Sri Lanka down to last day of petrol, Prime Minister tells crisis-hit nation
Colombo, Sri LankaSri Lanka's new prime minister said on Monday the crisis-hit nation was down to its last day of petrol, as the country's power minister told citizens not to join the lengthy fuel queues that have galvanized weeks of anti-government protests.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, appointed prime minister on Thursday, said in an address to the nation the country urgently needed $75 million in foreign exchange to pay for essential imports.
"At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day. The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives," he said. read more
Colombo, Sri LankaSri Lanka's new prime minister said on Monday the crisis-hit nation was down to its last day of petrol, as the country's power minister told citizens not to join the lengthy fuel queues that have galvanized weeks of anti-government protests.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, appointed prime minister on Thursday, said in an address to the nation the country urgently needed $75 million in foreign exchange to pay for essential imports.
"At the moment, we only have petrol stocks for a single day. The next couple of months will be the most difficult ones of our lives," he said. read more
Indian court frees killer of ex-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
New Delhi (CNN)India's top court on Wednesday granted the release of a man convicted of killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 31 years after his imprisonment.
The Supreme Court invoked extraordinary powers to release A. G. Perarivalan, his attorney told CNN.
Perarivalan was arrested a few weeks after Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack on May 21, 1991, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. read more
New Delhi (CNN)India's top court on Wednesday granted the release of a man convicted of killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, 31 years after his imprisonment.
The Supreme Court invoked extraordinary powers to release A. G. Perarivalan, his attorney told CNN.
Perarivalan was arrested a few weeks after Gandhi was assassinated in a suicide bomb attack on May 21, 1991, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. read more
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces no further action over 'Partygate' scandal
London (CNN) — Campaigners have branded a decision to take no further action against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the "Partygate" scandal a "terrible insult."
Downing Street revealed on Thursday that Johnson has revealed no further fines over his alleged breaches of lockdown regulations after the Metroplitan Police announced that it had concluded its investigation.
Johnson is said to be "pleased" that the investigation is completed and that he did not receive a second fine, after a penalty was issued over his 56th birthday, PA Media reported. read more
London (CNN) — Campaigners have branded a decision to take no further action against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the "Partygate" scandal a "terrible insult."
Downing Street revealed on Thursday that Johnson has revealed no further fines over his alleged breaches of lockdown regulations after the Metroplitan Police announced that it had concluded its investigation.
Johnson is said to be "pleased" that the investigation is completed and that he did not receive a second fine, after a penalty was issued over his 56th birthday, PA Media reported. read more
Israeli lawmaker resigns over 'harassment' of Palestinians, plunging government into parliamentary minority
(CNN)Israel's fragile government lost its parliamentary majority on Thursday after an Arab-Israeli lawmaker resigned from the ruling coalition, accusing its leaders of fueling tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and condemning the violent intervention of police at the funeral of slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, a lawmaker of the left-wing Meretz party, said she opposed what she called the government's rightward shift and accused it of "disgracefully harassing the society I come from."
Her resignation means Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has the support of just 59 of the 120 members of the Knesset and now leads a minority government -- potentially pointing to yet another round of elections in the country after years of political instability. read more
(CNN)Israel's fragile government lost its parliamentary majority on Thursday after an Arab-Israeli lawmaker resigned from the ruling coalition, accusing its leaders of fueling tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and condemning the violent intervention of police at the funeral of slain journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, a lawmaker of the left-wing Meretz party, said she opposed what she called the government's rightward shift and accused it of "disgracefully harassing the society I come from."
Her resignation means Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has the support of just 59 of the 120 members of the Knesset and now leads a minority government -- potentially pointing to yet another round of elections in the country after years of political instability. read more
- Boris Johnson is clinging to power as efforts to end his premiership continue, with further resignations from his Conservative government.
- The UK Prime Minister has refused to go without a fight, sacking close ally and senior cabinet minister Michael Gove, who tried to make Johnson accept his time is up, according to sources.
- More than 50 ministers have resigned from the government since Tuesday, with many lawmakers furious about the botched handling of the resignation by Johnson's former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who was accused of groping two men last week.
- Johnson's leadership has been blighted by a series of scandals since he secured a landslide election victory in 2019.
read more
- The UK Prime Minister has refused to go without a fight, sacking close ally and senior cabinet minister Michael Gove, who tried to make Johnson accept his time is up, according to sources.
- More than 50 ministers have resigned from the government since Tuesday, with many lawmakers furious about the botched handling of the resignation by Johnson's former deputy chief whip, Chris Pincher, who was accused of groping two men last week.
