News

The British government announced on Tuesday (Mar 3) that it would stop issuing education visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and work visas for Afghans as part of its broader clampdown on asylum seekers.

The Home Office said there had been a surge in asylum applications by students from those countries and almost 135,000 asylum seekers in total had entered the United Kingdom using legal routes since 2021.

“Britain will always provide refuge to people fleeing war and persecution, but our visa system must not be abused,” said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in a statement. 

“That is why I am taking the unprecedented decision to refuse visas for those nationals seeking to exploit our generosity.”

The Home Office said the number of asylum applications by students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan had “rocketed” by more than 470 per cent between 2021 and 2025.

Migration has become a major issue in British politics, with the hard-right Reform UK surging in opinion polls with its anti-migration stance.

Successive governments have struggled to contain small boats crossing the Channel from France, which bring large numbers of undocumented migrants. 

But the authorities also face pressure to reduce the number of asylum seekers entering on other routes.

The Home Office said the government has “reduced student asylum claims by 20 per cent over the course of 2025, further action is needed as those arriving on study visas still make up 13 per cent of all claims in the system”.

Source:adaderana.lk

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for parties involved in the war in Iran to de-escalate hostilities quickly - and said while he supports the strikes, it is a position he takes “with regret”.

Carney, speaking to reporters in Sydney, his second stop on an Indo-Pacific tour, said of Iran that Canada “has long supported the imperative of neutralising this grave global threat”.

He added: “We do, however, take this position with regret, because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order.”

The US and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday. Iran responded by firing missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states allied to the US.

While speaking with reporters in Australia, Carney was critical of the US and Israel for acting “without engaging the United Nations or consulting with allies, including Canada”.

The Canadian leader said Iran having a nuclear bomb would be a “massive threat” and described Iran’s regime as “the biggest exporter of terror in the world,” which had “murdered scores of Canadians”.

“Nobody has a civil nuclear programme that’s buried a mile beneath the desert,” Carney said. “That is a threat.”

In Sydney, Carney faced questions about his conversations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week.

He described those discussions as “frank”.

Prior to the trip, a Canadian official suggested India is no longer linked to violent crimes or threats on Canadian soil.

“I really don’t think we’d be taking this trip if we thought these kind of activities were continuing,” the official said during a briefing.

Carney, asked about the quote, told reporters: “I would not use those words.”

Some Canadian Sikhs reject the government assessment, saying they still face threats from India, which Delhi denies.

“To engage, you have to be able to talk to countries, countries where there have been issues,” the prime minister added.

“And to raise issues, including at the highest levels, to ensure that the co-operation is there, whether it’s extortion or some other form of cross-border criminal activity or security risks.”

Carney added that high-ranking Canadian officials have been in contact with top Indian defence and national security officials “from the moment that we re-established a dialogue at the leader level with India”.

Under Carney, the two governments are trying to repair ties that were strained when his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, publicly accused Delhi of a link to the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist and Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the province of British Columbia (BC).

India vociferously rejected the allegation by Trudeau.

Trade and diplomatic relations almost came to a standstill as both sides expelled each other’s diplomats and cancelled visa services. Canada hosts a huge expatriate Indian community.

The case of four men charged over Nijjar’s killing is still before the courts in British Columbia.

This week, Canada and India also announced a “landmark” nuclear energy deal, as well as other deals on critical minerals, space, defence and education.

Source: adaderana.lk

Another two vessels appear to have come under attack in the Mideast Gulf, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said today.

The UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident 137 miles (220km) east of Muscat, Oman, at 19:50 GMT. The vessel master reported a loud explosion in close proximity to the vessel followed by smoke in the water. The vessel and crew are safe and authorities are investigating the incident, the UKMTO said.

The second incident took place seven miles (11km) east of Fujairah, UAE. A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile that caused damage to the steel plating, the vessel master reported to the UKMTO at 22:40 GMT. There was no fire or water intake and all the crew are safe.

The identities of the vessels are unclear.

Ship traffic through the strait of Hormuz — the world’s most critical oil and LNG shipping lane — has almost ground to a halt since US and Israeli forces struck Iran on 28 February.

