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…

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,…

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…

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…

China employed 'Debt Trap Diplomacy' to gain strategic edge over SL: Think tank

New Delhi (IANS) China employed its devious 'Debt Trap Diplomacy' to gain a strategic edge over Sri Lanka, an independent foreign policy think tank said on Saturday after Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe resigned making way for an…

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…

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…

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…

Ready to accept party leaders' decision: SL President

Colombo (IANS) Making his stance clear for the first time amid massive public pressure to step down, Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that he would respect any decision taken at the party leaders' meeting scheduled on Saturday evening.

India votes in UNSC for West-sponsored resolution on Syria, abstains on Russian motion

United Nations (IANS) India has voted for a UN Security Council resolution sponsored by Western countries on continuing a passage for aid to reach parts of the war-torn Syria and abstained on a counter-motion proposed by Russia, both of which failed…