UNGA pushes UNSC reform negotiations to next session; India looks at alternatives

United Nations (IANS) The General Assembly has yet again pushed the negotiations for Security Council reforms to the next session and India has raised the possibility of looking at alternatives to the deadlocked process.

The Assembly unanimously…

Sri Lankan PM appointed Acting President: Speaker

Colombo (IANS) Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Acting President in accordance with the Article 37.1 of the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said on Wednesday.

He…

Palestinians disappointed with US policy ahead of Biden's visit

Ramallah (IANS) Ahead of US President Joe Biden's first visit to the Middle East, the Palestinians are disappointed with the US' failure to present any new peace initiative and fulfill its promises on the Palestinian cause.

Biden is…

Amid curfew and emergency, SL protesters exhort people to flock to Colombo

Colombo (IANS) With President Gotabaya Rajapaksa failing to announce his resignation by 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday as promised, angry protesters surrounded the office of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is tipped to be acting president…

UN expert speculates if becoming most populous nation strengthens India's claim to UNSC

United Nations (IANS) A UN population expert has speculated that India becoming the world's most populous country could strengthen its claim to a permanent seat on the Security Council.

UN Population Division Director John Wilmoth said…

Food security to be focus of first West Asia Quad summit: US

Washington (IANS) Food security will be the focus of the first-ever summit of a new West Asia-focussed Quad comprising India, Israel, the US and the UAE that will take place virtually during President Joe Biden's visit to the region this week,…

China crushes mass protest by bank depositors

Hong Kong (IANS) Chinese authorities have violently dispersed a peaceful protest by hundreds of depositors, who sought in vain to demand their life savings back from banks that have run into a deepening cash crisis.

Since April, four rural…

Speaker to take over as SL Prez until all-party govt is formed

Colombo (IANS) To end the current political crisis in Sri Lanka based on the decision taken by the leaders of the majority parties, the Speaker of the Parliament is set to ask President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to…

Amidst public protest, SL President decides to resign on July 13

Colombo (IANS) After a months-long massive public agitation, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaska on Saturday informed the Speaker that he would resign from the Presidency on July 13.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced that President…

Angry protesters set fire to Sri Lanka PM's private house

Colombo (IANS) Anti-government protesters on Saturday set fire to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence in the heart of Colombo after his security attacked them.

The protesters, who marched to Colombo on Saturday morning…