Sri Lanka declares a state of emergency

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2022

Costa Haritos

Sri Lanka is in a state of emergency, as protesters push for a new government amid economic uncertainty

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the nation’s acting president.

It follows the incumbent Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country on a military jet.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe becomes the acting president.

It is believed the 73-year-old landed in the Maldives and will soon make his way to his final destination with his wife and two security officials.

Sri Lanka is in the grips of its worst economic crisis in 70 years, with protesters storming the presidential palace at the weekend.

A man stands in the swimming pool at the Sri Lankan President’s house.

Rajapaksa promised to resign by Wednesday. His departure ends a family dynasty, which has been at the helm of Sri Lankan politics for two decades.

It’s understood police fired tear gas at protesters to stop them from clashing with security officials.

Worsening economic crisis

Sri Lanka has previously defaulted on its debt for the first time in its history.

Earlier this year, the nation was forced to come up with $78 million of unpaid debt interest payments.

Police have imposed a curfew across the Western Province, which includes the nation’s capital of Colombo.

Wickremesinghe has also announced an intention to resign if there is no consensus on forming a unity government.

The President of Sri Lanka enjoys freedom from arrest, which has allowed Rajapaksa to leave the nation to avoid being detained.

Australia shuts millions of teen social media accounts

Australia’s social media ban leads to 4.7 million teen account closures, prompting debate over online safety and freedom.

Published

8 hours ago

January 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia’s social media ban leads to 4.7 million teen account closures, prompting debate over online safety and freedom.

Nearly five million social media accounts belonging to Australian teenagers have been closed since the nation’s social media ban began in December. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok were responsible for removing around 4.7 million accounts held by minors, according to the eSafety Commissioner.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the figures as encouraging, highlighting the government’s commitment to protecting children online. The new law holds social media companies accountable, with fines imposed on platforms that fail to prevent underage accounts from being created or maintained.

Despite these measures, some teenagers have reportedly bypassed the restrictions by falsifying their ages or using parental information. The debate continues over the effectiveness of these regulations and the balance between safety and online freedom.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustraliaNews #SocialMediaBan #TeenSafety #eSafety #Instagram #TikTok #OnlineProtection #TechLaw

News

Iran protests and the global fight for freedom

Protests in Iran escalate as citizens demand women’s rights; Rabbi Cooper discusses global solidarity and advocacy efforts.

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Protests in Iran escalate as citizens demand women’s rights; Rabbi Cooper discusses global solidarity and advocacy efforts.

Amid escalating protests in Iran, citizens are risking everything to demand women’s rights and basic freedoms. The world watches as these demonstrations grow, with many hoping for meaningful change in the face of a brutal regime.

We speak with Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Center about the advocacy work supporting Iranian voices and the historical context of defending human rights. He explains the vital role of international solidarity and how governments and communities can respond.

From the human cost on the ground to the influence of the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles, this interview sheds light on the stakes, the movement, and why public attention is critical.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#IranProtests #HumanRights #WomensRights #FreedomMovement #IranNews #SimonWiesenthal #TickerNews #GlobalSolidarity

News

Greenland and Denmark signal security divide with the United States

Greenland, Denmark assert Arctic island not for sale, emphasizing cooperation with the US on their own terms.

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Greenland, Denmark assert Arctic island not for sale, emphasizing cooperation with the US on their own terms.

Greenland and Denmark have used high-level talks in Washington, D.C. to firmly restate that the Arctic island is not for sale, pushing back against long-standing US interest in the strategically vital territory.

Foreign ministers from both Greenland and Denmark acknowledged that major disagreements remain following discussions with US officials, despite what they described as constructive engagement on shared priorities.

Greenland’s government made clear it is open to closer cooperation with Washington, but only on its own terms, rejecting any suggestion of ownership or control.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#Greenland #Denmark #UnitedStates #Geopolitics #ArcticPolitics #WorldNews #Security #Ticker