VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, whose time as head of the Catholic Church was noted for an everyman humility and outreach efforts to people of disparate backgrounds and faiths, has died at 88, the Vatican has confirmed. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrell said on Monday. abc7 – Monday, April 21 Pope Francis was hospitalized for just over five weeks beginning in February 2025 to address what the Vatican initially said was a respiratory tract infection,…
Author: Humaydh Sariffodeen
The sweeping tariffs President Trump announced last week were a “negotiating strategy,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested Wednesday as the president announced a 90-day pause on most of those tariffs. “We saw the successful negotiating strategy that President Trump implemented a week ago today – it has brought more than 75 countries forward to negotiate,” Bessent said about the tariffs that Mr. Trump announced on April 2. Bessent said that “every country in the world who wants to come and negotiate, we are willing to hear you, we are going to go down to a 10% baseline tariff for them,” he said, speaking outside the White…
Major stock indexes fell in volatile trade on Tuesday, with the Nasdaq Composite index at one point down 10% from its December record high, while Treasury yields also seesawed as the United States hit Canada, Mexico and China with steep tariffs.
From less than 200,000 annual inbound travellers at the height of the pandemic in 2021, Sri Lanka welcomed more than two million visitors last year – from slightly less
The LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) surged by 24 basis points in January to reach 198, from 174 in the month prior. This marks its highest
The Colombo-Badulla train journey has been ranked the seventh best in the world for 2025 by Lonely Planet, showcasing Sri Lanka’s stunning landscapes and cultural richness
Travelers are increasingly drawn to authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventures, shaped by exceptional hospitality and service. As part of the thirteenth edition of the Traveller Review Awards, Booking.com unveils the 10 Most Welcoming Cities on Earth for 20251, along with tips and recommendations to help travelers fully embrace the charm of these unique destinations. Backed by over 360 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, the featured accommodations are celebrated for consistently delivering outstanding hospitality. Booking.com – January 27, 2025 Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Located in the heart of Sri Lanka’s ‘Cultural Triangle,’ Sigiriya is a must-see destination that seamlessly combines natural splendor with deep history. The…
Living in the US has enriched my sense of identity by enabling me to embrace a dual identity as a Sri Lankan-American
Sri Lanka is crafting a new tourism strategy, aiming to build on a promising 2023 by honing its advertising message, wooing digital
Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2024, with thousands cheering a fireworks display sprouting from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a downtown light show. This year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are overshadowed by the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which have cast a pall over festivities and heightened tensions across parts of the world. Many cities are deploying extra security and some places have canceled New Year’s Eve events altogether. In Auckland, light rain throughout Sunday had cleared as forecast by midnight over the city of 1.7 million people before the countdown began on an illuminated…