A Russian drone has hit a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top European security officials had passed through.&nbsp;No casualties were reported after the strike at Yahodyn, which hit the train's engine. All the passengers had been evacuated, Ukrainian authorities said.&nbsp;Johnson and other European national security advisers, including the UK's Jonathan Powell, had passed along the same line on a different train on their way back from a conference in Kyiv.&nbsp;Russia said it had struck "railway infrastructure" in western Ukraine, but Ukraine's state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said that "quite possibly, the target of this drone could have been the diplomatic train".&nbsp;In a statement, it said the train "had left the station earlier than expected because of the timetable change... due to constant threats of Russian strikes".&nbsp;It also said an evacuation order for passengers on the hit train had been given "just 15 minutes" before the strike by a Russian jet-propelled drone.&nbsp;The railway authority also said former CIA chief David Petraeus had been on board another train at Yahodyn station at the time of the drone strike.&nbsp;Both Ukrainian and Polish authorities said the Russian drone had struck 2km from the Polish border.Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who had also attended the conference in Kyiv, told the BBC passengers on board his train had been told to prepare for evacuation before subsequently being allowed to continue their journey.&nbsp;"On the train I was on we received order to prepare evacuation after it had stopped. But after a number of minutes we were informed that it was clear and we could proceed," he said.&nbsp;That train then safely arrived at Poland's border station in Dorohusk.&nbsp;Some reports have suggested Bildt was on the same train as Johnson, but the former UK prime minister has not confirmed any details.&nbsp;Johnson wrote on X: "I don't know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning.&nbsp;He said this was "the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day - even on civilian railways" and urged Kyiv's allies to urgently provide Ukrainians "the air defences they need".&nbsp;Ukraine has made repeated pleas to its allies - particularly the US - to provide more interceptors to defend against daily Russian attacks that increasingly use fast-moving ballistic missiles and jet-propelled drones.&nbsp;Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the "barbaric strikes" at the Ukraine-Poland border in Yahodyn amounted to "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors of the EU and Nato" and renewed calls for more sanctions on Moscow.&nbsp;"Putin needs to understand that his barbarism will be met with decisive action that increases the cost of war for him to an unacceptable level. This is the only way to stop him," he said.&nbsp;In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk held an emergency meeting to discuss the latest developments.&nbsp;"The escalation of the actions from the Russian side is becoming a reality, and they are getting closer and closer to our border."&nbsp;Johnson and other top European security advisers were on their way back from the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv - an annual event that brings together leaders and experts from politics, business, security and mass media.&nbsp;Russia appears to be escalating its war against Ukraine by targeting trains, railway depots, petrol stations and border crossings.&nbsp;Earlier this week, two people were killed when Russian drones hit a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.&nbsp;Also this week, a female conductor died in a Russian drone attack on a passenger train in southern Ukraine. Six Ukrzaliznytsia employees were killed after a depot was struck n Kyiv at the start of the month.&nbsp;In January, Zelensky condemned as "terrorism" a Russian strike on a crowded passenger train in the north-eastern Kharkiv region that left five people dead.&nbsp;The Russian attacks have significantly damaged Ukraine's vast train network - the main mode of transportation for millions of Ukrainians as all air travel has been suspended since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.&nbsp;European countries are also blaming Russia for suspicious incidents on their territory.&nbsp;Last week, Germany said Russia was responsible for August's drone attack at Leipzig's airport - a claim denied by Moscow as "absurd".&nbsp;There have also been a number of suspicious fires at defence facilities from Italy to Estonia, with some of the affected countries blaming Russia.&nbsp;Source: BBC

Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson and top European officials leave station

