Dissanayake said Washington had sought permission for the aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport between March 4 and March 8.

The planes were reportedly carrying anti-ship missiles and were to arrive from a U.S. base in Djibouti.“We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality,” Dissanayake said, adding that the decision was met with approval from lawmakers.

The president said Sri Lanka also rejected a separate request from Iran for three naval vessels to make a goodwill visit between March 9 and March 13 after participating in an Indian naval exercise.

“We were considering this request. Had we said ‘yes’ to Iran, we would have had to say ‘yes’ to the U.S. as well,” he said, indicating Colombo’s effort to avoid alignment with either side.

The decisions come amid heightened tensions following military action by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, which has disrupted energy flows and unsettled global markets.

Sri Lanka’s navy was also involved in rescue operations linked to the conflict. Authorities said 32 Iranian crew members were rescued from the vessel IRIS Dena after it was torpedoed on March 4, in an incident that reportedly caused significant casualties.

A second vessel, IRIS Booshehr, and its crew were assisted after encountering technical difficulties near Sri Lankan waters.

The developments coincide with a visit by Sergio Gor, who met Dissanayake on Thursday as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement.

Sri Lanka, still recovering from a financial crisis that peaked in 2022, is facing renewed economic pressure due to energy supply disruptions linked to the regional conflict, underscoring the challenges of maintaining a neutral stance.

Rodríguez announced the changes in a social media post, describing the appointments as a “renewed Military High Command,” a day after dismissing the long-serving defense minister and installing a former intelligence chief in his place.

The move marks one of the most significant restructurings of Venezuela’s armed forces since the leadership transition.The reshuffle follows the removal of the defense minister, a close ally of Maduro who had remained a key figure within the military establishment.

His replacement, a former intelligence official, is part of Rodríguez’s broader effort to consolidate control over the security apparatus.

Analysts say the changes reflect an attempt to rebuild authority within the armed forces after criticism of the previous command structure, particularly following the U.S. operation that led to Maduro’s capture in January.

Financial TimesThe military, which has pledged loyalty to Rodríguez, remains a central pillar of governance in Venezuela, overseeing sectors including oil, mining, food distribution and key administrative functions.

Rodríguez, who previously served as vice president under Maduro, is navigating competing pressures from Washington and domestic political factions. The United States has exerted influence over policy direction, including economic reforms and access to Venezuela’s natural resources.

She has introduced an amnesty law to release political prisoners and moved to reform oil and mining regulations in line with U.S. expectations, while also managing a fragile domestic environment marked by economic hardship and shortages of basic goods.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Washington is closely involved in Venezuela’s transition, while allowing Rodríguez to remain in power conditional on cooperation with U.S. objectives.

Rodríguez faces the challenge of maintaining support among Venezuelans loyal to Maduro while advancing reforms under international scrutiny. Maduro, detained following the U.S. operation, has been taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

The military’s expanded role in economic and administrative sectors has drawn criticism over alleged corruption and abuses, complicating efforts to stabilize the country as it navigates a period of political transition.

The latest restructuring underscores the importance of military alignment in Venezuela’s evolving power dynamics, as Rodríguez seeks to secure her position amid ongoing geopolitical pressure and internal uncertainty.

Ivan Fedorov said Russian forces carried out two overnight strikes on the Zaporizhzhia district, destroying private homes. A 10-year-old boy and a 48-year-old man were among those injured, he said in a statement posted on Telegram.

The attack adds to a series of strikes on civilian infrastructure in southern Ukraine, where frontline regions continue to face sustained bombardment.

Local officials said residential properties were damaged in the latest assault, underscoring the ongoing risks to civilians.

No immediate comment was issued by Russia on the reported strikes.

The developments come ahead of a planned meeting between Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators in the United States on Saturday, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, as efforts continue to restart diplomatic engagement over the conflict.

Negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, supported by Washington, have faced delays in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials have said the talks were disrupted by the US-Israeli war with Iran, which has shifted international attention and diplomatic resources.

Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces remains ongoing, with periodic escalations reported across multiple regions. The latest strike highlights the continuing volatility on the ground even as diplomatic efforts seek to regain momentum.

The controversy followed a series of events during and after a tournament in Australia, where seven members of the squad initially accepted asylum offers, but five later reversed their decisions and rejoined the team, leaving two players remaining in Australia.

Refugee advocates said the outcome raised concerns about whether the players had been given adequate time and independent legal advice before making decisions. Graham Thom described the result as “far from ideal,” expressing concern both for the two players who stayed and those who returned.

The episode drew scrutiny after Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke publicly released images of five women who had accepted humanitarian visas, a move that critics said may have exposed them to additional pressure.

Analysts noted that Australia has traditionally handled asylum cases discreetly, partly to reduce risks for applicants and their families. Critics argued that the high-profile approach in this case may have complicated the situation.

The situation escalated after Donald Trump publicly called for the players to be granted asylum and raised the issue with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The involvement of political leaders, analysts said, contributed to turning the case into a broader geopolitical dispute.

Shahram Akbarzadeh said the players’ initial actions, including declining to sing the national anthem at a match, became politicized and amplified beyond their original context.

“It quickly turned into a political dispute and political theater,” he said, adding that multiple actors sought to use the situation to advance competing narratives.

Iranian officials rejected claims that the players were pressured to return. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said those who reversed their asylum decisions had been “coerced” into applying and denied that Tehran influenced their return.

Australian officials denied exerting pressure on the players, with Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite describing the situation as “very complex” and emphasizing that the decisions were personal.

Some former athletes and advocates expressed concern that external pressure may have affected the players’ choices. Shiva Amini said she feared potential repercussions for those who returned, citing risks to family members, although she declined to provide details.

The majority of the team regrouped and traveled through Kuala Lumpur and Oman before returning to Iran via Turkiye, where state media reported they were welcomed upon arrival. Midfielder Fatemeh Shaban said the players were “happy to be in Iran,” describing it as their homeland.The reasons behind the decision by five players to abandon their asylum bids have not been publicly disclosed.

The episode has prompted wider debate over how asylum claims intersect with diplomacy, media exposure and the welfare of individuals involved in politically sensitive cases.

The agency said governments, businesses and households could take immediate steps to reduce fuel demand and mitigate the impact of rising costs, following its decision earlier this month to release record volumes of oil from emergency reserves.

In its latest guidance, the IEA said practical actions such as increased remote work, lower highway speed limits and reduced reliance on air travel could help curb fuel consumption in the short term. The proposals are aimed at softening the burden on consumers facing higher energy bills.

The agency framed the recommendations as part of a broader strategy to complement supply-side interventions, emphasizing coordinated action across sectors to stabilize markets.

The IEA earlier agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves, marking the largest such move in its history. The United States is contributing the majority of the supply, reflecting its central role in global energy coordination efforts.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the agency remains in close contact with key governments, including major producers and consumers, as part of ongoing energy diplomacy efforts.

“We have recently launched the largest ever release of IEA emergency oil stocks,” Birol said in a statement, adding that discussions with governments are continuing to address market volatility.

The spike in oil prices linked to the conflict has intensified concerns over inflation worldwide, as higher energy costs ripple through transport, manufacturing and household expenses.

Birol said the latest report provides “a menu of immediate and concrete measures” that can be implemented quickly to shield consumers, highlighting the importance of reducing demand alongside boosting supply in times of crisis.

Finland has been ranked the world’s happiest country in the latest World Happiness Report, which also highlighted concerns over the impact of heavy social media use on youth well-being, particularly on platforms driven by algorithmic content and influencer culture.

The 2026 report found that increased time spent on social media is associated with declining well-being among young people in several regions, with researchers pointing to structural features of platforms as a key factor shaping user experience and mental health outcomes.

