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Italy withdraws from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, reports say

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Italy has withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), more than four years after becoming the only Group of Seven (G7) nation to sign up.

After months of uncertainty regarding Italy’s involvement in the ambitious project, Rome conveyed its decision in a recent letter to Beijing, news agencies Reuters and AFP reported on Wednesday.

The Belt and Road plan proposes massive investments in infrastructure such as roads, bridges and ports to recreate the ancient Silk Road trade routes linking Europe and Asia.

Critics have cast the scheme as a vehicle for Beijing to expand its geopolitical influence, including by saddling poorer countries with unsustainable debts.

“We have every intention of maintaining excellent relations with China even if we are no longer part of the Belt and Road Initiative,” an Italian government source said.

“Other G7 nations have closer relations with China than we do, despite the fact they were never in [the BRI],” he added.

The long-anticipated decision was communicated to Beijing three days ago, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, which first reported the withdrawal.

In 2019, Italy became the first major Western nation to participate in the programme, despite US concerns about China gaining control over crucial technologies and infrastructure.

Nevertheless, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who took office last year, expressed a desire to withdraw, citing the lack of substantial benefits for Italy.

The 2019 agreement is set to expire in March 2024, with automatic renewal unless Rome provides three months’ written notice of withdrawal.

However, Rome has been wary of provoking Beijing and risking retaliation against Italian companies.

(aljazeera.com)

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Fake banknote with AKD’s image : suspect remanded (Update)

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The suspect arrested over circulating a doctored image of a Rs. 5,000 currency note featuring the image of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has been remanded until Nov. 11 by the Kesbewa magistrate.

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(Previous post : 2024/11/05 at 1:05 pm)

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested an individual for allegedly circulating a doctored image of a Rs. 5,000 currency note featuring the image of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on it.

Police said that the 38-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday (Nov. 04). 

According to the police, he is a resident of Korathota in Athurugiriya and works as a salesperson.

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2 officials of New Magazine Prison interdicted

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Two officials of the Colombo New Magazine Prison have been interdicted.

The prison’s Chief Jailor and a Prison Guard (storekeeper) have been interdicted after it was discovered that they have supplied mobile phones to inmates.
According to the Prisons Spokesman, the duo had maintained a secret relationship with a lifetime prisoner, under whose instructions they had provided mobile phones to the inmates.

Further investigations are underway.

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Landslide warnings for 8 districts

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The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early landslide warnings to multiple areas in eight districts, as heavy rainfall continues in parts of the island.

The NBRO says that the warnings will be in effect until 4.00 pm tomorrow (Oct. 06).

Accordingly, a Level 1 (Amber) warning has been issued for several Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) and surrounding areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara and Ratnapura districts as follows:

Badulla–Welimada, Haldummulla DSDs and surrounding areas
Galle – Elpitiya DSD and surrounding areas
Kalutara – Bulathsinhala DSD and surrounding areas
Kandy – Yatinuwara, Udapalatha DSDs and surrounding areas
Kegalle – Mawanella, Rambukkana DSDs and surrounding areas
Kurunegala – Polgahawela DSD and surrounding areas
Matara – Kotapola, Akuressa and Pasgoda DSDs and surrounding areas
Ratnapura – Elapatha, Ayagama, Openayake, Kiriella, Nivithigala, Kahawatta, Pelmadulla, Imbulpe, Balangoda, Godakawela and Kalawana DSDs and surrounding areas

Meanwhile, a Level 2 (Yellow) warning was issued for the following areas:

Kegalle – Kegalle, Dehiowita,  Yatiyanthota, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Warakapola,  Deraniyagala, Aranayake and  Galigamuwa  DSDs and surrounding areas

Ratnapura – Kuruwita, Eheliyagoda and Ratnapura DSDs and surrounding areas

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