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Alarms sound in Bahrain, interior ministry says
Alarms sound in Bahrain, interior ministry says
The Bahrain interior ministry says alarms in the country have been activated.
Air New Zealand cuts 1,100 flights over fuel price fears
Air New Zealand cuts 1,100 flights over fuel price fears
New Zealand’s national airline said Thursday (Mar 12) it would cancel 1,100 flights over the next two months, pointing to the impact of the war in the Middle East. MORE..
Sri Lanka joins ‘Open Government Partnership Regional Roundtable’ in Bangkok
Sri Lanka joins ‘Open Government Partnership Regional Roundtable’ in Bangkok
Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and Member of Parliament Shanakiyan Rasamanickam participated in the Open Government Partnership Regional Learning Exchange Roundtable held in Bangkok, Thailand. MORE..
Advisory issued for severe lightning
Advisory issued for severe lightning
An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts. MORE..
Narcotics worth Rs. 10 bln and assault rifles seized from intercepted trawlers
Narcotics worth Rs. 10 bln and assault rifles seized from intercepted trawlers
The value of the stock of narcotics seized from the two intercepted trawlers in seas off the Southern coast is estimated to be Rs. 10 billion, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) confirmed. MORE..
Israel issues new evacuation warning in Lebanon after deadly strikes
Israel issues new evacuation warning in Lebanon after deadly strikes
Israel has issued an urgent warning for residents in Qasr Naba, in Lebanon’s Baalbek region, to evacuate the area. MORE..
Student killed, another injured in accident at international school in Kandy
Student killed, another injured in accident at international school in Kandy
A seven-year-old student has died after being run over by a vehicle belonging to a member of the board of directors of an international school in Mahaiyawa, Kandy, police stated. MORE..
PM Harini returns after concluding visit to Manila
PM Harini returns after concluding visit to Manila
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who was on an official visit to Manila, Philippines following the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has returned to Sri Lanka. MORE..
Two fishing trawlers with suspected drugs and weapons brought to Dikkowita Harbour
Two fishing trawlers with suspected drugs and weapons brought to Dikkowita Harbour
Two multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of transporting narcotics and weapons were brought to Dikkowita Harbour today (12) after being seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in international waters south of the country. MORE..
Iraq shuts down oil port operations after tanker attacks
Iraq shuts down oil port operations after tanker attacks
Iraq’s oil ports have completely stopped operations following Iranian attacks on two oil tankers in its waters. MORE..
Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April
Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April
The government has decided to launch a priority bus service for persons with disabilities starting next month. MORE..
Three crew members ‘believed trapped’ aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: Shipping firm
Three crew members ‘believed trapped’ aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: Shipping firm
Three crew members were “believed to be trapped” aboard a Thai bulk carrier that was hit by two projectiles on Wednesday (Mar 10) while travelling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the vessel’s owner said. MORE..
US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources
US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources
U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran’s leadership is still largely intact and is not at risk of collapse any time soon after nearly two weeks of relentless U.S. and Israeli bombardment, according to three sources familiar with the matter. MORE..
Proposal to appoint new Ambassadors to Israel and Iran approved
Proposal to appoint new Ambassadors to Israel and Iran approved
The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts has approved the proposal to appoint Prof. M.I. Fazeeha Azmi as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran. MORE..
Residents told to evacuate after ‘high risk explosive’ found in Christchurch, NZ
Residents told to evacuate after ‘high risk explosive’ found in Christchurch, NZ
Residents have been evacuated from a suburb near Christchurch Airport after a ‘‘high-risk explosive’’ was found. MORE..
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis reported so far this year
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis reported so far this year
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis have been reported so far this year, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. MORE..
| March 12, 2026 10:22 am
US to release 172 million barrels of oil to stabilise markets as Middle East conflict escalates
US to release 172 million barrels of oil to stabilise markets as Middle East conflict escalates
The United States Department of Energy announced its plan to offload 172 million barrels from the strategic petroleum reserve ‘‘beginning next week,’‘ following significant volatility in oil prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..
300 to 400 slums destroyed after massive fire breaks out in Indian capital
300 to 400 slums destroyed after massive fire breaks out in Indian capital
A fire broke out at a fish market late at night on Wednesday in Matiala village in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. It started around 11:50 pm when vendors were packing up their stalls. Flames quickly spread to several nearby slums, threatening the homes of many families. MORE..
Five Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters
Five Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters
The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested five fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters. MORE..
Pentagon tells Congress the Iran war cost at least US$ 11 billion in first six days
Pentagon tells Congress the Iran war cost at least US$ 11 billion in first six days
Sen Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that deals with defense appropriations, indicated on Wednesday that the war in Iran cost at least US$ 11 billion in the first six days, according to early estimates. MORE..
UNICEF says more than 1,100 children injured or killed since Iran war began
UNICEF says more than 1,100 children injured or killed since Iran war began
The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) says the “intensifying conflict” between the United States, Israel and Iran is creating a “catastrophic” situation for millions of children across the Middle East. MORE..
Abandoned pets become ‘hidden victims’ of Iran-US war
Abandoned pets become ‘hidden victims’ of Iran-US war
In a shocking result of the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, which has seen missiles falling down in the Gulf states, thousands of pets have been abandoned. MORE..
Oil tops $100 again despite historic release of reserves
Oil tops $100 again despite historic release of reserves
Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel again overnight, three days after it hit a four-year high, as the US and Israel’s war with Iran continues to have a historic impact on global fuel supplies. MORE..
Iran tells world to get ready for oil at $200 a barrel as it fires on merchant ships
Iran tells world to get ready for oil at $200 a barrel as it fires on merchant ships
Iran said the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel as its forces hit merchant ships on Wednesday and the International Energy Agency recommended a massive release of strategic reserves to dampen one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s. MORE..
US-Iran tensions could impact emerging market economies, Fitch Ratings warns
US-Iran tensions could impact emerging market economies, Fitch Ratings warns
Emerging market economies may experience increased economic and financial strain due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has cautioned. MORE..