News stories by Somar Wijayadasa

NEW YORK, Jan 28 (IPS) - Peoples' Friendship University of Russia - popularly known as RUDN (acronym from its Russian name Rossiysky Universitet Druzhby Narodov) - is a renowned, world-class educational and research institution in Moscow.

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 03 (IPS) - On July 29 Russia vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolution on the establishment of an international tribunal to investigate the downing of Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight over eastern Ukraine last year - killing all 298 people on board.

NEW YORK, May 01 (IPS) - The United Nations was created to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, protect human rights, maintain international peace and security, and uphold international law. Its 70-year history is marked with many successes, but also disappointments. We need to look at both sides so that we can make the U.N. more effective in the future.

NEW YORK, Jan 28 (IPS) - People's Friendship University of Russia (PFUR), which celebrates its 55th anniversary on Feb. 5, is known worldwide as a major academic and research centre. During the last five decades, PFUR has educated 80,000 students from 145 countries.

NEW YORK, Sep 04 (IPS) - The crisis in Ukraine is a man-made disaster created by world leaders who have been trying to pull Ukraine apart - either towards Europe or Russia.

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 20 (IPS) - The United Nations was founded "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war" and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.

NEW YORK, Oct 16 (IPS) - Contrary to U.S. President Barack Obama’s recent foreign policy speech at the United Nations, candidates’ pronouncements during election campaigns distort US foreign policy. Some arguments defy voters’ intelligence, and incite nations who should be our allies.

Another dramatic election fiasco is over. Russian voters have elected Vladimir Putin with an overwhelming 63% majority. In 2000 and 2004, he won with 53% and 71% majority, respectively. Though his victory never seemed in doubt, his election garnered more negative publicity than any other foreign election, thanks to the awesome Russian Spring.