Iran attacks Bahrain and Kuwait following US strikes, threatens to end talks to end the war
FOX 40 – Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched drone and missile attacks Sunday targeting Bahrain and Kuwait in response to U.S. airstrikes that hit the Islamic Republic, and threatened a “complete halt” could come to negotiations to end the war if Washington continues its attacks. Efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf that once …
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Confirm a National Media Policy Before Proceeding with Media Reforms – NMSJ
We urge the Government to discuss the proposed Sri Lanka Institute of Chartered Media Professionals Bill with all organisations connected to the media sector and take their views and proposals into consideration before presenting it to Parliament. We also call on the Government to establish a National Media Policy before proceeding with media reforms in Sri Lanka. It is clear …
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Iran says deal to end war ‘declaration of US defeat’
Iran called the deal to end the Middle East war “a declaration of America’s defeat” on Wednesday (Jun 24), as the top US diplomat renewed his country’s commitment to UAE security during a tour of the Gulf. The war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb 28 ended with the Islamic Republic striking an agreement it has portrayed …
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Trump threatens Iran with fresh strikes as Vance leads peace talks in Switzerland
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland/DUBAI, June 21 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to restart war with Iran even as Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials for the first talks under an interim peace deal, overshadowed by Tehran’s announcement it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. The talks in the Qatari-owned mountaintop resort of Buergenstock in Switzerland were …
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US and Iran begin talks on initial peace deal in Switzerland
US and Iranian officials have arrived in Switzerland for direct talks after signing an initial agreement to end the war last week. The deal includes a commitment to reach a final agreement within 60 days, as well as an end to hostilities on “all fronts” – including in Lebanon – and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. But ongoing …
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US, Iran envoys head for talks, Israeli strikes continue after ceasefire
U.S. President Donald Trump’s personal envoy and Iran’s foreign minister were headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios said, although deadly strikes by Israel in Lebanon on Saturday could test a new ceasefire key to ending the Iran war. The talks, led by Steve Witkoff and Abbas Araqchi mark an effort to turn this week’s interim 14-point pact into a lasting …
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US-Iran talks postponed as Vance pulls out of Switzerland trip
A new round of direct talks between the US and Iran have been postponed after Vice-President JD Vance delayed a planned trip to Switzerland. The White House announced late on Thursday that Vance would not be travelling to the talks and said the logistics had not been “simple or predictable”. It comes a day after the US dropped its naval …
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Tribute to Dr. Devanesan Nesiah
The passing of Dr. Devanesan Nesiah at the age of 92 is a profound loss to the Sri Lankan community, marking the departure of a truly outstanding individual. I was told that he was among the last batch of civil servants who entered the Sri Lankan government service before it transitioned into the Administrative Service. I had the privilege of …
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US lifts naval blockade as Iran’s supreme leader says Trump made deal ’out of desperation’
The US has dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal to end the war in the Middle East. US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade on X “in accordance with the President’s direction”, and said some US vessels would remain “in the general area”. Soon afterwards, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said …
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UN torture prevention body to revisit Sri Lanka
GENEVA – The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will return to Sri Lanka from 15 to 24 June, seven years after its last visit, to assess whether the authorities have followed through on reforms and strengthened protections for people in detention or other places where they may be deprived of their liberty. “Since our last visit in 2019, the Government of …
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