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Global oil prices retreated slightly on Friday morning in Asia after a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel came into effect.

The conflict strained a two-week conditional ceasefire between the US and Iran, with Tehran saying Israel’s attacks on Lebanon were a breach of the agreement.

The price of the global benchmark Brent crude fell by nearly 1% to $98.50 (£72.86) a barrel, while US-traded oil was down by 1.2% at $93.60.

Major Asian markets edged lower on Friday morning after climbing during the week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index dipped by 0.8%, while the Kospi in South Korea was lower by 0.3%.

Source: BBC

Global superstar Justin Bieber is once again proving his cultural impact extends far beyond the stage. Following his highly anticipated headlining performance at Coachella 2026, Bieber saw an explosive surge in music consumption, with 24.6 million streams recorded in the United States the very next day-his biggest streaming day of the year and his strongest since July 18, 2025.

The milestone places Bieber back at the center of the global music conversation, reinforcing his unmatched ability to turn live moments into digital dominance. The spike comes amid renewed attention surrounding his album Swag, which continues to drive engagement across streaming platforms. Industry analysts suggest that major festival appearances like Coachella not only reignite interest in an artist’s catalog but also introduce their music to a new generation of listeners-something Bieber achieved at scale.

His set, packed with career-defining hits, became a cross-generational moment. Songs like “Baby,” “Beauty and a Beat,” “That Should Be Me,” “With You,” and “Never Say Never” weren’t just performed-they were re-lived. This time, however, they carried the weight of Bieber’s journey: the highs of global fame, the lows of public struggles, and the ongoing process of personal and spiritual growth.

But beyond the numbers and nostalgia, it was one moment in particular that elevated the performance into something deeper.

During his set, Bieber openly spoke about his faith in Jesus Christ, creating one of the most talked-about and widely shared moments of the entire festival. In a cultural space often defined by trends and spectacle, his bold acknowledgment of faith stood in contrast-capturing attention across social media and sparking widespread conversation about spirituality in mainstream entertainment.

For many viewers, this wasn’t just a celebrity statement-it was a moment of authenticity. Bieber’s willingness to speak openly about his beliefs added a layer of meaning to the performance, reframing it as more than entertainment. It became a reflection of transformation, purpose, and identity.

Fans quickly took to social platforms to share clips, reactions, and personal reflections, with many pointing to the moment as both unexpected and impactful. The combination of musical nostalgia and spiritual transparency created a rare convergence-one that resonated with audiences far beyond the festival grounds.

From his early days as a YouTube discovery to becoming one of the most influential artists of his generation, Bieber’s journey has unfolded in real time before the world. Coachella 2026 served as a powerful snapshot of that evolution-not just showcasing where he is now, but highlighting how far he has come.

More than just a performance, it was a moment of connection. For longtime fans, it brought back memories of growing up alongside his music. For newer listeners, it offered a glimpse into the depth behind the global icon. And for many, it sparked a renewed conversation about faith, identity, and the role of belief in today’s culture.

With streaming numbers soaring and conversations continuing to ripple across the internet, Bieber’s Coachella 2026 appearance stands as one of the defining moments of the year-proving that his influence is not only intact, but evolving in ways that continue to shape both music and culture.

Source: Jubilee Cast

In a major crackdown on maritime drug trafficking, the Sri Lanka Navy has seized 10 local multi-day fishing trawlers allegedly involved in smuggling narcotics during the first three months of this year.

The announcement was made today (17) by Navy Media Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath while addressing the media following the arrival of a trawler carrying narcotics at the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour.

According to the Navy, the seized vessels were found transporting a large quantity of dangerous drugs, including crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” along with heroin, hashish, and cocaine.

Authorities revealed that more than 1,800 kilograms of illicit narcotics have been taken into custody from the intercepted trawlers so far this year, marking one of the most significant maritime drug seizures in recent months.

Commander Sampath further stated that the estimated street value of the confiscated drugs exceeds Rs. 44 billion, highlighting the scale of the illegal operation and the severe threat it poses to the country.

The latest seizure underscores the Navy’s intensified efforts to combat organized drug trafficking networks operating through Sri Lankan waters.

