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Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAnalyst: Sri Lanka’s National People's Power poised to secure mandate in general electionSwinburne University of Technology’s Chulanee Attanaya discusses election prospects and implications for the Sri Lankan people.
Persons: Swinburne University of Technology’s Chulanee Attanaya Organizations: Sri, Swinburne University of Technology’s
CNN —The Justice Department on Friday announced federal charges in a thwarted Iranian plot to kill Donald Trump before the presidential election. According to court documents, Iranian officials asked Farhad Shakeri, 51, in September to focus on surveilling and ultimately assassinating Trump. But IRGC officials told Shakeri on October 7 to focus only on Trump, court documents say, and that he had seven days to formulate an assassination plan. Shakeri would pay these criminal associates, like his two co-conspirators, to monitor the victims Iranian officials sought to assassinate, according to court documents. Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that all three men were specifically charged in the plot against Donald Trump.
Persons: Donald Trump, Farhad Shakeri, Trump, Shakeri –, , Shakeri, Carlisle Rivera, Jonathan Loadholt, General Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, ” Garland, , Qasem, , Masih Alinejad, Alinejad, Rivera, Loadholt Organizations: CNN, The Justice Department, Justice Department, Prosecutors, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Trump, Justice, FBI Locations: Iran, Afghan, Tehran, New York, United States, US, New, American, Sri Lanka, New York City
It all started with foam teaInvented in the 1980s, bubble tea (also called “black pearl tea” or “boba tea”) is a beloved Taiwan classic. Lin Hsiu Hui, product manager at bubble tea chain Chun Shui Tang, said she created the very first glass of bubble milk tea at a staff meeting in 1988. Bubble tea chain Easy Way argued in a press conference, “Why don’t you ask people to skip drinking Coke instead?”The saga was dubbed the “bubble tea for arms” incident by local media. Bubble tea 2.0Bubbleology founder Assad Khan says his first bubble tea experience was 'love at first sip.' But no matter how funky you get with the recipe, the soul of a good bubble tea has always been, well, the tea.
Persons: that’s, Simu Liu, Canadian Liu, , it’s, Chang Fan Shu, yao, shou yao, , Tseng, Tsang, Tu Tsong, – Tu, Tu, ” Tu, Lin Hsiu Hui, Tang, ” Lin, Chun, Chun Shui Tang, boba ”, Amy Yip’s, Assad Khan, ” Khan, Bubbleology, It’s Organizations: CNN, Marvel, CBC, Chun, CNN Travel, Chun Shui Tang, hawker, Defense Ministry Locations: Hong Kong, Canada, Quebec, Canadian, Taiwan, , Tainan, Hanlin, United States, China, Assam, hawker, Asia, British, Chinatown, New York, Lankan
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s leftist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake took office as president on Monday, promising change in the island nation long led by powerful political families which is emerging from its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades. Supporters of Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, celebrate in Colombo. Before Monday’s swearing-in, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena resigned to make way for the new prime minister and his cabinet. Sri Lanka’s sovereign dollar bonds shed 2.88 to 3.28 cents on the dollar in early trade on Monday to bid between 49.14 and 49.77 cents. Sri Lanka’s close neighbors India, Pakistan, and the Maldives also congratulated Dissanayake on his win, along with China, the largest bilateral creditor.
Persons: Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Lankans, , ” Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, Ishara, Ranil Wickremesinghe, , beautician, Dinesh Gunawardena, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Dissanayake, Sri Lanka’s Organizations: Sri, Kodikara, Getty, International Monetary Fund Locations: COLOMBO, Colombo, AFP, India, Pakistan, Maldives, China
This is Sri Lanka’s first election since the Indian Ocean nation’s economy buckled in 2022 under a severe foreign exchange shortage, leaving it unable to pay for imports of essentials including fuel, medicine and cooking gas. Marxist-leaning Anura Kumara Dissanayake leaves a polling station after casting his vote in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Saturday. Grinding poverty for millionsButtressed by the IMF deal, Sri Lanka’s economy has posted a tentative recovery. The younger Premadasa polled 42% of the votes in 2019 to finish second, behind Rajapaksa, in the last presidential election. Support from farming communities in north and central Sri Lanka helped him close the gap on Dissanayake as counting progressed.
