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US President Donald Trump has said a "swift and lethal kinetic" US military strike has killed "the infamous leader" of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang.

Tren de Aragua has been labelled by the US as a terrorist organisation. 

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: "Tren de Aragua terrorists no longer have safe haven in Venezuela or anywhere else and, under my leadership, we will find these vicious murderers and drug lords anytime, anyplace, and send them to the depths of hell where they belong."

The gang's leader, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, was charged in a New York federal court in December with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes, including lending support to terrorists in crimes that stretched more than a decade.

US attorney Jay Clayton said at the time that the gang is responsible for countless acts of violence, extortion and drug trafficking in North America, South America and Europe.

The US State Department had offered rewards of up to $5m for information leading to Guerrero Flores' arrest.

Venezuelan authorities have not yet commented on the operation.

Source: Sky News

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced the arrival of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Canberra (LCS 30) at the Port of Colombo today (12), marking another engagement between the two countries in the maritime domain.

According to the Embassy, the visit represents the fourth U.S. Navy littoral combat ship to call at Colombo, following previous visits by the USS Tulsa, USS Charleston, and USS Santa Barbara.

Commanded by Cmdr. James McLaughlin, the USS Canberra is making a short stop in Colombo to replenish fuel and supplies before continuing operations.

Commissioned in July 2023, the vessel was designed to operate in near-shore environments and supports missions related to maritime security, sea control, forward presence, and deterrence.

The Embassy stated that the visit reflects the continued engagement between maritime partners working to promote security, cooperation, and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.

It further noted that the port call demonstrates the longstanding relationship between the United States and Sri Lankan navies and the close cooperation that continues to shape bilateral ties.

The Embassy added that the United States remains committed to Sri Lanka as an important partner in advancing peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The Ministry of Education has announced that schools will remain open until August 7, 2026, for students preparing to sit for the 2026 General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) Advanced Level Examination.

According to the 2026 academic calendar, the first phase of the third school term for Sinhala and Tamil medium schools will run from July 27 to August 7, providing students with nine school days for revision and final preparation before the examination begins.

Education authorities have encouraged all examination candidates to attend classes regularly and make full use of the remaining classroom sessions to strengthen their preparation.

The 2026 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination is scheduled to take place from August 10 to September 5, 2026.

Meanwhile, officials stated that arrangements for conducting the national examination have already been finalized, with thousands of students expected to sit for the examination across the country.

Sri Lanka is stepping up preparations to manage the expected effects of the El Niño phenomenon, with authorities warning that weather patterns, energy generation, and key economic sectors could face challenges in the coming months.

The Department of Meteorology announced that El Niño is expected to begin influencing the country’s weather from next month. Director of Forecasting Merril Mendis stated that the phenomenon is likely to affect the Southwest Monsoon, while El Niño conditions have already formed over the Pacific Ocean and are expected to continue at varying levels for around 11 months.

As part of preparedness efforts, a discussion focused on increasing awareness and identifying measures to respond to the possible weather-related impacts of El Niño is scheduled to take place today at the Department of Meteorology.

Representatives from 20 key sectors, including irrigation, the Mahaweli Authority, disaster management, agriculture, agrarian development, and water supply, are expected to participate in the meeting.

Meanwhile, concerns have also emerged over the possible effect of El Niño on the country’s energy supply.

Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament that the Ministry of Energy estimates the phenomenon could lead to a reduction of 127 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in electricity generation supplied to the national grid in the coming months.

The Minister stated that the Energy Ministry has already held discussions on alternative measures and evaluated steps needed to manage the expected impact on the sector.

He added that the government is prepared to respond to possible developments, noting that the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Plantation have separately reviewed measures related to the anticipated conditions.

The statement came in response to concerns raised by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka, who questioned whether sufficient programmes had been developed to address the effects of El Niño.

The MP argued that energy generation had already faced setbacks due to substandard coal and warned that reduced hydropower output linked to El Niño could worsen the situation.

He further cautioned that the phenomenon could affect both food production and energy generation, urging clarity on the government’s preparedness strategy.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology stated. 

Fairly heavy rainfalls of about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas, the Met. Department noted. 

