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☆ World’s 50 best hotels for 2023 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —It opened just over a year ago, but a luxurious 24-key Italian property has already been named the best hotel in the world. Passalacqua, which overlooks Lake Como, beat off stiff competition to receive the top spot on the first-ever edition of the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, which was announced at an awards ceremony in the UK on Tuesday night. The highly-anticipated list honored 50 hotels from 35 destinations across the world. “After seeing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony of The World’s 50 Best Hotels,” Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director for the World’s 50 Best Hotels, said in a statement. The World’s 50 Best Hotels: Full list1.

Persons: –, Aman Tokyo, ’ Capello, Aman, Rosewood São, ” Valentina De Santis, Passalacqua, Silvio Vettorello, Vincenzo Bellini, ”, De Santis, it’s, Tim Brooke, Webb, Soneva, Chablé, Aman Venice, Le Sirenuse, Borgo, Royal Mansour, São, Cheval Blanc, Soneva Jani, Eden, Oberoi, Hôtel de Crillon Organizations: CNN, London CNN, Firenze, Rosewood, ’ Capello Bangkok, Capella, Hudson Yards, NoMad, CNN Travel, Somerset, Park, Eco, Hospitality, Lodges, Hotel Academy, Singita, Raffles, Madrid, Capella Singapore, Le Bristol Paris, Hyatt Kyoto, Hoshinoya, Atlantis, Equinox Locations: London, Lake Como, Europe, Florence, Asia, Rosewood Hong Kong, Bangkok, Chao Phraya, Hong Kong, Capella Bangkok, Aman New York, York, Hudson, Connaught, Rosewood São Paulo, Brisbane, South Africa, Scotland, Bruton , Somerset, Utah, Italy, Aman Tokyo, Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco, Soneva Fushi, Maldives, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, Australia, Chocholá, Mexico, Claridge’s, Raffles Singapore, Wanokaka, Indonesia, Tulum, France, São Paulo, Brazil, Kyoto, Japan, Réserve, Paris, Auchterarder, Du, Antibes, Somerset, Bruton, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Hoshinoya Tokyo, Bali, Barths, Siam, Badrutt’s, Moritz, Switzerland, Dubai, Agra, India, Spain

☆ Mexico president defends Russia participation in military parade
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador waves as he travels from Oaxaca to Veracruz on board the "Tren Transistmico" passenger train during its first test trip, in southern Mexico September 17, 2023. Ukraine's ambassador to Mexico, opposition politicians and critical media blasted the decision to allow a Russian unit to participate on Saturday, but Lopez Obrador said Mexico had allowed any country to join in. Lopez Obrador, a leftist, has sought to keep Mexico neutral in the war between Russia and Ukraine, at one point proposing peace talks. Ukraine's ambassador to Mexico, Oksana Dramaretska, said on X that the parade had been "sullied" by the participation of a Russian unit which she said was "stained with blood." "Long live the friendship between Mexico and Russia!," the Russian embassy said on X.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Russia's, Oksana Dramaretska, Mr, Dramaretska, Daniel Ortega, Ortega, Xochitl Galvez, Valentine Hilaire, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Thomson Locations: Oaxaca, Veracruz, Mexico, MEXICO, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Brazil, Chile, China, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Cuba, Nicaragua

☆ Ruthless India rout Sri Lanka to win Asia Cup as paceman Siraj shines
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hardik Pandya bagged three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah claimed one as Sri Lanka registered their second lowest total in one-day internationals, lasting only 92 balls. India needed 6.1 overs to achieve the target for a timely boost before their home World Cup beginning next month. "It's like a dream," Siraj, who became only the fourth bowler to take four wickets in an over in ODIs, said after the Sri Lanka innings. "I got four early wickets last time I played Sri Lanka (earlier this year) but unfortunately I could not register a five-wicket haul. Bumrah removed Kusal Perera in the first over to trigger a collapse and the Sri Lanka batters looked helpless as Siraj breathed fire with the new ball.

