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One dead as wildfires rage across Athens suburbs

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One person has died as fierce wildfires spread in the suburbs of Athens in Greece on Monday.

The body, believed to be that of a woman, was found inside a shop in the town of Vrilissia, northern Athens, a source from the fire service told the BBC.

Thousands of people have been evacuated after firefighters warned that homes, businesses and schools were under threat, with fires expected to continue into Tuesday.

Fire service spokesman Col Vassilios Vathrakogiannis said while there was no longer a single active fire front in the north-eastern Attica region, which includes parts of Athens, there were still “many active localised blazes”, mostly around the towns of Marathon and Penteli.

In a statement released on Monday evening, he added that conditions for new fires remained dangerous not only on Tuesday, but also for further into the week.

More than 700 firefighters, 199 fire engines and 35 waterbombing aircraft have been involved in efforts to extinguish the fires, which first broke out on Sunday afternoon around 35km (22 miles) north of the Greek capital.

Col Vathrakogiannis said two firefighters had received treatment for burns while fighting the blazes.

Officials said fires broke out in 40 different locations on Monday and that some areas saw flames as high as 25m (82ft).

In unprecedented scenes, people in Athens wore facemasks to protect themselves from the smoke, which blew into the city.

(BBC News)

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13 reservoirs reach spill level

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The Water Management Branch of the Irrigation Department has said that a total of 13 reservoirs have started spilling due to high rainfall in the catchment areas.The reservoirs of Mahakandarawa, Mahawilachchiya, Nuwara Wewa, Rajangana, Unnichchi, Muruthawela, Weerawila, Ellewela, Wemedilla, Mediyawa, Usgala, Ethimale and Wan Ela, have all reached spill level in this manner.

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Schoolgirl abducted in Kandy found in Ampara, suspect arrested

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Police have located the schoolgirl abducted in Daulagala, Kandy on Saturday (11).

The schoolgirl, along with the primary suspect involved in the abduction have been found by the police while they were boarded on a luxury bus that was scheduled to depart for Kandy near the Ampara Bus Stand today (13).

However, the suspect has now been arrested and the interrogations of the girl and the suspect are underway.

The abduction took place on the morning of January 11, 2025, in the Daulagala Police Division. Preliminary investigations had revealed that the primary suspect is a close relative—the son of the girl’s father’s sister.

Police said that the suspect abducted the girl following a disagreement over their proposed marriage. Initially, both families had consented to the union, but the girl’s father later withdrew his approval, triggering the conflict, according to police.

The schoolgirl, a resident of Handessa, was abducted on the morning of January 11 while on her way to school with a friend.

The van used in the abduction was discovered abandoned in Polonnaruwa by local police the same day. Subsequently, officers from Daulagala Police apprehended the van driver, a 30-year-old resident of Kahatapitiya, Gampola, in the Gampola area on January 12.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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President AKD to leave for China today

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake is set to depart the country this evening (Jan. 13) for a four-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China.

This visit, taking place from Jan. 14 -17, is undertaken at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.  

During the visit, President Disanayake will hold discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as engage with other senior Chinese officials to strengthen diplomatic ties.  

The agenda includes key focus areas such as technology, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. The President is also scheduled to visit strategic facilities and participate in high-level business forums aimed at enhancing economic collaboration and investment opportunities.  

A series of bilateral agreements to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between Sri Lanka and China will be signed during the visit.  

This marks President Disanayake’s second international state visit since assuming office and is considered a pivotal step in fortifying the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and China. It is anticipated that the visit will significantly advance bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, and economic cooperation. 

(President’s Media Division)

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