翻译：

Olympics and Taylor Swift scams fuel fraud

Money lost to fraud fell last year, but purchase and romance scams are on the rise.

'It's a crisis' - NI junior doctors set for strike

Disruption is expected in Northern Ireland's health services as junior doctors begin walk out.

The 'doubtful Indians' left out of the election

In Assam state, a complicated citizenship process has left thousands without the right to vote.

Ukraine makes gains in its other war - fighting corruption

Experts say Ukraine is now making significant progress in its long struggle against corruption.

Wylfa chosen for new nuclear power station

The UK government names Wylfa, on Anglesey, as its preferred site for a new nuclear power station.

UK watchdog looking into Microsoft AI taking screenshots

The ICO wants to know the safeguards around Recall, which can take screengrabs of your screen every few seconds.

Guardiola & Beard win manager awards

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been named as the Premier League Manager of the Season, with Liverpool's Matt Beard winning the Women's Super League Manager of the Season.

Scheffler arrest to be reviewed by Louisville police

Louisville police will investigate if policies were correctly followed in the arrest of world number one Scottie Scheffler at the US PGA Championship.

My feet and hands were amputated after sepsis, MP says

Craig Mackinlay was given a 5% chance of survival after being rushed to hospital in September.

LA police open probe into Matthew Perry's death

The investigation will look into how the Friends actor got the ketamine found in his system when he died.

US signals support for possible ICC sanctions over Israel warrants

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken said he was "committed" to working with Congress to respond to the court.

Armies of young insurgents are changing the course of a forgotten war

The BBC's Quentin Sommerville spent a month with revolutionary forces at jungle bases and on front lines in Myanmar.

Man charged with spying for Hong Kong found dead

A former Royal Marine charged with assisting the Hong Kong intelligence service has been found dead.

How will players find out Scotland Euros squad fate?

Are players added to a WhatsApp group? Do they have to wait for the social media post? Or is there another way?

Pochettino leaves Chelsea after one season

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino leaves the club after one season at Stamford Bridge.

伊朗外长阿卜杜拉希扬23日将被安葬在德黑兰

　　中新网5月22日电据伊朗伊斯兰共和国通讯社报道，当地时间21日，伊朗外交部发布消息称，在直升机事故中遇难的伊朗外长阿卜杜拉希扬将于当地时间23日被安葬在伊朗首都德黑兰。

Lost in Translation: Scarlett Johansson v AI

Plus, first infected blood payouts announced

Three Britons knocked out of French Open qualifying

Heather Watson is one of three Britons to lose in the first round of French Open qualifying on Tuesday.

Young rappers spread joy with 'banger of the year'

A group of energetic pre-teen Irish rappers find viral fame after a song racks up nine million views.

Southgate explains his England squad

England manager talks to BBC sport editor Dan Roan about his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024.

What is flight turbulence and why does it happen?

Most turbulence occurs in cloud with up- and downdrafts of wind, says BBC Weather's Simon King.

Culture secretary demands answers on explicit art show

Angus Robertson says he is "deeply concerned" about documents obtained by BBC Scotland News.

What went wrong for online car retailer Cazoo as it enters administration?

As Cazoo enters administration, we look at the rise and fall of the online used car retailer.

Ruthless Southgate picks squad grounded on brutal reality

England manager right to axe Marcus Rashford and the old guard but defensive woes exposed in Euro 2024 squad

Timelapse captures Baltimore bridge wreckage removal

Footage recorded over weeks depicts the massive clearing effort and the moment cargo ship Dali was moved.

Infected blood victims could get £2m compensation

Government unveils package after final report of public inquiry into scandal published on Monday.

Mother's on-off boyfriend admits murder of toddler

Darryn John Armstrong initially pleaded not guilty to the murder of two-year-old Ali Jayden Doyle.

Water firms ask for bill rises of between 24% and 91%

Southern Water wants to increase its bills by £436 a year, but is not expected to get approval.

Harry loses bid to name Murdoch in hacking claim

But the Duke of Sussex was granted permission to alter his case to include further accusations against journalists and private investigators.

How fast are prices rising in the UK?

The rate at which prices are rising has fallen from record highs, but is still above the 2% target.

Eagles changed migration route to avoid Ukraine war

Scientists believe they avoided perils including artillery fire on their way to their traditional breeding ground.

British man, 73, who died during turbulence on flight named

Geoff Kitchen died of a suspected heart attack during the flight from London to Singapore, authorities say.

How dangerous are XL bullies and how does the ban work?

Rules restricting ownership of American XL bully dogs are in force in England, Wales and Scotland.

Elvis's granddaughter fights Graceland auction

Actress Riley Keough claims a company trying to sell the estate forged her mother's signature.

英国首相苏纳克就污染血丑闻公开致歉

　　中新社伦敦5月21日电 (记者欧阳开宇)当地时间5月20日，英国首相苏纳克在“血液污染丑闻”调查结果公布后，为本国历届政府的“失败”道歉，称这一天是英国的“国家耻辱日”，并承诺将不惜代价赔偿受害者。

人工智能首尔峰会在韩开幕

　　中新社首尔5月21日电 (记者刘旭)21日，“人工智能(AI)首尔峰会”在韩国首尔召开。

一叶连东西：中非人士国际茶日品清茗叙友谊

　　中新社北京5月21日电 (曾玥)5月21日是“国际茶日”，中国国家创新与发展战略研究会在北京奥林匹克塔举办“茶和天下对话非洲”国际茶日文化交流活动，中非人士相聚一堂品清茗、叙友谊。

俄外交部发言人就台湾地区领导人所谓“就职仪式”答记者问

　　中新社莫斯科5月21日电 5月20日，俄罗斯外交部发言人扎哈罗娃就台湾地区领导人所谓“就职仪式”答记者问，全文如下。

韩陆军部队训练时手榴弹爆炸致一死一伤

　　中新社首尔5月21日电 (记者刘旭)韩国陆军某部队21日训练时发生手榴弹爆炸事故，导致一人死亡，一人重伤。

Billie Eilish says she cried after first performance of tracks from new album

Hit Me Hard and Soft came out on Friday to rave reviews and the singer says it's her favourite work.

