News

No-one will have been further from home than the Artemis astronauts.

But as the Earth shrinks ever smaller in their rear-view mirror, they’ve had a constant connection with mission control in Houston, Texas. The calm words from the Nasa team have given the crew a comforting link with home.

That link is about to be lost.

As the astronauts pass behind the Moon at about 23:47 BST on Monday, the radio and laser signals that allow the back-and-forth communication between the spacecraft and Earth will be blocked by the Moon itself.

For about 40 minutes, the four astronauts will be alone, each with their own thoughts and feelings, travelling through the darkness of space. A profound moment of solitude and silence.

Artemis pilot Victor Glover told us he hopes the world will use the time to come together.

‘‘When we’re behind the Moon, out of contact with everybody, let’s take that as an opportunity,’‘ he told BBC News before the mission. ‘‘Let’s pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew."

More than 50 years ago, the Apollo astronauts also experienced the isolation brought by a loss of signal during their missions to the Moon.

Perhaps none more so than Apollo 11’s Michael Collins.

In 1969, while Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history taking the first steps on the lunar surface, Collins was alone in the command module, orbiting the Moon.

As his craft passed behind the far side, contact with the pair on the lunar surface, as well as with mission control, vanished for 48 minutes.

He described the experience in his 1974 memoir Carrying the Fire, saying he felt ‘‘truly alone’‘ and ‘‘isolated from any known life’‘, but that he did not feel fear or loneliness.

In later interviews, he described the peace and tranquillity brought by the radio silence, saying it offered a break from the constant requests from mission control.

Back on Earth, the blackout will be a tense time for those with the job of maintaining contact with the spacecraft,

At the Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, in the south-west of England, a huge antenna has been collecting signals from the Orion capsule, carefully pinpointing its position throughout its journey, and feeding this information back to Nasa HQ.

Matt Cosby, Goonhilly’s chief technology officer, told the BBC: ‘‘This is the first time we’re tracking a spacecraft with humans on it.

‘‘We’re going to get slightly nervous as it goes behind the Moon, and then we’ll be very excited when we see it again, because we know that they’re all safe.’‘

But the hope is these dropouts in communications could soon become a thing of the past. And Cosby says that will be essential as Nasa – and other space agencies around the world – begin to build a Moon base and ramp up further exploration.

‘‘For a sustainable presence on the Moon, you need the full comms - you need the full 24 hours a day, even on the far side, because the far side will want to be explored as well,’‘ he said.

Programmes like the European Space Agency’s Moonlight are planning to launch a network of satellites around the Moon to provide continuous and reliable communication coverage in the future.

For the Artemis astronauts, their time without contact with the Earth will allow them to devote all of their attention to the Moon.

They’ll spend the blackout dedicated to lunar observation – taking images, studying the Moon’s geology and simply gazing at its splendour.

When they emerge from the Moon’s shadow, and that signal is re-established, the world will breathe a collective sigh of relief.

And the history-making astronauts will be able to share their incredible views with everyone back home.

Source: BBC

A 46-year-old man has been killed following a violent attack in Panamura, police confirmed.

The victim, a resident of the area, was reportedly assaulted last night (05) while visiting another house in Panamura. Preliminary investigations indicate that two individuals carried out the attack using sharp weapons along with physical force, leaving the man critically injured.

He was subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities stated that the motive behind the killing remains unclear at this stage. However, two suspects have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Further investigations are being carried out by the Sri Lanka Police, with officers attached to Panamura Police continuing inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

A fire broke out early this morning (06) at a wax fabric manufacturing factory in Mabola, prompting a swift emergency response.

According to officials, the blaze led to the immediate deployment of three fire trucks and 13 personnel from the Colombo Fire Brigade, who worked to contain the situation.

Authorities later confirmed that the fire has been successfully brought under control. Further details regarding the cause of the fire or any potential damage have not yet been disclosed.

Iran’s Fars news agency, which is affiliated to the country’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), said earlier that 15 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz ‘‘with permission from Iran’’ in the previous 24-hour period.

It added that traffic was still 90% lower than before the start of the war.

Some Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have repeatedly said that the vital shipping lane is not shut, but it is closed only to ‘‘enemy countries’’.

For example, yesterday Iran announced Iraq is exempt from any restrictions it is imposing, according to the spokesman Iran’s for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarter.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials and lawmakers have also raised the possibility of tolling vessels using the strait.

Earlier an aide at Iran’s President’s Office, says the Strait of Hormuz ‘‘will be reopened’’ when ‘‘a portion of transit tolls is used to compensate for all the damage caused’’ by the war.

Source: BBC

The UAE on Monday expressed its support to Bahrain in urging the Security Council to take action on the Strait of Hormuz.

Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this is no longer a regional issue--it is a direct threat to global stability.

