Australian police said on Thursday they charged five teenagers with terrorism-related offences in investigations following the stabbing of an Assyrian Christian bishop while he was giving a live-streamed sermon earlier this month. The five boys, who were due in children's court on Thursday, were arrested on Wednesday in the Sydney region. Police said they were associates of a 16-year-old boy previously charged in the knifing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, who was injured in the attack on April 15 at his church. The latest charges included possessing violent extremist material, conspiring to prepare for a terrorist act and carrying a knife in public, New South Wales police said. The bearded Emmanuel, bishop at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in the Sydney suburb of Wakefield, is a social media star with followers around the world and a fiery critic of homosexuality, COVID vaccinations, Islam and U.S. President Joe Biden's election. The Assyrian Church, which has its world headquarters in Iraq, is a Christian sect with its historical origins in parts of modern Turkey, Syria and Iran. The attack on Emmanuel came only days after a deadly mass stabbing in Bondi. Gun and knife crime is rare in Sydney, one of the world's safest big cities. Source : Reuters Disclaimer: No part of this article was changed except for the headline.

Australian police charge five teenagers over Sydney bishop’s stabbing

The Japanese Government, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Fisheries, has allocated a $3 million grant to bolster inland fisheries and rural livelihoods in Sri Lanka. &nbsp;The initiative includes establishing community-operated mini hatcheries and upgrading aquaculture development centres to increase breeding capacity and enhance fingerling stocks.&nbsp; Additionally, the project will provide live fish transportation trucks, integrate digital technology, and enhance technical capacities.&nbsp; The project aims to create lasting positive impacts on food security and resilience in rural communities.

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sri Lanka's inland fisheries

At least 118 inmates escaped from prison after heavy rains on Wednesday night damaged the facility in Suleja near the Nigerian capital, a prison service spokesperson said. Service agents were hunting the fugitives and had so far recaptured 10 of them, spokesperson Adama Duza said in a statement on Thursday. ‘We are in hot chase to recapture the rest,’ Duza said. The statement gave no details on the identities or affiliation of the escaped prisoners but in the past members of the Boko Haram insurgent group have been locked up in Suleja prison. Source: Reuters

More than 100 inmates escape from Nigeria prison after rain damages facility

TNA (Tamil National Alliance)&nbsp;leader and Trincomalee District Parliamentarian R. Sampanthan has been granted leave of three months from attending Parliament sessions. The proposal to provide three months' leave was passed in the Parliament today (25). Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella brought up the proposal in the Parliament while it was affirmed by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Charles Nirmalanathan. Veteran Tamil politician R. Sampanthan, who is aged 91 years, is reported to be suffering from an illness.

Parliament grants three-months leave for MP R. Sampanthan 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, is scheduled to depart for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend the World Economic Forum’s 'Special Meeting on Global Cooperation, Growth, and Energy for Development' from 28 to 29 April. 'The Special Meeting' aims to bring together leaders from various sectors and industries for a comprehensive dialogue on pressing global issues. During the visit, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry will participate as a panelist in two sessions: "Building the Urban Future" and "North to South, East to West: Rebuilding Trust." The FM will also hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from several countries, including the host country.

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Special Meeting' by World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has sent a letter of demand to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, seeking damages/compensation of Rs. 1 billion over defamation.

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Popular tutor and author Upul Shantha Sannasgala, who was arrested by the Kandana Police in connection with an alleged fraud, has been granted bail. He is accused of defrauding an individual of Rs. 1 million.

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

 Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal 

In a strategic move that could reshape its diplomatic landscape, Sri Lanka has announced its intention to seek membership in the BRICS group of nations.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.rt.com/russia/596501-sri-lanka-join-brics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Janitha Abeywickrema Liyanage, Sri Lanka's ambassador to Russia, confirmed such aspirations during a statement to reporters, as reported by Russian state media outlet RT.</a> "Sri Lanka is planning to join BRICS+," affirmed Ambassador Liyanage, expressing optimism that membership would bolster both transport and food security for the South Asian country. BRICS consortium is a coalition of non-Western economies that has steadily grown in influence since its inception. Initially comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, BRICS has recently welcomed four new members – Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, and the UAE – earlier this year. Opposition Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan also emphasised this sentiment during a high-level meeting between the Sri Lankan Opposition Leader and a visiting delegation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).https://x.com/ManoGanesan/status/1783161377110237217Ganesan conveyed to the Chinese delegation Sri Lanka's aspiration to align itself with BRICS, positioning itself alongside key regional players. He articulated hopes for Chinese support in facilitating Sri Lanka's entry into the influential economic bloc. It is worth noting that Colombia, Venezuela, Thailand, Cuba, Senegal, Nigeria, Bahrain, Belarus, and Pakistan are among the countries that have recently expressed intentions to join BRICS, signaling the group's increasing global appeal. The expansion of BRICS signifies a shift in the global balance of power, with non-Western economies increasingly asserting themselves on the world stage.&nbsp; For Sri Lanka, membership in BRICS could offer access to new economic opportunities, enhanced diplomatic ties, and greater security cooperation within the region.

Australian police charge five teenagers over Sydney bishop’s ...

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sri Lanka's inland fisheries

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sr ...

More than 100 inmates escape from Nigeria prison after rain damages fa ...

More than 100 inmates escape f ...

Parliament grants three-months leave for MP R. Sampanthan

Parliament grants three-months ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Special Meeting' by World Economic Forum in Ri ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Specia ...

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from ...

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...

Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal

Easter attacks: Gotabaya deni ...

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membersh ...

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sri Lanka's inland fisheries

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sr ...

More than 100 inmates escape from Nigeria prison after rain damages fa ...

More than 100 inmates escape f ...

Parliament grants three-months leave for MP R. Sampanthan

Parliament grants three-months ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Special Meeting' by World Economic Forum in Ri ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Specia ...

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from ...

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...

Easter attacks: Gotabaya denies allegations by Cardinal

Easter attacks: Gotabaya deni ...

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membership

Sri Lanka eyes BRICS+ membersh ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sri Lanka's inland fisheries

Japan grants $3 mn to boost Sr ...

More than 100 inmates escape from Nigeria prison after rain damages fa ...

More than 100 inmates escape f ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Parliament grants three-months leave for MP R. Sampanthan

Parliament grants three-months ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Special Meeting' by World Economic Forum in Ri ...

FM Ali Sabry to attend 'Specia ...

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from Amaraweera for defamation

Sirisena demands Rs. 1 bn from ...

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala granted bail

Renowned tutor Upul Shantha Sa ...