Persons: Kumara Dissanayake, Sajith Premadasa, Sri Lanka’s, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Dissanayake, Premadasa, Lanka’s, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, , Pradeep Peiris, ” Dissanayake, Eranga, Ranasinghe Premadasa, Rajapaksa Organizations: Sri, Sunday, University of Colombo, Monetary Fund, Marxist, IMF, National People’s Power, JVP Locations: , Sri Lanka's, Colombo, Sri, Sri Lankans, Premadasa’s, Sri Lanka
For me this is not a position, it is a responsibility,” Dissanayake told reporters after his victory which was confirmed after a second tally of votes. Dissanayake polled 5.6 million or 42.3% of the votes, a massive boost to the 3% he managed in the last presidential election in 2019. Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People's Power party leaves a polling station after casting his vote in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sept. 21, 2024. Grinding poverty for millionsButtressed by the IMF deal, Sri Lanka’s economy has managed a tentative recovery. Dissanayake ran as a candidate for the National People’s Power alliance, which includes his Marxist-leaning Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna party.
Persons: Kumara Dissanayake, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, , ” Dissanayake, “ Mr, ” Wickremesinghe, Dissanayake, Premadasa, Eranga, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, , Pradeep Peiris, Dissanayake’s, Janak Dias Organizations: COLOMBO Reuters, Marxist, National People's, Monetary Fund, University of Colombo, IMF, National People’s Power, JVP Locations: Lankans, Sri Lanka, Colombo, , Sri
A man waves Sri Lanka's national flag after climbing a tower near presidential secretariat in Colombo on July 11, 2022, after it was overrun by anti-government protestors. Rathnayake, the head of Sri Lanka's election commission, told Reuters. Buttressed by a $2.9 billion bailout programme from the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka's economy has posted a tentative recovery but the high cost of living remains a core issue for many voters. "Use your vote wisely so Sri Lanka can continue its recovery and move forward towards a sustainable and prosperous future." Sri Lanka's ranked voting system allows voters to cast three preferential votes for their chosen candidates.
Persons: ARUN SANKAR, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa, Kumara Dissanayake, Sri, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ali Sabry, Lanka's Organizations: Getty, Citizens, R.M.L, Reuters, International Monetary Fund, IMF Locations: Colombo, Lanka's, Sri Lanka's, Sri, Sri Lanka
The one time she didn't join me was the honeymoon I spent with my former husband in 2008. I never went on vacation with girlfriendsBefore and after my marriage, I spent every break with the people who raised me. Around his mid-50s, he decided he didn't like traveling much and generally preferred to stay at home. But Mom went ahead and enjoyed herself, thinking it was funny. Meanwhile, I'm turning 44 in November and have decided to celebrate with a trip to Bali.
Persons: , Minreet Kaur, I'd, I've, Kaur, We've, Mom, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Sri Lankan, Kandy, North Wales, Canada, India, Europe, Valencia, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Japan, Bali
After they spread pink petals on golden statues of Ganesh and Shiva, and recited prayers to blue-skinned and eight-armed gods, the Hindu faithful left their temple and headed to a party for another one of their divinities — the Catholic St. Rosalia. “To the other goddess!” said Swasthika Sasiyendran, 23, after she changed from her gold-and-white sari into a T-shirt bearing Rosalia’s face. Every year, in the height of Sicily’s summer heat, Palermo fills with festival lights and honking scooters as people gather to celebrate Rosalia, the city’s patron saint. Among the hundreds of thousands who join the procession, which culminates with a towering statue of the saint being carried through the streets, are members of the city’s Sri Lankan Tamil community, some of Rosalia’s most ardent worshipers. Palermo is prone to this kind of medley.