新航客机事故死者为73岁英国男子死因疑为心脏病

　　中新网5月21日电据新加坡《联合早报》报道，新加坡航空公司一架客机21日因遭遇严重湍流紧急降落在泰国机场，造成多人死伤。最新消息称，死者是一名英国男子，死因可能是心脏病。

和评理｜盯上海底光缆？美国鹰派的“恐华焦虑”又发作了

　　华盛顿的对华鹰派们又开始“耍花招”了，一心以挫伤中国为念，他们不断试图打压中国企业，扰乱正常经济活动，这回被他们“盯上”的，则是海底电信光缆。

新加坡总统发文：对新航客机事故逝者表示哀悼

　　中新网5月21日电据新加坡《联合早报》21日报道，新加坡总统尚达曼在社交媒体发文，对于新加坡航空公司SQ321航班在飞往新加坡途中发生事故，导致多人死伤，表示“非常难过”。

盘点：因空难去世的各国领导人有哪些？

　　中新网5月21日电据伊朗伊斯兰共和国广播电视台20日报道，伊朗总统莱希乘坐的直升机19日在西北部东阿塞拜疆省坠毁，莱希以及外长阿卜杜拉希扬等随行人员不幸遇难。

以色列袭击约旦河西岸城市杰宁致7死9伤

　　中新社北京5月21日电据巴勒斯坦官方通讯社“瓦法”报道，以色列当地时间21日对约旦河西岸城市杰宁发起袭击，致7名巴勒斯坦人死亡、9名巴勒斯坦人受伤。

西班牙宣布永久撤回驻阿根廷大使

　　当地时间21日，西班牙外交大臣阿尔瓦雷斯宣布永久撤回驻阿根廷大使。(央视新闻客户端总台记者马天静)

新航一客机因遭遇严重气流颠簸紧急降落机上死亡人数升至2人

　　据泰国媒体报道，新加坡航空公司一架客机21日因遭遇严重气流颠簸紧急降落在泰国的机场，死亡人数上升至2人。(央视新闻客户端)

外媒：一伦敦飞往新加坡的飞机遭遇“严重湍流”致1死多伤

　　中新网5月21电综合外媒21日报道，新航从伦敦希斯罗机场飞往新加坡的航班SQ321，途中遇上“严重湍流”，班机已紧急降落在泰国曼谷机场，多名乘客受伤，1人死亡。

新航一波音客机紧急迫降曼谷机场机上1死30伤

　　当地时间21日下午4时许，新加坡航空公司SQ321航班客机紧急迫降泰国曼谷素万那普机场，机上1人死亡、30人受伤。

与总统莱希一同遇难，谁是伊朗外长阿卜杜拉希扬？

　　中新网5月21日电综合报道，当地时间19日，伊朗总统莱希乘坐的直升机发生硬着陆事故，多位伊朗高官身亡。在这场事件中，除了总统莱希，另一位遇难的伊朗高层人物，是伊朗外交部长阿卜杜拉希扬。

巴西学者：赢不了牌就想改规则，美国你是不是玩不起？

　　导读

柬埔寨边陲小镇波贝：柬泰大通道多面活力城

　　中新社金边5月21日电题：柬埔寨边陲小镇波贝：柬泰大通道多面活力城

中国日报漫画：贸易保护主义只会让自己的市场更加孤立

上海市长龚正对深化同加州全方位务实合作提出四点期待

　　中新社洛杉矶5月20日电 (记者张朔)2024年中国－加州经贸论坛5月20日在美国加利福尼亚州洛杉矶市举行。上海市长龚正出席并发表主旨演讲，对深化同加州全方位务实合作提出四点期待。

国际关系学者：美对华加征关税是“后殖民主义”思维作祟 | 世界观

　　中新网5月21日电(林卓玮)近日，美方宣布将对电动汽车、锂电池、光伏电池等中国商品加征关税。其中，对电动汽车的关税将从此前的25%提高到100%。

总台专访丨巴基斯坦总统：巴中关系始终坚如磐石历久弥新

　　近日，巴基斯坦总统扎尔达里接受总台记者专访。这是扎尔达里当选巴基斯坦总统后，第一次接受中国媒体采访。

Jeremy Bowen: What ICC arrest warrants mean for Israel and Hamas

The Israeli and Hamas leaders are suspected of committing war crimes during the continuing war in Gaza.

外媒：叙利亚第一夫人确诊白血病曾与乳腺癌作斗争

　　中新网5月21日电综合法新社、美联社、路透社报道，叙利亚总统办公室当地时间21日表示，叙利亚总统巴沙尔·阿萨德的妻子阿斯玛被诊断患有白血病。

国际识局：送别总统莱希！伊朗政局将向何方？

　　中新网5月21日电(记者陈彩霞)当地时间21日，伊朗总统莱希的遗体告别仪式，在东阿塞拜疆省大不里士举行。之后，他的遗体还将被送往库姆、德黑兰、比尔詹德，最后送往马什哈德，葬礼将于5月23日举行。

“国家耻辱日”！英国首相苏纳克为这件事道歉

　　中新网5月21日电据英国《卫报》报道，当地时间20日，英国首相苏纳克就在英国发生的血液污染丑闻正式道歉。苏纳克称，这一天是英国的“国家耻辱日”，他承诺将不惜代价赔偿受害者。

第四届中日韩三国水资源部长会议在巴厘岛举行

　　中新网印度尼西亚巴厘岛5月21日电 (记者李志全)当地时间5月20日，在第十届世界水论坛期间，第四届中日韩三国水资源部长会议在印度尼西亚巴厘岛举行。

突发！韩国陆军部队发生手榴弹爆炸事故致1死1伤

　　中新网5月21日电据韩联社援引韩国军方消息，当地时间21日，位于世宗市的韩国陆军第32师在训练中发生手榴弹意外爆炸事故，造成1人死亡，1人重伤。

LPL auction: Matheesha Pathirana breaks record as most expensive player

By: Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya / Chathuranga Devapriya / Sheain Fernandopulle