Only three tankers were recorded sailing through the waterway on 1 March, down by 94pc from 50 tankers on 28 February, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said in its most recent update late on 3 March.

Iran on 2 March claimed to have “closed” the strait of Hormuz and announced it intends to burn any ship that tries to pass through. Iran has a drone carrier ship stationed near the strait that it could use to attack transiting ships, according to shipbroker BRS. It also has short-, medium- and long-range missiles to disrupt shipping in the strait.

At least five commercial ships had been attacked in the Mideast Gulf since the conflict began, before today’s incidents. The attacks have taken place in the Gulf of Oman, Musandam approaches and in UAE coastal waters, according to the JMIC.

The Ice front-month May Brent contract was at $82.30/bl at 10.15am Singapore time (02:15 GMT), higher by 90¢/bl from its settlement on 3 March when it ended $3.66/bl higher.

The Nymex front-month April crude contract was at $75.22/bl, higher by 66¢/bl from its settlement on 3 March, when it ended $3.33/bl higher.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over rising energy prices and disruptions to global trade following the escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that the situation could intensify uncertainties in the global economy.

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the Washington-based global financial institution said it is closely monitoring developments in the region as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran continue to escalate.

The IMF’s remarks came as the ongoing military confrontation entered its fourth day, raising concerns among policymakers and investors about potential spillover effects on global energy markets, trade flows and financial stability.

According to the Fund, early indications suggest that the crisis is already affecting economic activity, particularly through rising energy prices and increased volatility in financial markets.

“We are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East. So far, we have observed disruptions to trade and economic activity, surges in energy prices, and volatility in financial markets,” the IMF said.

The institution noted that the evolving situation could worsen the already fragile global economic outlook, which has been grappling with persistent inflationary pressures, slowing growth in major economies and geopolitical tensions across several regions.

“The situation remains highly fluid and adds to an already uncertain global economic environment,” the Fund stated, adding that it is still premature to determine the full economic consequences of the conflict.

According to the IMF, the scale of the economic impact will largely depend on how long the conflict lasts and the extent to which it disrupts critical trade routes and global energy supply chains.

The Middle East remains a strategic hub for global oil and gas supplies, and any prolonged conflict involving major regional actors has the potential to trigger significant volatility in international energy markets and increase transportation and insurance costs for global trade.

Analysts have also warned that an extended conflict could push crude oil prices higher, intensify inflationary pressures across many economies and complicate monetary policy decisions for central banks worldwide.

The IMF said a more comprehensive assessment of the potential economic implications of the conflict would be presented in its upcoming edition of the World Economic Outlook scheduled for release in April.

The report is expected to provide updated projections on global growth, inflation and financial stability, taking into account the evolving geopolitical tensions and their potential impact on the world economy.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday threatened whoever Iran picks to be the country’s next supreme leader, saying he will be “a target for elimination.”

Israel Katz made the statement on X.

“Every leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue and lead the plan to destroy Israel, to threaten the United States and the free world and the countries of the region, and to suppress the Iranian people — will be a target for elimination,” he wrote.

Israel targeted a building Tuesday associated with Iran’s Assembly of Experts, which will select the new supreme leader. Israel killed the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a strike Saturday that started the war.

Israel killed the 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a strike Saturday that started the war.

Source:adaderana.lk

Sri Lanka has taken a major step toward a cleaner energy future with Cabinet approval of the Renewable Energy Resources Development Plan 2025–2030, a roadmap designed to supply 70 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and support the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

The plan aligns with the National Policy on Renewable Energy and fulfils a legal requirement under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act No. 35 of 2007, which calls for a systematic approach to developing and using renewable energy resources.

Developed by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) in consultation with key stakeholders, the strategy centres on three main pillars. These are the identification and ranking of suitable land for renewable projects, the creation of a detailed renewable energy map with a phased timeline for developing energy parks, and the introduction of floating solar power initiatives.

Submitted by the Minister of Energy, the plan’s approval is expected to fast-track and streamline the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, strengthening Sri Lanka’s transition to sustainable power while advancing its long-term climate and energy commitments.