Persons: Ganesh, Shiva, Rosalia, , , Swasthika Sasiyendran Organizations: Sri Lankan Tamil Locations: Palermo, Sri Lankan
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Persons: Insider's, Merrill, You'll, you'll, Bilt, Marriott, Regis, Chase, we've, Alaska Miles, Finance Insider's, Read, it's, Miles, , Harlan Vaughn Harlan Vaughn, he’s, Harlan, Joseph Hostetler, Joseph, Guy Organizations: Business Insider, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines Business Credit, Marriott, Oneworld, American Airlines, Alaska, of America, Bank of America, Bank of America Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airlines Visa, Bank of America Alaska Airlines Visa Business, Card Alaska Airlines Business, Alaska Airlines Business, Alaska Airlines Lounge, Alaska Airlines You'll, British Airways, Cathay, Qantas, Aer Lingus, Singapore Airlines, Aer Lingus Air Tahiti Nui, Airlines * British Airways, Condor, Al Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Air LATAM Airlines Malaysia Airlines, Mokulele, Southern Airways Express Qantas, Alaska Royal Air Maroc, Singapore Airlines Sri, Oneworld Connect, Marriott Bonvoy, Ritz, Carlton, TSA, Global, TSA PreCheck, American Express, Cell, New Hampshire Insurance Company, AIG Company, American, Navy, Hertz, Wine, Alaska Miles Worth ? Alaska Airlines, Finance, Fiji Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Nonprofit, Dream, Foundation, Nature Conservancy Locations: Alaska, Hawaii, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Hainan, Iberia, Qatar, Royal Jordanian, Singapore, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG, Marriott, Alamo, Avis, Thrifty, Alaska Miles Worth ?, U.S, Australia, Fiji, East, Africa, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha, Canada, Europe, Cathay, Asia, Dallas , Texas
Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. Sri Lanka President Media Division / Handout | Anadolu Agency | Getty ImagesSri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a debt restructuring deal with countries including India, France, Japan and China in a televised address to the nation Wednesday. Furthermore, Sri Lanka will be able to repay all the loans on concessional terms, with an extended period until 2043. By 2022, Sri Lanka had to repay about $6 billion in foreign debt every year, amounting to about 9.2% of gross domestic product. The agreement would enable Sri Lanka to maintain debt payments at less than 4.5% of GDP between 2027 and 2032.
Persons: Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka, Wickremesinghe Organizations: Sri, Sri Lanka President Media, Anadolu Agency, Getty, International Monetary Fund, China's Exim Bank Locations: India, France, Japan, China, Sri Lanka, Paris, Beijing, Sri Lankans
Crew members haven’t been able to get off the ship for a variety of reasons. Bennett’s email identifies the eight eligible crew members, which include a cook, a fitter and an oiler. As part of the deal, those crew members will not need to stay in Baltimore. But with the new agreement Wednesday night, the eight crew members would be able to leave the country before they’re deposed. But it’s still unclear exactly when the eight crew members – and the rest of their colleagues – will be able to leave.
Persons: Dali, Francis Scott Key, haven’t, , ” Adam Levitt, Levitt, William Bennett, Grace Ocean, DALI, , ” Bennett, James Bredar, ” Levitt, Jerry Jackson, Jason Foster, Foster, they’re, Darrell Wilson, ” Wilson, Bro Chen Chuanyi, Gwee Guo Duan, it’s, , CNN’s Mary Kay Mallonee, Jeff Winter Organizations: CNN, City, Court, Synergy Marine, Synergy, U.S . Coast Guard, DOJ, Coast Guard, Department of Justice, , Baltimore Sun, TNS, Getty, Federal, Singapore Organisation of Seamen, Singapore Maritime Officers ’ Union Locations: Baltimore, City of Baltimore, Lankan, United States, London, of Baltimore, Dali, Singapore
Modi is sworn in for a rare third term as India’s prime minister
  + stars: | 2024-06-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com   time to read: +3 min
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he arrives at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi, India, June 4, 2024. NEW DELHI — Narendra Modi was sworn in Sunday for a rare third consecutive term as India's prime minister, relying on his coalition partners after his party failed to win a parliamentary majority in a surprise outcome. The 73-year-old popular but polarizing leader is only the second Indian prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to retain power for a third five-year term. An avowed Hindu nationalist, the prime minister is considered a champion of the country's Hindu majority, who make up 80% of India's 1.4 billion population. Several South Asian leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony Sunday, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.
Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, Droupadi Murmu, Jawaharlal Nehru, he's, Sheikh Hasina, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mohamed Muizzu, Muizzu Organizations: Indian, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, NEW, Modi's National Democratic Alliance, Modi's BJP, Telugu Desam Party, Janata Dal, INDIA, Bangladesh Locations: New Delhi, India, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Sri, Maldives, China
A national cricket team that most Americans didn’t even know they had beat one of the sport’s global powers Pakistan, for whom the game is a national obsession. “There is this pivot from global north to global south,” said Chadwick. The first ever international fixture was between the United States and Canada in 1844 in New York. The World Cup is being carried in the US on Willow TV, a streaming service that is also available on cable systems for an extra fee. The global game, soccer, has several times hubristically tried to conquer the US and it’s taken years to reach its current level with strong pro leagues the MLS and the NWSL.
Persons: didn’t, , Monank Patel, Corey Anderson, “ It’s, , Peter Della Penna, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, Simon Chadwick, “ You’ve, You’ve, It’s, Virat Kohli, Germain, LIV, Modi, Chadwick, Donald Bradman, Michael Jordan, Pakistan –, Saurabh, Milind Kumar, hubristically, it’s, Della Penna, you’re, ” Della Penna Organizations: CNN, team, Cricket, Pakistan, USA Cricket, New Zealand, Indian, , Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket, IPL, US, America, United Arab Emirates, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Formula One, Hindu, FIFA, Beijing, Bowlers, Down, England, Elite US, Willow, MLS, England’s Premier League, Manchester United, Arsenal, tailgates, Women’s National, TV, South Locations: Pakistan, United States, Caribbean, Texas, American, America, Long, , New York, India, Australia, Nassau County, Ahmedabad, Gulf, United Kingdom, Europe, East, South Asia, British, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zealand, England, North Carolina, Manchester, Qatar, Paris, Germain . Middle, Saudi Arabia, Los Angeles, There’s, Canada, New York, Sri Lankan, California, New Delhi, China, Belgium, Commonwealth
Mark Nestlehutt boarded the Dali cargo ship a week after it crashed into a Baltimore bridge, anxious questions emerged among the 21 crew members:“When will I get off the ship? When will I be able to get home?”More than a month later, crew members still don’t know the answers. But the FBI has only returned some of the crew members’ SIM cards, he said. They’re also assisting with the salvors.”The Singaporean-flagged Dali cargo vessel is shown on March 26, hours after it destroyed Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge. Their one-month visas expired during the nearly two months they’ve been trapped on the Dali, Duan said.
Persons: Mark Nestlehutt, They’ve, Dali, Francis Scott Key, , Gwee Guo Duan, they’ve, Philip C, Schifflin Jr, ” Schifflin, Nestlehutt, , Duan, Dave Heindel, Bro Chen Chuanyi, ” Don Marcus, Darrell Wilson, They’re, Baltimore's Francis Scott Key, Julia Nikhinson, ” Wilson, Wilson, Duan –, can’t, “ They’re, ” Duan, nonessential, Schifflin, Gloria Pazmino Organizations: CNN, Francis Scott Key Bridge, FBI, Singapore Maritime Officers ’ Union, Center, Mariner, Federal Register, Seamen’s Church Institute, Singapore Organisation of Seamen, International Union, , ITF, International Organization of Masters, Synergy Marine, , Marine, Synergy, National Transportation Safety, Walmart Locations: Baltimore, Lankan, United States, Dali
The cost to obtain a short-term visa to visit Sri Lanka rose from $50 to $100 in April. In response, VFS Global said, "Visa categories were introduced as per the directives of [Sri Lanka's] Department of Immigration and Emigration (DI&E)." Both parties agreed that 30-day travel visas priced at $50 had been reinstated as of May 7. But VFS Global's fees angered many in Sri Lanka's travel industry and led to allegations of corruption by Sri Lankan opposition leaders. "The government of Sri Lanka won't be charging, but the platform … will," he said.
