News
Papal Conclave begins as Catholics await new Shepherd
The ancient ritual to choose the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church commenced yesterday within the hallowed, frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel. One hundred and thirty-three Cardinals, representing 70 countries, are now cloistered in prayer and contemplation, tasked with selecting a successor to Pope Francis, who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88.
According to Canon Law, any baptised Catholic male is technically eligible to be elected Pope. But for centuries, it has remained the privilege of the College of Cardinals to choose one from among their own—and this Conclave will be no exception.
The solemn proceedings began with a Holy Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. From there, the Cardinals walked to the Sistine Chapel, where they took a sacred oath of secrecy. Then came the time-honoured declaration from the Master of Liturgical Celebrations, “Extra omnes” Latin for “everyone out.” From that moment, the Cardinals were cut off from the outside world, their only task: to discern the will of the Holy Spirit and elect the next Pope.
The Vatican guesthouse, now serves as their temporary home.
Yet despite sharing walls and faith, many of the Cardinals barely know each other – more than 80 percent of the electors were appointed by Pope Francis himself over the last decade. Since the pontiff’s death, the Cardinals have gathered not only to mourn but also to mingle, to talk, to get to know each other.
Amid the swirl of speculation, one name continues to rise above the rest: Cardinal Pietro Parolin. As the Vatican’s Secretary of State and a seasoned diplomat, Parolin is a trusted lieutenant of Pope Francis and known to most of the electors, thanks to his global travels on behalf of the Holy See. Though he may lack the popular touch of his predecessor, his deep knowledge of Church governance and steady hand in diplomacy have made him a frontrunner.
Yet, if charisma is the currency, then few can rival Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines—dubbed the “Asian Francis.” A man whose ministry has been forged not in marble halls but in Manila’s dusty alleyways, Tagle once rode public buses as Bishop of Imus and shared humble meals with the poor. His rise would mark a shift toward the Global South and a Church that, as he puts it, “listens more, judges less, and walks with the broken.”
The Sistine Chapel now waits for white smoke. The world watches and prays. We may not know who will be the next Pope, but it is safe to guess whoever who emerges on the balcony after ‘Habemus papam’ echoes around St. Peter’s Square, will chose the name Francis II, as a mark of respect to his predecessor over other popular Papal names like Benedict, John, Gregory and Clement.
by Rex Clementine
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
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