Several spells of showers may occur in Mannar and Anuradhapura districts. 

Meanwhile, strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern and North-Central provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. 

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over other areas of the island, it added. 

The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

(Adaderana.lk)

The body of a six-year-old boy who had been reported missing from the Puloly South area in the Point Pedro Police Division was discovered in a well near his residence, police said.

Police launched an investigation after receiving a complaint last night (12) regarding the child’s disappearance.

During the course of the inquiry, officers located the child’s body inside a nearby well.

The deceased has been identified as a six-year-old resident of the area.

Point Pedro Police are continuing investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

President Donald Trump on Thursday said the United States and Iran could sign a peace deal as soon as this weekend that ​would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, but Iran countered that it had not reached a final decision on an agreement.

The deal, if confirmed, would be ‌the most significant diplomatic breakthrough yet to end the three-month-old war, which has killed thousands and sent global energy prices sharply higher.

Iranian media reported Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying that large parts of the text under negotiation have been finalized but Iran would not compromise on its red lines.

“We have not reached a final conclusion on this matter,” he said. “This is a very important issue that is currently being reviewed by the relevant decision-making bodies.”

Trump, ​meanwhile, told reporters at the White House: “We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran.”

“The strait will officially open as soon as we sign, which could be soon, ​very soon, maybe over the weekend in Europe,” Trump said, adding Vice President JD Vance could sign for the United States.

When asked if Iran’s ⁠Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei approved the deal, Trump said: “I understand the answer is yes.”

Trump’s announcement came after he called off planned military strikes on Iran, citing progress in talks. U.S. stocks rose ​and oil prices fell on the news.

Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly claimed that a deal with Iran to end the war was close. The two sides have traded strikes this week, straining a ​ceasefire announced in April.

“It’s a very strong memorandum of understanding that is a little conceptual,” Trump told reporters.

Trump has repeatedly said that any peace deal must ensure Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Iran denies it is seeking such a weapon.

Iran’s demands include the lifting of international sanctions, the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets and recognition of its control of the Strait of Hormuz.

“The big thing is there will be no nuclear weapons in ​Iran. That means not developed and not purchased,” Trump later said during a campaign event held by telephone.

TIT-FOR-TAT STRIKES

The war has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and ​hit the world economy by pushing up energy prices since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28.

In recent days, the conflict has intensified despite a tenuous ceasefire that took effect in early ‌April.

After ⁠a U.S. Apache helicopter was downed, Trump this week ordered new strikes around the Strait of Hormuz over two days.

At the same time, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in the region.

Bahrain’s interior ministry said on Thursday an 11-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and homes were damaged after debris fell from Iranian drones that were intercepted and destroyed.

Trump had said earlier Thursday that the United States would hit Iran “very hard tonight” and wanted eventually to take Iran’s oil infrastructure hub Kharg Island.

The island handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports and seizing it would give the United ​States the ability to severely disrupt Iran’s energy ​trade, placing enormous pressure on Tehran’s economy.

Iranian ⁠state media said early on Friday that the country’s forces prevented a tanker from transiting the Strait of Hormuz without coordination. One-fifth of the world’s energy shipments normally travel through the narrow waterway, but it has been largely shut since the war began.

DOMESTIC PRESSURES

The conflict has become a political headache ​for the White House, with polls showing Trump’s approval ratings sinking amid voter anger over high gasoline prices.

Some Republicans have openly worried that ​the war’s unpopularity could cost ⁠them control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.

But Trump’s political considerations also include satisfying Iran hawks within his Republican Party, who scuttled a prior effort, that any agreement closes Tehran’s path to developing a nuclear weapon.

The reaction of other Middle East powers will also be crucial.

Trump said on social media that the agreement had been approved by countries including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ⁠office said in ​a statement after the Israeli leader and Trump spoke that Israel was not a party to the memorandum of ​understanding with Iran.

Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Trump’s commitment to securing a deal that includes removing enriched material, dismantling enrichment infrastructure, limiting missile output and ending support for regional proxies, according to the readout.