18.05 PM - The auction concludes

18.02 PM - Nisala Tharaka sold to Jaffna Kings for $5,000 as the last player of the auction

18.00 PM - Galle Marvels too completes its player roster

18.00 PM - Bowler Yuri Koththigoda from Sri Lanka sold to Galle Marvels $5,000

17.56 PM - Theesan Vithushan goes to Jaffna Kings for $5,000

17.54 PM - Santhush Gunathilake sold to Dambulla Thunders for $6,000

17.54 PM - Colombo Strikers completes its player roster

17.51 PM - 18-year-old Afghan bowler Allah Ghazanfar sold to Colombo Strikers for $10,000

17.49 PM - Pakistani cricketer Haider Ali sold to Dambulla Thunders for $25,000

17.48 PM - Nishan Madushka goes to Jaffna Kings for $10,000

17.46 PM - Kasun Rajitha sold to B-Love Kandy for $26,000

17.45 PM - Jaffna Kings locks in Pathum Nissanka for $40,000

17.42 PM - Dambulla Thunders signs Sonal Dinusha for $6,000

17.41 PM - All-rounder from Sri Lanka Arul Pragasam sold to Jaffna Kings for $5,000

17.39 PM - Galle Marvels locks in Jeffrey Vandersay for $30,000

17.38 PM - Chamindu Wijesinghe sold to Galle Marvels for $5,000

17.37 PM - Murvin Abinash from Sri Lanka sold to Jaffna Kings for $5,000

17.36 PM - B-Love Kandy signs Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Ali for $10,000

17.35 PM - Afghan cricketer Mujeeb Ur Rahman sold to Galle Marvels for $50,000

17.33 PM - Vishwa Fernando goes unsold

17.33 PM - B-Love Kandy locks in Pakistani all-rounder Salman Ali Agha for $10,000

17.30 PM - Ayana Siriwadhana sold to Dambulla Thunders for $5,000

17.29 PM - Tharindu Ratnayake receives no bids

17.28 PM - Mithun Jayawickrama sold to Dambulla Thunders for $5,000

17.26 PM - Mohammed Nawfer too goes unsold

17.26 PM - Pakistani cricketer Usman Khan goes unsecured

17.25 PM - Kavindu Nadeeshan sold to Galle Marvels for $5,000

17.24 PM - Pakistani cricketer Aamir Jamal goes unsold

17.23 PM - B-Love Kandy drafts Azam Khan for $50,000

17.21 PM - 19-year-old Rusanda Gamage sold to Dambulla Thunders $5,000

17.18 PM - Lahiru Madushanka sold to Dambulla Thunders for $20,000

17.16 PM - Irish cricketer Curtis Campher goes unsold

17.14 PM - Dambulla Thunders locks in Asela Gunaratne for $10,000

17.13 PM - Sammu Ashan sold to B-Love Kandy for $5,000

17.11 PM - Movin Subasinghe goes unsold

17.11 PM - Galle Marvels signs Batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara for $5,000

17.09 PM - Wanuja Sahan sold to Jaffna Kings for $10,000

17.05 PM - B-Love Kandy locks in 21-year-old Kavindu Pathirana for $5,000

17.00 PM - It's the accelerated bidding round

16.54 PM - Auction resumes

16.16 PM - Auction currently on a break.

16.15 PM - Irish cricketer Paul Stirling goes unsold

16.10 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Pulina Tharanga goes unsold

16.09 PM - Dambulla Thunders bags Afghan cricketer Karim Janat for USD 80,000

16.06 PM - Afghan cricketer Gulbadin Naib unsold

16.05 PM - Zimbabwean cricketer Ryan Burl unsold

16.05 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Chaturanga de Silva bags B-Love Kandy for USD 30,000

16.04 PM - Galle Marvels secure Sri Lankan cricketer Dhananjaya Lakshan for USD 10,000

15.58 PM - Usman Shinwari unsold

15.55 PM - West Indies cricketer Oshane Thomas unsold

15.53 PM - Pakistan cricketer Shahnawaz Dahani unsold

15.52 PM - 19-year-old Chamath Gomez sold to B-Love Kandy for USD 5,000

15.49 PM - Afghan cricketer Hazratullah Zazai sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 50,000

15.48 PM - 22-year-old Ahan Wickramasinghe sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 5,000

15.47 PM - South African cricketer Reeza Hendricks goes unsold in the first round

15.46 PM - Australian cricketer Alex Ross sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 20,000

15.44 PM - Bangladeshi cricketer Tamim Iqbal unsold

15.43 PM - West Indies player Kennar Lewis unsold

15.43 PM - Muhammad Waseem from UAE goes to Colombo Strikers for USD 20,000

15.41 PM - Galle Marvels secure Sri Lankan cricketer Isuru Udana for USD 100,000

15.38 PM - Eshan Malinga sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 5,000

15.37 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Isitha Wijesundera sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 5,000

15.35 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Samarakoon sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 13,000

15.34 PM - No bids for Sri Lankan cricketer Milan Ratnayaka and South African cricketer Lizaad Williams

15.32 PM - B-Love kandy secure Pakistani cricketer Muhammad Hasnain for USD 30,000

15.31 PM - Sri Lankan cricketers Udith Madushan and Shiran Fernando unsold

15.30 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Mohomed Shiraz sold to Galle Marvels for US$ 10,000

15.25 PM - West Indies cricketers Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis unsold

15.24 PM - Pakistani cricketer Haris Sohail and Sri Lanka's Pulindu Perera unsold

15.24 PM - Mark Chapman unsold

15.23 PM - Pakistani cricketer Asif Ali unsold

15.23 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Kavin Bandara sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 5,000

15.22 PM - Zimbabwean cricketer Craig Ervine unsold

15.21 PM - Galle Marvles secure Sadisha Rajapaksa for USD 5,000

15.21PM - New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls unsold

15.21 PM - Sohan de Livera sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 5,000

15.21 PM - Kjorn Ottley and Colin Munro unsold

15.14 PM - Ranesh Silva sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 5,000

15.13 PM - Pakistani cricketer Azam Khan unsold

15.11 PM - Shehan Fernando sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 5,000

15.11 PM - Afghan cricketer Mohammad Shahzad unsold

15.10 PM - Pakistani cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed unsold

15.10 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Vishad Randika sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 5,000

15.09 PM - New Zealand cricketer Tom Latham, West Indies player Shai Hope and Australian cricketer Josh Philippe unsold

02.50 PM - Pakistan cricketer Yasir Shah unsold

02.49 PM - Ashley Nurse unsold

02.47 PM - New Zealand cricketer Ish Sodhi unsold

02.44 PM - South African cricketer Tabraiz Shamsi also unsold

02.45 PM - 19-year-old Malsha Tharupathi sold to Galle Marvles for USD 25,000

02.43 PM - Afghan cricketer Qais Ahmad unsold

02.40 PM - Australian cricketer Mitchell Swepson unsold.

02.39 PM - UAE player Zahoor Khan sold to Gale Marvels for USD 10,000

02.38 PM - New Zealand cricketer Tim Southee unsold

02.36 PM - Asitha Fernando has been retained by Jaffna Kings for USD 40,000.

02.35 PM - Matheesha Pathirana has been retained by Colombo Strikers for USD 120,000.

02.29 PM - 18-year-old Sri Lankan player Garuka Sanketh sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 20,000

02.27 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwan Pradeep sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 36,000.

02.23 PM - Colombo Strikers secure Sri Lankan cricketer Binura Fernando for USD 55,000.

02.21 PM - Australian cricketer Jason Behrendorff sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 50,000

02.09 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Nuwanidu Fernando sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 34,000.

02.07 PM - Pakistani cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 50,000

02.05 PM - Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne sold to B-Love Kandy for USD 10,000.

02.02 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 22,000.

01.59 PM - South African cricketer Janneman Malan, Towhid Hridoy from Bangladesh and Afghan cricketer Najibullah Zadran unsold.

01.56 PM - Colombo Strikers secures Sri Lankan cricketer Shevon Daniel for USD 15,000.

01.53 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Ramesh Mendis sold to B-Love-Kandy for USD 10,000.

01.52 PM - Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik unsold

01.44 PM - All-rounder Dasun Shanaka sold to B-Love Kandy for US$ 85,000

01.42PM - Mohammad Nabi from Afghanistan and West Indies Roston Chase unsold in the first round.

01.40 PM - Lahiru Madushanka unsold in the first round.

01.38PM - Sean Williams sold to Galle Marvels for US$ 20,000.