Persons: Mohammed Siraj, Siraj, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera, Charith, Dhananjaya de Silva, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dushan Hemanta, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Kishan, Gill, Chris Silverwood bemoaned, Amlan Chakraborty, Ken Ferris Organizations: Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Chennai, New Delhi

☆ Sri Lanka's Theekshana out of Asia Cup final due to injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 16 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana will miss the Asia Cup final against India after sustaining a hamstring injury during their win over Pakistan, the country's cricket board (SLC) said on Saturday. He bowled three more overs before being helped off the field during Sri Lanka's thrilling two-wicket win on Thursday. "If we didn't have a World Cup coming up, we would have somehow tried to get him ready for tomorrow's match. Washington Sundar is expected to join the India squad as cover for Axar Patel after the all-rounder sustained an injury in Friday's six-run loss to Bangladesh, cricket website Cricbuzz reported. He is expected to re-join the Asian Games camp after the Asia Cup final, the Cricbuzz report said.

Persons: Maheesh Theekshana, Sahan Arachchige, Arjuna de Silva, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Cricbuzz, Sundar, Hritika Sharma, Kim Coghill Organizations: Asia, India, Pakistan, ESPN, Asian Games, Thomson Locations: Sri Lanka, Colombo, India, Washington, Friday's, Bangladesh, Hangzhou, Hyderabad

☆ Injured Naseem doubtful for Pakistan's early World Cup matches
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah could miss their early Cricket World Cup matches in India next month having injured his bowling shoulder at the Asia Cup. He missed Thursday's defeat by Sri Lanka after flying to Dubai to undergo scans. "He's just got a little bit of a side strain, but he's recovering before the World Cup." He added that he did not know how long Naseem's recovery would take but was confident he would be able to take part in the World Cup at some stage. Pakistan, 1992 World Cup champions, begin their campaign against the Netherlands on Oct. 6 in Hyderabad.

Persons: Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Babar Azam, He's, Amlan Chakraborty, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Cricket, Asia, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Pakistan, India, Colombo, Sri Lanka, Dubai, Netherlands, Hyderabad, New Delhi

☆ Bangladesh upset India despite Gill ton
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Put into bat, Bangladesh overcame a top order wobble to post a competitive 265-8 with skipper Shakib Al Hasan topscoring for his side with a breezy 80. After Rohit Sharma elected to field, Bangladesh slumped to 59-4 before Shakib and Towhid Hridoy (54) steadied the ship. When they returned to defend the total, Tanzim Hasan Shakib claimed two wickets in his first two overs in international cricket to put India immediately under pressure. While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Gill stood tall amid ruins to keep India in the hunt. Mahedi Hasan ended Gill's 133-ball knock but Axar kept India on course until his dismissal in the penultimate over.

Persons: Shakib Al Hasan topscoring, Gill, Axar Patel, Virat Kohli, Jasprit, Kuldeep Yadav, Rohit Sharma, Towhid Hridoy, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Shakib, Axar, Amlan Chakraborty, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Sri, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Bangladesh, Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Sunday's, New Delhi

☆ IMF's Argentina predicament: Seek reforms and tango on or kill the music
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Jorgelina Do Rosario | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But that programme failed to put South America's second-largest economy back on its feet. Even if he wins the Oct. 22 election and takes power in December, Milei would need alliances in Congress to push through reforms and a new IMF programme - Argentina's 23rd. That effort paved the way for the $57 billion programme, which ultimately failed and was replaced by the current one. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsPREFERENTIAL TREATMENTThe current programme could end before its expiration in September 2024, but Argentina will still require funds. Without mentioning Argentina, the U.S. - holding the largest voting power in the Fund - recently raised its concerns.

