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A loud blast was heard and flames were seen at the U.S. embassy in Riyadh early on Tuesday ⁠morning, three people familiar with the matter said, with one person saying the fire was minor.

Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the circumstances of the incident.
An ⁠embassy spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the ⁠Saudi government media office.

Black smoke was seen rising over Riyadh’s ⁠Diplomatic Quarter, which houses foreign missions, two of ⁠the people said.

Source:adaderana.lk

Rosé winning Best International Song at the BRIT Awards 2026 marks a landmark moment for Korean musicians overseas as the BLACKPINK star is the first K-pop artist to take home a win at the U.K.’s biggest night for music.

Rosé’s mega-hit collaboration with Bruno Mars “APT.” was named Best International Song, beating out a stacked category that included Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” and 11 other cross-continental smashes.

Visibly moved and excited, the Tiffany & Co’s global ambassador accepted the trophy in person and addressed the crowd in a stunning asymmetric black gown and a few pieces from the luxury brand.

“Oh my gosh it is such an honor to be receiving this award in front of so many talented and admirable musicians in the U.K.” she told the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England. “There are so many people I want to thank. First of all, Bruno — I’m receiving this award on behalf of the both of us — thank you so much for everything. For being my biggest mentor and best friend, I love you so much. So many people to thank! I’d love to thank my Atlantic [Records] family for believing in me always, love you guys so much.”

Just as Rosé and her BLACKPINK band mates made a record-smashing return with their new album DEADLINE, the 29-year-old made sure to mention the group with whom she began her music career, as well as the main musical producer behind BLACKPINK’s sound.

“I would like to give a shoutout to BLACKPINK,” Rosé added, eliciting loads of cheers from the crowd. “Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa, I love you guys so much. Thank you for always inspiring me, I love you guys so much. Teddy oppa, I love you so much. Thank you so much, this means so much.”

BTS were the first Korean act to enter into BRITs consciousness with a breakthrough nomination in 2021 for International Group of the Year (ultimately losing to HAIM) and shortlisted again in the category in 2022 (losing to Silk Sonic).

Later, BLACKPINK became the first female K-pop group to be nominated at the BRITs, scoring a nod in International Group of the Year in 2023, ultimately losing out to the Fontaines D.C. that year.

K-pop had even more representation at this year’s BRIT Awards with KPop Demon Hunters group HUNTR/X consisting of EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami also nominated not just for Best International Song with “Golden” but International Group of the Year. 

While the trio didn’t take home any trophies, EJAE, Audrey, and Rei performed their nominated hit at the awards, marking the KDH stars’ biggest awards show moment to date, with highlights from the Netflix film playing behind them.

Zooming out from the K-pop highlights at this year’s BRIT Awards, the 2026 Grammys’ Best New Artist and neo-soul breakout Olivia Dean swept every category she was nominated in for the night, while rock singer-songwriter Sam Fender also took home two wins. 

Other winners throughout the night included Lola Young, PinkPantheress, Wolf Alice, Skepta, Rosalía, the late Ozzy Osbourne and more.

Source:adaderana.lk

Poland plans to introduce new legislation to ban social media for children under 15 years of age and will hold platforms responsible for age verification, Education Minister Barbara Nowacka told Bloomberg News in an interview published on Friday.

The ruling Civic Coalition will present the draft outline on Friday, with fines planned for platforms that remain accessible to younger users, Nowacka said, adding that the law could take effect by early 2027.

“We see the mental health of children and young people, we see a decline in their intellectual competence,” said Nowacka adding that the size of penalties that companies would have to pay is still under discussion.

Several European governments including Denmark, Greece, France, Spain and Britain have explored similar restrictions amid claims that social-media services are harmful or addictive for minors.

The British government said in January it was considering restrictions to protect children online, after Australia implemented similar laws in December.

The initiative could put Warsaw at odds with U.S. tech firms such as Meta and Elon Musk’s X, some of which have pushed back against restrictions following Australia’s ban last year.

Source: Reuters

China’s ministry of foreign affairs has expressed concern over United States-Israeli strikes against Iran and called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all sides to avoid escalation and to resume dialogue and negotiation.

In a statement on Saturday (Feb 28), the ministry said Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

On Sunday, China’s embassy in Israel issued a notice advising Chinese citizens in Israel to evacuate to safer areas within the country as soon as possible or to leave for Egypt via the Taba border crossing.

The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, targeting its military capability. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the operation, state media reported.

Separately, Hong Kong-based airline operator Cathay Group on Saturday suspended operations in the Middle East, citing regional tension following the strikes.

The suspension affects passenger flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh, as well as freighter services operating through Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, Cathay, the parent of Cathay Pacific Airways, said in a statement.

It said it is rerouting flights that typically pass over the affected area. 

Source: adaderana.lk

A male and a female suspect have been arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the fatal shooting of a person and the injuring of four others inside a barbershop (salon) in the Jinthupitiya area.

Investigations have revealed that the male suspect had driven the three-wheeler used by the gunman to flee the scene with the firearm following the shooting, while the female suspect had allegedly assisted in the crime.

The shooting incident occurred on February 14, after which officers of the Colombo North Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau commenced investigations.

Accordingly, the two suspects were arrested yesterday (27), the male suspect in the Sooriyapaluwa area of Kadawatha and the female suspect in the Weheragodella area of Wellampitiya, police stated.

