May 3, 2019

News in brief

UK becomes first parliament to declare climate emergencyAFP, London Britain’s opposition Labour Party on Wednesday called for “real action” after parliament became the first in...

A Sri Lankan naval soldier stands guard at a road leading to a closed market on May Day in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Sri Lanka's major political parties called off traditional May Day rallies due to security concerns following the Easter bombings

International

May 3, 2019

Catholic services in Sri Lankan capital cancelled for 2nd week

AP, Colombo :Catholic services are being canceled for a second weekend in Sri Lanka’s capital after the government warned of more possible attacks by the...

Sudanese protesters chant slogans during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on Wednesday.

International

May 3, 2019

Crowds to flood Khartoum as stand-off with military persists

AFP, Khartoum :Sudanese demonstrators are expected to stage a “million-strong” march on Thursday to press for a civilian administration after talks with military rulers hit...

The May 4-6 coronation comes more than two years after Vajiralongkorn ascended the throne at the death of his father.

International

May 3, 2019

Thailand set for coronation of King Rama X, first in 69 years

AFP, Bangkok :Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be crowned this weekend in a pageantry-laden ceremony flecked by Hindu and Buddhist ritual, as Rama X furthers...

International

May 3, 2019

Assange sentenced to 50 weeks jail by UK court for skipping bail

AP, London :WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail by a London court on Wednesday for skipping bail to enter the...

A woman holds a poster of Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel during the May Day rally in Havana's Revolution Square on Wednesday.

International

May 3, 2019

Cuba May Day parade defies Trump over Maduro support

AFP, Havana :The scent of the Cold War hung over Cuba’s May Day parade where marchers bellowed defiance against US President Donald Trump for his...

International

May 1, 2019

Sri Lanka maintains high alert for attacks ahead of Ramzan

Reuters, Colombo :Sri Lankan security forces maintained a high level of alert on Tuesday after the Easter Sunday bombings, officials said, amid intelligence reports that...

Japan's Emperor Akihito speaks during the ceremony of his abdication in front of other members of the royal families and top government officials at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday.

International

May 1, 2019

Emperor announces abdication as Japan marks end of era

Reuters, Tokyo :Japanese Emperor Akihito, in his final remarks as his three-decade reign drew to a close on Tuesday, thanked the people for their support...

International

April 30, 2019

Sri Lanka bans face veils after attacks by militants

Reuters :Authorities in Sri Lanka on Monday banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law put in place after deadly Easter Sunday attacks...

Prime Minister Sanchez's Socialists cane firs in the snap polls, winning 123 seats out of 350, but short of an absolute majority.

International

April 30, 2019

Spain faces weeks of coalition horse-trading after Socialist victory

AFP :Spain faces weeks of coalition talks after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialists won snap elections without a majority, splitting the right-wing bloc but letting...

Security personnel stand guard as monks take part in a Buddhist ceremony as a tribute to victims, a week after a string of suicide bomb attacks across the island on Easter Sunday, at Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

International

April 29, 2019

Churches fall silent in Sri Lanka a week after attacks

Reuters, Colombo :Churches across Sri Lanka suspended Sunday mass and the Archbishop of Colombo delivered a televised special sermon from a chapel at his home,...

International

April 29, 2019

Sudan protesters, army rulers in breakthrough talks over civil rule

AFP, Hartoum :Sudanese protesters Sunday welcomed a breakthrough in talks with army rulers who agreed to form a joint civilian-military council, paving the way for...