Israel’s military said early Wednesday that Iran had launched missiles toward the country for the second time in less than two hours.

Israeli air defenses were working to intercept them.

No injuries were reported in the first wave.

Source:adaderana.lk

The US State Department on Monday ordered the mandatory departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their family members in Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait due to security concerns.

The State Department noted personnel in Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait face an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran, as well as significant disruptions to commercial flights. The department also warns of a risk of terrorist attacks in Jordan and Bahrain, and it notes high risks of violence and kidnapping in Iraq.

The mandatory departure of non-emergency personnel from the three embassies is the first since the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran. They speak to the heightened level of security risks throughout the region as Iran retaliates – with a specific focus on US military and diplomatic facilities.

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was struck with two suspected Iranian drones overnight Tuesday, and an additional two hit “at or near” the Riyadh compound. The US Embassy in Kuwait was also hit. Multiple US embassies throughout the region have issued shelter in place orders for personnel in the days since the war began – and have urged US citizens to do the same.

The ordered departures do not mean that the embassies are shuttering, although the US Embassy in Kuwait announced Tuesday it is closing until further notice.

The other embassies will leave only a group of key staff in place in each of the diplomatic compounds as the State Department urges US citizens throughout the Middle East to “depart now” via commercial means. It is unlikely that the majority will be able to depart quickly, as many airlines have suspended their flights in the region. The US government has not begun evacuation flights for American citizens.

Source:adadeerana.lk

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have witnessed a notable decline, with local rates dropping by Rs. 13,000 in line with weakening trends in the global gold market, according to the latest trading data.

At the Sea Street gold market in Colombo, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign fell to Rs. 376,500 this morning (04), down from Rs. 388,500 recorded yesterday (03).

Traders also reported a significant reduction in the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign. After being priced at Rs. 420,000 the previous day, it has decreased to Rs. 407,000 today.

Market observers attribute the drop to downward movements in international gold prices, which have directly influenced domestic trading rates.

Indian airlines said Tuesday (03) that they were resuming limited commercial services to the Middle East in a bid to collect thousands of passengers stranded by war.

Millions of South Asian citizens live and work across the Middle East.

IndiGo said it would operate four return flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to “progressively normalise” operations between the countries.

Air India Express said it would resume flights to and from the Omani capital Muscat from Tuesday.

But services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended, the airlines said in a statement.

Budget carrier Akasa Air said it would operate select flights to Jeddah.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to multiple Middle East leaders, including the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, in which he thanked them for “taking care of the Indian community”, in posts on social media.

Several South Asian citizens have been killed in the strikes, including at least one Nepali in Abu Dhabi and two Bangladeshis in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Indian media reported one citizen killed on a vessel off Oman.

Modi said Monday he had also spoken to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, in which he “conveyed India’s concerns over recent developments and emphasised the safety of civilians as a priority”.

Source:adaderana.lk

U.S. President Donald Trump’s top national security advisers spent much of the day on Tuesday making the case to Congress for the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, describing a rapidly evolving operation and leaving open the possibility of sending in American troops, Democrats and Trump’s fellow Republicans said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held classified briefings first for the entire Senate and later the full House of Representatives.

Missouri Republican Josh Hawley told reporters afterward the operation was massive and changing rapidly. “The briefers emphasized this: it’s really changing almost by the hour, and I think the scope of it is very broad,” he said.

Senator Bill Cassidy said he does not think Trump plans to deploy ground forces in Iran, although he said the briefers did not rule out that possibility. “I don’t think the American people want to see troops on the ground,” the Louisiana Republican told reporters. “They left open that possibility. But it seems not to be something they’re emphasizing.”

Trump’s Republicans ⁠control slim majorities in both the Senate and House and have been strongly supportive of his policy initiatives, as is typical when the White House and Congress are controlled by the same party.

But the Middle East war has prompted a few members of his party to join Democrats in saying the president should not send troops to fight abroad without obtaining Congress’ approval.

Democrats said the administration officials had not outlined an exit strategy, and accused Trump of starting another “forever war” like the long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan that began under Republican President George W. Bush.

“Let’s see how long it lasts,” California Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the House, told reporters.