Oil prices jumped more than 2% on Monday, after new Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf compounded supply concerns following the closure of a key Saudi oil pipeline.&nbsp;Brent crude futures rose $2.90, or 2.77%, to $107.51 per barrel as of ​2313 GMT. WTI futures rose $2.27, or 2.27%, to $102.32 per barrel. Prices had initially risen more than 3% at ​market open.&nbsp;Saudi Arabian state media on Sunday released video footage of damage to homes ⁠and a mosque from what it said was a Houthi attack on the country's southern Jazan province. The Houthis ​said they had also struck a Saudi military base in a neighbouring province.&nbsp;A vessel in the Strait of ​Hormuz was struck by a projectile, causing a fire and forcing the crew to be evacuated, the British maritime security agency UKMTO said on Sunday.&nbsp;Iran said one person was killed and four crew wounded aboard an Iranian commercial vessel struck off its ​coast.&nbsp;Oil prices had been expected to rise on Monday amid growing concerns about risks to supply from Saudi ​Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, whose East-West oil pipeline was shut on Friday by a drone strike that originated in ‌Iraq.&nbsp;The ⁠loss of the pipeline, which helped Saudi Arabia re-route its exports avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, threatens up to 4% of global oil supply.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis had reached the strategic island of Perim on Friday, moving to tighten their control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another key oil transit lane that has been shipping ​4-5% of global supply in ​recent months.&nbsp;Oil surged 8% ⁠higher on the week due to the disruptions, rising above $100 for the first time since July.&nbsp;"Looking ahead, unless this week's talks in Oman produce something operational — or ​the East-West pipeline is brought back online quickly — the risk is that crude oil ​continues to ⁠extend its gains toward the $119.48 high of early March," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said in a note on Sunday.&nbsp;Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on X later on Sunday, however, that a scheduled Monday meeting in ⁠Oman between ​Gulf countries and Iran to discuss the Strait of Hormuz had ​been postponed.&nbsp;No peace talks have been held in the war, launched six months ago by the United States and Israel, since an ​interim agreement in June collapsed after a few weeks.&nbsp;Source: Reuters

Oil prices jump more than 2% after new strikes on Saudi, Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday the ​United States could stay in Iran and "keep the ‌oil", drawing a parallel with a U.S. push to take control of a fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.&nbsp;On a trip to Ireland ​for meetings and to watch golf, he reiterated that ​he still expected the Iran war to end this year, ⁠possibly just after midterm elections due in the United ​States in November.&nbsp;Speaking at the Irish Open golf championship, Trump ​added that the price of gasoline would "drop like a rock" once the Iran war ended.&nbsp;Turmoil in the Middle East has roiled oil ​markets, with oil traders expecting prices to rise again ​on Monday after an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline.&nbsp;Trump said that ‌he ⁠would only make the "right deal" and wouldn't do one that was "no good", adding that Iran was "calling constantly" for peace talks — an assertion that Tehran has dismissed in the past.&nbsp;But ​the president ​also introduced ⁠another option: stay engaged with Iran. He drew a parallel with the U.S. deal in Venezuela, ​announced in August.&nbsp;"We'll ultimately get out (of Iran), ​unless ⁠we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela," Trump said, adding that the U.S. revenue from Venezuela has "paid ⁠for ​the war many times."&nbsp;Source: Reuters