Persons: Javier Milei, Agustin Marcarian, Mauricio Macri's, Mark Sobel, Milei, Sobel, Sergio Massa, Martin Muehleisen, Muehleisen, Nestor Kirchner, Stephen Nelson, Nelson, Walter Stoeppelwerth, Simon Quijano, Evans, Gemcorp Capital, Jay Shambaugh, Jorgelina, Karin Strohecker, Paul Simao Organizations: Argentine, La Libertad Avanza, REUTERS, IMF, International Monetary Fund, South, Peronist, Analysts, Graphics, Review Department, U.S ., Northwestern University, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Gletir SA, Gemcorp, Thomson Locations: La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Washington, U.S, Chicago, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Egypt, Burundi, Saharan Africa, Rosario

☆ Sri Lanka economic crisis: Long way to go on fiscal reforms, says analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSri Lanka economic crisis: Long way to go on fiscal reforms, says analystRoshan Perera, senior research fellow at Advocata Institute, discusses Sri Lanka's economic crisis ahead of an International Monetary Fund review.

Persons: Roshan Perera Organizations: Advocata Institute, International, Fund Locations: Lanka

☆ Sri Lanka pip Pakistan to make Asia Cup final v India
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Cricket - Asia Cup - Final - Pakistan v Sri Lanka - Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - September 11, 2022 Sri Lanka players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Aisia Cup REUTERS/Christopher Pike Acquire Licensing RightsCOLOMBO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka kept their Asia Cup title defence alive as they beat Pakistan by two wickets in an edge-of-the-seat thriller on Thursday to book their place in Sunday's final against India. Electing to bat in the rain-marred contest, Pakistan posted 252-7 in 42 overs following half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique. Kusal Mendis kept Sri Lanka's chase on track but it was Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 49 which helped them clinch the last ball thriller. Electing to bat, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early while skipper Babar Azam (29) fell just when he was looking set. Shadab Khan caught Pathum Nissanka off his own bowling and then ran out Kusal Perera to peg back Sri Lanka but the collapse Pakistan wanted did not materialise.

Persons: Christopher Pike, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka's, Charith, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Samarawickrama, Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar, Dasun Shanaka, Afridi, Zaman Khan, Asalanka, Amlan Chakraborty, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Asia, United Arab Emirates, Sri, Aisia, REUTERS, Rights, India, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Dubai, United Arab, India, New Delhi

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's government deployed army troops at railroad stations as railway employees continued with their strike that paralyzed train services across the country for a second day Wednesday, a day after two passengers were killed while attempting to travel on a packed train. Tens of thousands of passengers have been greatly inconvenienced because of the strike. The strike was launched by the Sri Lanka Locomotive Operating Engineers Union, which includes engine drivers. Sri Lanka's train services are substandard, with poorly maintained compartments and tracks because of years of mismanagement and a lack of proper planning. Ravi Herath said armed troops were deployed “to provide security for the public, railway passengers, employees of the railway and also to protect the government property.”

Persons: Bandula Gunawardena, S.R, Senanayake, Ravi Herath, ” Organizations: Passengers, Sri, Sri Lanka Locomotive Operating Engineers Union, Trade, Military Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sri

☆ Pakistan call for back-ups after injuries to Rauf and Naseem
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Pakistan are set to draft in back-ups for Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah with the pace duo looking doubtful for the remainder of the Asia Cup having sustained injuries during their Super Four stage defeat to India. Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan will come into the squad in Sri Lanka but no decision had been made yet regarding Rauf and Naseem, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement. Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat against their arch-rivals in a rain-hit Super Four contest played over two days. Rauf bowled five overs on Sunday before experiencing discomfort in his right side and sat out the reserve day's action. Rauf and Naseem did not bat and are likely to miss Thursday's Super Four match against Sri Lanka, with their participation in the Sept. 17 final also in doubt should Pakistan make it.

Persons: Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Zaman Khan, Rauf, Naseem, Amlan Chakraborty, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Asia, Pakistan Cricket Board, ICC, Sunday, Sri, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, New Delhi

☆ India in Asia Cup final after beating Sri Lanka
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dunith Wellalage (5-40) wrecked India's top order while Charith Asalanka (4-18) mowed down the tail to restrict India to a below-par total. "It was a good game," India captain Rohit Sharma said after their victory. The target was modest but Sri Lanka were soon grappling with a collapse of their own. Kuldeep Yadav (4-43) struck in successive overs and Ravindra Jadeja removed home captain Dasun Shanaka to reduce Sri Lanka to 99-6. Wellalage and de Silva combined in a 63-run partnership to revive Sri Lanka but once Jadeja separated them, Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap.

