuel Santos, Santos, Alessandra Tarantino, L'Osservatore Romano, VINCENZO PINTO, Simon Bar Sabbae, Pope, FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, Karekin, TIZIANA FABI, Giuseppe Ciccia, MAX, Pope Francis tries, Pope Benedict XVI, Alessandro Di Meo, Evo Morales, OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Federico Lombardi, Lombardi, Gregorio Borgia, Getty Pope Francis, Raul Castro, Castro, GABRIEL BOUYS, ANDREAS SOLARO, Kurukkal SivaSri, Mahadeva, Pope Francis in, Eranga, Franco Origlia, Bartholomew I, Gokhan Tan, San Gregorio Magno, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh, Oli Scarff, Barack Obama, SAUL LOEB, Santa Sabina, Max ROSSI, Daniele De Sanctis, Pope Francis ', FABIO FRUSTACI, Benedict XVI, Benedict, L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Osservatore Romano Pope Francis, Vinicio Riva, Riva, CLAUDIO PERI, Rainbow Association Marco Iagulli Onlus, Fotografia, Father Don Renzo Zocca, Osservatore Romano, LUCA ZENNARO, Jorge Saenz, Dan Kitwood, Jesus, Internationalis Paulus VI, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Roman Catholic Church's, Peter Macdiarmid, Pope Francis Prev, it’s, He’s, Filippo Monteforte, Donald Trump’s, Czerny, Trump, Donald Trump, Melania, Evan Vucci, Reuters “, ” Cardinal Czerny, Cardinal Czerny, doesn’t, Francis ’, “ Jesus Organizations: CNN, Getty Images, Colombian, Revolutionary Armed Forces, International Catholic Rural Association, Vatican, AFP, Getty, Catholic Chaldean, St, Mercy, ARIS MESSINIS, MAX ROSSI, Getty Images Bolivian, Cuban, Sunday, Queen, getty, Rainbow Association, Renault, Catholic, Roman Catholic, Intelligence, Warner Bros, Discovery, “, Republican, Reuters Locations: St, AFP, Colombia, Rome, Tbilisi , Georgia, Auschwitz, Birkenau, Poland, Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, Armenia, Vatican City, Moria, Lesbos, Peter's, Mexican, Havana, Cuba, Mexico, Santa Cruz , Bolivia, South America, Ecuador, Paraguay, La Paz, Bolivia, Italian, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Havana and Washington, Vatican, Pope Francis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Istanbul, Italy's Calabria, Jerusalem's Old City, Argentina, Roman Parish, San, Rome's, Santa, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Argentine, America, Gaza, Nove, Lampedusa, Italy, Ciampino, Czechoslovakia, Canada, United States, Africa

The Maldives foreign ministry confirmed local media reports that research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 3 was headed to the Maldives. The ship arrives amid a diplomatic dispute between the Maldives and its giant neighbor India. Pro-China Muizzu was elected to office in November on a platform to evict Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives. At least 75 Indian military personnel are said to be stationed in the Maldives, and Muizzu had accused his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by allowing Indian personnel on Maldivian islands. The known activities of the Indian military include operating aircraft and assisting in the rescue of people stranded or faced with calamities at sea.

Persons: Xiang Yang Hong, Narendra Modi, Modi, Mohamed Muizzu, Muizzu, China Muizzu Organizations: —, Indian Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Maldives, India, China, Male, “, Lakshadweep, Asia, Africa, Europe, Maldivian

☆ Sri Lanka to Continue Drug Crackdown Despite Rights Group Concerns - Minister
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Uditha JayasingheCOLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka vowed to continue an anti-narcotics campaign that has seen more than 35,000 people detained over the last few weeks despite concerns raised by multiple rights groups, top officials said on Thursday. Sri Lankan police have detained 38,525 people since the operation - code-named "Yuktiya" or "Justice" - began in December. Thirty-three rights organisations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Commission of Jurists, this week expressed concerns over what they call "drastic intensification" of anti-narcotics operations in Sri Lanka leading to significant human rights violations. There is no reasonable suspicion, the kind of people arrested have a lower marginalised economic status," said Thiyagi Ruwanpathirana, a researcher for Amnesty International Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had over 97,000 drug-related arrests in 2020 with 53% of arrests for heroin and 42% for cannabis including possession offences, according to latest data from state-run National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.

Persons: Uditha Jayasinghe, Tiran, Thiyagi Ruwanpathirana, Ruwanpathirana, Deshabandu Tennekoon, Sri, Toby Chopra Organizations: Reuters, Sri, Public, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, Drugs, Board Locations: Uditha Jayasinghe COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's

☆ Netherlands returns colonial-era artefacts to Sri Lanka
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] People view colonial-era artefacts that have been returned from the Netherlands, at the main Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka December 5, 2023. Sri Lanka asked the Netherlands to return the artefacts after the Dutch government approved the restitution of historic objects in 2021. The artefacts were taken in 1765 from Kandy, the last kingdom of ancient Sri Lanka, when the Dutch besieged the palace, a statement from the Netherlands embassy said. Sri Lanka is grateful to the government and the people of the Netherlands for returning the artefacts, said Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake. The Netherlands returned over 300 artefacts to Indonesia earlier this year, according to its government.