In a post on X, the UAE Mission to the UN said, ‘‘The UAE joins Bahrain in urging Security Council action on the Strait of Hormuz. As H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasizes, this is no longer a regional issue--it is a direct threat to global stability, food and energy security, and international law. Each day without action brings the world closer to a broader crisis, with Global South countries facing the gravest consequences. We thank Bahrain for its leadership on the Security Council and for its diplomatic efforts in bringing this resolution forward."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain said in a post on X, ‘‘Foreign Minister: Strait of Hormuz crisis requires urgent international action to avoid serious humanitarian and economic repercussions."

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on Friday (local time) on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use ‘‘all defensive means necessary’‘ to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict in West Asia, CNN reported.

The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security amid the conflict in West Asia, which has seen severe disruption in energy trade due to the virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade.

Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and has been under fire from Iran amid the conflict, urged an international response to threats against global navigation routes.

‘‘The Kingdom of Bahrain submitted a draft resolution to your esteemed council on Iran’s unlawful and unjustified attempt to control international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, placing before the council a draft that requires a decisive response to such actions that are irresponsible and illegitimate. Actions that threaten the interests of nations and peoples around the world,’‘ said Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, during his remarks at the UNSC meeting on Thursday (local time). 

Source: ANI 

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced a series of water supply interruptions affecting several المناطق, as dry weather conditions continue to strain reservoir levels.

Water supply to Pelanwatta and surrounding areas will be suspended from 8:00 p.m. today (06) until 8:00 a.m. tomorrow (07), as part of ongoing water management measures.

According to the NWSDB, water production has been restricted due to rapidly declining levels in the reservoirs supplying the Labugama Water Treatment Plant and Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plant.

Meanwhile, a 12-hour water cut is scheduled for Homagama and surrounding areas (Zone 01) today (06), beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing until 8:00 p.m.

The Board also clarified that the current water cut affecting Padukka and nearby areas is set to conclude at 8:00 a.m. today, ahead of the planned interruption in Homagama.

Authorities urge residents to use water sparingly as efforts continue to manage limited supplies amid the prevailing dry conditions.

In his Easter message, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has highlighted that Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world mark Easter Sunday with deep reverence, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ as a symbol of hope, renewal, and compassion. 

He noted that beyond its religious significance, Easter also serves as a cultural moment that encourages reflection on humanity, love, and resilience, while emphasizing Christ’s triumph over death as a reminder that light can overcome darkness and faith can overcome fear.

The President further observed that, at a time when many across the world continue to suffer due to ongoing conflicts, there is a growing desire for peace and coexistence instead of hostility. 

He expressed hope that the spirit of Easter would illuminate the path toward peace and urged people to embrace the values taught by Christ, including love, patience, and forgiveness.

He also called on Sri Lankans to set aside divisions and move forward in unity as one family, strengthening brotherhood and goodwill. 

President’s Full Easter Message:

“Commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world celebrate Easter Sunday with deep reverence and devotion. It is a reminder of the enduring power of hope, renewal and compassion.
Beyond being a religious observance, Easter is also a cultural celebration for Christians that invites reflection on humanity, love and resilience. Through His Resurrection, having triumphed over death, Christ demonstrated to the world through His life that with steadfast determination and dedication, darkness can be overcome by light, fear by faith, and suffering by everlasting joy. The people who rose in unity for Jesus, who sacrificed His life for them, conveyed to the world a message of unity and goodwill.

At this moment, we cannot forget that people across the world continue to endure great suffering due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Instead of wars driven by hostility, people everywhere yearn for peace and coexistence. On this sacred Easter dawn, I pray that the path towards peace may be illuminated.

As taught by Christ, let us fill our hearts with love, patience and the noble virtue of forgiveness. Let us cast aside divisions and move forward together, bound in unity as children of one mother, as one Sri Lankan family. Let us join hands in brotherhood to achieve this.

On this sacred Easter Day, which commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for the salvation of those in distress and overcame the darkness of death following His crucifixion, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Christian devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.

May you all be blessed with a joyful Easter filled with compassion and peace!”

(Adaderana.lk)

Oil prices hit $110 (£83.38) a barrel after President Donald Trump’s expletive-laden threat against Iran on social media.

The price of Brent rose initially by 1.6% to $110.85, before retreating slightly during morning trade in Asia.

US-traded crude gained slightly by 0.3% to $111.80.

The initial jump came after Trump put more pressure on Tehran by threatening to strike Iran’s bridges and power plants if Iran did not back down on its threat against ships that try to cross the critical Strait of Hormuz trade waterway.

Major Asian stock markets also edged higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 exchange rose by 1.6% while South Korea’s Kospi index gained by 0.9%.

Source: BBC

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (local time) that ‘‘many’‘ of Iran’s military leaders were killed in a huge strike on the Islamic republic’s capital.

‘‘Many of Iran’s Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran!’‘ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
The post included a video showing explosions lighting up a city’s skyline at night but did not specify when the military action took place.

The war erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering a retaliation that has spread the conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Source: AFP