At least three people have been killed in building collapses in one part of the capital Caracas, according to a municipal mayor.

Rakitha Rajapaksha, the son of former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged links with the underworld.

The United States has expressed solidarity with Venezuelans as it pledged to send rescue teams and humanitarian supplies to the South American country following two powerful earthquakes.

The postmortem examination has confirmed that the death of a physiotherapist attached to the Ampara Hospital, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Teldeniya, Kandy was a homicide caused by strangulation.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency after the country suffered back-to-back powerful earthquakes on Wednesday.

Aswesuma benefit payments will be provided only to poor and extremely poor families under the programme’s next phase, the Welfare Benefits Board (WBB) said.

High casualties and extensive damage are probable in Venezuela after back-to-back earthquakes rattled the capital and surrounding regions on Wednesday evening, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has stated.

Private bus operators have requested the National Transport Commission (NTC) to implement the annual bus fare revision from July 1, citing rising operating costs and industry concerns.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Japan on Thursday (Jun 25), the country's weather agency said, adding that there was no tsunami warning.

Rainy conditions are expected to temporarily increase over the southwestern parts of the island from tonight (25 June) and during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology stated.

Strong earthquakes struck west of Venezuela's capital on Wednesday afternoon, damaging buildings in Caracas and prompting scientists to warn of potentially heavy casualties and widespread destruction across the South American country.

Brent crude dropped below $74 a barrel on Wednesday for the first time since the start of the Iran war in late February, as investors continued to price out the geopolitical risk premium that had driven energy markets higher during the conflict.

The global risk "remains low" from a deadly Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organisation chief said Wednesday (Jun 24), after a case was confirmed in France.

Record heat across Europe has disrupted transport and forced schools and tourist sites to close, with temperatures rising as much as 18 degrees Celsius (32.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above seasonal norms, according to the Reuters Climate Monitor.

The Governor of the Northern Province, Nagalingam Vethanayahan has ordered the removal of the Mayor of Vavuniya Municipal Council and the Vice Chairman of Chavakachcheri Urban Council following the conclusion of official inquiries into alleged irregularities.

A consignment of essential school supplies was distributed to students of Angulugaha Maha Vidyalaya in Galle today (24) under the patronage of Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong.

Police investigations into the death of a physiotherapist whose body was discovered inside a vehicle in Teldeniya have revealed that the victim died as a result of strangulation, according to postmortem findings.

Officials have been instructed to ensure that the housing project under which 4,700 houses are being constructed for the Malayagam community with Indian assistance is completed before the end of this year.