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UN adds Israel and Russia to sexual violence blacklist for first time
The UN Secretary-General's annual report lists Israeli and Russian armed forces for the first time among 77 parties tied to conflict-related sexual violence.
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VFS Global under scrutiny after 150 EU inspection reports flag data lapses
Over 150 EU inspection reports on VFS Global cite unencrypted biometric data, fake appointments and visa-shopping, a Lighthouse Reports probe found.
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Sri Lanka inaugurates new Wellington High Commission with Winston Peters in attendance
Sri Lanka opened a resident High Commission in Wellington on May 28, with New Zealand Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Winston Peters attending as special guest.
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Dutch Clingendael Institute delegation meets Pathfinder Foundation on Indian Ocean security
Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute met Pathfinder Foundation's Milinda Moragoda to discuss maritime security and Sri Lanka's logistics-hub ambitions.
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Herath meets Sri Lankan-origin NZ Opposition FA spokesperson Walters
FM Vijitha Herath met New Zealand's Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters, who spoke of her Sri Lankan roots and the NZ diaspora.
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Iran and US reach outline ceasefire deal, 60-day MoU pending Trump approval — Axios
Iran and US agreed an outline 60-day MoU to extend their ceasefire and open nuclear talks pending Trump's signoff, Axios reported, after fresh Hormuz blows.
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Iran's IRGC says it struck US airbase in retaliation for Bandar Abbas attack
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they hit a US airbase at 4:50am after overnight American strikes near Bandar Abbas; Kuwait reported hostile drones.
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Prasad Kariyawasam re-elected Chair of UN Migrant Workers Committee
Former Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam was re-elected by acclamation to chair the UN Committee on Migrant Workers for a two-year term in Geneva.
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Rescuers in Laos race to save 7 divers trapped in cave as oxygen runs low
Seven Lao gold-prospectors are trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun after a landslide; Thai volunteers including a 2018 Tham Luang rescue diver have joined.
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Defence Secretary meets Russian Security Council deputy in Moscow on military-technical cooperation
Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha met Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Venediktov in Moscow for talks on military-technical cooperation.
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Trump Threatens to 'Blow Up' Oman Over Strait of Hormuz
Trump warned Oman would 'behave' or be 'blown up,' linking the threat to ensuring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid continued Iran tensions.
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Seven Sri Lankans deported from UAE over Middle East war footage on social media
Seven Sri Lankans held in Abu Dhabi over drone-strike images and social-media posts have been deported to Colombo; CID, SIS and PNB are questioning them.
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US launches fresh strikes in Iran during peace talks; oil rebounds above $90
US carried out new overnight strikes on an Iranian military site, sending WTI crude back above $90 as Trump dismissed an Iran–Oman Hormuz deal.
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Foreign Minister Herath Holds Bilateral Talks with New Zealand Speaker
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath held bilateral talks with New Zealand House Speaker Gerry Brownlee, discussing trade, education and parliamentary cooperation.
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FM Vijitha Herath holds bilateral talks with New Zealand's Winston Peters
FM Vijitha Herath held bilateral talks with New Zealand's Winston Peters in Wellington, covering trade, governance and the Sri Lankan community.
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Sri Lanka's Ambassador presents credentials to Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake presented his letters of credence to Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 21 May, as the pontiff urged diplomacy built on dialogue.
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Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary meets Russian Deputy Defence Minister in Moscow
Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha met Russian Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov in Moscow for talks on security challenges and training exchanges.
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UN Security Council Condemns Drone Attack on UAE's Barakah Nuclear Plant
The UN Security Council has condemned a drone strike on the UAE's Barakah nuclear plant as a breach of international law, without attributing blame.
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Vijitha Herath becomes first Sri Lankan FM to receive Māori Pōwhiri welcome in NZ
FM Vijitha Herath received a Māori Pōwhiri welcome at New Zealand's foreign ministry — a first for a Sri Lankan FM — at the start of his Wellington visit.
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Iran to clear Hormuz mines within 30 days of a deal and scrap transit fees, Nikkei reports
Iran would clear Hormuz mines within 30 days of a US-Iran deal and stop charging transit fees, opening the strait to all shipping, Nikkei reported.
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Iran's IRGC says it shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says it downed a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz, days after fresh US strikes near Bandar Abbas.
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Sri Lankan monk awaits sentencing in Melbourne after child abuse conviction
Naotunne Vijitha, 71, a Buddhist monk found guilty of 17 child sexual abuse counts at Melbourne temples, awaits sentencing as six victims deliver statements.
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Rubio says Iran deal could take 'a few days' as US strikes southern Iran again
Marco Rubio said an Iran deal could take 'a few days,' tempering hopes for a quick end a day after fresh US strikes — but officials say the ceasefire holds.
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Tanker reports external explosion off Oman's coast near Hormuz
A tanker reported an external explosion off Muscat, Oman; UKMTO says the crew is safe and some bunker fuel spilled, days after US strikes near Hormuz.