Persons: India's Rohit Sharma, Peter Cziborra, Dunith Wellalage, Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka's, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rohit Sharma, Rohit, Shubman Gill, Wellalage, Virat Kohli, Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Asalanka, Axar Patel's, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, de Silva, Amlan Chakraborty, Toby Davis Organizations: Trent, Rights, Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri, Pakistan, 241st, KL, Thomson Locations: England, India, Nottingham, Britain, Pakistan, Lanka, Sri Lanka, New Delhi

☆ Global Regulation of Essential Medicines Is a Dangerous Mess - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Vidya Krishnan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

has not released more recent numbers, and there is limited data on exactly how much of this comes from India. The global drug supply system is a vast and complex network. As of 2021, India manufactured 62 percent of the raw materials for drugs, known as active pharmaceutical ingredients. in 2001 set up a groundbreaking program to monitor safety and quality, called the Prequalification of Medicines Program or P.Q.P., which set global standards for H.I.V. The program is one of those unsung policies that keep the global health structure ticking.

Persons: —, Cipla Organizations: World Health Organization, Medicines Program Locations: India, China, United States, Europe, Sri Lanka, Gambia, Africa —, Saharan Africa, Indian

☆ Kohli, Rahul fire as India thump Pakistan in Asia Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sept 11 (Reuters) - India beat rivals Pakistan by 228 runs after Virat Kohli passed 13,000 in one-day internationals en route to his 47th century and KL Rahul marked his return from injury with a ton in a lopsided Asia Cup Super Four clash in Colombo on Monday. India spinner Kuldeep Yadav (5-25) ripped through Pakistan's lineup following a brief rain interruption after Jasprit Bumrah removed Imam-ul-Haq and Hardik Pandya castled the dangerous Babar Azam. Kohli and Rahul saw off the threat of Pakistan's pace attack, missing Rauf due to a right flank problem, and the duo targeted the spinners to post 356-2 in 50 overs. Rahul and Kohli's unbeaten 233-run partnership for the third wicket was the highest stand in the Asia Cup. India, whose group meeting with Pakistan in Pallekele this month was abandoned due to rain, take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Persons: Virat Kohli, Rahul, Kohli, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Kuldeep Yadav, Bumrah, Haq, Pandya, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rohit, Rauf, Kohli's, It's, we've, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shreyas, carting Faheem Ashraf, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Pakistan, Asia, Thomson Locations: India, Colombo, Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Bengaluru

☆ Sri Lankan food and chefs finally get global recognition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Zinara Rathnayake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The tourism connectionThe increased visibility of Sri Lankan cuisine has “been a long time coming,” Meewalla says. “This continuous online exposure makes people try out Sri Lankan food in restaurants.”Diverse influencesToday, more and more Sri Lankan chefs across the world are championing Sri Lankan food while defying common misconceptions about the cuisine. “It has helped change the global perception that Sri Lankan food is different from Indian food, and it’s not only a lot of curries paired with rice,” Williams says. Meewella points out that Sri Lankan cuisine is also heavily plant-based with many vegan options, which helps the cuisine stand out and resonate with global audiences. I cannot wait for casual Sri Lankan food to become a nationwide craving across America.”