A series of tragic drowning incidents has cast a shadow over several parts of the country, with multiple lives lost and others still missing following separate incidents reported yesterday (14).

In one heartbreaking incident, three brothers who entered the Mahaweli River within the Somawathiya Reserve in Serunuwara have drowned and remain missing. Police stated that the victims, aged 24, 34, and 35, were residents of Mahindapura.

The brothers had been bathing in the river along with their father and another sibling when the tragedy unfolded. Search operations are currently underway, with lifesaving teams from the Sri Lanka Navy and officers from the Serunuwara Police Station working tirelessly to locate the missing bodies.

Meanwhile, a separate incident in Habaraduwa has claimed two more lives. The victims, aged 21 and 26, were residents of Katunayake who had travelled to the coastal area on a leisure trip.

Police reported that the two individuals drowned while bathing at the Habaraduwa Beach. Although they were rescued by local residents and admitted to Kalugala Hospital, medical officials confirmed that both had succumbed to their condition upon admission.

Authorities have launched investigations into both incidents, as concerns grow over water safety in rivers and coastal areas.

A patient receiving treatment at Nagoda General Hospital was arrested yesterday (14) following allegations of sexual harassment involving a female doctor on duty.

The suspect, identified as a resident of Mahagama in Agalawatte, had been admitted to Ward No. 22 after being transferred from Pimbura Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Police stated that he was undergoing treatment for epilepsy along with complications linked to excessive alcohol consumption.

According to the complaint, the incident unfolded while the patient was being examined in the ward. The doctor had approached his bedside to check his blood pressure when he allegedly touched her chest inappropriately. She immediately reprimanded the patient and warned him against such conduct.

However, the situation reportedly escalated moments later. As the doctor attempted to operate a medical testing device, the patient is accused of harassing her a second time in a similar manner.

The doctor subsequently informed the Chief Medical Officer in charge of the ward and lodged a formal complaint at the police post within the hospital premises. Acting swiftly, officers from Kalutara South Police took the suspect into custody.

He remains under treatment at the hospital under strict police guard and is due to be produced before the Matugama Magistrate’s Court.

In a blend of tradition, spirituality, and state observance, Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked the Sinhala and Tamil New Year with religious rites at the revered Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic today (15).

The President participated in religious observances and received blessings, joining devotees gathered at the sacred premises in Kandy. The occasion was further highlighted by the State Oil-Anointing Ceremony, held at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya within the temple grounds under his patronage.

Organised in line with age-old New Year customs, the ceremony was conducted through the joint efforts of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and the Department of Ayurveda, guided by the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters of the Siam Nikaya of the Maha Vihara tradition.

At the auspicious time of 6:55 a.m., Venerable Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera, Anunayake Thera of the Malwathu Chapter, performed the ceremonial oil anointing on the President and those present. The atmosphere resonated with blessings as members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith, invoking well-being for both the Head of State and the public.

Beyond the formalities, President Dissanayake also interacted warmly with members of the public who had gathered for the ritual, exchanging New Year greetings and inquiring about their well-being.

The ceremony was attended by prominent members of the clergy, including Venerable Dr Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera, Venerable Wendaruwe Upali Thera, and Venerable Narampanawa Ananda Thera, alongside members of the Karaka Sangha Sabhas. Several government representatives were also present, including Nalinda Jayatissa, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Prasanna Gunasena, and S. B. S. Abeykoon.

In addition to the temple visit, the President paid a courtesy call at the Malwathu Maha Vihara, where he met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera. The discussion was followed by the chanting of Seth Pirith and blessings for the New Year.

The day’s events reflected a deep connection between governance and tradition, as the nation ushered in the New Year with rituals rooted in heritage and faith.

Artificial intelligence-driven chatbots are giving users problematic medical advice about half the time, according to a new study, highlighting the health risks of the technology that is becoming increasingly integral in day-to-day life.

Researchers from the US, Canada and the UK evaluated five popular platforms – ChatGPT, Gemini, Meta AI, Grok and DeepSeek – by asking each of them 10 questions across five health categories.

Out of the total responses, about 50 per cent were deemed problematic, including almost 20 per cent that were highly problematic, according to findings published this week in medical journal BMJ Open.

