There is a tendency among sections of Western opinion to view a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit North Korea after some 24 years, as mainly ‘symbolic’. That is, the visit is seen as an indication that Russia is further cementing its ties with North Korea and strengthening the ‘all-weather friend status’ the […]

By P.K.Balachandran Colombo, June 8: Western democracies see the results of the Indian parliamentary elections as a victory of democracy over authoritarianism. Canada and the US have officially conveyed to the Modi government their hope that it will respect democratic norms and human rights. In its write-up, The Economist expressed confidence that the “shock election result will […...

by Amal JAYASINGHE (AFP) When Sri Lanka’s economy crashed in 2022, people sought work abroad wherever they could find it — including ex-soldiers who joined forces fighting in Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. Now the veterans — some of whom swapped their life savings for what they thought would be lucrative, non-combat jobs — are desperate […]

Convicted felon Trump says he prefers to be electrocuted rather than eaten by sharks by Vijaya Chandrasoma The news about the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of the Normandy beaches by allied forces on June 6, 2044 was breaking as I was finishing my column last week. I was not able […]

World leaders are gathering in Switzerland for a summit aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine,  but the absence of powerful allies of Moscow such as China is expected to blunt its potential impact. United States Vice President Kamala Harris and the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are […]

Friday 14th June, 2024 The US presidential race has taken another dramatic turn with a federal jury finding President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, guilty of having illegally purchased and possessed a gun while being addicted to crack cocaine. A sentencing date has not yet been set. The offence carries a prison term. Hunter is reportedly […]

The world faces threats of huge economic losses in case China attacks Taiwan. There is a high possibility of major powers drawing into the conflict, which would disrupt global trade and cost the world its 10 percent of GDP. The Taiwan Strait is crucial for global cargo transport as over 50 percent of cargo ships […]

By Dr Upul Wijayawardhana Whilst THE USA and its allies continue to hound Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism, finding flimsy excuses for their warped actions, they seem to be turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by their ally, Israel which continues to massacre the innocent breaking all rules with impunity. Their hypocrisy seems […]

The world economy had not recovered from the daunting impact of coronavirus, the geo-political headwinds such as Russia-Ukraine war impacted the recovery process in 2022 and before this war settled, Israel-Gaza conflict deepened the geo-politics and geo-political fragmentation. The geo-political disturbances and geo-political fragmentations caused price escalations in the international commodity p...

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the 10th World Water Forum, held in Bali, Indonesia today (20), highlighting the stark contrast between global funding priorities, pointing out the willingness of the Global North to fund death and destruction in Ukraine while showing reluctance to finance measures to combat climate change. Accordingly, President Wickremesinghe proposed a 10% levy […...

Just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s tour of Europe, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar issued a cautionary message to Indian businesses. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, he highlighted the abnormal situation in Ladakh. He emphasized that the situation at the disputed border cannot be disregarded by any Indian citizen. In 2020, China’s breach […]

by Rajan Philips The attempted assassination of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has sent shivers down western spines. In a rare moment of unity, both Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin condemned the shooting. The identity of the arrested shooter has not been made public, but he is believed to be a 71 year old poet […]

Ukrainian counterintelligence investigators have foiled a Russian plot to assassinate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top military and political figures, Ukraine s state security service said Tuesday.

Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.

For the fifth time Vladimir Putin will be taking the long walk through the Grand Kremlin Palace to the St Andrew’s Throne Hall. There he will take the oath of office and be sworn in as Russia’s president for a new six-year term The route may be familiar, but much has changed since Putin’s first […]

President Xi Jinping has hailed “new vistas” in China’s relationship with France on his first trip to Europe in five years – one that feels much like a charm offensive. Mr Xi will be looking to avert the trade war that is looming with Brussels, driven by fears of cheap Chinese electric vehicles entering the […]