Persons: Kolamba, Aushi Meewella, ” Meewalla, ”, Meewella, Dhayanie Williams, “ We’ve, it’s, ” Williams, Sam Fore, Bruno Morandi, “, Williams, Brian Senaratne, Curry Bowl’s, We’ve Organizations: CNN, Sri, MasterChef, Masterchef, Bank, Curry Bowl Locations: London’s Soho, Sri Lankan, Sri Lanka, London, Sri, Lankans, Lankan, Kolamba, Tamil, Sri Lankans, American, Lexington , Kentucky, Lexington, Uppuveli, Nadodi, Kuala Lumpur, Zagreb, Croatia, America

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s ruling coalition on Friday defeated a no-confidence motion against the country's health minister who has been accused of allegedly failing to secure enough essential drugs and laboratory equipment that some say resulted in preventable deaths in hospitals. The motion was initiated by opposition lawmakers who claimed Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella's actions had ruined the health sector. Sri Lanka’s total debt has exceeded $83 billion, of which $41.5 billion is foreign. Sri Lanka has secured a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund and is taking steps to restructure its domestic and foreign debts. Amid the crisis, thousands of Sri Lanka are leaving the country for better paying jobs abroad, including about 1,500 doctors who have left over the last year, according to a union.

Persons: Lanka’s, Keheliya, Rambukwella, Gotabaya Rajapaksa Organizations: Friday, Health Ministry, Sri, International Monetary Fund Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka

☆ Bangladesh’s worst ever dengue outbreak a ‘canary in the coal mine’ for climate crisis, WHO expert warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Dengue-infected people are treated at the Mugda Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on August 7. The global number of dengue cases has already increased eight-fold in the past two decades, according to WHO. As the climate crisis worsens, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever will likely continue to spread and have an ever greater impact on human health. Mahamud said the climate crisis and this year’s El Nino weather pattern – which brings warmer, wetter weather to parts of the world – are worsening the problem. Calling these outbreaks a “canary in the coalmine of the climate crisis,” Mahamud said “global solidarity” and support is needed to deal with the worsening epidemic.

Persons: Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Tedros, “, ”, Mohammad Ponir Hossain, ” Tedros, ” Kabirul Bashar, Raman Velayudhan, Abdi Mahamud, Mahamud, ” Mahamud Organizations: CNN, World Health Organization, WHO, Mugda Medical College, Hospital, Reuters, Dhaka –, ” WHO, “, South America Locations: Bangladesh, El Nino, Dhaka, Nino, Peru, Florida, Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Africa, Chad

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan lawmakers began a debate on the fate of country's health minister on Wednesday, seeking to remove him over his alleged failure to secure enough essential drugs and laboratory equipment that some say resulted in preventable deaths in hospitals. Their relatives, trade unions, activists and opposition lawmakers alleged that low-quality drugs had led to poor patient care. Sri Lanka’s total debt has exceeded $83 billion, of which $41.5 billion is foreign. Sri Lanka has secured a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund and is taking steps to restructure its domestic and foreign debts. Amid the crisis, thousands of Sri Lanka are leaving the country for better paying jobs abroad.

Persons: Keheliya Rambukwella, ” Rambukwella, Gotabaya Rajapaksa Organizations: Health, Health Ministry, Sri, International Monetary Fund Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan

☆ Basketball-sized gold coin worth ‘around $23M’ honors late Queen Elizabeth II
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

It was produced by the East India Company, a luxury lifestyle brand with rights to the name of the corporation that once controlled large swathes of Britain’s empire. Businessman Sanjiv Mehta, who acquired the rights to the East India Company in 2005, poses with the diamond-encrusted coin. The East India Company said its multi-million-dollar valuation was partly due to the quality of the materials and crafting processes, which involved artisans and experts from the UK, India, Singapore, Germany and Sri Lanka. The original East India Company operated for almost 300 years before its dissolution in 1874. “The Crown” took over a year to produce, meaning that it was underway before Queen Elizabeth died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland last September.

Persons: Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth’s, Sanjiv Mehta, tiaras, ”, Queen Elizabeth, Mehta Organizations: CNN, East India Company, Sotheby’s, NBA, British Overseas, Government, Royal Household, Royal, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Locations: York, India, Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, Scotland, British Overseas Territory, St Helena

☆ Factbox: Developing countries in the grip of debt problems
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

In June, it clinched a $6.3 billion debt rework deal with the "Paris Club" creditor nations and its other big bilateral lender China. Another part of the domestic debt plan has faced delays, though, with a key deadline on a Treasury bond exchange delayed three times and now set for Sept. 11. Failure to complete the domestic debt overhaul by then could result in delays both in terms of IMF disbursements and talks with creditors. The government recently agreed to tackle roughly $4 billion of its domestic debt via a pension fund debt swap operation and a dollar-denominated bonds exchange. Cairo has a $3 billion IMF programme and has devalued the pound by roughly 50% since February 2022.