01.36 PM - Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 20,000

01.36 PM - Australian cricketer Ashton Agar unsold

01.33 PM - Prabath Jayasuriya sold to Galle Marvles for USD 10,000.

01.32 PM - Sri Lanka's Lasith Embuldeniya and West Indies Hayden Walsh Jr unsold

01.31 PM - Pramod Madushan sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 20,000

01.30 PM - Lahiru Kumala sold to Galle Marvels for USD 30,000

01.29 PM - Lungi Ngidi and Sheldon Cottrell also unsold in the first round

01.27 PM - Sri Lankan fast bowlers Vishwa Fernando and Kasun Rajitha unsold in the first round

01.24 PM - Bangladeshi cricketer Taskin Ahmed sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 50,000.

01.09 PM - Sri Lankan cricketer Kusal Janith Perera unslod.

01.08 PM - Sri Lanka's Sandun Weerakkody and Bangladesh Mushfiqur Rahim unsold in the first round.

01.05 PM - Sri Lanka's Lahiru Udara sold to Dambulla Thunders for USD 14,000

01.02 PM - Afghan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz sold to Colombo Striker for USD 50,000

01.01 PM - Johnson Charles from West Indies unsold

01.00 PM - Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das remains unsold.

12.57 PM - Colin de Grandhomme from New Zealand unsold

12.55 PM - Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 50,000.

12.53 PM - Namibian player David Wiese unsold in the first round

12.51 PM - Chamika Gunasekara sold to Colombo Strikers for USD 10,000

12.47 PM - Sri Lanka's Sahan Arachchige sold to Galle Marvels for USD 20,000.

12.40PM - West Indies cricketer Fabian Allen sold to Jaffna Kings for USD 32,000.

12.38 PM - South African cricketer Dwaine Pretorius sold to Galle Marvels for USD 30,000

12.37PM Janith Liyanage sold to Galle Marvels for US$ 36,000

12.35 PM - South African left-handed batter Rilee Rossouw sold to Jaffna Kings for his base price of USD 60,000.

12.34 PM - Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka) and Rassie Van Der Dussen (South Africa) both go unsold in the first round.

12.30 PM - B-Love Kandy secures Ashen Bandara for USD 28,000 while Dinesh Chandimal for US$ 40,000

A total of 424 cricketers are set to be auctioned in the 'Player Auction' for the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament, currently taking place in Colombo.

以总理：国际刑事法院检察官申请逮捕令不会阻止以色列行动

　　中新社北京5月21日电综合消息：据以色列总理办公室网站消息，以总理内塔尼亚胡当地时间20日发表声明，称国际刑事法院对以色列没有管辖权，其检察官卡里姆·汗的行为不会阻止以色列对巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动(哈马斯)发动“正义战争”。

英国博主的泉州之旅：从运动服装到石材艺术的惊喜发现

　　中国日报网5月21日电(记者于涵)5月17日，“中国有约·相约福建”2024年国际媒体采访团来到福建泉州英良石材自然历史博物馆进行参观。

菲律宾一季度农产品贸易额同比增长2.6%

　　中新网马尼拉5月21日电据菲律宾媒体20日报道，菲国家统计局数据显示，2024年一季度菲农产品贸易额为60.7亿美元，同比增长2.6%。

Sri Lanka launches probe into alleged ISIS links

- SL State Intelligence awaits further details from Indian intelligence

- SL goes on alert after India arrests four Sri Lankans suspected to be ISIS

- SL to verify if the four have any links to ISIS as mentioned

- Tiran Alles, IGP says closely monitoring the developments

Sri Lanka's State Intelligence has launched an immediate probe to obtain further information on the four Sri Lankan individuals alleged to be ISIS suspects who had travelled to India in recent days and were arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad upon arrival at Ahmedabad Airport, the Daily Mirror learns.

According to highly placed defence officials, Sri Lanka's state intelligence has asked for further information from India's state intelligence in order to verify the background of these alleged suspects, as well as to probe if they are actually linked to the ISIS network.

Defence officials said that once the information is obtained from India, Sri Lankan authorities will immediately investigate to take further action.

So far the information obtained is that these four alleged suspects had left Colombo a few days ago to travel to Chennai and from there had left for Ahmedabad.

According to Indian media reports, security at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad had been heightened following the arrest of the four ISIS suspects.

The Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) made the arrests when they were allegedly waiting at the airport for their handler. The handler was supposed to give them tasks, sources quoted in Indian media said.

The police have also recovered the encrypted chats from their phones. They were arrested before they could reach their target location.

When contacted, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon told the Daily Mirror that they were closely monitoring the developments.

Minister Alles and IGP Tennakoon said they were taking these reports seriously and would initiate discussions with Indian authorities to gather detailed information about the suspects and their activities.

"We are working in close coordination with our Indian counterparts to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to address any potential threat," Minister Alles said.

It was reported that the Gujarat ATS had taken the suspects to an undisclosed location for intensive questioning. The precise motive and intention behind their presence at Ahmedabad Airport are not clear.

What next for Iran after President Raisi's death?

Raisi's death will test a system where hardliners dominate all branches of power, Lyse Doucet writes.

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Iran helicopter crash: President Ebrahim Raisi dies

03.01PM - First official state funeral expected tomorrow

The dead bodies are being transferred to the city of Tabriz where the president’s helicopter was heading towards before crashing.

Once the bodies arrive in Tabriz, there will be an autopsy.

We are expecting the first official state funeral to take place in Tabriz tomorrow. After that, the bodies are expected to be transferred to the country’s capital, Tehran, where state dignitaries and people will pay their respects.

Then, we are expecting the bodies to be transferred to the city of Mashhad for two reasons: first, it was the hometown of President Ebrahim Raisi who was born and raised there and his political career started there; and secondly, the city of Mashhad is the most important religious centre in Iran.

We are expecting the burial ceremony to take place also in Mashhad.

02.24PM - Hezbollah mourns ‘great brother’ Raisi

The Lebanese armed group issued a statement offering its “deepest condolences” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian people.

“We have known His Eminence the martyr president closely for a long time, so he was a great brother to us, a strong support, and a steadfast defender of our causes and the causes of the nation, foremost among them being Jerusalem and Palestine, and a guardian of the resistance movements and their fighters in all the positions of responsibility he held,” the statement said.

02.19 PM - Ali Bagheri Kani appointed as Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister

The cabinet of Iran has appointed Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani as acting foreign minister following the death of Hossein Amirabdollahian.

He has served as deputy foreign minister since September 2021.

Kani was deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council between 2007 and 2013.

02.10PM - Iran declares five-day mourning for President Raisi

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.

01.30PM - Lebanon begins 3 days of national mourning

Lebanon on Monday announced three days of national mourning for the Iranian president and foreign minister, who were killed in a helicopter crash overnight near the Azerbaijan border.

Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah had also offered its condolences for the pair.

12.50 PM - What are world leaders saying?

International leaders have begun sharing their reactions to the news that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has died. Here's what they're saying:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has posted on X saying he is "deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise" of President Raisi and his nation "stands with Iran" during this "time of sorrow"
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Raisi's death is a "terrible loss" and his nation would observe a day of mourning
President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan says his country stands with Iran during this time, Reuters news agency reports
While President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has praised President Raisi as an unconditional friend and an extraordinary leader

12.40PM - Hamas shared feelings of sadness and pain

The statement conveyed Hamas' "deepest condolences and solidarity" to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian government, and the Iranian people for "this immense loss."

