India set to sign FTA with Oman in first 100 days of Modi’s third term

India is set to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman in the first 100 days of the third term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Tuesday said that strategic ties between the two countries are destined to scale new heights and the matter figured in commerce minister Piyush Goyal’s review meeting.

Efforts of Saudi Arabia in serving Hajj Pilgrims

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since the reign of The Founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, until the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has given the utmost attention and care to the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites to accommodate the increasing numbers of the Hajj pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors.

Fate of plane which vanished 53 years ago with 5 onboard revealed

Fifty-three years after a private plane carrying five men disappeared on a snowy Vermont night, experts believe they have found the wreckage of the long lost jet in Lake Champlain.

Hong Kong uses new national security law against exiled activists

Hong Kong’s Security Bureau said on Wednesday it would use powers in a new national security law against six self-exiled activists residing in Britain, including cancelling their passports, after they fled the China-ruled city.

World Bank raises GDP projection, says India to keep its fastest-growing economy tag

The World Bank has upwardly revised India’s GDP growth forecast for the current financial year 2024-25 by 20 basis points to 6.6 per cent from its earlier projection of 6.4 per cent made in January.

Europe’s China ties further tangled by rise of French far right

French President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call a snap national legislative election following heavy losses to the far right in the European parliamentary polls widens the fissure in the bloc’s stance over its relationship with China, analysts said on Monday.

Australian rugby star Hayne wins appeal in rape case

Former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has won an appeal against his rape convictions and has been ordered to stand trial for a fourth time in the same case.

Dozens dead as fire engulfs Kuwait residential block

At least 49 people have been killed in a fire at a residential building in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf, the country’s Interior Ministry says.

Alleged fentanyl crisis grips Maldives amid China White infiltration

The Maldives is alleged to be grappling with a dire new menace: the infiltration of the lethal synthetic opioid ’’China White’’ or fentanyl-laced drugs. This highly potent substance, exceeding 900 times the strength of morphine, is leaving a trail of devastation and death in its wake.

Australia consider fixing T20 World Cup match to ensure England are knocked out

Josh Hazlewood says it is in Australia’s ‘best interests’ to manipulate the result of their final T20 World Cup group game against Scotland to ensure England are knocked out.

Union in push to end junior wages so workers get national minimum wage

When Jayda got her first pay cheque she was really excited. Then, she looked more closely at her hourly rate.

India to remain fastest growing large economy in 2024, World Bank reports

India, despite a projected slowdown this year, will continue to be the world’s fastest-growing large economy, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report.

PUCSL to finalise CEB tariff revision by mid-July

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is set to finalise the approval of the new electricity tariff revision proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) by mid-July.

Biden vows to respect guilty verdict in son’s gun trial

US President Joe Biden has said he will respect a jury’s decision to find his son guilty of gun crimes, after a week-long trial that laid bare a tumultuous time for the family.

Undecided voters to seal the poll?

As parties gear up for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled to be held later this year, it is learnt that an extensive popularity poll on all presidential candidates is being conducted by an international IT company who conducted a similar poll and predicted the victory of Narendra Modi at the just concluded Indian election.

Sri Lanka’s atmosphere for NGOs improve

The atmosphere for the operation of the NGOs (non-governmental organizations) has improved in Sri Lanka in 2024 compared to the previous years, a report says.

Participation in BRICS meeting to mark India’s inaugural foreign policy engagement in PM Modi’s third term

The first assignment for India’s foreign policy under the historic third consecutive term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin at the meeting of the BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Foreign Ministers beginning in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod on Monday.

Probe into video of youth touching sleeping wild elephant

An investigation has been launched by the Anuradhapura Wildlife Assistant Director regarding a video circulating on social media showing a youth touching a wild elephant while it was asleep.

President forms committee to tackle public service salary anomalies

In a move to address longstanding salary anomalies within the public service, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced the formation of a specialized expert committee.

Fire at famous Bangkok market kills 1,000 animals

Around 1,000 animals were killed in a fire in Bangkok’s famous open-air Chatuchak market early Tuesday, gutting nearly 100 shops.

Philippines asserts security independence amid South China Sea tension

The Philippines will continue to maintain and supply its outposts in the South China Sea without seeking permission from any other country, the country’s national security adviser said.

Sabry, Russian Foreign Minister discuss Sri Lankan recruitment to Russian forces

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry who is currently in Russia to participate in the BRICS 2024 Foreign Ministerial Session with developing countries had a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday (10).

The Silence That Speaks Volumes - Rethinking Discipline in Sri Lanka

Imagine a world where a child’s punishment isn’t measured in screams, but in a chilling silence. A recent video, a stark reminder etched in pixels, showed a father brutally beating his four-year-old daughter.

India’s benevolence shines in Maldives’ hour of need

India has once again demonstrated its commitment to global welfare by extending a helping hand to the Maldives, despite political differences and diplomatic challenges.

Aircraft carrying Malawi vice-president goes missing

An aircraft carrying Malawi’s Vice-President Saulos Chilima and nine others has gone missing, a statement from the president’s office has said.

Elon Musk’s thank you note to Indian-origin man behind Tesla’s AI success

Elon Musk, on Sunday, expressed gratitude towards Indian-origin Ashok Elluswamy – the first person hired for Tesla’s autopilot team.

King Salman issues decree to host 1,000 Gaza pilgrims for Hajj

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has issued a royal decree to host 1,000 pilgrims from the families of martyrs and the wounded from the Gaza Strip under the title: “Hosting Initiative for Pilgrims from the Families of Martyrs and the Wounded from the Gaza Strip” to perform Hajj this year.

Tensions escalate as Chinese aircraft, vessels intrude near Taiwan’s territory

In a concerning escalation of regional tensions, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence reported on Sunday morning a significant presence of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft and People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels operating in close proximity to its territory.

French President dissolves parliament and calls a snap election

President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the lower house of France’s parliament in a surprise announcement sending voters back to the polls in the coming weeks to choose lawmakers, after his party was handed a humbling defeat by the far-right in the European elections Sunday.

Trump suggests tariffs against nations including China over illegal immigration

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday he may impose tariffs on countries, including China, that do not curb the flow of undocumented immigrants from their territory to the United States, if he wins the U.S. election in November.