Tehran has been demanding an end to Israeli ​attacks in Lebanon, where fighting has continued in a parallel war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Source: Reuters

A 65-year-old businessman has been taken into police custody in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a five-year-old preschool student in the Madampe area.

According to police, the arrest was made following a complaint submitted by the child’s mother.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the incident allegedly took place when the child visited a retail shop operated by the suspect to buy biscuits. Police stated that the suspect is accused of taking the child into an interior section of the premises, where the alleged abuse occurred.

The child was admitted to Chilaw General Hospital and has been referred to the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for further medical examination.

The suspect, who is a resident of Karukuwatawa in Madampe, is expected to be produced before the Chilaw Magistrate’s Court.

Madampe Police are continuing investigations into the incident.

Health experts have raised concern over an evolving nutritional challenge in Uva Province, identifying the region as recording the highest rate of malnutrition among children under the age of five in Sri Lanka.

The warning was issued by Consultant Nutrition Specialist Dr. Wasana Marasinghe of the Badulla Teaching Hospital during an awareness programme held at the hospital in conjunction with a public walk organised to highlight the importance of nutrition.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Marasinghe noted that the issue extends beyond undernutrition alone. She explained that the province is increasingly experiencing a dual burden of malnutrition, where cases of unhealthy weight gain and overnutrition are emerging alongside traditional concerns linked to inadequate nutrition.

According to the specialist, both trends point to a common underlying issue — insufficient public awareness regarding healthy and appropriate nutrition practices.

The awareness programme focused attention on the importance of informed dietary habits and early intervention, particularly during childhood, where nutrition plays a critical role in growth and long-term wellbeing.

Health officials participating in the initiative emphasized that improving public understanding of nutrition remains an important step in addressing both forms of malnutrition affecting young children in the region.

The Kennedy Center was running out of options Friday evening to keep President Trump's name on the facade of the iconic performing arts venue.

A judge earlier in the afternoon rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to Trump from the building and other aspects of the Kennedy Center's operations. The institution appealed that ruling, an effort that was also rebuffed Friday evening.

Scaffolding was erected earlier in the day around a section of the building that includes Trump's name. After a round of storms passed Friday evening, multiple workers were back at the scene further building out the scaffolding in an apparent effort to prepare for removing the letters referencing the president.

Dozens of people gathered in the plaza in front of the Kennedy Center taking pictures and cheering occasionally as workers built the scaffolding.

After ignoring the Kennedy Center for much of his first term, Trump has wielded tremendous influence over the venue during his return to office. Just a month into his second term, he ousted the center's previous leadership and replaced it with a board of trustees that named him chairman. Trump's name was quickly added to the building.

In his ruling that only Congress could make changes to the Kennedy Center's name, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper also blocked the administration from closing the cultural and arts venue for major renovations that had been planned to start in July and last for two years.

The Kennedy Center's leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump's speech patterns, of interfering in the effort.

"The District Court is not allowing us to close in order to properly fix up and repair the Building, including potentially life threatening structural damage like beams and parking garage ceilings that are rusted, and in serious danger of falling onto people below," according to the appeal. "Indeed, total collapse!"

Even as the Kennedy Center has fought efforts to remove Trump's name from the building, it has taken steps to comply with Cooper's initial ruling.

A June 4 memo to staff from the Kennedy Center's Office of General Counsel said email signatures, letterhead and other documents must reflect the name as "The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" or "Kennedy Center."

The Kennedy Center's website has dropped Trump's name. And an earlier email sent to members offering ticket packages for the June 28 Mark Twain Award for American Humor ceremony came from the Kennedy Center without including Trump's name.

Source: AP

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced that a 12-hour water cut will be imposed in several areas, today (11), due to essential maintenance work to relocate water pipelines in connection with the construction of the Central Expressway.

The water supply will be suspended for 12 hours from 7.00 p.m. today (11) until 7.00 a.m. tomorrow (12).

Accordingly, the supply of water will be restricted to residents of the Eldeniya, Gonahena, Webada, Sooriyapaluwa and Udupila Grama Niladhari Divisions within the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha area and Parakandeniya, Kossinna, Abaraluwa, Imbulgoda and Yagoda Grama Niladhari Divisions within the Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha area.

(Adaderana.lk)