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Authorities have identified the woman who was shot and killed by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis as Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who had only recently moved to the city.

Good was known as an award-winning poet and an amateur guitarist. City leaders said she was present as a legal observer monitoring the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the time of the incident.

However, the Trump administration has described Good as a “domestic terrorist,” a characterization that has drawn strong criticism and intensified public debate surrounding the shooting.Her death has prompted protests in multiple cities across the United States, with demonstrators demanding accountability and carrying placards bearing the message “Justice for Renee.”

The indicative USD/LKR spot rate published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has exceeded the Rs. 310 level, marking its highest point since 29 February 2024.CBSL data showed the spot rate standing at Rs. 310.02 today (07), reflecting renewed pressure on the local currency.

According to the latest official exchange rates, the US dollar was bought at Rs. 306.28 and sold at Rs. 313.81.

Central Bank figures further indicate that the Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated by more than 5 per cent against the US dollar so far in 2025, underscoring continued volatility in the foreign exchange market.

The Venezuelan government has begun releasing detainees considered political prisoners by human rights groups, in what officials described as a goodwill gesture.

Spain’s foreign ministry said five of its nationals, including one dual national, had been released. Among them is thought to be rights activist Rocio San Miguel.

The move comes after the US took Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in a lightning raid on the capital, Caracas, on Saturday, to face drug trafficking charges in New York.

The release of political prisoners in Venezuela has been a long-held US demand, especially during moments of heightened repression around elections or protests.

Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly and the brother of its interim president Delcy Rodriguez, announced on state television that “a significant number” would be released immediately, without specifying the number or identity of prisoners being freed.

Hundreds of political prisoners are detained in Venezuelan prisons, with only a handful thought to have been released so far.

Jorge Rodriguez said the interim government was releasing them in the interest of “national unity and peaceful coexistence”.

The release of Ms San Miguel, who is an expert in security, defence and Venezuela’s military was the first freed prisoner to be confirmed. She was arrested at Maiquetia airport, near Caracas, in February 2024.

It was alleged at the time that Ms San Miguel, a vocal critic of Maduro, was involved in a plot to kill the then-president and faced charges of treason, conspiracy and terrorism.

Venezuelan human rights organisations - some of which have members or their founders in jail - welcomed the news with caution.

Despite being a key lieutenant of Maduro, Delcy Rodriguez’s interim administration has appeared willing to co-operate with the US since it took its leader and made sweeping declarations about the South American nation’s future.

About 50 to 80 prisoners are believed to be held at the notorious El Helicoide prison, which US President Donald Trump announced would be closed following Maduro’s capture.

The prison gained international notoriety for detaining alleged political opponents, with reports by human rights groups of torture including beatings and electrocution.

Venezuelan human rights group Provea warned El Helicoide’s anticipated closure should not deflect attention from the other detention sites still running across the country.

Opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, who has several close allies in prison, has repeatedly demanded releases.

Venezuela’s opposition and human rights groups have said for years the government used detentions to stamp out dissent and silence critics.

Since the widely disputed 2024 election, the opposition claimed legal proceedings against activists, journalists and political adversaries increased.

Attorney General Tarek Saab and others in the government repeatedly denied Venezuela held political prisoners, arguing those detained were arrested for genuine crimes.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

The daily issuance of driving licenses at the Hambantota District Office of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has been disrupted following a breakdown of telephone connections at the Hambantota Administrative Complex, the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic Transport confirmed.

Authorities said that efforts are underway to update the affected phone line, and steps will be taken to reactivate the online driving license issuance process shortly.

The DMT urged the public to be patient as services are restored.

(Dailymirror)

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was coming to Washington next week.

During an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” program, Trump was asked if he plans to meet with Machado following U.S. strikes on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of its president Nicolas Maduro.

“Well, I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her,” Trump responded.

The White House did not immediately respond when reached for additional details on the meeting.

This will be Trump’s first meeting with Machado, who said earlier this week that she hadn’t spoken to the U.S. leader since she won the Nobel Peace Prize in October.

The future governance of the South American country remains in doubt. Trump over the weekend dismissed the idea of working with Machado, saying “she doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.”

Trump told Fox News that it will take time for the South American country, currently led by interim acting President Delcy Rodriguez, to get to a place where it can hold elections.

“We have to rebuild the country. They couldn’t have an election,” he said. “They wouldn’t even know how to have an election right now.”

Venezuela, an OPEC member, is one of the biggest producers of oil. Its industry has become focal point of the Trump administration with a senior official telling Reuters that oil sales to the United States will start immediately with an initial shipment of approximately 30 million to 50 million barrels and will continue indefinitely.

