Page 3 Online

11/08/2026

06/07/2026

A deadly clash at the Negombo prison in which over 25 people, including prison guards were killed, has raised concerns again on overcrowding at Sri Lankan prisons.

In an interview with journalist Easwaran Rutnam in 2024, Ambika Satkunanathan, Former Commission Member of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission noted the threat posed by overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons.

14/06/2026

A SriLankan Airlines flight heading to Sydney from Colombo with 207 passengers and 16 crew members, was damaged after being hit by lightning
mid air.

Pilots quickly stabilised the aircraft before deciding to turn back as a precaution and the Airbus landed safely at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.

Videos and photos shared on social media showed one engine of the plane had suffered extensive damages as a result of the lightning strike.

SriLankan Airlines issued a statement saying the flight returned to Colombo as a result of an operational occurrence encountered during adverse weather conditions. The passengers later reached Sydney on a replacement aircraft..

The same week American Airlines B777-300ER flight AA735 from London Heathrow to Charlotte returned to London after being struck by lightning.

A video shared on social media showed the plane landing safely and was later inspected on the runway by Airport Rescue and fire crew.

According to Airbus, each in-service aircraft is struck by lightning at least once per year, on average. Even if the level of energy of lightning strikes is high, their effects on an aircraft are limited.

08/06/2026

At least 32 people have died after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines, officials say.

The quake hit at 07:37 local time on Monday (Sunday 23:37 GMT), triggering tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia. Some of those were cancelled hours later.
Videos and images showed buildings collapsing, including a clip of a Jollibee fast food restaurant reduced to rubble, and landslides have been recorded in some areas.
More than 100 people have been injured across several provinces, almost two dozen are missing, and 10,000 residents have been pre-emptively evacuated, authorities have said.

Mindanao is the Philippines second-biggest island - both in size and population - and is home to around 26 million people.(Courtesy BBC)

26/04/2026

President Donald ​Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner by Secret Service agents on Saturday night ‌after a man opened fire with a shotgun on security personnel, officials said.

The armed man fired at a Secret Service agent, an FBI official told Reuters. About two hours after the incident, Trump told reporters at the White House that the officer was saved by his bulletproof vest and is in "good shape".

The gunman who opened fire has been identified as Cole Allen of Torrance, Calif. — with President Trump calling him a likely “lone wolf whack job” who “looked pretty evil.”

The 31-year-old, whom a federal law enforcement source confirmed is a teacher, was arrested after allegedly entering the Washington Hilton hotel and charging toward the ballroom where Trump and roughly 2,500 guests had assembled.

29/03/2026

Victoria and Tasmania in Australia will offer free public transport services as Australia’s fuel crisis escalates.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said all public transport across metropolitan and V/Line services will be free in Victoria from March 31 until April 30.

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced new powers to take on the financial risk of importing additional fuel.

The powers will allow Export Finance Australia to support private companies purchasing additional fuel cargoes from overseas.

29/03/2026

Kuwait International ‌Airport was targeted by multiple drone attacks that caused significant damage to its ​radar system.

The attack, blamed on Iran, also caused a major fire at fuel storage facilities at the airport.

29/03/2026

US President Donald Trump appeared to mock the leaders of Saudi Arabia, saying they were now "kissing his a**.

Appearing before a Saudi business forum in Miami, Trump also said that the US is now the "hottest" country in the world.

Trump also said that he respects China for the work it does, including manufacturing so many cars.

28/03/2026

Golf legend Tiger Woods was arrested in Martin County, Florida, following a rollover car accident.

Woods was booked on suspicion of DUI, property damage and failure to submit to a lawful test after a two-car accident in a residential area. Police said that Woods was speeding and showed signs of impairment following the accident.

President Donald Trump said he feels “so bad” after learning that Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover SUV crash.

26/03/2026

At least 24 people have died in central Bangladesh after a bus plunged into the Padma River.

The bus, which was carrying 40 passengers, lost control on Wednesday as it approached a ferry at Daulatdia in Rajbari district, about 100km (62 miles) from Dhaka, officials said.

Rescuers recovered 22 bodies from inside the submerged bus, including five children, 11 women and six men, fire service official Talha Bin Qasim said. Two more women died later, after being rescued, he said.

The overturned bus sank nearly 9 metres (30 feet) into the river, according to emergency workers. (Agencies)