Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier said Washington’s “silence” over recent Russian attacks was encouraging Putin, urging “strong pressure” – including tougher sanctions – on Moscow.

At least 12 people were killed and dozens injured in Ukraine overnight Sunday after Russia fired 367 drones and missiles – the highest number in a single night since Putin launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.

Air sirens warning of incoming drones and missiles sounded again in many regions of Ukraine early on Monday.

At least three people, including a child, were injured in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

In the southern Zaporizhzhia region, two people were injured, said regional head Ivan Fedorov.

In Russia, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two Ukrainian drones heading towards the capital were destroyed by air defence units. No injuries were reported.

Speaking to reporters in New Jersey late on Sunday, Trump said of Putin: “I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all.”

Asked about whether he was considering increasing US sanctions on Russia, Trump replied: “Absolutely.” The US president has repeatedly threatened to do this before – but is yet to implement any restrictions against Moscow.

Shortly afterwards, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that Putin “has gone absolutely crazy”.

“I’ve always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!”

But the US president also had strong words for Zelensky, saying that he “is doing his country no favours by talking the way he does”.

“Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” Trump wrote of Zelensky.

Despite Kyiv’s European allies preparing further sanctions for Russia, the US has said it will either continue trying to broker these peace talks, or “walk away” if progress does not follow.

Last week, Trump and Putin had a two-hour phone call to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire deal to halt the fighting.

The US president said he believed the call had gone “very well”, adding that Russia and Ukraine would “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and “an end to the war”.

Ukraine has publicly agreed to a 30-day ceasefire.

Putin has only said Russia will work with Ukraine to craft a “memorandum” on a “possible future peace” – a move described by Kyiv and its European allies as delaying tactics.

The first direct Ukrainian-Russian talks since 2022 were held on 16 May in Istanbul, Turkey.

Aside from a major prisoner of war swap last week, there was little or no progress on bringing a pausing in fighting closer.

Russia currently controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory. This includes Crimea – Ukraine’s southern peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.

(BBC News)

Lilo and Stitch, which revisits the 2002 animated family favourite, exceeded expectations with takings of $341m (£252m) around the world.

That made it the second highest opening of 2025 so far after A Minecraft Movie, Variety reported, and broke the record for the Memorial Day weekend in the US.

Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the eighth film in the franchise, also proved a hit with $190m (£140m) in ticket sales.

Cruise has been playing agent Ethan Hunt since 1996, and seemingly confirmed The Final Reckoning would be the last instalment by telling the Hollywood Reporter: “It’s the final! It’s not called ‘final’ for nothing.”

But some have doubts about whether it will really turn out to be the end.

The blockbuster has had some rave reviews, with the Guardian calling it a “wildly entertaining adventure” in a five-star review, and Vanity Fair describing it as “a worthy send-off”.

However, not everyone was blown away, with the Hollywood Reporter saying it’s “a disappointing farewell”, and Mashable saying the series risked going out with the “fizzled whimper of a message self-destructing in a tape deck”.

Meanwhile, Lilo and Stitch is the latest in a long line of live-action remakes of beloved Disney animations, and achieved the third-best box office opening behind 2019’s The Lion King and 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, Variety said.

The new version stars Courtney B Vance and Zach Galifianakis alongside eight-year-old Maia Kealoha and a computer-generated cuddly runaway alien.

It has also had mixed reviews, being described as “jovial, zany, and sweet” by the Daily Beast, but a “mind-numbing abomination” by the Times.

(BBC News)

They have been remanded until May 29.

The remanded suspects include the shooter’s wife, who was arrested at a Maharagama housing complex.

Officers from the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), who are investigating the shooting incident further state that the other 02 arrested are the security guard of the housing complex and a person who was traveling with the shooter.

Investigations have also revealed that the security guard of the apartment complex alerted the shooter about the police arrival during the raid, leading the shooter to flee immediately.

The vehicle of Thusitha Halloluwa – the former DG of Public Relations to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was shot in Narahenpita on May 17.

The Magistrate made the order when he took up an existing case regarding a land in the Eliyakanda area of Matara that was purchased using allegedly illegally earned money of Rs.50 million.The FCID had filed this case against Basil Rajapaksa and 04 other defendants in 2017 over the alleged purchase of a 1.5 acre land in Eliyakanda, Matara under the name of his wife’s sister, using Rs.50 million allegedly obtained through illegal means.

The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second suspect is Muditha Jayakody, the third suspect is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth suspect is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of the former Minister’s wife.The first suspect in this case is Tissa Galappaththi, the second is Muditha Jayakody, the third is former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and the fourth is Ayomi Galappaththi, the sister of Rajapaksa’s wife.

