WORLD
Dinesh Gunawardena sworn in as new Sri Lankan PM
Gunawardena, parliamentarian of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, took his oath in the capital Colombo in the presence of other senior legislators, Xinhua news agency reported. Wickremesinghe was elected as the new President of the South Asian country in a parliamentary vote on Wednesday, and was sworn in as Sri Lankan President on Thursday.
Modi, Shehbaz meeting may take place in Uzbekistan at SCO summit
Highly-placed diplomatic sources told The News here on Thursday that a chance meeting between Shehbaz and Modi couldn't be ruled out since both would be in the same compound for two days. "No structured meeting of the two has been tied up since India hasn't requested the same yet. In case such a request is made, Pakistan's response will be positive," the sources said.
Promoting sustainable development needs working with young people: UN chief
The UN chief on Thursday made the remarks in a video message to the World Youth Development Forum, organised by the All-China Youth Federation and being held in Beijing from July 21 to 23 under the theme "For a Shared Future: Promoting Sustainable Development with Youth and for Youth".
N.Korea is ready to conduct nuclear test at any time: S.Korean President
Yoon was responding to a reporter's question about the US Department of Defence's assessment that the North has completed preparations to carry out a nuclear test as early as within the month, Yonhap news agency reported. "We believe that not only at the end of this month, but ever since my inauguration, it's fully ready and able to do it whenever it decides," he told reporters as he arrived for work.
282 killed, over 200 injured as heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Pakistan
Most of the damages and casualties were reported from the country's southwestern Balochistan province, where 88 people died and 62 others sustained injuries due to monsoon rains that triggered flash floods, followed by the southern Sindh province, which has reported 67 deaths, according to the NDMA.
Protesters awaiting swearing-in of new Cabinet removed violently
Military and riot police, who entered the protest site armed with clubs and wires, attacked the protesters taking control of the protest site while arresting at least eight, including protest leaders and a lawyer. Journalists and lawyers were not allowed to enter the area and at least two journalists who were covering the clearing off were attacked by the military.
8th hearing of Jan 6 probe panel might wrap up Capitol Hill riots probe
Democrat Bennie Thompson is expected to chair the session, although remotely and virtually, though having tested positive for Covid-19 and is isolating himself from others. After Thompson's positive test was announced, his office made clear that the hearing would still go forward even if the Mississippi Democrat was unable to attend in person, though it was unclear whether the chairman would play any role. Aides said on Wednesday that Thompson is "feeling OK" and will still chair the hearing virtually.
'Iran to gradually eliminate dollar in trade with Russia'
The trade volume between Iran and Russia stood at $4 billion, which can be conducted through the Iranian currency rial and the Russian ruble, said Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Ali Salehabadi in a televised interview, Xinhua news agency reported, citing IRNA. The two countries have exchanged a memorandum of understanding to use their national currencies in small-scale trade transactions, he added. In a Tuesday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the gradual abandonment of the dollar in bilateral exchanges.
Israel's top court okays revoking citizenship of 'terrorists'
A panel of seven judges led by Supreme Court President Esther Hayut said that a person convicted of "breach of trusts against the State of Israel, such as an act of terror, an act of treason or serious espionage, or acquisition of citizenship in a hostile state" could face a cancelation of their citizenship, Xinhua news agency reported.
Sri Lanka's tryst with China, India
Days before his election, rampaging mobs had burnt down his house in a tony area of the capital, Colombo, indicating that popular perception sees him no different from Gotabaya Rajapakse who has fled the country. Well, Wickramasinghe is certainly not a very popular leader. In the last nation-wide poll, he was the lone winner of his party, United National Party (UNP).
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