Donald Trump said on Monday morning that he would rule out running for the vice-presidency in the 2028 US election, an unorthodox approach that some of his supporters have floated to allow the Republican US president to serve a third term in the White House. “I’d be allowed to do that,” Trump said, in an exchange with reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Tokyo, Japan, on Monday, the latest leg of a five-day trip to Asia which he hopes to cap with an agreement on a trade war truce with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. But he added: “I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that … It’s not – it wouldn’t be right.” No one may be elected to the US presidency a third time, according to the 22nd amendment of the US constitution. Some have suggested that one way around this prohibition would be for Trump to stand as vice-president, while another candidate stood for president but then resigned, letting Trump as the No 2 step up and again assume the presidency. Referring to the possibility of a third term, however, Trump said: “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.” When pressed by a reporter whether he was not ruling out a third term, he said: “Am I not ruling it out? I mean you’ll have to tell me.” He added: “All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they [the Democrats] don’t.” Referring to JD Vance and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, Trump also said they were great people who could run for the office. “I think if they ever formed a group, it’d be unstoppable,” he said. “I really do. I believe that.” The remarks were Trump’s latest on the subject, which he has teased in public remarks and with “Trump 2028” hats he hands out at the White House. In the interview at the weekend, the former US vice-president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump last November, said she was not done with politics and strongly suggested that she was considering another run for president and did not rule out running in 2028. Meanwhile, Trump is making his longest journey abroad since taking office in January and is scheduled to attend the Apec and Asean trade summits. He announced a flurry of deals on trade and critical minerals with four south-east Asian countries during the first stop in Malaysia and is set to meet Xi in South Korea on Thursday. “I’ve got a lot of respect for President Xi and I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” Trump said before landing in Tokyo. He also said he would like to meet up again with the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un. Source : The Guardian News

Trump ‘would love’ unconstitutional third term but rules out running for VP

Dr. Ajith Dantanarayana, Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo, has clarified that no ova (egg) donation programme is currently being conducted at the hospital. He confirmed that only the sperm donation programme is in operation. “The sperm bank, launched recently, has already registered over 150 male donors. So far, ten women have conceived, while more than 200 others are receiving support through the programme,” Dr. Dantanarayana stated. He dismissed recent media reports suggesting the launch of an egg donation programme as false, emphasising that such a programme is not underway at the hospital. Dr. Dantanarayana added that the hospital’s sperm donation initiative aims to assist couples facing infertility, providing a safe and scientific path to parenthood.

No egg donation programme at Castle street hospital, confirms Director

The price of gold in Sri Lanka has recorded a significant decline, driven by a sharp drop in the world market. For the first time in weeks, a 22-carat gold sovereign is currently quoted at Rs. 298,000 in the Colombo Pettah market.&nbsp; This marks a decrease of Rs. 81,200 compared to the price of Rs. 379,200 recorded on 17 October. Similarly, the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign has fallen from Rs. 410,000 to Rs. 322,000 as of today(28).

Gold sovereign price falls to Rs. 298,000

Japan’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has vowed to realise a “golden age” in her country’s relations with the US at the start of a meeting with Donald Trump in Tokyo. Trump, who is in Japan on the second leg of a week-long tour of Asia, and Takaichi quickly signed an agreement laying out a framework to secure mining and processing of rare earths and other critical minerals. It follows China’s recent decision to tighten export controls on the materials, which are crucial for a wide range of products. Trump is scheduled to meet China’s Xi Jinping in South Korea this week for high stakes talks amid a bruising trade war. The countries plan to cooperate through use of economic policy and coordinated investment to accelerate development of diversified, liquid, and fair markets for critical minerals and rare earths, the White House said in a statement. The objective of the deal is “to assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains”, the statement said. Earlier, Takaichi said: “I would like to realise a new golden age of the Japan-US alliance, where both Japan and the United States will become stronger and also more prosperous.” The two leaders – who had earlier watched a live TV broadcast of part of a World Series baseball match featuring the Japanese star Shohei Ohtani – then sat down for talks. While they spoke in private, the White House said Takaichi would nominate Trump for the Nobel peace prize – an accolade Trump has coveted since his return to the White House. He claims to have ended several conflicts, although some experts have played down his role. Takaichi, who last week became Japan’s first female prime minister, congratulated Trump on his role in securing ceasefires in Gaza and between Thailand and Cambodia, which have been embroiled in a border dispute. In remarks open to the media before their summit, they made several references to Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, with whom Trump formed a close relationship during his first administration. Takaichi, an Abe protege who shares his hardline stance against China’s military build-up in the region, thanked Trump for his “enduring friendship,” with Abe, who was assassinated in 2022. Speaking on the day of the first hearing day in the trial of the man accused of killing Abe with a homemade gun, Trump said described Abe as a “great friend”, adding that he had “spoken so well” of Takaichi long before she became prime minister. Their talks are expected to focus on trade and security, months after Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, won tariff concessions from the White House in return for huge Japanese investments in the US economy. Japanese plans to buy more American soya beans, pickup trucks and other products to secure further relief from Trump. In a statement on Tuesday, the leaders “confirmed their strong commitment to implementing this great deal,” adding that the agreement would “help both countries to strengthen economic security, promote economic growth, and thereby continuously lead to global prosperity”. Takaichi described the US-Japan security relationship as the “greatest alliance in the world”, adding that Japan was “ready to contribute to world peace and stability”. Trump, who met Emperor Naruhito for a second time at the Imperial palace shortly after arriving in Japan on Monday evening, welcomed Japanese orders for US-made military hardware, adding that the two economies would do “a lot of trade”. He congratulated Takaichi on becoming the first woman to be made Japanese prime minister, describing it as a “big deal”. Again referencing Abe, Trump said it was an “honour” to meet her so soon after the launch of her administration, predicting, with typical effusiveness, that she would go on to be one of the country’s “greatest prime ministers”. “Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” Trump said. “You’re going to do a fantastic job, and we’re going to have a fantastic relationship.” Source : The Guardian News