Trump said he will meet with oil executives at the White House on Friday. Those oil companies, according to the president, will play a key role in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry.

“They’re going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They’re going to spend at least $100 billion and it’s an unbelievable oil that they have, and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil,” he said.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

A seaplane preparing to land in Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya, crashed into the water at around 12:30 p.m. today (07).

According to local reports, the aircraft was on a scheduled arrival to pick up a group of tourists visiting the area when the incident occurred. The two pilots on board sustained injuries and were immediately taken to the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital for treatment.

Police said the pilots were rescued from the lake by people operating recreational boats on Gregory Lake, whose prompt response helped prevent further harm. Investigations into the cause of the accident are currently underway.

The highest amount of rainfall recorded over the last 24 hours was in the Ampara area, which received 38 millimetres of rain, according to Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) Engineer L. S. Sooriyabandara.He said that rainfall in the majority of other regions remained below 10 millimetres, resulting in no notable increase in river water levels across the country.

However, Sooriyabandara noted that 28 of Sri Lanka’s 73 major reservoirs are still overflowing, along with 22 medium-scale tanks.He added that while water discharges from the Yan Oya and Deduru Oya reservoirs have been significantly stepped up, no river basin is currently facing hazardous discharge levels.

Members of the parliamentary opposition have started signing a no-confidence motion targeting Minister of Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, citing concerns over the government’s education policy changes.

An initial discussion on the proposed motion was held this morning at the Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament, chaired by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Opposition representatives claim the initiative is driven by what they describe as serious weaknesses in the ongoing education reforms. These include learning material considered inappropriate for schoolchildren, multiple factual and content-related errors, and what they say is the government’s inability to address these problems in a timely and structured manner.

According to opposition MPs, the no-confidence motion is intended to hold the minister accountable and prompt corrective action within the education sector.

All schools operating within Divisional Secretariat areas of the Badulla District have been directed to close early, with students to be released by 11.00 a.m. today (09).

The move comes after the Department of Meteorology issued updated weather forecasts indicating unfavourable conditions, alongside a special landslide warning released by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).

Education and local authorities say the early closure is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of students and staff as heavy rainfall and potential landslide risks continue to pose a threat in the district.

The Chief of the Army Staff of India, General Upendra Dwivedi, arrived in Sri Lanka earlier today on a two-day official visit, according to a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence.

During his stay, General Dwivedi is expected to hold discussions with senior military and civilian officials, including the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Deputy Minister of Defence and the Defence Secretary. Talks will focus on key areas of cooperation such as joint training initiatives, capacity enhancement and regional security concerns.

As part of his itinerary, the Indian Army Chief will address officers at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and engage with officers and trainees at the Army War College in Buttala. These interactions highlight India’s continued emphasis on defence education and professional exchanges with Sri Lanka.

General Dwivedi will also visit the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) War Memorial to pay tribute to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has taken into custody a technical officer serving at the Welisara sub-office of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha over allegations of bribery.

The arrest follows a complaint filed by a resident of Ragama, who alleged that the officer requested and obtained Rs. 50,000 to expedite the approval of a building plan that reportedly did not meet required standards.

Acting on the complaint, CIABOC investigators conducted inquiries that led to the officer’s arrest.

The suspect is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for further legal proceedings.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Jan 6) that Venezuela’s interim government will deliver up to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, and that the proceeds “will be controlled by me” as president.

“The Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“This oil will be sold at its market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the US.”

US crude fell more than 1 per cent ⁠on Wednesday following Trump’s announcement.

US West Texas Intermediate ⁠crude (WTI) fell 88 cents, or 1.54 per cent, to US$56.25 a barrel by 1.14am GMT, extending its decline after closing down US$1.19, or 2.04 per cent, on Tuesday.

Raising crude output from Venezuela, which sits on the world’s largest oil reserves, is a top objective for Trump after US forces seized the country’s leader, Nicolas Maduro, in a raid on its capital Caracas on ⁠Saturday.

The US president said after Maduro’s arrest that Washington would take control of the oil-producing nation and that the US ⁠embargo on all Venezuelan oil remained in full effect.

Trump is expected to meet with oil company executives at the White House later this week to discuss ways to revive Venezuela’s tattered oil sector, according to sources familiar with the matter. 

Oil analysts and executives have been sceptical about a quick revival of Venezuela’s oil sector, pointing out that its degraded infrastructure would require billions of dollars and years to rebuild.

Venezuela’s oil reserves are also among the world’s costliest to develop because the oil is so thick and heavy that it requires specialised equipment to extract, transport and refine into usable fuels.

Administration officials have dismissed this scepticism, saying there were ways to quickly boost the country’s oil sector with fresh equipment and technology.

(source: adaderana.lk)