It praised the deceased Iranian leaders for supporting the Palestinian cause and resistance against Israel and expressed confidence that Iran's "deep-rooted institutions" will enable it to overcome "the repercussions of this great loss."

12.21 PM - Dead bodies of President Raisi, companions transported to Tabriz

The head of the Islamic Republic Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has announced that the dead bodies of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions are being transported to Tabriz, northwest Iran.

The large-scale search and rescue operation ended as the dead bodies were sent to a place in East Azarbaijan province where the martyrs of Tabriz are buried, Pir Hossein Kolivand said in televised remarks on Monday.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Iranian cabinet noted that the popular president of Iran, Ayatollah Raisi, has been martyred on the birth anniversary of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam. He was to return to Tehran from Tabriz, where he attended an opening ceremony on a joint Iran-Azerbaijan dam project.

The footage shows the transfer of the bodies of the martyrs by the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and army rangers pic.twitter.com/oJtEiEc0U6
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

12.18 PM - Iran’s supreme Leader pays tribute to Raisi

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has posted a tribute to President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash.

In a post on X, the supreme leader posted a photo of him and Raisi with a brief message referring to Imam Reza, the eighth imam of Shia Islam and a revered figure in Iran.

Raisi’s remains are now being transported to the city of Tabriz.

It is still unclear when and where Raisi will be buried.

12.05PM - What do we know about the crashed helicopter?

Bell Helicopter (now Bell Textron) developed the aircraft in the late 1960s as an upgrade of the original UH-1 Iroquois for the Canadian military.
The new design used two turboshaft engines instead of one, giving it greater carrying capacity.
According to US military training documents, the helicopter was introduced in 1971 and quickly adopted by both the United States and Canada.
The craft is designed to carry aerial firefighting gear and cargo and to mount weapons.
This particular helicopter had been reconfigured to carry 15 people, including a pilot.
Sanctions have made it difficult for Iran to obtain parts or new aircraft.
The most recent fatal crash of a Bell 212 was in September 2023, when a privately operated aircraft crashed off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Flight Safety Foundation, a non-profit focusing on aviation safety.

11.33 - Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will assume powers after Raisi’s death.

According to the Iranian Constitution, in case of the president’s death or incapacity, the first vice president will take over until an election is held within a maximum period of 50 days.

11.05 - Who are the other officials killed in the helicopter crash?

Several senior Iranian officials were also killed alongside Raisi in the helicopter crash in the Dizmar forest, located between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azerbaijan province.

The officials include:

Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian
East Azerbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati
Representative of the Iranian supreme leader in East Azerbaijan Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem
Head of presidential guard Mehdi Mousavi
The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot and crew

10.30 - Iran's government convenes urgent meeting

Iran's government convened an "urgent meeting" on Monday following the announcement that President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister were among those who died in a helicopter crash, according to Iranian state news agency IRNA.

The chair that Raisi usually sits in was vacant, and was draped with a black sash in memory of the president, according to a photo shared by state news.

The timing and details of a mourning procession will be announced in the future, state media FARS News Agency reported.

09.40 - Mehr News Agency says Raisi, Amirabdollahian killed in crash

The semi-official news agency reports that the Iranian president, foreign minister and other occupants of the helicopter, including East Azerbaijan Province Governor Malek Rahmati, have been “martyred”.

There is still no official confirmation that Raisi is dead, but medics have said that they found “no signs” of life at the crash site.

09.26 - Rescue teams pictured during search for president's helicopter

Rescuers with the Iranian Red Crescent Society are pictured at an unknown location as they search for the crash site of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

The aircraft was an American made Bell 212 helicopter and is believed to have crashed into a mountain in Iran as a result of bad weather as Mr Raisi returned from a meeting with the leader of Azerbaijan.

Rescue teams fought blizzards and difficult terrain through the night to reach the wreckage in East Azerbaijan province in the early hours of Monday.

09.16 - Iranian President Raisi and the officials accompanying him are feared dead after the Red Crescent says it has found “no signs of the helicopter’s occupants being alive” at the crash site.

08.17 - Iranian official says 'expectations low' for president to be alive as rescuers locate helicopter - report

Reuters news agency reports that an Iranian official has said "expectations are low" that the Iranian president will be found alive after his helicopter crashed.

Rescuers have located the aircraft that was carrying Ebrahim Raisi, an official has told Iranian state television.

The head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Pir Hossein Kolivand, said rescue teams were around 1.25 miles away from the crash site.

06.47 - Turkish drone locates heat source in Iranian mountains

A Turkish drone has located a heat source in the Iranian mountains they believe could be the location of the helicopter crash site.

News agency Anadolu reported that the coordinates of the source had been shared with the Iranian authorities.

04.03 - Iranian foreign ministry thanks 'governments and nations for solidarity'

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran has issued a statement: "On Sunday afternoon, a helicopter carrying the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several companions unfortunately had an accident in the Varzaghan region of East Azerbaijan province.

"Despite adverse weather and environmental conditions, efforts by rescue teams to reach the accident site continue earnestly and with hope.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran sincerely thanks the numerous governments, nations, and international organizations for their expressions of human emotion and solidarity with the government and people of Iran, as well as their offers of help and assistance for the search and rescue operation."

03.23 - Rescue crews have yet to find crash site of Iranian president's helicopter, official says

Rescue crews haven't yet located the crash site of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, Pir-Hossein Koulivand, told Iranian state TV IRINN.

Earlier, a military commander said the aircraft's exact location had been detected through a signal from the helicopter and a mobile phone of a crew member, according to state news agency IRNA.

The crews are still searching around where the signals were detected, Koulivand said.

Harsh weather conditions and heavy fog have made the search for the crash site very difficult. It is now just after 1 a.m. local time in the remote, mountainous province.

02.48- Russia is sending two planes

Russia is sending two planes, two helicopters and 50 rescuers to assist in operation over helicopter crash involving Iran's president

02.25 - People pray for Iranian president

In downtown Tehran, crowds of people have gathered to pray for the safe return of the Iranian president.

A ceremony has been held at Vali-e-Asr Square, and state media has been broadcasting prayers since this afternoon.

Images of hundreds of people, some with their hands outstretched, praying at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country, have also been shown.

01.41: In pictures: Latest scenes from the search site

Here are some of the latest photos from the helicopter search site in Varzaqan, East Azerbaijan Province...

1.15 - Hamas release statement after 'painful incident'

Hamas has released a statement following the Iranian president's helicopter crash.

The militant group, which is based in Gaza but backed by Iran, said it was following reports of the incident with "great concern".

Describing the incident as "painful", it said it was in "complete solidarity" Iran.

"We ask the God Almighty to protect the Iranian president and his accompanying delegation and to keep the brotherly Iranian people away from all harm and evil," it added.

01.00 - Iranian president and foreign minister are still missing

The Iranian president and foreign minister are still missing after their helicopter crashed during a flight back from Azerbaijan.