Researchers involved in the report said that while social media remains a central mode of interaction for younger populations, its effects vary significantly depending on how platforms are designed and used. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, one of the contributors to the report, said there is a need to restore the original purpose of online interaction.

“It is clear that we should look as much as possible to put the ‘social’ back into social media,” De Neve said, underscoring concerns that current platform dynamics may be undermining meaningful engagement.

The report identified heavy social media use as an important contributing factor to declining youth well-being in some countries, although it stopped short of presenting it as the sole cause. Researchers noted that broader social, cultural and economic factors also play a role in shaping outcomes.

According to the findings, platforms that rely heavily on algorithmic feeds, promote influencers and prioritize visual content tend to have more negative associations with well-being. These features, the report said, encourage social comparison, which can adversely affect users’ perceptions of themselves and their lives.

By contrast, platforms that primarily facilitate direct communication between users were associated with relatively better outcomes. The distinction highlights how platform architecture, rather than mere usage levels, can influence the psychological effects of digital interaction.

Researchers emphasized that these patterns are not uniform across regions. In parts of the Middle East and South America, the relationship between social media use and well-being appears to be more positive, and youth well-being has not shown the same levels of decline despite high usage rates.

The report attributed these differences to a range of factors that vary by region, including social norms, patterns of use and broader societal conditions.

Finland retained its position at the top of the global happiness rankings, continuing a trend seen in recent years. The report’s broader findings also pointed to a shift in the geographic distribution of high-ranking countries.

For the second consecutive year, none of the English-speaking countries featured in the top 10. The United States ranked 23rd, Canada 25th and Britain 29th, reflecting a relative decline compared to other regions.

The rankings are based on a range of indicators that assess quality of life and subjective well-being, though the report highlighted that digital behavior is emerging as an increasingly relevant factor in shaping these outcomes.

The report’s focus on social media comes amid growing policy attention worldwide, as governments assess the potential risks posed by digital platforms to younger users. Several countries have already introduced restrictions or are considering bans on social media use for minors.

Researchers said the findings could inform ongoing regulatory discussions by highlighting how specific design features of platforms may influence user well-being. The emphasis on algorithm-driven content and visual engagement aligns with broader concerns raised by policymakers and public health experts.

While the report does not prescribe specific policy measures, it points to the need for a more nuanced understanding of how digital environments interact with social and psychological factors.

“It is clear that we should look as much as possible to put the ‘social’ back into social media.”

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Washington should “speak and act cautiously” on Taiwan and “correct their understanding of China,” responding to questions about the U.S. report during a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Lin reiterated Beijing’s position on Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, and called on the United States to avoid actions or rhetoric that could escalate tensions. The Taiwan issue remains one of the most contentious points in U.S.-China relations, with Washington maintaining unofficial ties and providing defensive support to the self-ruled island.

The U.S. intelligence report, referenced in the exchange, assessed that China does not have plans to launch an invasion of Taiwan in the coming year, offering a near-term outlook that contrasts with broader concerns in Washington over Beijing’s long-term military intentions.

The remarks underscore ongoing friction between the world’s two largest economies over security perceptions and strategic competition. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned about China’s growing military capabilities and assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, while Beijing has accused Washington of exaggerating threats to justify its regional posture.

Lin said the United States should align its statements and actions more carefully on Taiwan, signaling Beijing’s continued sensitivity to external commentary on the matter.

China’s response reflects its consistent opposition to what it describes as the “China threat theory,” a narrative Beijing says mischaracterizes its intentions. Lin said the United States should align its statements with what China views as a more accurate understanding of its policies.

The exchange highlights the sensitivity surrounding Taiwan, which remains a central point of contention in relations between China and the United States, particularly in the context of security assessments and diplomatic signaling.

Public statements tied to intelligence findings often carry broader geopolitical implications, shaping perceptions among regional actors and influencing diplomatic engagement.

The latest comments underscore how both sides continue to manage competing narratives while maintaining firm positions on sovereignty and security concerns.