COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka began voting in a snap election on Thursday which will determine if the island nation wants to empower its new, leftist President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to push his pro-poor policies as it recovers from a financial meltdown. A little over 17 million Sri Lankans are eligible to elect lawmakers to the 225-member parliament for a five-year term. A record 690 political parties and independent groups are in the fray across 22 electoral districts. Marxist-leaning Dissanayake, 55, was elected president in September but his National People's Power (NPP) coalition had just three of 225 seats in parliament, prompting him to dissolve the legislature almost a year before its term ended and seek a fresh mandate. Over 7,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections at the more than 13,400 polling stations set up across the country, police officers told Reuters. "The military is also on standby to assist the police but we do not expect any incidents," said Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa, adding that voting was proceeding smoothly. As polling opened in the early hours of the morning, people began trickling into temples, schools and other public buildings being used as polling stations. Among them was Umeshi Perera, 32, who lined up to cast her ballot at a school in Biyagama, a suburb about 15 km from the South Asian nation's largest city of Colombo. "I think we are seeing the first signs of a positive political change in Sri Lanka after the president was elected and we should give him the chance to continue that change," she said. Analysts say Dissanayake's coalition is expected to draw significant support, while a victory for a rival could lead to a policy logjam the country cannot afford. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya party of opposition leader Sajith Premadasa - who favors a mix of interventionist and free-market economic policies - is NPP's main challenger. The other key contender is the New Democratic Front, backed by previous President Ranil Wickremesinghe. "All arrangements are in place and we appeal to the public to work with us to ensure a free and fair election," Election Commission Chairman RML Rathnayake told reporters at a pre-election briefing on Tuesday. Votes will be counted soon after polling closes on Thursday and results are expected to be announced on Friday. A country of 22 million people just across the southern tip of India, Sri Lanka was crushed by a 2022 economic crisis triggered by a severe shortfall of foreign currency, causing the economy to shrink by 7.3% in 2022 and 2.3% last year. Boosted by a $2.9 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund, the economy has begun a tentative recovery, but the high cost of living is still a critical issue for many voters, especially the poor. Dissanayake wants to push anti-poverty policies including bigger welfare schemes and fight corruption as a political outsider in a country dominated by family parties for decades. He also aims to tweak targets set under the IMF program to reduce high income taxes and free up funds to invest in welfare for millions hit hardest by the crisis. The new government must deliver a budget to reach a crucial primary surplus target of 2.3% of GDP in 2025 set under the IMF program, deliver pro-poor policies, and put growth on a sustainable path. But investors worry Dissanayake's desire to revisit the terms of the IMF bailout could delay future disbursements, and make it harder for Sri Lanka to hit that primary surplus target. "In past elections, people did not have confidence in us but in September people gave us victory and proved that we are a winning party and we can form a government," Dissanayake said on Sunday as the campaign neared its conclusion. "The next task is to unite people from the four corners of this country and build a powerful people's movement," he said.

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has vowed his team will go all out for a win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. The Eagles need a win from the game to book a spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which will be hosted by Morocco. Eguavoen reckoned their opponent will be a […]

AFCON 2025Q: Super Eagles will play to win, familiar with Rohr – Eguavoen

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong says the team can expect a difficult duel against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic. The Super Eagles will be up against their neighbours in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday five encounter at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday (today). Benin Republic claimed a famous 2-1 […]

AFCON 2026Q: Benin Republic will be difficult, Super Eagles will conquer – Troost-Ekong

Cheetahs of Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr says his side must be well organised to beat the Super Eagles. Rohr’s side will host the Super Eagles at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Thursday (today). The Cheetahs defeated their neighbours 2-1 when they met at the ground in June. The Super Eagles missed […]

AFCON 2025Q: How Benin Republic can beat Super Eagles – Rohr

Benin Republic captain, Steve Mounie has sent a strong warning to the Super Eagles ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie, DAILY POST reports. The big forward will lead his teammates out against their fellow West Africans at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday night (today) hoping for a repeat […]

AFCON 2025Q: Mounie upbeat Benin Republic can beat Super Eagles again

Al-Nassr defender, Aymeric Laporte has commented on reported interest from Real Madrid for his signature. The former Manchester City star has recently been linked with a move to Real Madrid next year. Speaking on the development, Laporte said he can’t ignore the Spanish LaLiga champions. According to him, it is nice to be linked with […]

Transfer: You can’t ignore them – Laporte on Real Madrid links

Three-star hotels have shown resilience in Malta’s hotel industry, combining lower costs and their appeal to budget-conscious tourists, as a way to remain profitable

While researching piracy in Somalia, American journalist Michael Scott Moore never imagined he'd become the story.