Ebrahim Raisi and Hossein Amirabdollahian were travelling in one of three helicopters that were travelling as part of a convoy.

The other two have reportedly made it to their destination safely.

Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them.

Its military air fleet largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Fog hampers rescue efforts for Iranian president after helicopter crash

00.19- Turkey sending search and rescue equipment to Iran

Turkey is sending search and rescue equipment to help find the Iranian president and foreign minister.

Its disaster agency said it received a request for assistance from Iran following Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash earlier today.

23.58 - Turkey says it will send night vision rescue helicopter to aid Iran in its search

Iran has requested assistance from Turkey in the search for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's crashed helicopter, the Turkish disaster and emergency management ministry said Sunday.

Iran requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter, the ministry said.

Turkey is also sending six vehicles and 32 mountaineer search and rescue personnel to Iran, according to the ministry.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on X that his government is "following the incident closely, in full contact and coordination with the Iranian authorities."

"On behalf of my nation, I convey my get well wishes to our neighbor, friend and brother Iranian people and government, and I hope to receive good news from Mr. President and his delegation as soon as possible," Erdoğan added.

23.50 - Turkish president 'deeply saddened' by helicopter crash

Turkey's president has said he is "deeply saddened" by the helicopter crash involving his "brother" Ebrahim Raisi.

Writing on X, Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was in full contact with the Iranian authorities and stood ready to provide any necessary support.

23:30 - It's nearly midnight in the frigid mountains where the Iranian president's helicopter crashed

It's now past 11:30 p.m. local time in the remote, mountainous region where the Iranian president's helicopter crashed this afternoon.

It has been approximately 10 hours since authorities lost contact with President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter in the country's East Azerbaijan Province, where dense fog hindered search efforts during the day. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency warned that extreme cold would only hinder the search further as night fell.

The overnight low temperature in the nearest city of Tabriz will be in the low 50s on Sunday. It's difficult to obtain precise weather data from the remote mountains where the crash took place, but temperatures there will dip closer to freezing, according to CNN meteorologists.

Iranian officials say they have located the exact crash site and are sending teams there. Earlier, authorities managed to make contact with two people who had been aboard the aircraft, according to a government spokesperson.

23.47 - Conflicting reports over Iranian president's helicopter being found

public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be.

In the last few moments, conflicting reports have emerged with some suggesting the Iranian helicopter's crashed helicopter has been found.

Reuters news agency quoted state media as saying Ebrahim Raisi's chopper was discovered by search and rescue teams.

It did not detail where it was found, or if any survivors have been located.

But moments later, Iran's Red Crescent denied the report.

23.45 Iranian president's helicopter found - state media

The Iranian president's helicopter has been found, state media has reported.

It said Ebrahim Raisi's chopper was discovered by search and rescue teams.

It has not detailed where it was found, or if any survivors have been located.

23.36 - 'There will be no disturbances' - Iran's supreme leader seeks to reassure public

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sought to reassure the public following the helicopter crash involving Ebrahim Raisi.

"We hope that God the almighty returns the dear president and his colleagues in full health to the arms of the nation," he told state TV.

23.22 - Contact made with passenger and crew member, says Iranian official

Contact has been made with a passenger and a crew member of the Iranian president's helicopter, an official has told state TV.

The unnamed official said contact has been made on several occasions.

23.15 - European Commission activates satellite mapping service to help search for Raisi

The European Commission has activated its satellite mapping service to help look for Iran's president.

Crisis management commissioner Janez Lenarcic said on X that the service was turning on its "rapid response mapping service in view of the helicopter accident."

23.02 Rescue teams experiencing 'difficult and complicated conditions'

Rescuers have not reached the crash site of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister, according to an Iranian government spokesperson.

22.38 - Pakistan's prime minister 'waiting with great anxiety' for update

Pakistan's prime minister says he is "waiting with great anxiety" for a positive update after Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash. "Our prayers and best wishes are with Hon President Raisi and the entire Iranian nation," he adds.

22.03 - President of Azerbaijan 'seriously worried' after news of helicopter crash

The president of Azerbaijan has said he was "seriously worried" after hearing about Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash.
Ilham Aliyev had met the Iranian president earlier today for the inauguration of a dam in Azerbaijan.

21.56 - Questions about 'foul play' will inevitably be asked, says expert

The cause of Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash is still unknown, and there are several possible reasons it may have been forced to make a hard landing.

21.56- Iraq offers help in search and rescue operation

Iraq has offered to help Iran in its search and rescue operation, its government has said.
Iraq's interior ministry, the Red Crescent and other relevant bodies have been instructed to offer their services, it added in a statement.

21.37- US 'closely watching' reports of helicopter crash

The US is "closely watching" reports of the helicopter crash involving Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, a US State Department spokesperson has said.

21.18 - All army resources utilised for search and rescue operations - state media

Iran's army chief of staff has ordered the utilisation of all its resources to help in the search and rescue operations related to Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crash, state media has reported.

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi's 'life is at risk' after he was involved in a helicopter crash near the border with Azerbaijan.

A frantic search mission is underway after the aircraft, which was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province near Jolfa, around 375 miles northwest of Tehran, suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, according to Iranian state television.

The helicopter was one of a convoy of three and foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Friday prayer Imam Seyyed Mohammad-Ali Al-Hashem and other high-ranking officials were also reportedly on the helicopter with the president.
The lives of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian are at risk following the crash over mountain terrain, an Iranian official told Reuters.

All army and Iranian guard resources are being utilized in the search efforts for the helicopter.

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Arrest of four persons over War Dead Commemoration: Sri Lankan authorities in Canada in dilemma

Colombo, May18 (DailyMirror) -The recent arrest of four Tamils in the Eastern Province over the commemoration of war dead has left Sri Lankan diplomatic authorities in Canada in a precarious position in countering allegations regarding human rights violations, a top source said.

Canada is home to around 240,000 Tamils of Sri Lankan origin, lobbying against the alleged human rights violations during wartime.

An informed source said the latest incident in the Eastern Province is raised in Canada by Tamil rights activists, and the Sri Lankan government authorities are in a fix even beingunable to issue a rebuttal.

Besides, Sri Lanka is alert whether Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will renew genocide allegations against Sri Lanka when the country marks victory day today. Sri Lanka ended the civil war on May 18, 2009.

However, Canada’s Parliament has voted to recognize May 18 as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day in 2022 though the Federal Government of Canada has confirmed that whathappened during the war in Sri Lanka does not amount to genocide, a concept with a deeper and broader legal meaning.

When the Canadian Prime Minister made allegations last year, the Sri Lankan government protested strongly. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry summoned Canadian High Commissioner Eric Walsh and stated that Mr. Trudeau’s “politically motivated statement was divisive and issued for domestic political consumption”.“sri Lanka vehemently rejects this unsubstantiated allegation of ‘genocide’ relating to the country’s almost three decades of terrorist conflictperpetuated by the LTTE,” the statement issued last year said.