Persons: Harin Fernando, VFS, scammers, Fernando, Organizations: VFS, Sri, Harin, CNBC, of Immigration, E, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Security, VFS Global Locations: Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka's, Sri Lankan, India, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Thailand
By contrast, nearly 34,400 Indian travelers went to Sri Lanka in January, more than double the 13,759 that visited in January last year, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Fernando also noted the tight relationship between Sri Lanka and India, both in business and tourism. "Sri Lanka has more to offer … Sri Lanka has more value when it comes to India." "ITC, the big hotel chain, opened their first hotel out of India in Sri Lanka. A Maldives concept in Sri Lanka
Persons: Harin Fernando, Fernando Organizations: country's Tourism, CNBC, Sri, Sri Lanka's Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lankan Airlines, ITC Locations: Maldives, Sri, India, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Sri Lanka's, Sri Lanka, Galle, Colombo
Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSri Lanka visa problem caused by a 'technical issue,' says tourism ministerSri Lankan Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said 30-day visas, priced at $50. He said the visa was "missed" on VFS Global's website, after the company began processing e-visas for Sri Lanka on April 17, reports CNBC's Monica Pitrelli.
Persons: Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, CNBC's Monica Pitrelli Organizations: Sri, Tourism Minister Locations: Sri Lanka, Sri
The Hindu festival Holi has become more popular and inclusive, especially in the Indian diaspora. The Hindu festival of colors, observed as Holi in India and Fagu Purnima in Nepal, holds immense cultural significance for South Asians. "There were not many or any events celebrating Holi at that time, despite a considerable number of Indians living in Jackson Heights," she said. He said that over the years he'd seen Indians, Pakistanis, Nepalese, Bhutanese, Sri Lankans, African Americans, and Irish people attending his Holi event. Love was in the air at the Holi celebration.
Persons: , Fagu, bhalle, gulab jamun, I'd, Sheetal, Zayira Ray, Uma Kapoor, Kapoor, Manny Singh, Jarrod Fox, Festivalgoers, Akash Sheth, Sheth, Singh, Elise Young, Elise's Bodyshop, Carmen Perez, Young, who's, Vijay Satnarine, It's, Satnarine, Love, Lord Vishnu, King Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu's, Holika, Radha Rani, Lord Krishna Organizations: Service, BI, Morgan, Morgan Stanley's IT, Google, Hindu American Foundation, gulal, Apple Locations: Brooklyn , New York, India, Fagu Purnima, Nepal, New York, Asian, Queens , New York, Jackson Heights, Jersey, New York City, Morgan Stanley's, City, Brooklyn, Sri Lankans, African, Connecticut, Massachusetts, London, Wales
Agrawal, a 45-year-old serial entrepreneur who founded the period-underwear company Thinx and the bidet startup Tushy, has always poured herself into her businesses. That July, Agrawal gave birth to her son, Hiro Happy Horn Agrawal. AdvertisementAfter leaving Thinx, Agrawal, pictured here in her Texas home, poured her energy into her bidet startup Tushy. Before Thinx, before Tushy, Agrawal was an analyst at Deutsche Bank, working in an office near the World Trade Center. In 2011, she cofounded period-underwear company Thinx with her twin sister, Radha, and a friend, Antonia Saint Dunbar.
