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Sri Lanka's Presidential Election Voting Begins
International Desk
21 Sep 2024, 10:06
Photo: Collected
Voting for Sri Lanka's presidential election started on Saturday, September 21. This election is expected to feature intense competition among the candidates.
Sri Lanka’s economy collapsed in 2022, leading to mass uprisings in the country. The then-president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, fled the country. Ranil Wickremesinghe later took over the presidency to serve the remainder of the term.
That term has now ended, prompting Sri Lankans to vote for a new president.
A total of 38 candidates are competing in this presidential election. Voting began at 7:00 AM local time and will continue until 4:00 PM. The results are expected to be announced on Sunday.
One of the key candidates is outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He has previously served as the country’s prime minister multiple times and secured financial assistance from the IMF during the economic crisis.
However, Wickremesinghe faces significant challenges from two main contenders. One is Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of the left-wing Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), who played a role in the 2022 uprising. The other is Sajith Premadasa, son of a former president and current leader of the main opposition party. Premadasa ran in the 2019 election but lost to Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Also running in the election is Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son of Mahinda Rajapaksa and nephew of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. However, the Rajapaksa family has lost much of its support due to the 2022 economic crisis.
According to election rules, a candidate must secure 50% of the votes to win the presidency. If no candidate achieves this, a second round will be held between the two highest vote-getters.
(Source: Al Jazeera)
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India: Blast at pharmaceutical factory kills 17
At least 17 people were killed in India after a blast occurred at a pharmaceutical plant in the country's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, police said Thursday.
The magnitude of the explosion was so high that the victims' bodies were severed and left scattered at the site.
Some other 40 people were injured in the blast with severe skin burns, officials said.
What do we know about the blast?
Local police official M. Buchaiah told the Indian Express newspaper that the workers caught in the blast suffered horrific chemical burns.
"It was horrible, heartbreaking," he told the paper, describing the pain people suffered as those who survived were carried to ambulances. "They were screaming before they lost consciousness."
Families of the workers rushed to the blast site to check on their loved ones as soon as the news of the incident spread.
The state government has ordered a probe into the case.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at a factory in Anakapalli. Condolences to those who lost their near and dear ones," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on messaging platform X, formerly Twitter. He added that financial sums would be disbursed to the victims and their families.
What may have caused the explosion?
The explosion occurred on Wednesday at the Escientia Company in Anakapalle District, which is about 350 kilometers (220 miles) northeast of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The pharmaceutical company employs about 380 workers. Many were luckily spared as they were on their lunch break when the explosion occurred, prompting the fire.
Officials suspect there was an explosion in the chemical reactor. CCTV footage was being checked and the victims were being questioned to determine whether human error caused the blast.
District police superintendent M. Deepika said that investigators believe the blast was caused by a "gas leak... which eventually hit an electrical panel."
India is a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing but fires in factories are quite common as owners often flout regulations and do not follow safety norms.
Taylor Swift says she felt 'fear' over canceled Vienna shows
US pop star Taylor Swift expressed the cancellation of her Vienna show over a suspected suicide attack filled her with "fear" and "guilt."
This is the first time Swift has commented since reports of the suspected attack emerged two weeks ago.
What did the singer say?
"Having our Vienna shows cancelled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many had planned on coming to those shows," the American singer said in a post on Instagram.
"All of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London," she added.
In her post, Swift also praised the efforts of the authorities who thwarted the planned attack.
"I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives. I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together," she said.
Swift also clarified why she had remained silent about the cancellation of her show and the suspected attack.
"Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows," Swift wrote.
What do we know about the now-foiled terror attack?
Swift's shows in Vienna were canceled after authorities warned of a planned terror plot by sympathizers of the Islamic State armed group.
Three suspects have been detained by Austrian police over the alleged attack. The US said that it shared intelligence to assist in the probe.
A 19-year-old Austrian man is the main suspect who had allegedly confessed that he "intended to carry out an attack using explosives and knives," according to Austrian domestic intelligence agency (DSN) head Omar Haijawi-Pirchner.
The Vienna shows were part of the European leg of Swift's "Eras" which is the highest-grossing concert tour in history.