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi sign agreement to ‘secure’ rare earths supply

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, has issued a new gazette notification revising the tax payment period and levy regulations on alcoholic products, effective from today (28). Under the new directive, all licensees must pay taxes on or before the due date as outlined in Section 22 of the Excise Ordinance. The gazette further states that the bottling licence of any licensee who fails to pay the required taxes or fees within 30 days of the due date will be suspended.

New gazette amends tax payment rules for alcoholic products

The Malaysian Coast Guard Ship ‘KM BENDAHARA’ has arrived at the Port of Colombo. The visiting Reliance Class – Medium Endurance Cutter was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) with naval traditions.&nbsp; The vessel is commanded by Commander (Maritime) MOHD FAHIMI BIN OMAR and carries a crew of 50. During their stay until 30 October, the crew is scheduled to participate in sightseeing tours across the country, according to an SLN statement.

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arrives in Colombo

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi announced plans to provide locally manufactured tiles to the public at subsidised prices in the near future. He stated that a new programme has already been implemented to support this initiative. The Minister made these remarks while attending an event in Kalutara.

Locally produced tiles to be offered at subsidised prices: Minister Handunneththi

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), relinquished his duties on 27 October upon reaching the age of 60. A distinguished officer of the Sri Lanka Army, Maj. Gen. Wanigasooriya served the nation with honour, notably strengthening the country’s intelligence network and enhancing inter-agency coordination on national security. He assumed duties as CNI in January 2025 and was commended by the Ministry of Defence for his dedicated service and contribution to safeguarding national security.

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya retires as Chief of National Intelligence