- Johnson's leadership has been blighted by a series of scandals since he secured a landslide election victory in 2019.
read more
Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe hospitalized after possible shooting
Shinzo Abe collapsed during a speech in Nara City at around 11:30 a.m. local time, and appeared to be bleeding after a possible gunshot in his back, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
According to an official of the Liberal Democratic Party Abe faction, Abe was shot in the chest and carried away by an ambulance, NHK reported. Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and retrieved a gun. read more
Shinzo Abe collapsed during a speech in Nara City at around 11:30 a.m. local time, and appeared to be bleeding after a possible gunshot in his back, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.
According to an official of the Liberal Democratic Party Abe faction, Abe was shot in the chest and carried away by an ambulance, NHK reported. Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder and retrieved a gun. read more
Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shot dead
- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died age 67 after being shot during a speech on Friday in Nara, Japan, doctors who were treating him have confirmed.
- Abe died from excessive bleeding and the bullet that killed him was "deep enough to reach his heart," doctors at Nara Medical University said in a news conference. Two shots can be heard in video footage of the assassination.
- Police have arrested a man in his 40s in connection with the shooting and retrieved what appeared to be a homemade gun, public broadcaster NHK reported.
- Abe was the longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister in history. He stepped down as leader in 2020, citing health reasons.
- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died age 67 after being shot during a speech on Friday in Nara, Japan, doctors who were treating him have confirmed.
- Abe died from excessive bleeding and the bullet that killed him was "deep enough to reach his heart," doctors at Nara Medical University said in a news conference. Two shots can be heard in video footage of the assassination.
- Police have arrested a man in his 40s in connection with the shooting and retrieved what appeared to be a homemade gun, public broadcaster NHK reported.
- Abe was the longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister in history. He stepped down as leader in 2020, citing health reasons.
Sri Lanka Prime Minister says he's willing to resign as protesters storm President's residence
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday said he was willing to resign and make way for an all-party government to take over, shortly after protesters reportedly breached his official residence in Colombo during demonstrations over the country's worsening economic crisis.
"To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government," Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter.
"To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister." read more
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday said he was willing to resign and make way for an all-party government to take over, shortly after protesters reportedly breached his official residence in Colombo during demonstrations over the country's worsening economic crisis.
"To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government," Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter.
"To facilitate this I will resign as Prime Minister." read more
'It's getting scary.' How the war in Ukraine plunged this Middle East nation into crisis
Egyptian households of all income levels are seeing their spending power erode fast. The economic crisis raises prospects of unrest in a country where a regime was overthrown just a decade ago in an uprising calling for "bread, freedom and social justice."
Moody's credit rating agency warned in May about "social and political risks" as it downgraded Egypt's economic outlook for the year from stable to negative. And the government appears to share those concerns.
Egypt's official inflation rate stood at 14.7% in June, up from around 5% at the same time last year, but consumers say prices have skyrocketed beyond this figure since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February. read more
Egyptian households of all income levels are seeing their spending power erode fast. The economic crisis raises prospects of unrest in a country where a regime was overthrown just a decade ago in an uprising calling for "bread, freedom and social justice."
Moody's credit rating agency warned in May about "social and political risks" as it downgraded Egypt's economic outlook for the year from stable to negative. And the government appears to share those concerns.
Egypt's official inflation rate stood at 14.7% in June, up from around 5% at the same time last year, but consumers say prices have skyrocketed beyond this figure since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February. read more
At least 15 dead in a mass shooting at a bar in Soweto, South Africa
At least 15 people have died after a shooting at a bar in the South African township of Soweto on Sunday, according to the country's public broadcaster SABC.
Several people were also injured, local authorities said.
The incident unfolded shortly after midnight, when a group of men armed with rifles and 9-millimeter pistols entered the bar in the Nomzamo informal settlement near Johannesburg and started shooting "randomly" at the patrons, Gauteng Police said in a statement. read more
At least 15 people have died after a shooting at a bar in the South African township of Soweto on Sunday, according to the country's public broadcaster SABC.
Several people were also injured, local authorities said.
The incident unfolded shortly after midnight, when a group of men armed with rifles and 9-millimeter pistols entered the bar in the Nomzamo informal settlement near Johannesburg and started shooting "randomly" at the patrons, Gauteng Police said in a statement. read more
Pakistan's financial capital Karachi flooded by monsoon rains
Karachi, Pakistan - Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and damage in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi on Monday, even inundating the business district.
Most underpasses were flooded and there was nowhere to pump the flood waters out to, the chief minister for Sindh province, Murad Ali Shah said.
He said an unprecedented 126 millimeters (4.96 inches) of rain had fallen in three hours.
One death has been confirmed in the latest spell of monsoon rains, adding to the 29 reported since they began last month. read more
Karachi, Pakistan - Torrential rains caused widespread flooding and damage in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi on Monday, even inundating the business district.
Most underpasses were flooded and there was nowhere to pump the flood waters out to, the chief minister for Sindh province, Murad Ali Shah said.
He said an unprecedented 126 millimeters (4.96 inches) of rain had fallen in three hours.