Persons: Dinuka, Vidura Wickramanayake, Dewi Van de Weerd, Lord Elgin, Uditha, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Cultural Affairs, National Museum, Sri, International Cultural Cooperation, British Museum, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Kandy, Great Britain, Indonesia, Britain, Greece, Elgin, Athens, Ottoman

☆ IMF says Sri Lanka debt deal could help board clear first bailout review
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. The deal comes about a month after Sri Lanka's agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China covering about $4.2 billion of outstanding debt, while clearing the IMF review could trigger a second tranche of about $334 million in funds. "These understandings pave the way for the IMF Executive Board to consider completion of the first review of Sri Lanka's four-year Extended Fund Facility Arrangement," Peter Breuer, IMF's mission chief for Sri Lanka, said in a statement. "We look forward to the Executive Board taking up this review by mid-December and the continuation of our productive collaboration with Sri Lanka in the period ahead." Sri Lanka plunged into its worst financial crisis in seven decades last year after its foreign exchange reserves dwindled to record lows.

Persons: Yuri Gripas, Lanka's, Peter Breuer, IMF's, Nandalal Weerasinghe, Uditha Jayasinghe, Sudipto Ganguly, Clarence Fernandez, Steohen Coates Organizations: Monetary Fund, REUTERS, Rights, International Monetary Fund, Sri, Export, Import Bank of, IMF, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Import Bank of China, Sri Lanka's, Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement in principle with a group of creditors including India and Japan on debt restructuring, a crucial move toward unlocking a second instalment of a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund. Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy in April 2022 with more than $83 billion in debt — more than half of it to foreign creditors. Political Cartoons View All 1270 ImagesSri Lanka needed financial assurances from its bilateral creditors in order to receive the second bailout installment. The ministry said the debt treatment terms will be further detailed and formalized in a memorandum of understanding between Sri Lanka and the creditor committee, which is co-chaired by India, Japan and France and includes 17 countries. ___This version corrects the name of the group in the agreement to the Official Creditor Committee, not Official Credit Committee.

Persons: Gotabaya Rajapaksa Organizations: International Monetary Fund, country's Finance Ministry, IMF, Sri, Sri Lanka’s IMF, Credit Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Sri Lanka’s, Sri, Lanka, France

☆ Sri Lanka reaches debt restructuring deal with creditor nations - government source
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Sri Lanka has been informed of an agreement," the source, who did not want to be identified, said. The Sri Lanka president's office and the finance ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Japan co-chairs the official creditor committee, together with France and India. China is Sri Lanka's largest bilateral creditor and is an observer in the group, steering clear of joining the group as a formal member. The ADB's funds are part of a $350 million special policy-based loan that was approved in May to support Sri Lanka.

Persons: Nandalal Weerasinghe, Takafumi Kadono, Sudipto Ganguly, Jacqueline Wong, Kim Coghill Organizations: Reuters, Export, Import Bank of China, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, ADB, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Japan, France, India, China, Sri Lanka's, Colombo, Sri

☆ Creditor Nations Likely to Agree on Sri Lanka Debt Restructuring - Report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO (Reuters) - A group of Sri Lanka's creditor nations are likely to reach an agreement on debt relief and an extension of repayment deadlines for the South Asian nation, Japan's Jiji News reported on Wednesday, without naming a source or giving any details. China is Sri Lanka's largest bilateral creditor and has steered clear of joining this group as a formal member. Mired in its worst financial crisis in decades, Sri Lanka has been trying to reach restructuring deals with creditors since last year. The agreement with the group of creditor nations came about a month after the debt-ridden island nation reached a deal with the Export-Import Bank of China covering about $4.2 billion of outstanding debt. In so doing, Colombo is also seeking to receive more clarity on its debt restructuring talks with key bilateral creditors.

Persons: Tetsushi Kajimoto, Chang, Ran Kim, Miral Organizations: South, Jiji, Export, Import Bank of, International Monetary Fund Locations: TOKYO, Japan, France, India, China, Sri Lanka's, Sri Lanka, Import Bank of China, Colombo

REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCOLOMBO, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka will likely approve on Monday a proposal from Chinese state refiner Sinopec to build a $4.5-billion-dollar refinery, the South Asian island nation's energy minister said on Saturday. Sri Lanka, trying to recover from its worst economic crisis in more than 70 years, is hungry for new investment and local fuel supplies. The investment will add to Sinopec's recently started fuel retailing business, the third international company with a foothold in Sri Lanka, with a license to operates 150 petrol stations. Sinopec's fuel oil division, which runs the retail business there, began in 2019 supplying marine bunker fuel at Hambantota, another Sinopec official said. Sri Lanka's refinery at Sapugaskanda, commissioned in 1969, can process 38,000 barrels of oil a day.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Kanchana Wijesekera, Wijesekera, Vitol, Uditha Jayasinghe, Chen Aizhu, Krishn Kaushik, William Mallard Organizations: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, REUTERS, Rights, and Energy, Reuters, Sri, China Merchant Port Holdings, Initiative, China Merchants, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, Sri Lanka, China's, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Colombo, Sinopec, Hambantota, Europe, Asia, Lanka's, Sapugaskanda

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