Persons: Adnan Abidi, Nandalal Weerasinghe, Kais Saied, Nayib Bukele, William Ruto's, Donald Trump, Libby George, Marc Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, China, SRI, SRI LANKA Sri, Sri Lanka Development, Sri, Monetary Fund, IMF, UAE, Observers, European Union, SALVADOR, World Bank, African Development Bank, Presidential, Republican, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Delhi, ZAMBIA Zambia, SRI LANKA, SRI LANKA Sri Lanka, China, GHANA Ghana, Zambia, Ghana, PAKISTAN Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, TUNISIA, North, Tunisia, EGYPT Egypt, Cairo, Salvador, KENYA, Kenya, UKRAINE Ukraine, Ukraine, Russia, LEBANON Lebanon

Together, experts say, these efforts aim to enhance China’s military reach, which currently includes only one operational overseas naval base in Djibouti on the Horn of Africa. “It’s a question of when – not if – China will secure its next overseas military outpost,” he said. This photo taken on August 1, 2017, shows Chinese People's Liberation Army personnel attending the opening ceremony of China's new military base in Djibouti. The Hambantota commercial port in Sri Lanka has long been considered a prime candidate for a Chinese naval base. However, China’s path to developing permanent overseas bases, if indeed that is its aim, is not straightforward.

Persons: FDD, Craig Singleton, “, –, ”, Tea Banh, FDD’s Singleton, Tang Chhin Sothy, Singleton, Xi Jinping, Stringer, ” AidData, Stephen J, Townsend, ” Townsend, Bata, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Ken Ishii, ’, ” Singleton, China’s, Aaron Favila, Isaac Kardon, Kardon, ” Kardon, BlackSky Singleton, Rob Wittman, Fu Tian, Seth Moulton, ” Moulton, Martin Meiners Organizations: South Korea CNN, People’s Liberation Army Navy, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, People’s Liberation Army, PLA, Ream, Base, CNN, China’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ream Naval Base, ” Cambodian Defense, Cambodian, Getty, Fleet, Communist Party, US, Liberation Army personnel, William & Mary University, Sri Lankan Navy, US Africa Command, Gabonese, of, Xinhua, Naval Research Academy, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, East China Seas, China, Control, Organization, Force, Strategic, International Studies, Defense Department, Chinese Communist Party, ”, Virginia Republican, The Defense Department, Qingdao Port, People's Liberation Army Navy, China News Service, America, Pentagon, US Defense Department Locations: Seoul, South Korea, China, Beijing, Washington, Cambodia, Argentina, Cuba, Djibouti, of Africa, Africa, West Asia, Gulf, Thailand, United States, Preah Sihanouk, AFP, Horn of Africa, “, South, Taiwan, Virginia, —, Sri Lanka, Bata , Equatorial Guinea, Gwadar, Pakistan, Kribi, Cameroon, Ream, Vanuatu, Nacala, Mozambique, Nouakchott, Mauritania, Colombo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, West Africa, South China, East Asia, East, Asia, Washington In Washington, Nanchang, Qingdao, Shandong province, Massachusetts

☆ Pathirana comes up trumps for Sri Lanka at Asia Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known to have a keen eye for talent and the match-winning display by Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana against Bangladesh at the Asia Cup on Thursday shows the former India captain's reputation is well earned. His Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Dhoni predicted in May the 20-year-old would prove a "great asset" for Sri Lanka provided he was used sparingly and only in key white-ball tournaments. Vindicating his Chennai captain, Pathirana claimed a career-best 4-32 to rout Bangladesh and set up Sri Lanka's five-wicket victory with 11 overs to spare at Pallekele. "I think this performance has been coming for a while now," Sri Lanka coach Chris Silverwood told reporters. "Easy to see why Sri Lanka Cricket, CSK and MS Dhoni are valuing Matheesha Pathirana so highly," former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop wrote on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.

