Political Crisis in island nation: Sri Lankan Parliament votes to reject new prime minister
Colombo, Nov 14 (IBNS): In a new twist to the political crisis in Sri Lanka, the country's parliament on Wednesday passed a vote of no-confidence against the newly-appointed prime minister chosen by President Sirisena.
Donald Trump celebrates Diwali at White House, calls Modi a friend
Washington, Nov 14 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump has referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "friend" while celebrating Hindu festival Diwali at the White House on Tuesday.
Congo Prospers from Environmental Protection
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): Families in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are being supported by their government and the United Nations to protect the environment and build what the UN Development Programme calls “climate-resilient lives.”
Help build vulnerable island states’ resilience to extreme weather, urges senior UN official
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): With Small Island Developing States (SIDS) bearing the brunt of economic losses from climate change, making them more resilient to extreme weather events must be a priority, said Inga Rhonda King, President of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), speaking at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Building climate resilience and peace, go hand in hand for Africa’s Sahel – UN forum
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): To build a sustainable peace in Africa’s Sahel region, “urgent attention” is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure that communities have access to sufficient opportunities, a joint meeting between the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the UN Peacebuilding Commission highlighted on Tuesday.
‘Terror and panic’ among Rohingya who may be forced to return to Myanmar – UN rights chief
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): There is “terror and panic” among Rohingya refugees in southern Bangladesh, who are at imminent risk of being returned to Myanmar against their will, the United Nations top human rights official has said, warning that the returns would seriously endanger the lives of those sent back.
Outgoing UN official praises Iraq’s ‘exemplary peaceful transfer of power’ at the top
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): In his last briefing as the top United Nations official in Iraq, Ján Kubiš updated the Security Council on the country’s post-election political settlement, commending the “exemplary peaceful transfer of power” between Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and his successor, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who was sworn in at the end of October.
UN receives ‘Humanium’ wristwatch gift, symbolizing peaceful transformation
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): On Friday, the United Nations disarmament chief was presented with a watch that does more than just tell the time. Made from “Humanium” – a metal processed from confiscated firearms in El Salvador – it symbolizes how peaceful transformation can be wrought from bloody conflict.
United States: UN chief ‘deeply saddened’ by deadly California wildfires
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed “deep sadness” over the loss of lives and damages caused by devastating wildfires in the state of California in the United States.
Gaza: deadly violence continues to escalate, top UN officials work to restore calm
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): As violence in the Gaza Strip is once again flaring up reportedly following a raid and bombings by Israeli forces and multiple rocket launches from inside the Palestinian enclave, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said on Tuesday that he was following developments closely, while his Special Coordinator for the region, Nickolay Mladenov, works with all sides to try and restore calm.
UN food agency appeals for access to key storage facility amid fight for Hudaydah
New York, Nov 14 (IBNS): UN humanitarian agency the World Food Programme (WFP) has appealed for access to a key storage facility in the port of Hudaydah, which is now under the control of a Saudi-led military coalition that supports the internationally recognized Government.
Several pilots report UFOs sightings off Irish coast, authorities start investigation
London, Nov 14 (IBNS): In a strange development, the Irish Aviation Authority has started investigating after receiving reports of sightings of unidentified flying objects and bright lights off the coast of Ireland, media reports said on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka: SC stays proclamation dissolving Parliament
Colombo, Nov 13 (IBNS): In a major development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an interim order till Dec 7, staying the proclamation issued by President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve parliament.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan to visit Malaysia on Nov 21
Islamabad, Nov 13 (IBNS): Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit Malaysia on Nov 21, media reports said.