Trump says US could stay in Iran and keep oil, like Venezuela deal

Middle East diplomacy appeared to falter heading into Monday with the postponement of a meeting between Iran and other Persian Gulf powers, ​while fresh attacks around the region's two most important oil transit routes deepened concern over global energy supplies.&nbsp;Oil prices jumped as markets reopened on Monday, following developments that threaten supplies from the world's ‌biggest exporter, Saudi Arabia, which kept a key 1,200-km (745-mile) east-west pipeline closed throughout the weekend after it was damaged in drone strikes on Friday.&nbsp;Hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the near term faded when Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, posted late Sunday that a regional meeting scheduled for Monday had been postponed "in the interests of consensus."&nbsp;Iranian officials had said they would attend that gathering with Gulf Arab states to present an agreement with Oman on governing shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Iran's Fars news agency cited an Iranian foreign ministry official ​as saying that the Oman meeting was postponed at the request of some regional countries in a decision jointly made by Tehran and Muscat.&nbsp;The official said Iran would coordinate with Oman to determine a ​suitable date for holding the meeting.&nbsp;The postponement came on the heels of Saudi Arabia's decision to shut down, at least for now, its pipeline that has served as the ⁠main route for Middle East oil bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the strait continued to pose risks for oil shipping, with the British maritime security agency UKMTO saying on Sunday that a vessel had been struck by a projectile as it ​moved through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and forcing the crew to be evacuated.&nbsp;Iran, for its part, said one person was killed and four crew wounded aboard an Iranian commercial vessel struck off its coast.&nbsp;U.S. DIESEL HITS ANOTHER ​RECORD&nbsp;Oil prices surged above $100 last week for the first time since July. The politically sensitive retail price of diesel fuel in the United States rose on Sunday to another all-time high above $6.20 a gallon.&nbsp;Traders and Saudi oil buyers told Reuters on Sunday that Riyadh has enough oil stored at its Red Sea port of Yanbu to maintain exports for just five to seven days if the pipeline struck on Friday remains shut.&nbsp;After that, as much as 4% of global oil supply could be jeopardised, on top of the millions of barrels a day ​already lost to the disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia has not given full details of the extent of damage to its pipeline or said how long it will remain offline. Sources who spoke to Reuters have ​given conflicting estimates for the time needed to fix it, ranging from days to weeks. Satellite images have shown huge columns of smoke from locations along the pipeline.&nbsp;The recent uptick in violence tied to the war that the United States and Israel launched ‌six months ago ⁠follows a quiet August in which flows of Middle East oil had trickled back up.&nbsp;In an interview with London-based pan-Arab news outlet Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said despite any agreement with Oman, Iran would not reopen the strait until the United States satisfies Tehran's demands.&nbsp;The U.S. has so far failed to achieve the objectives President Donald Trump set out when he launched "Operation Epic Fury" in February: to end Iran's nuclear programme, prevent it from being able to attack its neighbours and create conditions for its people to topple their rulers.&nbsp;On a weekend trip to Ireland that included attending the Irish Open golf tournament, Trump reiterated that he still expected the Iran war to end this year, possibly just after U.S. ​midterm elections in November, and then the price of ​gasoline would "drop like a rock".&nbsp;HOUTHI ATTACKS CONTINUE&nbsp;In Saudi Arabia, ⁠state media released video of damage to homes and a mosque from the latest purported cross-border attack by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Jazan province in the south. The Houthis claimed separately to have struck a Saudi military base in a neighbouring province following their capture of Perim Island in the Bab El-Mandeb, the "Gate of Tears" strait that controls the ​mouth of the Red Sea.&nbsp;The Houthi advance along the Red Sea coast is part of the biggest eruption of fighting in Yemen for years.&nbsp;Their advance and their attacks ​on Saudi Arabia pose a new dilemma ⁠for Washington, which wants to support its Saudi allies and protect shipping but is wary of joining war on another front. The Houthi attacks have also left Gulf states with a difficult choice: accept growing economic pain or engage with Iran.&nbsp;The United States bombed the Houthis for two months in 2025, but Trump halted that campaign after announcing the group had lifted a threat to attack Red Sea shipping.&nbsp;Three sources told Reuters that Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, phoned Trump on ⁠Thursday asking for ​military aid to fight the Houthis, but was offered only intelligence support for now.&nbsp;Trump acknowledged on Saturday that he had spoken to the ​crown prince, and said the Houthis had also phoned the U.S. administration, asking Washington to keep out of the Yemen war.&nbsp;Source: Reuters

Diplomacy stumbles with postponement of meeting on Strait of Hormuz proposal

Sri Lanka and Thailand have signed two labour agreements paving the way for the recruitment of an initial 10,000 Sri Lankan workers. The agreements were signed in Bangkok by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Thailand’s Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The agreements establish procedures covering employment contracts, legal protection, welfare, visas and work permits, as well as measures to prevent illegal recruitment and human trafficking. Thailand has confirmed that Sri Lankan workers recruited under the framework will receive equal rights and protection under Thai labour law, including legally mandated wages, benefits