Police stated that a team of officers from the Colombo North Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau arrested the male suspect in possession of 6 grams and 540 milligrams of Crystal Methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’) and the female suspect with 3 grams and 100 milligrams of ‘Ice’. 

They were subsequently handed over to the Foreshore Police Station, police said.

The male suspect, aged 44, has been identified as a resident of Sedawatta, while the 29-year-old female suspect is a resident of Weheragodella, according to the police.

Police said that a seven-day detention order is to be obtained for both suspects. 

The Foreshore Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

(Source - Adaderana.lk)

Iran’s parliament speaker on Sunday called the leaders of the United States and Israel “filthy criminals” who will face “devastating blows” for their ongoing attacks on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comment in a televised address.

Qalibaf is the highest-ranking official to appear on camera since the attacks began Saturday. “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” he said. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

Source: adaderana.lk

A suspect wanted over a 2022 double murder in the Kadawatha area has been arrested upon his return to Sri Lanka from overseas, police said.

The 32-year-old suspect was taken into custody on February 27 by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bandaranaike International Airport shortly after arriving from Qatar.

Police stated that the double shooting occurred on March 24, 2022, within the Kadawatha Police Division. Two individuals travelling on a motorcycle were fatally shot using a T-56 assault rifle.

Investigators noted that the suspect had previously been arrested in connection with the incident and was remanded after being produced before the Mahara Magistrate’s Court. He was later released on bail but allegedly left the country in violation of court orders.

Authorities subsequently obtained an international arrest alert through Interpol, leading to the suspect’s apprehension upon re-entry to the country.

Police identified the suspect as a resident of the Siyambalape area. Further investigations are being carried out by Kadawatha Police.

The Department of Meteorology forecasts predominantly fair weather across most regions of Sri Lanka today (01).

Despite the generally clear conditions, mist is likely to develop in several parts of the island during the early morning, which could temporarily affect visibility in some areas.

Authorities noted that the mist is expected to clear as the day progresses, allowing normal weather conditions to prevail across the country.

Pakistan and Afghanistan edged closer to full-scale war Friday after Pakistani jets struck Kabul and key Taliban strongholds, triggering hours of cross-border fighting and a fresh spiral in a conflict that has been building for months.

Before dawn, explosions rippled across Kabul as fighter jets circled overhead.

In the south, residents of Kandahar, the spiritual heartland of the Taliban leadership, also reported aircraft and blasts.

Islamabad said it had targeted Taliban defence installations in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar in retaliation for what it described as Afghan-initiated attacks on Pakistani border troops late Thursday.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif declared that Islamabad’s “patience has run out,” framing the confrontation as “open war.”

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Afghan Taliban defence targets were struck, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif insisted Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable of delivering a decisive response to what he called aggression.

In Kabul, the aftermath was tense but outwardly calm.

It was Friday in Ramadan, and the capital’s streets were already quieter than usual. There was no visible surge in checkpoints or patrols, though the Taliban government confirmed the air strikes.

Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said there were no casualties in the capital, even as his administration announced “large-scale offensive operations” along the frontier in response.

Afghanistan’s defence ministry said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, several captured and 19 Pakistani posts destroyed.

It acknowledged eight Afghan soldiers dead and 11 wounded.

Pakistan flatly denied that any of its troops were taken prisoner. A spokesperson for Sharif’s office said at least 133 Afghan fighters were killed and more than 200 wounded, with 27 Afghan posts destroyed. Islamabad reported two Pakistani soldiers dead and three injured.

The claims underscored the depth of mistrust between the two sides and the absence of reliable verification as the conflict intensifies.

At the core of the dispute is Pakistan’s long-standing accusation that Afghanistan is failing to rein in the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, whose attacks inside Pakistan have surged since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Islamabad says the group operates from Afghan territory. Kabul denies allowing its soil to be used against its neighbor.

The latest strikes follow earlier Pakistani operations in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces this week that, according to the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, killed at least 13 civilians.

Cross-border fire was also reported on Tuesday, though without casualties.

 (Source:newswire.lk)

Laugfs Gas PLC has announced that a vessel carrying a new shipment of LP gas arrived in the country today (28).

Following the arrival, the company stated that the stocks will be expedited to the market starting today to ensure a steady supply.

According to the statement, domestic consumers will be able to purchase the required gas cylinders through authorized Laugfs Gas dealers as usual, effective immediately.

(Source - Adaderana.lk)

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to halt its involvement in hospital clinic services beginning next Monday (March 2), in response to what it describes as the government’s inadequate response to key professional demands.

According to GMOA Secretary Prabath Aththanayake, the decision was taken after authorities failed to take meaningful steps toward establishing a dedicated service structure for doctors, which has been a longstanding request of the association.

He also expressed concerns over the continuation of around 50 clinic programmes and mobile clinic initiatives, claiming these projects were introduced with political motivations rather than to strengthen healthcare delivery.

Aththanayake further noted that the country’s primary healthcare system is already under strain due to staff shortages, and doctors are unwilling to continue supporting additional programmes under such conditions.

He added that the absence of effective intervention by the relevant minister and government officials to resolve the issues faced by medical professionals has prompted this union action. The GMOA also cautioned that if authorities continue to ignore their concerns, the current measures could escalate into a full-scale strike.