Author: Orustar

In the whirlwind of Sri Lankan politics, last week’s visit by Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) to India carved a narrative that has both intrigued and polarised the political arena. This spectacle showcased the delicate art of political communication, underscoring the critical importance of reputation management and the nuanced dance of damage control in the face of adversity. For years, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), questioning authority and challenging the status quo, found itself in an unfamiliar position – defending rather than accusing. The controversial trip to India marked a turning point. Critics pounced, dissecting every word, every move, with relentless…

In another pro-tech initiative, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has announced the creation of an Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC). The Ruler of Abu Dhabi made this announcement through a press release on January 22, unveiling new legislation for the formation of the AIATC. As part of its jurisdictional duties, the AIATC arm would be focused on developing and implementing policies and strategies related to research, infrastructure, as well as investments in AI-related endeavors and advanced technology in Abu Dhabi. Besides creating frameworks for properly unlocking these new technologies, the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council…

The armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas militant group said on Monday it had released two female civilian captives in response to Egyptian-Qatari mediation efforts, and a source told Reuters they were elderly Israelis. Abu Ubaida, spokesman for armed wing, said on Telegram it had secured the release of the detainees “despite the enemy’s refusal to accept them since last Friday and their neglect of the issue of our prisoners.” “We decided to release them for humanitarian and poor health grounds … Despite that, the enemy refused to receive them last Friday,” the statement added. The armed wing released two…

Israel is not looking to wage war with Hezbollah militants on its northern border, but is focused instead on battling Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Tuesday during a meeting with French head of state Emmanuel Macron. “I want to make clear, we are not looking for a confrontation on our northern border or with anyone else … But if Hezbollah drags us into a war it should be clear that Lebanon will pay the price,” Herzog said. Israel said on Tuesday it had killed dozens of Hamas fighters overnight in strikes on Gaza and…

The Embassy of Japan, the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon and UNOPS got together to mark the successful completion of the “Urgent Health Sector Support in Lebanon” project at the Minieh Governmental Hospital. Amidst the acute electricity shortages in the country, the initiative, funded by the Government and the people of Japan, has strengthened the operational capacity of the Ministry of Public Health and helped curb the spread of COVID-19. The newly installed solar photovoltaic hybrid systems with the capacity to generate more than 266 KWp (kilo-watt peak) will cover 20-30% of the energy consumption of the targeted public…

“TotalEnergies in agreement with its partners Eni and QatarEnergy has signed a firm contract with Transocean to hire the drilling rig that will drill an exploration well on Block 9 offshore Lebanon, as soon as possible in 2023,” the group said. French firm TotalEnergies has signed a contract to begin drilling and exploring for gas this year in waters off crisis-hit Lebanon, the company said in a statement Tuesday.”TotalEnergies in agreement with its partners Eni and QatarEnergy has signed a firm contract with Transocean to hire the drilling rig that will drill an exploration well on Block 9 offshore Lebanon, as soon as possible in 2023,” the…

Lebanon’s foreign ministry said Thursday it was recalling its ambassador to France, Rami Adwan, after an investigation was opened into allegations of rape and intentional violence by the envoy.Adwan is being investigated in France following complaints by two former embassy employees. Recalling the diplomat to Lebanon, however, could put him beyond the grasp of the French authorities, as Lebanon does not extradite its nationals.“Following the circumstances surrounding the case of the Lebanese ambassador to France… it has been decided to recall ambassador Rami Adwan,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. The envoy has rejected the allegations.Lebanon this week sent…

Frankfurt (22/09 – 58.33) Since May 2022, the Tajikistani authorities have stepped up their ongoing crackdown on Pamiris, an ethnic, linguistic and religious minority originating from the Pamir mountains in Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast of Tajikistan. They have arbitrarily detained hundreds of Pamiris, including civil society activists and human rights defenders, and imprisoned over 200 of them after convictions in unfair trials, in a campaign aimed at stripping the local communities of their leadership and dismantling their civil society. The authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Pamiri civil society activists, journalists and human rights defenders who have been detained solely…

Lebanon has operated in two time zones as some businesses and institutions followed the order and others refused. Lebanon’s cabinet has reversed a decision by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to delay the start of daylight saving time after it triggered widespread anger and the country’s largest church refused to abide by it. Clocks will now move forward an hour on Wednesday night, rather than at the end of the holy month of Ramadan in April. “The new daylight saving time will start at midnight Wednesday,” Mikati said after a cabinet meeting. Lebanon had been scheduled to roll its clocks…

The health of Hannibal Gaddafi, a son of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been deteriorating since he started a hunger strike in a Lebanese jail to protest his years-long imprisonment without trial. Hannibal, 47, has “spasms in his muscles, hands and legs, dizziness and headaches, and prior medical problems in his spine and hips deteriorated because of the strike,” one of his lawyers told Al Jazeera by phone on Thursday, six days into his hunger strike, adding that a doctor has been checking his health every day. Muammar Gaddafi’s fifth and youngest son has been imprisoned at the headquarters of…