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Sajith bars Daily Mirror over liquor controversy

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa has announced a ban on the Daily Mirror from covering any press briefings held by the SJB.

The decision comes in the wake of accusations made by Premadasa, who criticized the publication for what he deemed as a "mockery of journalism."

Accusing the Daily Mirror of deliberately misquoting a statement made by him on banning liqour licenses in the country, Premadasa expressed his frustration at the handling of his statements. However on many occasions Premadasa has taken out his frustration on the paper after the paper made critical coverage on him as an Opposition Leader.

One such example is when Premadasa said he would lead the Aragalaya to oust former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from his seat on July 9, 2022, but instead of leading the protest he got himself admitted at a private hospital in Colombo leaving the public to wonder where the Opposition Leader was.

Sajith Premadasa should be reminded that the Daily Mirror does not dance to the tune of any politician but instead serves the public in an accurate manner. Him banning Daily Mirror from press briefings is a loss to himself.

.@Dailymirror_SL is a mockery of journalism. Deliberately misquoted me and later changed the article, no correction issued. I said I will cancel liquor licenses issued as bribes not ban liquor stores if we come to power. What I will ban is @Dailymirror_SL from any press briefings https://t.co/KhyHqOlFiB
— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) May 16, 2024

Health experts raise red flags over soaring influenza cases

*Parents advised to keep a close watch on their children

*Seek prompt medical care if symptoms persist

Colombo, May 14 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of the rising influenza cases at an unusual rate, health experts are urging the public to beware of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Dr. Deepal Perera, a Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital in Colombo said, it’s vastly prevalent among children and thus the parents are advised to keep a close watch on their children.

“There are usually two peaks of influenza namely November to February and April to July,” he stated.

“This time, we have seen a substantial rise in cases among children and adults as well. The cases have doubled during the last week alone. As of now, the predominant type is influenza A. However, influenza B is also prevalent,” he pointed out.

In light of the situation, the expert stressed the importance of seeking prompt medical care if the symptoms persist.

Groups susceptible to influenza-like illnesses include pregnant mothers, children under two years old, individuals aged 60 and above, and those with chronic diseases.

The Secretary to the Health Ministry had earlier advised the national influenza centre to enhance Influenza-like Illness Surveillance at 20 hospitals including Colombo, Ragama, Kalubowila, Negombo Hospitals, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children and Infectious Disease Hospital.

Accordingly, samples are directed to the national influenza laboratory on a daily basis.

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Selectors deny favoritism in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad selection

Colombo, May 13 (Daily Mirror) - While denying any favoritism during the selection of players for the Sri Lanka squad in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee Chairman Upul Tharanga said the Sri Lanka team is in a good position to challenge any team at the World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA.

At a media briefing held to address various concerns regarding the Sri Lanka T20 squad for the World Cup, Tharanga said there was no favoritism in the selection process except for talent, fitness and discipline of players. He said the 15-member squad named for the World Cup is balanced and powerful.

Responding to injury concerns about skipper Wanindu Hasaranga and fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, Tharanga said both players are fit for the tournament.

When questioned about the inclusion of Dunith Wellalage in the squad, Tharanga highlighted his all-round performance and the potential advantage for the team in conditions like those in the US.

"Dunith is a left-arm spinner and we can utilise him even in the power play," he said.

Regarding the selection of Dananjaya de Silva in the 15-member squad and Bhanuka Rajapaksa as travelling reserves, Tharanga explained it was a decision made after extensive discussions with all selectors, coaches and the captian.

"Dhananjaya is a good all-rounder, so we chose to include him over Bhanuka," he clarified.

When asked about the utilisation of the three main all-rounders - Dhananjaya, Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka in the squad, Tharanga said that Mathews and Shanaka will be given priority in the playing 11 over Dhananjaya de Silva.

Responding to inquiries about Kusal Janith Perera's absence from the squad, the Chief Selector expressed regret, citing recent form despite his talent.

Despite Kusal and Bhanuka being not included in the squad, Tharanga emphasized the squad's strong batting lineup with players like Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka.

Regarding Matheesha Pathirana's injury, Tharanga said that medical reports indicate Pathirana can participate in the entire tournament.

Speaking about the addition of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth as travelling reserves, the selectors believed he can be useful in the playing conditions in the West Indies.

Selector Ajantha Mendis said Viyaskanth's strong performance compared to spinners Akila Dananjaya and Jafrey Vandersay was a reason for adding him as traveyling reserves.

When asked whether the selectors had overlooked discipline when selecting players for the squad, Tharanga denied the claims and said discipline was a crucial factor.

"We consider the players' discipline because they represent our country, and any misbehaviour not only affects the team but also our country's reputation," Tharanga affirmed.

The Sri Lanka team will leave tomorrow for the USA for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Concessionary vehicle permits: MPs have their way, ignoring economic crisis

Colombo, May 13 (Daily Mirror) - Despite the cost of living sizzling at red hot levels and the country being cash- strapped, the House Committee of Parliament has endorsed the proposal to offer concessionary vehicle permits for MPs as requested by them, a top source said.

The source familiar with the decision said the committee which looks into the requirements of the MPs positively considered the request by them for such permits in line with the similar facilities offered to executive graders in different categories of the public service.

The MPs , numbering more than 100 and representing different parties, submitted a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asking for permission to import vehicles with no duty for their use.

Following the approval by the House Committee, the Speaker is expected to write to President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is authorized to execute the decision as the Finance Minister.

After constitution of every Parliament, the MPs are given vehicle permits . However, the MPs elected to the current Parliament at the 2020 general election did not get the benefit due to the economic crisis and the ban on vehicle imports to save foreign exchange.

The government is now mulling the possibility of lifting the ban. The MPs are likely to get permits once the ban is lifted only.

In the past, there were reports about the MPs selling off their permits and earning multimillion rupee revenue each.

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On-arrival visa fiasco drains VFS Global’s confidence in Sri Lanka

VFS Global which has been caught in the center of controversy in the on arrival visa issuance at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has raised serious concerns with the Public Security Ministry led by Tiran Alles stating that while they were a reputed global company, they were shocked to be left victimized as the on arrival visa saga took a turn for the worse.

The Daily Mirror learns that the government had handed over the contract of the on arrival visa issuance to GBS - IVS, which is a Singaporean based company and VFS Global, which is a multi national American company, was handling the technical part of the process.

The Daily Mirror learns that last Wednesday night, there was a severe back log at the on arrival visa counter at the BIA as the internet failed raising the foreign staff to question if there was an act of sabotage to purposely disrupt the service.

A highly placed source said that the foreign companies involved had raised these concerns with the Public Security Ministry and the government will soon commence a probe. Before GBS - IVS took over the on arrival visa issuance at the BIA, the counter was handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

As GBS - IVS and VFS Global were delayed in getting the platform back up, the on arrival visa counter was handed back to the Department of Immigration and Emigration which then continued a smooth operation once again.