Three people have already died in Jamaica as it braces for the world's strongest storm this year - and possibly the strongest on record for the island - with US meteorologists warning of "catastrophic and life-threatening" conditions. With wind speeds of up to 175mph (282km/h), Hurricane Melissa is a category five storm - the maximum strength. It is intensifying and expected to make landfall on the Caribbean island early on Tuesday. It has been blamed for four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in addition to the lives lost in Jamaica. Experts warn that Melissa's slow pace may mean prolonged torrential rain in some areas, increasing the risk of deadly flooding and landslides. The latest data from the US-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) shows that in terms of maximum wind and low central pressure, Melissa is the world's strongest storm so far this year. At its current strength, it would be the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica since record-keeping began in 1851, CBS, the BBC's US news partner, reported. Tropical storm conditions are already occurring in Jamaica, and "catastrophic and life-threatening hurricane-force wind conditions are expected to begin Tuesday morning," the latest NHC public advisory update said at 23:00 ET (03:00 GMT) on Monday. Three "storm-related deaths" were already reported in Jamaica Monday evening ahead of the hurricane's landfall, Jamaica's ministry of health and wellness said on X. The NHC said Melissa was currently about 140 miles (240km) south-west of the capital Kingston, with sustained winds of 175mph, (280km/h). It was moving "north-northeast" at 2mph (4 km/h). The update warned that within the eyewall - the inner part of the hurricane next to the eye, where wind speeds are typically the highest - "total structural failure is likely". It urged extra caution in Jamaica's "higher elevation areas", where wind speeds could be as much as 30% stronger. NHC director Michael Brennan warned Jamaicans: "Do not venture outside with catastrophic life threatening flash flooding and numerous landslides expected through Tuesday." He advised not to "go out in the eye as it passes over your area. The forward speed of Melissa is going to increase and the eye is going to start to move very quickly across the island." Forty inches of rain (100cm) was possible in parts of Jamaica over the next four days, according to the NHC. "This extreme rainfall potential, owing to the slow motion, is going to create a catastrophic event here for Jamaica," said NHC deputy director Jamie Rhome. The Jamaican government has ordered evacuations for parts of Kingston. In a BBC interview, Jamaican Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon warned of an impending storm "the likes of which we have never seen". "We've been having rain all of October. So the ground is already very saturated. And then to take that much rain means we're going to have flooding, extensive flooding and landslides in the mountainous areas," she told BBC Newshour. The minister added: "We have 881 shelters. We have activated all our shelters. All of them are free.'' A Hurricane Hunter aircraft, which collects data in severe storms and informs forecasts on the pathway and intensity of hurricanes, was forced to abort a mission after experiencing severe turbulence, a spokesperson for the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told CBS. Evadney Campbell, a Londoner currently visiting family on Jamaica's north coast, told the BBC: "The house that I am in is hurricane proof. It is built with blocks and steel from top to bottom and is filled with concrete. "We're checking on neighbours to see if they are OK. "I am worried about people who live on the lowlands in parts of the south-east. Many do not want to leave their homes as they are worried about looting their houses," Ms Campbell said. Damian Anderson, a 47-year-old teacher from the mountainous town of Hagley Gap in the south-east, said impassable roads already had cut off his community. "We can't move. We're scared," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered the immediate evacuation of several vulnerable communities across the island.In a post on X, he urged "every Jamaican to prepare, stay indoors during the storm, and comply with evacuation orders"."We will weather this storm and rebuild stronger," he wrote. "You have been warned. It's now up to you to use that information to make the right decision," he said during a briefing, and told CNN, "I don't believe there is any infrastructure within this region that could withstand a Category 5 storm, so there could be significant dislocation." In some rural areas, school buses were used to ferry vulnerable people to shelters and across the country. Later on Tuesday night, hurricane conditions are expected in Cuba, as well as tropical storm conditions in Haiti, according to the NHS report. The Bahamas will experience hurricane conditions on Wednesday, with tropical storm conditions in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday. At least three people are already known to have died and hundreds of homes have been flooded in Haiti as Melissa brought torrential rainfall to the island of Hispaniola. In the Dominican Republic, located on the eastern side of Hispaniola, one person also died. Local media identified the victim as a 79-year-old man who had been swept away by floodwaters in the capital, Santo Domingo.A 13-year-old has also been reported missing after being dragged away by strong currents as he was swimming in the sea. Several people were rescued after being trapped in their cars by the rising floodwater. Source : BBC

Trump ‘would love’ unconstitutional third term but rules out ...

No egg donation programme at Castle street hospital, confirms Director

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Gold sovereign price falls to ...

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Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae ...

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New gazette amends tax payment ...

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arrives in Colombo

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arr ...

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Major General Ruwan Wanigasoor ...

Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica braces for world's strongest storm of 2025

Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica bra ...

No egg donation programme at Castle street hospital, confirms Director

No egg donation programme at C ...

Gold sovereign price falls to Rs. 298,000

Gold sovereign price falls to ...

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi sign agreement to ‘secure’ rar ...

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae ...

New gazette amends tax payment rules for alcoholic products

New gazette amends tax payment ...

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arrives in Colombo

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arr ...

Locally produced tiles to be offered at subsidised prices: Minister Ha ...

Locally produced tiles to be o ...

Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya retires as Chief of National Intelli ...

Major General Ruwan Wanigasoor ...

Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica braces for world's strongest storm of 2025

Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica bra ...

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No egg donation programme at Castle street hospital, confirms Director

No egg donation programme at C ...

Gold sovereign price falls to Rs. 298,000

Gold sovereign price falls to ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae Takaichi sign agreement to ‘secure’ rar ...

Donald Trump and Japan’s Sanae ...

New gazette amends tax payment rules for alcoholic products

New gazette amends tax payment ...

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arrives in Colombo

Malaysian Coast Guard Ship arr ...

Locally produced tiles to be offered at subsidised prices: Minister Ha ...

Locally produced tiles to be o ...