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign labour agreements for 10,000 workers

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stressed the need to prepare a future generation capable of taking on leadership roles and contributing to positive change. Addressing students from Rahmaniya Maha Vidyalaya, Eravur, during their visit to the Presidential Secretariat and President’s House today (14), she highlighted the importance of developing confident and empowered young people. She stated that the Government’s new education reforms aim to provide students with global knowledge while preparing them to make a meaningful contribution to the country.

PM stresses urgent need to nurture future leaders

A special dengue control week is being conducted from today (14) to 19 September across 62 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas in seven provinces. The National Dengue Control Unit stated that daily dengue cases, which had remained between 1,200 and 1,300 for the past two months, have now fallen to around 100–200. Health officials have warned that expected rainfall could increase mosquito breeding through stagnant water and urged the public to help prevent another rise in dengue cases.

Special dengue control week begins in 62 MOH areas

New modules on social cohesion, law and ethics will be introduced for Grade 12 and 13 students under education reforms scheduled to begin in 2027. The reforms also propose introducing seven subjects, including History and Aesthetic Studies, for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination, while vocational education will be introduced for Grades 10 and 11. The proposals were discussed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Education Reforms chaired by Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. Activity books, teacher guides and modules for Grades 2 and 6 have already been prepared, with teacher training underway.

New social cohesion, law and ethics modules for Grades 12 and 13

The Department of Meteorology has forecast showers or thundershowers at times in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva provinces, as well as Batticaloa and Ampara districts tomorrow (15). Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is possible in some areas, while showers or thundershowers are expected in other parts of the island after 1.00 p.m. The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson and ...

Oil prices jump more than 2% after new strikes on Saudi, Strait of Hor ...

Oil prices jump more than 2% a ...

Trump says US could stay in Iran and keep oil, like Venezuela deal

Trump says US could stay in Ir ...

Diplomacy stumbles with postponement of meeting on Strait of Hormuz pr ...

Diplomacy stumbles with postpo ...

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign labour agreements for 10,000 workers

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign la ...

PM stresses urgent need to nurture future leaders

PM stresses urgent need to nur ...

Special dengue control week begins in 62 MOH areas

Special dengue control week be ...

New social cohesion, law and ethics modules for Grades 12 and 13

New social cohesion, law and e ...

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in several areas tomorrow

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm ex ...

Oil prices jump more than 2% after new strikes on Saudi, Strait of Hor ...

Oil prices jump more than 2% a ...

Trump says US could stay in Iran and keep oil, like Venezuela deal

Trump says US could stay in Ir ...

Diplomacy stumbles with postponement of meeting on Strait of Hormuz pr ...

Diplomacy stumbles with postpo ...

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign labour agreements for 10,000 workers

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign la ...

PM stresses urgent need to nurture future leaders

PM stresses urgent need to nur ...

Special dengue control week begins in 62 MOH areas

Special dengue control week be ...

New social cohesion, law and ethics modules for Grades 12 and 13

New social cohesion, law and e ...

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm expected in several areas tomorrow

Heavy rainfall above 100 mm ex ...

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Oil prices jump more than 2% after new strikes on Saudi, Strait of Hor ...

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Trump says US could stay in Iran and keep oil, like Venezuela deal

Trump says US could stay in Ir ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Diplomacy stumbles with postponement of meeting on Strait of Hormuz pr ...

Diplomacy stumbles with postpo ...

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign labour agreements for 10,000 workers

Sri Lanka and Thailand sign la ...

PM stresses urgent need to nurture future leaders

PM stresses urgent need to nur ...

Special dengue control week begins in 62 MOH areas

Special dengue control week be ...