Editorial

Arts

Why April Marks Traditional New Year Across South and Southeast Asia: Solar Calendars, Water Festivals, and Cultural Renewal from Sri Lanka to Bangladesh

April is a month of cultural renewal in some countries. Even though New Year celebrations are mostly celebrated towards the beginning of the year, some South and South Asian regions celebrate their own traditional New Year festivals, which are rooted in ancient solar and agricultural calendars. Symbolizing new beginnings, prosperity, and transition into a new seasonal cycle, these celebrations stood far before the current Gregorian calendar became the standard globally. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which is celebrated in Sri Lanka, is typically known as Aluth Avurudu. The country primarily observes this celebration around April 13-14, making it the...
Food Security

Experts Call for Urgent Reform of Africa’s Food Systems Amid Rising Hunger

Sharya Christiana -
All due to the prolonged continuation in food insecurity that is rising under many sectors such as economic, environmental, and structural pressures, which also keep on mounting, a call for urgent action regarding the African continent's agri-food systems has been made by global experts and African leaders. This situation has become a central focus at the 34th Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Taking place in Nouakchott,...
CU Sports

Blink and You Missed History: 18-Year-Old Gout Gout Explodes to 19.67

Asanga Divulweva -
Recently, Australian sprinting has gained a remarkable, fast-paced successor; Gout Gout has taken the title of Australia’s fastest runner in the 200m under legal terms. (Gout Gout is only 18 years old.) On Sunday, he won the men’s 200m final at the Australian Athletics Championships in 19.67 seconds at Sydney Olympic Park. He is now the first male Australian sprinter to record an official time of under 20 seconds...
Aviation

From Runways to Revenues: Bluspring’s $13.82 Million Aviation Catering Deal Signals a High-Altitude Growth Play

Asanga Divulweva -
There is a unique but strategic choice made by Bluspring Enterprises for an area to continue to expand into—aviation catering. Through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bluspring New Horizon Two Private Limited (a company that performs integrated infrastructure services), they have signed a definitive agreement for the purchase of 100% of LSG Sky Chefs (India) Private Limited, which will give them access to the aviation catering sector for the first time....
Mena

32 million Visitors and Rising: How the UAE Quietly Became a Global Tourism Powerhouse

Asanga Divulweva -
Even in 2025, the UAE thrives as an innovative and attractive region for travel and tourism, building on their strong record of year-to-date growth achieved from both 2023 and 2024. It is estimated that there were over 32,340,000 guests who stayed at hotel properties in the United Arab Emirates during 2025, making this a new all-time record of visitors. This also represents a year-over-year increase of 5.2% from the...
Global

“Stop Nick Shirley Act” Ignites Clash Over Journalism and Online Safety

Sharya Christiana -
Often referred to as the "Stop Nick Shirley Act" by critics, it is a new California legislative proposal, formally known as AB 2624. This act has brought over intense debate regarding free speech, privacy, and the limits of investigative journalism in the state. The nickname for this bill was brought by a reference to Nick Shirley, a YouTuber known for filming candid street interviews, which sometimes involve migrants or...
Canada and Caribbean

Canadian FinDev provides a USD 30 million loan to CIFI in support of inclusive economic growth in the Caribbean & Latin America

Roshan Abayasekara -
The Corporación Interamericana para el Financiamiento de Infraestructura (CIFI) was to benefit from Canada’s bilateral development finance institution, FinDev Canada, which announced a USD 30 million loan to CIFI. CIFI is considered a leading investment platform in middle-market infrastructure & energy. It also delivers financial solutions across Latin America & the Caribbean. This is FinDev Canada’s second transaction with CIFI. This loan is expected to enable CIFI to expand access...