Makovsky called Trump's Defense Secretary selection of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and Army combat veteran, a "curious appointment."

Dozens of demonstrators, some with Palestinian flags, chanted, "Amsterdam is saying no to genocide" and "Free Palestine."

"Israel has to meet these [humanitarian] responsibilities, and we will be tracking this every single day," Blinken said.

In the early 1990s, the unprecedented wave of aliyah followed the fall of the USSR. A million olim came to Israel and ensured that the country would keep growing.

The reports are heavily shrouded in secrecy, point fingers in different directions, and must be taken with a grain of salt.

Netanyahu was in Jerusalem rejoicing at the election of Donald Trump with unabashed enthusiasm, while American Jewish leaders considered him too divisive and unpopular.

Meanwhile, the losing Democrats have turned the rifles on each other, seeking blame, but ignoring the larger reasons and implications of their decisive defeat.

President Biden has spent the past few days promising to continue working to free all the hostages, who have been held by Hamas for over 400 days.

Some US officials doubt the feasibility of mass firings at a time of global turmoil.

Meteorite contains evidence of liquid water on Mars 742 million years ago  Science Daily

1. SENSEX rises over 100 points, NIFTY50 trades above 23,600; Eicher Motors climbs over 6%, Swiggy up 5%  Upstox
2. Stock Market LIVE Updates: Sensex, Nifty erase gains, trade flat; mid, samllcaps shine  Moneycontrol
3. Sensex Today | Stock Markets Live Update: Sensex, Nifty turn red after giving up opening gains, Eicher up 7%  CNBCTV18
4. Stock Market LIVE Updates: FMCG, Oil, financial stocks drag Sensex 200pts to 77,500; Nifty at 23,500  Business Standard
5. Eicher Motors leads Indian shares higher at the open  Mint

1. Republicans win 218 House of Representatives seats, completing party's sweep into power alongside Trump  Deccan Herald
2. U.S. Republicans complete power takeover with House majority  The Hindu
3. Republicans win control of House, cementing a GOP trifecta under Trump  Deccan Herald
4. After Senate Win, Republicans Retain House Majority; Trump Secures Clear Path To Enact His Policies  The Times of India

[Addis Standard] Addis Abeba -- As Somaliland reached a pivotal moment in its democratic journey, citizens are casting their votes today in an election anticipated not only for its outcome but for what it symbolizes. For a self-declared republic, albeit unrecognized internationally, Somaliland has managed to forge a unique and commendable path, consistently holding peaceful elections in a region often defined by turmoil. In today's election, Somalilanders showed their readiness to signal their desire for change, with Wadani, the

[Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said it has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of three businessmen in Mogadishu's Darusalam neighborhood last month.

[Shabelle] Mogadishu, Somalia -- Somalia's Deputy Minister of Information, Abdirahman Al Adale, has categorically denied allegations suggesting that the federal government had a hand in the suspension of numerous Facebook accounts belonging to notable politicians and journalists.

The baht is on course to slip below the key resistance level of 35 to the US dollar after depreciating sharply since government aide Kittiratt Na-Ranong was named the new Bank of Thailand board chairman, raising doubts over the central bank's autonomy, say analysts.

International arrivals helped drive the operating results of Thai carriers despite the third quarter coinciding with the low season, but smaller fleets still pressure the aviation industry, resulting in consistently high airfares.

The Limassol art scene is about to welcome a new exhibition. The Larnaca-born artist, Nikolas Antoniou, returns to Lumiere Gallery in Limassol for the second time to present his exhibition titled Vibrations of Being. The showcase will run from November 20 to December 7, inviting viewers into the artist’s vivid creative journey of expression. “Antoniou’s […]

U.S. Senate Republicans elected John Thune to lead the chamber next year, opting for a well-regarded insider and shrugging off a public pressure campaign by supporters of Donald Trump to pick a loyalist to the president-elect. The South Dakota senator’s victory is a sign the Senate could retain some degree of independence from Trump next […]

Local government reform had been undertaken without preparation, Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou said on Wednesday. The two and a half years which had been granted while elections were postponed had not been used to do what was needed, resulting in playing catch up, he said. The relevant ministries “have not shown the necessary fervour” towards […]

A total of 448kgs of meat smuggled from the Republic were found by local police in Famagusta on Wednesday, the town’s Turkish Cypriot municipality said. The meat, all of it beef, was found in a refrigerator at a butcher’s shop in the town. It was confiscated by the municipality, while legal action was taken against […]