Persons: Miki Agrawal, Agrawal, she's, We're, missteps she'd, Miki Agrawal Agrawal, Andrew Horn, Agrawal's, Horn, Instagram, she'd, Hiro Happy Horn Agrawal, Forbes, Tushy, they'd, Thinx, Ilana Panich, , hadn't, they're, Richard Wolf, Radha, Antonia Saint Dunbar, Nicholas Hunt, undressed, wasn't, Shama Amalean Skinner, Amalean Skinner, Maria Molland Selby, welling, Miki, who's, Justin Allen, She'd, Hiro, Jason Ojalvo, Ojalvo, Horn —, Melissa Pruett, Pruett, Jessica Fern's, I've, exes, it's, wifedom, hummus —, Happie Hoffman, Austin, Tesla, Elon Musk, Musk's, Kimbal, Argawal Organizations: New York, Commission, Human Rights, Washington Post, CNBC, Business, Deutsche Bank, World Trade, New York Magic, Food Network, New York Magazine, Antonia Saint Dunbar ., Nike, Outfront Media, New, MTA, New York Times, Glamour, Amazon Locations: New, playa, Texas, Tribeca, West, Williamsburg, Park, America, Canada, Orlando, Thinx, Costa Rica, Horn, Oregon, Austin
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
Even in the darkest of times, Sri Lankans held on to their humor. In 2022, when the island nation’s economy collapsed and the government announced a QR code system to ration gasoline, a meme spread online: “Scanning Fuel QR Code Now Makes You Forget Last Three Months.”And when public anger forced the strongman president to flee his palace, with protesters venturing inside to fry snacks in his kitchen and jump into his pool, another meme captured the mood upon their departure: “We Are Leaving. The Key Is Under the Flower Pot.”It is this kind of online expression, which helped fuel the largest citizens’ movement in Sri Lanka in decades, that activists and rights groups fear is now endangered. They are concerned about a new law, the Online Safety Act, that gives the government wide-ranging powers to deem speech on social media to be “prohibited statements.” Under the law, a committee appointed by the president will rule on what is prohibited, and violations could bring penalties ranging from fines of hundreds of dollars to years in prison.
Persons: Locations: Sri Lankans, Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan authorities said it would scrap free long-term visas for Russian and Ukrainian tourists. Russian tourists have been a major boost to the struggling Sri Lankan economy. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementSri Lanka has scrapped free long-term visa extensions for Russians and Ukrainians who headed to the country in the last two years, Reuters reported. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.
Persons: Organizations: Service, Reuters, Party, Business Locations: Russian, Sri Lankan, Sri Lanka, Unawatuna
Read previewPolice arrested a woman in Thailand whose pet lion was captured on video cruising around in an open-top Bentley, according to reports. The Pattaya News, a local news outlet, said police visited the woman on Wednesday after being made aware of a viral video showing the animal joyriding in the luxury car. During the police visit, Sawangjit presented officers with her ownership documents and allowed a veterinarian to inspect the animal, the Pattaya News said. AdvertisementThe local news outlet said that the lion was found to be in good health and had a microchip, which is mandatory under Thai law. The local news outlet said Sawangjit is currently seeking the necessary documents to retain her pet.
Persons: , Ann Isaanrussia, — Sawangjit, Sawangjit Organizations: Service, Bentley, Business, Pattaya, BBC News, Pattaya News, Sawangjit Locations: Thailand, Sri Lankan
CNN —Sri Lanka’s lawmakers passed a bill on Wednesday regulating internet use among its citizens, in a move that has sparked fears among rights groups of a free speech crackdown. “Sri Lanka is still reeling from an economic crisis partly caused by misgovernment and failures of accountability,” said Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly in a statement Tuesday. Then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced to flee the country after angry protesters, who blamed him for the financial situation, stormed his residence. But rights groups have accused him of cracking down on dissent and silencing protesters. “Sri Lanka’s repressive laws have facilitated widespread human rights violations for decades and contributed to economic and political crises,” said Ganguly.
Persons: , Lanka’s, Meenakshi Ganguly, , Wickremesinghe, Jeff Paine, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Rajapaksa, Ganguly Organizations: CNN, Safety, Rights Watch, Asia Internet Coalition, United Nations Human Rights Locations: Lanka’s, Sri Lanka, Lankans
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