She and other Democrats also noted Bush and top aides had come to Congress and to the United Nations to make the case for both wars and Congress had passed authorizations for the use of military force, but Trump’s team had held few briefings or testified in public hearings.

Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson called such a demand “a dangerous thing” that would put U.S. troops in harm’s way.

‘AMERICA FIRST?’

Others said they were looking forward to getting more information, especially if ⁠the White House comes to Congress to request additional funding for the war.
“America First was supposed to be a rejection of the globalist war machine,” Republican Representative Warren Davidson of Ohio said in a post on social media platform X, referring to a slogan Trump used when running for re-election when he stressed he would not pull the country into foreign wars. “I look forward to seeing the intelligence the administration found so persuasive, then voting,” Davidson said.

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace said she might have concerns if the conflict lasted for more than a few weeks.

Rubio told reporters on Monday the U.S. had attacked Iran because Israel ⁠planned to do so, prompting some lawmakers to accuse the administration of letting another country decide whether to go to war.

However, Rubio said on Tuesday before the briefings the administration did not strike Iran because of Israel. “I said no, this had to happen anyway,” he said.
Congressional leaders said it was too early to know whether Congress will need to consider a supplemental funding bill to pay for the war. “There was early talk of a supplemental. ⁠But we’re not at a stage where any of those numbers could be discussed. Look, you’re going to see a robust debate about this over the next weeks and months,” Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana said.

The funding request would face stiff opposition from Democrats. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York told a news conference earlier on Tuesday that Trump should get Congress’ consent for ⁠the war before asking for funding.

The Senate is due to vote on Wednesday and the House on Thursday on war powers resolutions seeking to block Trump from continuing to attack Iran without congressional authorization.

Congressional Republicans have blocked previous efforts seeking to force Trump to obtain lawmakers’ approval for military action. Even if a resolution were to pass this time, it is not expected to get the two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate needed to override Trump’s veto.

Source:adaderana.lk

Before taking a call on military strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump had already delivered the same message at least 74 times: Tehran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

The White House said Monday that Trump has been “unequivocal and consistent for decades” that Iran will never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon. It released a compilation of his statements spanning 15 years, beginning in November 2011.

The language rarely changed. The emphasis never did.

On February 24, 2026, Trump said: “After Midnight Hammer, they were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons programme, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. They’re starting it all over… One thing is certain: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror, which they are by far, to have a nuclear weapon.”

Five days earlier, on February 19, 2026, he said: “They can’t have nuclear weapons. It’s very simple. You can’t have peace in the Middle East if they have a nuclear weapon. And they can’t have a nuclear weapon, and they’ve been told that very strongly.”

On February 13, 2026, he rejected enrichment outright: “We don’t want any enrichment. We don’t want enrichment.”

Sometimes the remarks were brief, almost clipped.

On February 9, 2026: “No nuclear weapons...”

On February 6, 2026: “The one thing, and right up front — no nuclear weapons.”

On January 29, 2026: “Number one, no nuclear.”

On June 25, 2025, Trump said: “I’ve said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon — I’ve said that for 15 years, long before I decided to do the political thing.”

The message stretches back well before his presidency.

On November 3, 2024, he warned: “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Nuclear weapons are the greatest single threat to our country, but to the entire world.”

On October 7, 2024, he said: “I only wanted one thing. You can’t have a nuclear weapon. You cannot let them have a nuclear weapon.”

On August 27, 2024, he added a regional warning: “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We just can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say this. If they do have a nuclear weapon, Israel is gone. It’ll be gone.”

Further back, on January 6, 2020, Trump declared in capital letters: “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”

On June 22, 2019, he said: “Iran cannot have Nuclear Weapons!”

And on November 4, 2011, years before entering the White House, he stated: “We can’t allow Iran to go nuclear.”

Across rallies, interviews and official statements, the phrasing shifted. The core demand did not. The White House described the position as rooted in longstanding American policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.

Iran’s nuclear programme has dominated US policy in West Asia for more than a decade. Disputes over uranium enrichment, sanctions and inspections have triggered diplomatic standoffs and periodic escalations.

(Source: adaderana.lk)