While the first 02 suspects, who are out on bail, appeared in court, Basil Rajapaksa and Ayomi Galappaththi were absent.

Deputy Solicitor General Lakmini Girihagama, representing the Attorney General’s Department, noted that while Basil had been granted court permission to travel abroad until May 23, he failed to appear without a reasonable excuse and requested that his bail be revoked and a warrant issued.

In defense, President’s Counsel Anil Silva stated that his client had booked return flights for May 18 and 19, but US doctors had advised Rajapaksa against flying for 06 months after he had fallen off a chair, sustaining damage to his neck and nerves.

Girihagama questioned the claim, stating that the X Rays only indicated a neck sprain and a minor muscle strain. Noting that the medical reports were dated March 18, 2025, it was also questioned as to why tickets were booked for May 18 and 19 if doctors had actually advised against flying for 06 months. Therefore, Girihagama called for the court to revoke bail.

President’s Counsel Silva strongly defended his client, rejecting accusations of faking illness, affirming the credibility of US medical reports, and assuring the court of his client’s presence at the next hearing, arguing there is no need for a warrant or revoke bail.

After hearing both sides, Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa decided not to issue a warrant or revoke bail, instructing that the accused be present on the next court date. The case was postponed to November 21.

(Source: Dinamina)

Her remains have been placed at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation, allowing the public to bid farewell to the beloved screen icon.

Malini Fonseka passed away in the early hours of May 24 at the age of 78 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. 

Her body was initially kept at her Madiwela residence before being moved to the National Film Corporation, where crowds continue to gather in tribute.

Among the dignitaries paying their respects were former Presidents Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

The final rites of the legendary actress will be held today (26) with full state honors at Independence Square.

The cultural luminary, who passed away on May 24 at 78, will be honoured with full ceremonial rites attended by artists, dignitaries, and adoring fans.  

Final journey of a cinematic legend

The late actress’s remains, lying in state at the National Film Corporation’s Tharangani Hall, will be taken to **Independence Square at 8:00 AM. 

The public can pay their last respects from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  

At 3:30 PM, her body will be moved to a special platform for Buddhist rites, organized by fellow artists and former students of Gurukula College, Kelaniya, her alma mater. The final cremation rites will commence at 5:45 PM.  

Traffic advisory

Police have announced brief traffic restrictions around Independence Square. While no major road closures are planned, vehicles entering Nidahas Mawatha from the Independence Roundabout will face 15-minute delays as the procession passes.  

A legacy that transcended borders  

Malini Fonseka’s illustrious career spanned nearly 150 films, earning her multiple Sarasaviya Awards for classics like Hingana Kolla (1980), Aradhana (1982), and Yasa Isuru (1983). She broke barriers as the first Sri Lankan actress to win international acclaim, securing awards at the Moscow (1975) and New Delhi (1977) film festivals.  

Her collaboration with Indian cinema legend Sivaji Ganesan in Pilot Premnath(1978) and her recognition as one of Asia’s 25 Greatest Film Actors of All Time (CNN, 2010) cemented her as a cultural icon.  

As Sri Lanka bids farewell, her legacy endures—not just in film, but as a trailblazer who elevated **Sri Lankan cinema onto the world stage.

Funeral schedule:  

Public viewing: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM  
Religious rites: 3:30 PM  
Cremation: 5:45 PM  

Fairly heavy rains above 75 mm are likely at some places.

A few showers may occur elsewhere.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Monaragala districts.

Due to this, the public is urged to make prior arrangements and store an adequate supply of water to avoid inconvenience during the period of the suspension.

Accordingly, the water cut will affect the following areas:

• Colombo 01 to Colombo 15
• Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
• Kaduwela
• Battaramulla
• Kolonnawa
• Kotikawatta
• Mulleriyawa
• IDH (Infectious Diseases Hospital) area
• Maharagama
• Dehiwala
• Mount Lavinia
• Ratmalana and Moratuwa

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that Interpol has already issued red notices for their arrest and that the countries where these criminals are hiding have been identified.

He added that investigations into the group have been expanded in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the new government came to power, 11 members of organized crime gangs hiding abroad have been brought back to the island and produced before courts.

Meanwhile, operations to arrest members of organized crime gangs involved in various criminal activities, including murder and drug trafficking, within the country are also ongoing.

The Minister added that the Police Special Task Force and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are jointly conducting investigations into the allegations against them.

The firearm, found earlier this week, led to the arrest of 03 suspects, based on information revealed during interrogations conducted in connection with the incident.