The Eras Tour concluded on Tuesday with five shows at London's Wembley Stadium.
'Bangladesh floods not due to release of water from Tripura dam'
Allaying concerns that the current flood situation in Bangladesh was caused by the release of waters from Tripura's Dumbur dam, India said on Thursday that this was not correct.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the catchment areas of Gumti River have witnessed the heaviest rains of this year and the flood in Bangladesh was 'primarily due to waters from these large catchments'.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 'We have seen concerns being expressed in Bangladesh that the current situation of flood in districts on the eastern borders of Bangladesh has been caused by the opening of the Dumbur dam upstream of the Gumti River in Tripura. This is factually not correct.'
'We would like to point out that the catchment areas of Gumti River that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed the heaviest rains of this year over the last few days.
The flood in Bangladesh is primarily due to waters from these large catchments downstream of the dam.'
Ministry of External Affairs said again, 'The Dumbur dam is located quite far from the border - over 120 Km upstream of Bangladesh. It is a low height (about 30m) dam that generates power that feeds into a grid from which Bangladesh also draws 40MW power from Tripura.
Along the about 120 Km river course we have three water level observation sites at Amarpur, Sonamura and Sonamura 2.
Heavy rainfall has been continuing since 21 August in the whole of Tripura and adjoining districts of Bangladesh. In the event of heavy inflow, automatic releases have been observed.
Amarpur station is part of a bilateral protocol under which we are transmitting real-time flood data to Bangladesh.
Data showing a rising trend has been supplied to Bangladesh up to 1500 hrs on 21 August 2024. At 1800 hrs, due to flooding, there was power outage leading to problems in communication. Still, we have tried to maintain communication through other means created for urgent transmission of data.
Floods on the common rivers between India and Bangladesh are a shared problem inflicting suffering to people on both sides and requires close cooperation towards resolving them.'
Finally, MEA said, 'As two countries sharing 54 common cross-border rivers, river water cooperation is an important part of our bilateral engagement. We remain committed to resolving issues and mutual concerns in water resources and river water management through bilateral consultations and technical discussions.'
Source: MEA, India
Event Dedicated to Russian Federation's National Flag Day celebration
A festive event dedicated to State Flag Day of the Russian Federation was organized by the Russian House in Bangladesh in cooperation with the Alumni and Friends Association of People’s Friendship University of Russia, headed by the Chairman of the organization, engineer Alamgir Jalil in Ishwardi on August 22, 2024.
In his opening speech the director of the Russian House in Dhaka Mr. P. Dvoychenkov said that on August 22, 1991, the tricolor Russian flag was officially raised over the White House in Moscow for the first time, replacing the red banner with a hammer and sickle as the national symbol.
By the Presidential Decree No. 1335 of August 20, 1994, 22 August became a national holiday—State Flag Day of the Russian Federation. The tricolor represents freedom, independence, and the continuity of Russia's heritage through generations.
He also reminded the audience that following Bangladesh’s independence, friendly relations with the Soviet Union were established on January 25, 1972. The Soviet Cultural Center, now the Russian House in Bangladesh was founded in 1974 to strengthen these ties. Since then, Bangladesh and Russia have maintained deep bilateral relations.
After the introductory remarks by the organizers and local officials, the participants watched a documentary biographical film titled "Peter I: The Last Tsar and the First Emperor," directed by Andrei Kravchuk.
The event featured a drawing competition of the Russian state flag, a quiz on the history and geography of Russia, and a concert program with performances of Russian songs. The active participants in the competitions were awarded gifts and commemorative souvenirs. School students expressed interest in pursuing higher education in Russia and participating in similar large-scale joint events.
Over 1,000 students from 40 public schools in the region participated in the celebration. Each participant received a tricolor flag of Russia, symbolizing the festivity.
Ukraine updates: Biden announces new military aid for Kyiv
US President Joe Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a new military aid package ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on Saturday.
Biden speaks with Zelenskyy, announces new military aid for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, announcing a new military aid package ahead of Ukraine's Independence Day on Saturday.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who also spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov on Friday, said on social media the package was worth $125 million (€112 million).