One death has been confirmed in the latest spell of monsoon rains, adding to the 29 reported since they began last month. read more
Sri Lanka's beleaguered President blocked from leaving country by airport staff, senior military source says
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was blocked from departing Sri Lanka on Monday after refusing to join a public queue at the Bandaranaike International Airport in order to have his passport checked by immigration, a high-ranking military source told CNN.
Aides for Rajapaksa arrived at the airport in Colombo on Monday with 15 passports belonging to the president and members of his family -- including First Lady Ioma Rajapaksa -- who had booked seats on a Sri Lankan Airlines flight leaving for Dubai at 6:25 p.m. local time, according to the military source.
Immigration officers declined to process the passports given to them by presidential aides, as Rajapaksa and his family were not physically present for cross checks and, eventually, the flight departed without the president and his family on board, the source added.
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was blocked from departing Sri Lanka on Monday after refusing to join a public queue at the Bandaranaike International Airport in order to have his passport checked by immigration, a high-ranking military source told CNN.
Aides for Rajapaksa arrived at the airport in Colombo on Monday with 15 passports belonging to the president and members of his family -- including First Lady Ioma Rajapaksa -- who had booked seats on a Sri Lankan Airlines flight leaving for Dubai at 6:25 p.m. local time, according to the military source.
Immigration officers declined to process the passports given to them by presidential aides, as Rajapaksa and his family were not physically present for cross checks and, eventually, the flight departed without the president and his family on board, the source added.
Sri Lanka's President leaves the country after mass protests forced him to resign
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the country, according to a high ranking security official, shortly before he was due to formally step down.
Rajapaksa and his wife flew to Malé, in the Maldives, on an AN32 troop transport plane from the Sri Lanka Air Force, the official said.
Local air traffic control refused the plane's request to land until an intervention by the Speaker of Maldivian Parliament Majlis and former President, Mohamed Nasheed, according to the official. CNN has reached out to Nasheed for comment.
Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left the country, according to a high ranking security official, shortly before he was due to formally step down.
Rajapaksa and his wife flew to Malé, in the Maldives, on an AN32 troop transport plane from the Sri Lanka Air Force, the official said.
Local air traffic control refused the plane's request to land until an intervention by the Speaker of Maldivian Parliament Majlis and former President, Mohamed Nasheed, according to the official. CNN has reached out to Nasheed for comment.
Heat wave threatens power shortages and higher pork prices in China
A scorching heat wave in China has forced a major manufacturing region to appeal to businesses and households to use less power, while fear of crop failure is sending pork prices soaring.
Dozens of cities have been experiencing record-high temperatures at a time when the economy is still trying to recover from bruising Covid-related lockdowns. The heatwave also comes as consumer inflation hits a 23-month high, mainly driven by rising food prices.
As many as 84 cities across the country on Wednesday issued their highest-level red alert warnings — which means temperatures are expected to reach over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the coming 24 hours — according to the National Meteorological Administration. Shanghai reported 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday for the first time this year. read more
A scorching heat wave in China has forced a major manufacturing region to appeal to businesses and households to use less power, while fear of crop failure is sending pork prices soaring.
Dozens of cities have been experiencing record-high temperatures at a time when the economy is still trying to recover from bruising Covid-related lockdowns. The heatwave also comes as consumer inflation hits a 23-month high, mainly driven by rising food prices.
As many as 84 cities across the country on Wednesday issued their highest-level red alert warnings — which means temperatures are expected to reach over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the coming 24 hours — according to the National Meteorological Administration. Shanghai reported 40 degrees Celsius on Sunday for the first time this year. read more
US Navy destroyer performs freedom of navigation exercise in South China Sea
A US Navy destroyer sailed near a disputed South China Sea island chain on Wednesday, challenging the restrictions imposed by China and others on transit through the area.
Lt. Nicholas Lingo, a spokesperson for the US Navy's 7th Fleet headquartered in Japan, said it was the second so-called freedom of navigation operation in the Paracel Islands -- known as the Xisha Islands in China -- so far this year, and the third targeting Beijing's "excessive maritime claims" in regional waters during the same period. read more
A US Navy destroyer sailed near a disputed South China Sea island chain on Wednesday, challenging the restrictions imposed by China and others on transit through the area.
Lt. Nicholas Lingo, a spokesperson for the US Navy's 7th Fleet headquartered in Japan, said it was the second so-called freedom of navigation operation in the Paracel Islands -- known as the Xisha Islands in China -- so far this year, and the third targeting Beijing's "excessive maritime claims" in regional waters during the same period. read more
Fleeing Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa allowed to enter Singapore on 'private visit'
Sri Lanka's fleeing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been allowed to enter Singapore on a "private visit" but has not asked for or been granted asylum, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.
"In response to media queries, it is confirmed that Mr Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit. He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum. Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum," the Singapore Foreign Ministry statement read.