Italian President Sergio Mattarella told Elon Musk on Wednesday not to interfere in Italian affairs after the US billionaire said Rome judges blocking a government anti-immigration initiative should be sent packing. The highly unusual statement from the Italian head of state came against a backdrop of growing tension between the ruling coalition and the judiciary […]

After a brief meeting with representatives of the state health services, Okypy, the perennially angry leader of Pasyki (government doctors union), Sotiris Koumas walked out because his members would not be paid the amount he was demanding for work done in 2023. Shortly after the meeting he appeared on a lunch-time news show on CyBC […]

The United States is pursuing an inquiry into Russian clients that UBS (UBSG.S) took on when it bought Credit Suisse, three people familiar with the matter said, heightening scrutiny of one of the world’s biggest wealth managers. The US sanctions enforcement agency, OFAC, has written to the bank as part of this inquiry, two people […]

Sales of personal luxury goods are set to fall 2 per cent this year, making it one of the weakest on record, with price hikes and economic uncertainty shrinking the industry’s customer base, according to consultancy Bain & Company. In its closely-watched report on the 363-billion-euro ($386 billion) market, Bain estimated a 20-22 per cent […]

Greece’s intelligence service on Wednesday declassified 58 intelligence reports connected to the Greek-led coup in Cyprus in 1974 and the subsequent Turkish invasion, giving an inside account of the historic events for the first time. The redacted documents shed light on the Greek perspective between July and August 1974 and have been released with the […]

Advanced Info Service (AIS) has strengthened its content portfolio by partnering with Max, a global streaming platform from Warner Bros Discovery, to offer exclusive streaming to home and mobile device users.

Thai-born superstar Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal returns to Thailand for a special meet-and-greet session with her devoted fans on Wednesday. The atmosphere was filled with emotion as her fans overwhelmed her with heartfelt surprises and came together to sing the traditional Loy Krathong song.

PATTAYA — A Korean live streamer has been arrested for allegedly injuring the owner of a massage parlour while attempting to block his live coverage of a client's massage.

Thailand's landmark move to legalise same-sex marriage is set to boost “rainbow tourism” by attracting four million more visitors annually, and generate about US$2 billion in revenue, according to travel platform Agoda.

Once again, scientists issued a red alert by analyzing ongoing world’s weather and its impact on the climate. The year 2024 is on track to be the warmest year on record, contributed by an extended streak of high monthly global mean temperatures. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s “State of the Climate 2024 Update” […]

Draped in the vibrant red of his Maasai shuka, 52-year-old Rumosiroi Ole Mpoke sits cross-legged on a worn cowhide mat outside his hut, his face etched with a sorrow deeper than the lines of age. His once-sharp eyes, now clouded by trachoma, can barely make out the shadows of the cattle he once tended with […]

[Capital FM] Nairobi -- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has taken helm of the Bureau of East Africa Community Speaker amidst challenges facing the region bloc which include underfunding and perennial conflict.

[New Times] Achieving rapid private sector growth in Rwanda is unlikely without far-reaching reforms to economic policies, a new report released on November 13, by the World Bank has shown.

[CPJ] Washington, D.C. -- Egyptian authorities sentenced in absentia journalist Yasser Abu Al-Ela to 20 years in prison on charges of joining a terrorist organization and spreading false news. Separately, press freedom advocate Rasha Azab accused the Interior Minister and the head of the National Security Agency of orchestrating recent threats against her and surveilling her movements, which culminated in the theft of her car on November 5.

[Egypt Online] Egypt's primary focus is achieving a ceasefire and halting Israeli aggression on Lebanon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdel Aatty said during his meeting with Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berry in Beirut on Wednesday 13/11/2024.

[Government of Mauritius] Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam has been sworn-in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, this afternoon, during a ceremony held at the State House, in Réduit. The newly appointed Prime Minister took the oath of Allegiance and oath of Office before the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun.

[VOA] Washington -- Polls have closed across Somaliland after presidential elections, and it appears Wednesday's voting across the breakaway region has gone smoothly.

[Capital FM] Baku, Azerbaijan -- President William Ruto says Africa's natural resources and biodiversity place it in a unique position to lead global climate solutions, highlighting the continent's role beyond participation.

[AI London] French-manufactured military technology incorporated into armoured personnel carriers made by the United Arab Emirates is being used on the battlefield in Sudan in what likely constitutes a violation of the UN arms embargo on Darfur, Amnesty International said in a new investigation.

[Mozambique News Reports And Clippings] Body count now 50

Conan Gray and Olivia Rodrigo became friends because of their shared love for Taylor SwiftLong-time besties Olivia Rodrigo and Conan Gray are celebrating their time off together as the two are done with their successful tours this year.The drivers license hitmaker took to Instagram and shared a...