President Donald Trump said Friday that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have agreed to his request for a three-day ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners, adding that such a halt to hostilities could be the “beginning of the end” of the long war between them. MORE..

The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against 10 individuals and companies, including several in China and Hong Kong, over accusations they aided Iran’s efforts to secure weapons and the raw materials needed to build its Shahed drones and ballistic missiles. MORE..

The World Health Organization said on Friday that eight people had fallen ill, including three who died, in a hantavirus outbreak linked to a cruise ship, with six confirmed cases and two probable cases. MORE..

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the US of opting for a “reckless military adventure” every time a “diplomatic solution is on the table”. MORE..

Due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition over the island is expected to continue during the next few days, the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

Police have informed the Fort Magistrate’s Court that former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.

The Supreme Court today directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition. MORE..

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that Vietnam Airlines will commence direct flights between Sri Lanka and Vietnam within this year. MORE..

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government of Vietnam has donated 100 metric tons of urea and superphosphate fertiliser to Sri Lanka. MORE..

Following the official state ceremony held to welcome the President of Vietnam, To Lam, who is currently undertaking a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries.

Rajangane Saddharathana, a person in robes, has been arrested by the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over allegations of issuing threats through social media against Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya, said Police.

The official state reception ceremony for President To Lam, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (07) on a three-day official visit, is currently being held today (08).

Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was found dead at a residence in Colpetty, according to Police.

A special team of experts from the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health is scheduled to visit Deniyaya to investigate the rapid spread of fever among schoolchildren in the area, according to District Director of Health Services Sumith Manatunga. MORE..

An explosion damaged the headquarters of the largest party in the Dutch parliament, D66, on Thursday evening, local police said, adding there were no injuries. MORE..

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would give the European Union until July 4 to implement trade deal commitments before he raises tariffs on EU goods including cars to “much higher levels.” MORE..

The U.S. on Thursday urged countries to support its United Nations resolution demanding Iran halt attacks and mining of the Strait of Hormuz, but diplomats said China and Russia are likely to veto it. MORE..

The U.S. military said it intercepted Iranian attacks Thursday on three Navy ships in the Strait of Hormuz and “targeted Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking U.S. forces,” highlighting the fragility of the month-old ceasefire between the two countries. MORE..