Persons: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Pathirana, Lasith Malinga, Dhoni, Chris Silverwood, He's, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Ian Bishop, Amlan Chakraborty, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Sri Lanka, Asia, Chennai, IPL, World, Sri Lanka Cricket, Thomson Locations: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Chennai, West Indies, New Delhi

☆ Take Five: A September to remember?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 29, 2023. 1/ SCARY SEPTEMBERNow the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole confab is over, investors are strapping in for a potentially volatile month. Reuters Graphics2/ THE SICK MAN OF EUROPEGermany looks likely to be the only major economy to contract this year. No wonder the region's economic powerhouse is once again being called the sick man of Europe. But economists are sceptical, noting that at just 0.2% of GDP, the package is no game-changer and that the sick man will need more medicine.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Ira Iosebashvili, Kevin Buckland, Dhara Ranasinghe, Libby George, Naomi Rovnick, Jackson, Jerome Powell, Olaf Scholz, Xi Jinping, Philip Lowe, Michele Bullock, BoE, Amanda Cooper, John Stonestreet Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal, Reuters, ECB, Germany's, Reserve Bank of Australia, Traders, Bank of, British Retail Consortium, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Ira, New York, Tokyo, London, Germany, Europe, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Zambia, Delhi, China, Bullock, Bank of England, Halifax

☆ Sinopec sets up new entity to expand refinery investment abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Chen Aizhu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The company logo of China’s Sinopec Corp is displayed at a news conference in Hong Kong, China March 26, 2018. After a quiet launch in late June of Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding as its sole platform for investing, building and operating refineries abroad, Sinopec is building up the team and setting the budget for the new entity, two company officials told Reuters. One such investment could be in Sri Lanka, where Sinopec was shortlisted to bid for an export-oriented refinery in Hambantota potentially worth billions of dollars. Sinopec is also among companies reviewing Shell's Singapore refinery and petrochemical assets, Reuters reported recently, although its president this week denied such interest. Sinopec declined to comment on that matter.

Persons: Bobby Yip, Zhao Dong, Sinopec, Sushant Gupta, Wood Mackenzie, Gupta, Russia's, PetroChina, Exxon Mobil's, Glencore, CNPC, Chen Aizhu, Tony Munroe, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Sinopec Overseas Investment Holding, Reuters, China Petrochemical Corp, Saudi Aramco, Wood, Gas Chemical, Russia's Sibur, Exxon, Sinopec, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Sri Lanka, Hambantota, Singapore, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, East Siberia, France, Scotland, Japan, XOM.N, Altona, Australia, Brazil, Beijing, South Africa

☆ Southeast Asia's first high-speed train – a boon or bust for Indonesia's economy?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While it could improve overall economic and business productivity, those benefits may be overrun by Jakarta's soaring debt burden as project costs continue to mount. The 142-kilometre train linking Indonesia's capital to Bandung is expected to move at 350 kilometers per hour, driven by electricity with no direct carbon emissions expected during operations. However, escalating costs of the project could push up Indonesia's government debt and overshadow any short-term economic gains. Initially, the train was to be financed by PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China — a consortium of companies from China and Indonesia tasked with building the rail project. In that scenario, money spent on the train would have been better spent on alternative investments like irrigation projects, he said.

Persons: Joko Widodo, Arief Anshory Yusuf, Jokowi, Sri Lanka's, Mao Ning, Mao, Yusuf Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Initiative, Indonesian, Bandung's Padjadjaran University, Australian National University, PT Kereta, Indonesia China —, KCIC, China Development Bank, Reuters, of Economic, Law Studies, Nurphoto, CNBC Locations: Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, Southeast Asia, Indonesian, Surabaya, Japan, Indonesia China, China, Entebbe, Beijing, IDR

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