The chatbots performed relatively better on closed-ended prompts and questions related to vaccines and cancer, and worse on open-ended prompts and in areas like stem cells and nutrition, according to the study.

Answers were often delivered with confidence and certainty, though no chatbot produced a fully complete and accurate reference list in response to any prompt, the researchers said.

There were only two refusals to answer a question, both from Meta AI.

The results highlight the growing concern about how people are using generative AI platforms, which are not licensed to give medical advice and lack the clinical judgment to make diagnoses.

The explosive growth of AI chatbots has made them a popular tool for people seeking guidance on their ailments and OpenAI has said that more than 200 million people ask ChatGPT health and wellness questions every week.

The platform announced in January health tools for both everyday users and clinicians, and Anthropic said the same month its Claude product is launching a new health care offering.

A major risk to the deployment of chatbots without public education and oversight is that they could amplify misinformation, the BMJ Open study authors said. 

The findings “highlight important behavioural limitations and the need to reevaluate how AI chatbots are deployed in public-facing health and medical communication”, they wrote.

These systems can generate “authoritative-sounding but potentially flawed responses”, they wrote. 

Source: BLOOMBERG

Oil prices fell for a second day on Wednesday on expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran may resume and eventually release supply from the key Middle East producing region trapped by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures fell 52 cents, or 0.55 per cent, to $94.27 a barrel at 0054 GMT after falling 4.6 per cent in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down $1.04, or 1.1 per cent, to $90.24 after dropping 7.9 per cent the session before.

Talks to end the war between the U.S. and Israel and Iran could resume in Pakistan over the next two days, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, after the collapse of negotiations over the weekend prompted Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. This has increased optimism talks could eventually settle the conflict and open up crude oil and fuel flows.

The war has shut the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for crude and refined product flows out of the Gulf to global buyers, particularly in Asia and Europe. 

Despite a two-week ceasefire, transit through the strait remains uncertain, with traffic at only a fraction of the 130 or so vessels that moved through the waterway before the war, sources said on Tuesday.

A U.S. destroyer stopped two oil tankers from leaving Iran on Tuesday, a U.S. official said.  

“While diplomatic headlines suggest the possibility of renewed U.S.-Iran talks and even a temporary easing of transit restrictions, the physical reality remains fragmented,” the Schork Group said in a note.

“The result is a market that continues to price optionality around flow disruption rather than a return to equilibrium.”

The market stands to lose some access to further supply after two U.S. administration officials told Reuters on Tuesday the U.S. will not renew a 30-day waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil at sea that expires this week, and quietly let a similar waiver on sanctions on Russian oil expire over the weekend.

Later in the day, markets will be watching for official U.S. inventory data from the Energy Information Administration due at 10:30 a.m. ET (1430 GMT). 

U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have risen slightly last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories likely fell, a Reuters poll showed. 

Market sources familiar with American Petroleum Institute figures said on Tuesday U.S. crude oil inventories jumped for the third straight week. 

Source: Reuters

The Indonesian Navy’s sail training vessel KRI Bima Suci – 945 has arrived in Sri Lanka today (15).

The visit takes place under the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme, with the participation of Indonesian naval cadet officers along with cadets from 26 foreign countries.

The vessel was ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions at the Port of Colombo.

The sail ship KRI Bima Suci - 945 is commanded by Commander Sugeng Hariyanto.

During its stay in the country, Sri Lanka Navy trainees and naval personnel are scheduled to visit the vessel for observation purposes.

In addition, several programmes aimed at enhancing goodwill between the two navies will be held, while the visiting crew is also expected to tour a number of significant locations across the country.

US president Donald Trump has said talks between the leaders of Israel and Lebanon “will happen” on Thursday. 

In a post on Truth Social, the US president said he is “trying to get a little breathing room” between the two countries.

It comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly met with his security cabinet on Wednesday, and was expected to weigh up a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon - where the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah is based. 

Hezbollah had earlier said a ceasefire could happen “soon”, while a senior US official reportedly said the US has not demanded a ceasefire but it “would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon”.

Source: Sky News