Rajapaksa fled Maldives on board a flight for Singapore, a high-ranking security source in Colombo told CNN earlier. read more
Sri Lanka's fleeing President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been allowed to enter Singapore on a "private visit" but has not asked for or been granted asylum, Singapore's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Thursday.
"In response to media queries, it is confirmed that Mr Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit. He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum. Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum," the Singapore Foreign Ministry statement read.
Rajapaksa fled Maldives on board a flight for Singapore, a high-ranking security source in Colombo told CNN earlier. read more
China's economy records slowest pace of growth since Covid in 2020
China's economy recorded its worst quarterly performance in over two years, after months of harsh Covid lockdowns wreaked havoc on the country.
The gross domestic product in the world's second largest economy expanded 0.4% in the three months to June 30, compared with the same period last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. That was sharply lower than the 4.8% increase it registered in the previous quarter and missed the 1% growth estimated by economists in a Reuters poll.
On a quarterly basis, GDP shrank 2.6% in the second quarter. read more
China's economy recorded its worst quarterly performance in over two years, after months of harsh Covid lockdowns wreaked havoc on the country.
The gross domestic product in the world's second largest economy expanded 0.4% in the three months to June 30, compared with the same period last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. That was sharply lower than the 4.8% increase it registered in the previous quarter and missed the 1% growth estimated by economists in a Reuters poll.
On a quarterly basis, GDP shrank 2.6% in the second quarter. read more
Sri Lanka's former President has stepped down -- but larger problems loom for the crisis-hit country
Sri Lanka (CNN)Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country earlier this week, has formally resigned, the parliamentary speaker confirmed Friday, capping off a chaotic 72-hours in the crisis-hit nation that saw protesters storm the capital.
The President's departure from office marks a major victory for the protesters, who for months have demanded the removal of both Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
But while Rajapaksa is now out of the picture, having landed in Singapore on Thursday, following an earlier escape to the Maldives via military jet, his close political ally Wickremesinghe remains firmly in place -- and was sworn in as Acting President Friday. read more
Sri Lanka (CNN)Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country earlier this week, has formally resigned, the parliamentary speaker confirmed Friday, capping off a chaotic 72-hours in the crisis-hit nation that saw protesters storm the capital.
The President's departure from office marks a major victory for the protesters, who for months have demanded the removal of both Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
But while Rajapaksa is now out of the picture, having landed in Singapore on Thursday, following an earlier escape to the Maldives via military jet, his close political ally Wickremesinghe remains firmly in place -- and was sworn in as Acting President Friday. read more
Mexico detains drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, wanted for killing of US agent
A notorious drug lord on the FBI's 10 most wanted list has been detained by the Mexican Navy, a Navy source told CNN on Friday.
Rafael Caro Quintero, known as the "narco of drug traffickers," is considered by Mexican authorities to be the founder of the Guadalajara cartel. They accuse him of trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana.
Caro Quintero, whose exact age is not known but is believed to be in his 60s, is wanted by US authorities for allegedly kidnapping and conspiring to murder Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in 1985. read more
A notorious drug lord on the FBI's 10 most wanted list has been detained by the Mexican Navy, a Navy source told CNN on Friday.
Rafael Caro Quintero, known as the "narco of drug traffickers," is considered by Mexican authorities to be the founder of the Guadalajara cartel. They accuse him of trafficking methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and marijuana.
Caro Quintero, whose exact age is not known but is believed to be in his 60s, is wanted by US authorities for allegedly kidnapping and conspiring to murder Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique Camarena Salazar in 1985. read more
Ukraine's harvest becomes the new battlefield, as fires blacken its arable heartlands
Across Ukraine, in the shimmering heat, one sight is becoming familiar this summer: Combine harvesters sweeping across fields of grain in a race against fast-spreading fires.
The conflict's front lines straddle some of Ukraine's richest farmland. Whether caused by accident or intention, the fires darkening the summer sky are eating into a harvest that was always going to be tough to collect and even tougher to export.
Pavlo Serhienko is in the crosshairs of this battle. The 24-year-old is the third generation of his family to run a farm in the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia. Since his father died from coronavirus, Serhienko is managing the 3,000-hectare farm on his own.
Across Ukraine, in the shimmering heat, one sight is becoming familiar this summer: Combine harvesters sweeping across fields of grain in a race against fast-spreading fires.
The conflict's front lines straddle some of Ukraine's richest farmland. Whether caused by accident or intention, the fires darkening the summer sky are eating into a harvest that was always going to be tough to collect and even tougher to export.
Pavlo Serhienko is in the crosshairs of this battle. The 24-year-old is the third generation of his family to run a farm in the Vasylivka district of Zaporizhzhia. Since his father died from coronavirus, Serhienko is managing the 3,000-hectare farm on his own.