(Reuters) – The U.S. government began a partial shutdown on Tuesday for the first time in 17 years, potentially putting up to 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects. Federal agencies were directed to cut back services after lawmakers could not break a political stalemate that sparked new […]
One of the drivers of a train which derailed in north-western Spain killing at least 80 passengers has been put under formal investigation, court officials have said. Security camera footage showed the Madrid to Ferrol train hurtling around a bend before flipping on to its side. […]
The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace has announced. The baby was delivered at 16:24 BST at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, west London, weighing 8lb 6oz. The Duke of Cambridge said in a statement the couple “could not be happier”. He and the duchess will remain in the […]
(Reuters) – Kevin Rudd returned as Australian prime minister on Wednesday, executing a stunning party room coup on Julia Gillard almost three years to the day after being ousted by his former deputy and less than three months out from a general election. The reinstatement of Rudd was a last-ditch effort to shore up support […]
– by Shenali D Waduge – The labels “Buddhist majority attacks minority”, “extremists Buddhists target innocent Muslims”, “Buddhist chauvinists”, “fanatical Buddhists attack Muslims” were recently spread across virtually all mainstream media attempting to embarrass and humiliate the Buddhists of Sri Lanka. Why are these same media and human rights organizations mum now on the attacks […]
– by Shenali Waduge – The cold blooded killing of an Englishman in British army uniform in broad day light in Woolwich, London by two black men a few days ago was a heinous crime that shocked the public in both England and overseas, but it has nevertheless opened a Pandora’s box related to accountability […]
(Reuters) – At least 91 people, including 20 children, were feared killed when a 2 mile wide tornado tore through an Oklahoma City suburb, trapping victims beneath the rubble as one elementary school took a direct hit and another was destroyed. President Barack Obama declared a major disaster area in Oklahoma, ordering federal aid to […]
A file photo of traders working at the crude oil options pit at the New York Mercantile Exchange in New York. – Submitted by Walter Jayawardhana – The price of oil fell to near $93 on Wednesday after the publication of disappointing economic growth figures in Europe, with the 17-country eurozone languishing in its longest […]
Lora Saalman, a Beijing-based associate in the Nuclear Policy Programme at the Carnegie Endowment. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf – Submitted by Walter Jayawardhana – China, concerned over India’s policy on Indian Ocean, wants to establish posts in countries like Sri Lanka and Seychelles, said Dr. Lora Saalman, an American expert on arms control. […]
– Submitted by Walter Jayawardhana – A week into the Emergency when the relationship between the Congress government at the Centre and the DMK government in Tamil Nadu was becoming increasingly hostile, Labour and Housing Minister K. Rajaram asked a U.S. diplomatic representative in Chennai whether the U.S. would give assistance to the State if […]
– Submitted by Walter Jayawardhana – Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday urged the Centre and Supreme Court to reconsider their stand against authorising Tamil as official language in Madras High Court and said administration of justice needs to be taken closer to the people. A recent communication from the Centre had indicated […]
– Submitted by Walter jayawardhana – Former Union Minister and DMK’s south zone organising secretary M K Alagiri’s supporters perhaps did not realise that not attending a birthday party would cost them so dear. But then they should have, considering the party was none other than Alagiri’s bete noire and younger brother M K Stalin’s. […]