"Surprisingly when GBS - IVS and VFS Global were handed over the counter, the internet at the BIA failed and for several hours staff attempted to get the system back online. VFS and GBS has raised these concerns of sabotage with the Public Security Ministry," a senior source familiar with the incident said.

In December, the Public Security Ministry led by Tiran Alles signed the agreement with GBS - IVS and VFS Global to handle the on arrival visa counter at the BIA. VFS Global came in to only handle the technical part of the process. The government approved the foreign company to charge an additional 25 dollars for the service in addition to the 75 dollars which was already being charged bringing the total to 100 dollars to be charged per passport.

VFS Global which is already handling similar on arrival visas in 67 countries were approached by the government to which a contract was then signed. In each country they operate, VFS Global ensures data privacy, creates local employment, and also promotes the destinations among their audience of travelers.

According to the break down given by the Sri Lankan officials, the 25 dollars being charged included VFS Global paying the staff salaries, the rent as well as money allocated for data protection and to carry out a tourism promotion campaign for Sri Lanka Tourism in the countries VFS Global operates.

That was surprisingly not conveyed to the public by the Sri Lankan government.

Now that the companies have been caught in the midst of controversy, the Daily Mirror learns that VFS Global and GBS - IVS have informed Minister Tiran Alles of why they have been left victimized and why the government has maintained a silence and not doing much to clear the company's image.

Minister Tiran Alles himself was away in Singapore for a private visit these past few days and returned to the country today. He is expected to meet the press today afternoon to give his version of the story.

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando already played it safe last week when he met the media and said he was not to blame over the whole fiasco. He will raise the matter in Parliament this week.

The Daily Mirror learns that VFS Global has also very strongly conveyed to the government that their reputation was being damaged in the ongoing political cross fire and they were left disappointed. With its experience in 67 countries, the company is hoping the dust would settle soon, a senior source from the Sri Lankan side said.

Foreign companies who are invited into the country are often left disappointed due to the government's lack or ignorance of updating the Sri Lankan citizens and when controversy breaks out, foreign companies are often left carrying out its own damage control due to the inability of the government ministers to clean the image and clear the air.

Sri Lanka face unusual dilemma

By Harsha Amarasinghe

May 5 (Daily Mirror) - Moving into World Cup tournaments, Sri Lanka selectors have traditionally faced difficult challenges in relation to squad selection. From time to time, the selectors have made tough calls; some of which have paid off and some turned out to be shocking mistakes - such as leaving out a young Wanindu Hasaranga as a reserve player to include Jeffery Vandersay and Jeevan Mendis in the squad for the ODI World Cup in 2019.

Usually, the selectors have always had trouble picking the spinners or batsmen, as the country did not have a lot to select from in terms of fast bowlers. However, arguably for the first time in history, the national selectors will have a very hard choice to make when they name possibly three or four fast bowlers in the final 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.

In the preliminary squad, Sri Lanka have got Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Promod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando. Selectors will ideally go with four fast bowlers, considering that all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka are almost certain to be in the Playing XI.

Asitha Fernando is probably Sri Lanka's best fast bowler in Test cricket. He has got decent pace and swings the new ball to cause enough trouble for batsmen, but most importantly, he is Sri Lanka's Neil Wagner - when the going gets tough, the captains tend to switch on the chin music through Fernando. However, he is probably the least likely to be named in the World Cup squad based on his T20 performances.

On the other hand, Binura Fernando has been given a lot of opportunities in the recent past. The lanky medium pacer has had plenty of injuries throughout his career and is probably the slowest bowler in the preliminary squad. However, drop-in pitches are expected to be used in the USA for the World Cup, and his variations could come in handy in such conditions.

Promod Madushan, like Binura Fernando, has been representing Sri Lanka a lot in the shorter formats, but that's mainly down to the fact that the senior men were injured. He has done well with the new ball, but in T20s, bowling death overs is hugely instrumental to the team's success, and perhaps that's not his strong suit.

Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka made a name for himself when Sri Lanka lifted the Asia Cup a couple of years ago - very famously dismissing Virat Kohli with a brilliant in-swinger, but there has been a massive drop in his form in the last few months as he has been reduced to the bench. Should he find his rhythm back, he would be very hard to overlook.

Lahiru Kumara has been really inconsistent over the years, but in the recent past he has appeared to lose some pace in order to gain much-needed control over his bowling. But then again, is he one of Sri Lanka's top four fast bowlers going into the World Cup? This remains a big question mark.

Matheesha Pathirana - given his form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) - is likely to be one of the first to be named in the Playing XI should he remain fit. However, it is concerning that the former Trinity quick missed a few games for CSK through an injury he has been carrying for a few weeks now.

Nuwan Thushara is also considered another 'Baby Malinga' given his action similar to that of former great Lasith Malinga, but what Thushara and Pathirana offer is absolutely different. While Pathirana is a death-over monster - CSK barely gives him an opportunity with the new ball. On the other hand, Thushara, who is far less in terms of pace, bowls superbly with the new ball, and demolishing Bangladesh single-handedly a couple of months ago is a fine example of that, but he is probably not at the same level at the death. It's crazy to think that Sri Lanka had someone with both of these characteristics for nearly 15 years in Lasith Malinga - some things are not loved enough until they are gone.

Dushmantha Chameera has been Sri Lanka's spearhead in the post-Malinga era, but like Lahiru Kumara and Binura Fernando, he has been injured a lot. He is currently playing in the IPL on absolutely flat wickets, with not much success, but he should get more assistance from the wickets in the USA.

Japan to provide vessel with underwater sonar

The Japanese government has finalized a plan to provide Sri Lanka with a vessel equipped with underwater sonar for detecting the location of other vessels in order to improve the country’s oceanographic survey capabilities, according to Japanese Deputy Press Secretary Kaneko Mariko.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa informed Sri Lanka of the decision during a foreign ministerial bilateral discussion on Saturday.

The Japanese government will provide Sri Lanka with a vessel and sonar system worth about 01 billion Yen in total. Kamikawa was expected to emphasize Japan’s position on realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific and demonstrate support for Sri Lanka, which sits in a strategic position along sea lanes.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot deny my allegations: Cardinal

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cannot deny what he told me during the telephone conversation he had with me in 2021, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Cardinal was referring to the statement of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa where he denies telling the former that recormendations made by the Presidential Commission cannot be implemented as he will have to take action against people and associations which were close to him.

"Both I and my secretary can confirm and prove that the fomer President talked to me over the phone on Febuary 2 2021. Rajapaksa has said recently that the Presidential Commission which probed the Easter Sunday bomb attacks has only recormended banning Islamic extrmist organizations. However, the report has clearly recommended banning a non-Islamic organization as well. The former President cannot deny these facts," the Cardinal said in a statement.

He accused former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of transferring intelligence officers who were probing the Easter Sunday attacks. Also, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has accused the present government for failing to implement recormendations made by the Presidential Commission. The Cardinal questioned as to why action has not been taken against former President Maithripala Sirisena though the Commission has recormended action against him.

"The present government also continues to push everything which is connected to the Easter Sunday bomb attacks under the carpet," he added.

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