A Medal in Washington and a Prize in Oslo.
In January 2026, a striking and controversial scene unfolded inside the White House in Washington. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado stood beside President Donald Trump and placed in his hands the gold medal she had received only weeks earlier as part of the Nobel Peace Prize. The image of President Trump holding the framed medal travelled instantly across television screens, newspapers, and social media platforms around the world
Emily in Paris Season 5 Review
Season 5 of Emily in Paris takes the familiar formula of glamorous escapism and playful romance and propels it into new terrain by moving much of the action to Italy before returning to Paris. Released on Netflix in December 2025, this installment is notable for its shift in setting, its attempts at more mature character arcs, and a finale that leaves major questions unanswered as the series heads toward Season 6.
Why Greenland Has Become President Trump’s Most Dangerous Foreign Policy Gamble
Greenland has become the most explosive flashpoint in the West’s own backyard because President Donald Trump has revived an idea that many Europeans hoped had died with his first term:
KALĀ 2026. Shared Ground: South Asia in Conversation.
Colombo hosts KALĀ 2026: TAKE on Art × KALĀ this January, reaffirming its position as a significant hub for contemporary artistic exchange in South Asia. Returning as a cross-border arts platform, KALĀ 2026 brings together artists, curators, writers, scholars, and cultural practitioners from across the region for a programme that foregrounds dialogue, material inquiry, and shared histories. Taking place over the opening weekend of 17 and 18 Janua
THE ARREST OF NICOLÁS MADURO AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR DEMOCRACY IN THE AMERICAS
The arrest of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities has sent shockwaves across Latin America and far beyond it, reopening uncomfortable questions about sovereignty, democracy, and the true motivations that drive global power.
Art exhibition in Support of Pediatric Heart Care
Artist Shanthi Shanmuganathan will present her second solo exhibition of paintings titled Meandering Moods on the 10th and 11th of January 2026 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery in Colombo. The exhibition will be open to the public on both days from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and invites art enthusiasts, collectors, and the wider community to experience a body of work that is both visually engaging and deeply meaningful. Meandering Moods brings together a
Gender Equality in 2026 Women Rights Progress Setbacks and the Road Ahead
In 2026 women equality remains one of the most pressing and complex issues shaping global social economic and political life. Despite decades of advocacy international agreements and legislative reform
How the Ne-Yo Concert in Sri Lanka Turned Into a Public Fiasco. Inside the Brown Boy-Amith Boteju Debacle.
In 2025, Sri Lanka seemed poised for a significant cultural moment. A world-renowned American artist, Ne-Yo, three-time Grammy-winning R&B singer and songwriter, was announced to perform in Colombo on December 28, marking his first ever concert in the country. Event Promoters portrayed it as a historic event that would elevate Sri Lanka’s entertainment scene and tourism profile. But as the event approached, the situation unravelled into one of
The Rise of the Third Culture Adult: Belonging Everywhere and Nowhere
The first time someone asks, “Where are you really from?” it often sounds like curiosity. By adulthood, for many people who have grown up across countries and cultures, it begins to feel like something else entirely. The question is rarely about geography. It is about legitimacy. It is about whether you fit cleanly into the story others want to tell about you.
Homebound Earns Oscars Shortlist Recognition Marking a Defining Moment for Contemporary Indian Cinema.
Homebound has emerged as one of the most significant Indian films on the global stage this year after being shortlisted for the Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The recognition places the film among a select group of fifteen titles from around the world and marks a moment of pride for Indian cinema. More than an awards milestone, the shortlisting reflects the growing international appetite for Indian stories that ar
Christmas Rituals Around the World
Christmas may celebrate the same story across continents, but the rituals that surround it are shaped by culture, climate, faith, and history. From quiet candlelit services to joyful street celebrations, Christmas around the world is a tapestry of traditions that reflect how communities interpret togetherness, generosity, and hope. In Europe, Christmas customs are often steeped in history and symbolism. In Germany, the season begins with Adven
The Landmark Warner Brothers and Netflix Deal.
In December 2025 the global entertainment industry was thrown into upheaval when Netflix revealed it had struck a definitive agreement to acquire the film-studio and streaming assets of Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) in a deal valuing those assets at around 82.7 billion US dollars. The acquisition would fold one of Hollywood’s most venerable studios into the world’s largest streaming service. The deal, if approved, promised to reshape not only the b
What Is Nano Banana by Gemini?
Nano Banana is an artificial intelligence image generation and editing model created by Google DeepMind and released through the Gemini ecosystem. It is the public name for the technology known internally as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, which became available in August 2025. The model allows users to create entirely new images using written prompts or to transform existing photographs with simple instructions. Its arrival marked an important step in b
AmCham Sri Lanka Hosts High-Level Forum on the Amended Personal Data Protection Act.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham Sri Lanka) convened a distinguished group of policymakers, business leaders, and legal experts for a high-level discussion on the recently Amended Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). The forum, held at the Taj Samudra Hotel, served as a timely platform to examine the new legislative framework and its implications for businesses navigating Sri Lanka’s accelerating digital transformation.
Sheikh Hasina A REMARKABLE RISE A DRAMATIC FALL
Sheikh Hasina has for decades been one of Bangladesh’s most pivotal political figures. Born in 1947 in Tungipara, she is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh. Her
Kris Jenner at 70: A James Bond-Level Birthday Blow-Out
When Kris Jenner celebrated her 70th birthday on 5 November 2025, she didn’t do so quietly. The matriarch of the Kardashian-Jenner empire went full “007” with a weekend-long, Bond-inspired fête that took place at the Beverly Hills mansion of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Long known for her flair for show-stopping events, this milestone celebration elevated her style of glamour and spectacle to new heights.
Zohran Mamdani The Progressive Who Redefined New York City Politics
Zohran Mamdani was born in Uganda and raised in New York City. He is the son of renowned intellectuals: his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a respected scholar, and his mother, Mira Nair, is the celebrated Indian-American filmmaker known for movies such as Monsoon Wedding.
The Importance of Remembrance Day
Every year on November 11, people across the Commonwealth and beyond pause for a moment of silence. They gather at cenotaphs, war memorials, schools, and workplaces to honour the men and women who gave their lives in military service. This solemn occasion is known as Remembrance Day, a day not only to remember the fallen but also to reflect on the cost of war, the value of peace, and the continuing duty to preserve freedom. Although it originated
HAK IT: SEASON TWO | EPISODE SEVEN Sakshi Chhabra Mittal in Conversation with Celine Ivari
In the latest episode of Hak It: The FoodHak Podcast, host Sakshi Chhabra Mittal, Founder and CEO of FoodHak, reconnects with Celine Ivari, Founder and CEO of WholyMe.
“It’s Time”
Every November 1st, Mariah Carey transforms what might otherwise seem like an arbitrary calendar shift into a cultural moment; the official kick-off to the Christmas season.