In the call with Zelenskyy, Biden reaffirmed Washington's support, which the White House called "unwavering", for Ukraine in its war with Russia.
The aid package includes air-defense missiles, counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles and ammunition, the White House said in its statement.
According to the US State Department, Washington has provided more than $55 billion in military assistance to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ambassador Yao Wen Calls on Dr Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh
Yao Wen, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, welcomed the formation of the Interim Government, congratulated Professor Muhammad Yunus on his assumption as Chief Adviser, and stressed the support for the Interim Government to build a poverty-free and democratic, prosperous Bangladesh.
He made this call on Sunday (August 25), 2024.
Ambassador Yao said that China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, respecting the development path independently chosen by the Bangladesh people, and expects that Bangladesh would realize unity, stability, development and prosperity at an early date. No matter what changes have taken place in the domestic situation of Bangladesh, China’s commitment to develop China-Bangladesh relations remains unchanged.
Ambassador Yao said that China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbors and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners. The bilateral relationship sets up a model of mutual respect, cooperation for win-win results for developing countries. China firmly supports Bangladesh in safeguarding its national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, maintaining national unity and stability, and playing a more significant role in international and regional affairs.
Ambassador Yao stated that both China and Bangladesh are at a crucial stage of development and revitalization, with enormous potential for cooperation. China stands ready to share its experience in reform and development with Bangladesh, implement the agreements and consensus reached by the two sides, and push forward pragmatic cooperationin various sectors.
China is about to import fresh mangoes from Bangladesh, expedite the negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement, optimize the China-Bangladesh Investment Agreement, encourage local currency settlement in bilateral trade and support Chinese enterprises in investing in Bangladesh. China is committed to work with Bangladesh to organize and carry out activities for the 'China-Bangladesh Year of People-to-People Exchanges' in 2025.
China will also maintain visits and exchanges at all levels and in various sectors, elevating the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to a new height.
Ambassador Yao reiterated that China is determined to encourage and engage with the relevant parties in Myanmar for a cease fire, so as to create amicable conditions for the early repatriation of displaced people from Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Philippines accuses China of ramming supply vessel
The Philippines says Chinese vessels undertook "aggressive" maneuvers against a ship transporting supplies to fishermen. The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations near a disputed South China Sea shoal.
The Philippines on Sunday claimed that Chinese vessels blocked a Filipino ship that was transporting provisions to fishermen in the South China Sea, accusing them of ramming it and using water cannon.
China, in its turn, has accused the Philippines of illegally sending a vessel to the region.
The two nations have had repeated confrontations in the waters near the Sabina Shoal — called Xianbin Reef by China — in recent months.
What do the Philippines and China say about the incident?
Manila's South China Sea task force said in a statement that the Chinese vessels had made "aggressive and dangerous" maneuvers.
The vessel from the Philippines' Bureau of Fisheries (BFAR) "was targeted by the People's Liberation Army Navy ship and multiple China Coast Guard (CCG) ships, which attempted to encircle and block the humanitarian mission," the statement said.
"The CCG vessels made close perilous maneuvers that resulted in ramming, blasted horns, and deployed water cannon against the BFAR vessel, eventually leading to the latter's engine failure," according to the statement.
The CCG said it had taken "control measures" against the Philippine vessel, saying the ship had "illegally" entered the waters near the Sabina Shoal and had repeatedly approached its ships in a dangerous manner.
CCG spokesman Gan Yu said the Filipino vessel then "deliberately collided" with a CCG ship, CCTV quoted Gan as saying, adding that China had "promptly rescued the Philippine personnel who fell into the water."
"China warns the Philippines to immediately cease its infringing actions, otherwise the Philippines will bear all consequences resulting from this situation," Gan warned.
Maritime tensions
On Monday, both countries also reported a collision between their coast guard ships near the Sabina Shoal, where both sides have stationed coast guard vessels in recent months.
The Philippines fears China is about to build an artificial island at the shoal, as it has elsewhere in the waterway.
On Saturday, the Philippines accused China of firing flares at one of its aircraft earlier this month as it patrolled the South China Sea.
China claims almost the entire sea, ignoring an international tribunal ruling that its claims have no basis in law.
