April 28, 2016 Reading Time: 2 minutes
Austria passes new asylum law. Image credit - joyfull / depositphotos
Reading Time: 2 min read
Sri Lanka seeks Chinese funding for water supply project
Sri Lanka has requested funding from the China Development Bank and a domestic lender, for a water supply system contract worth over USD 100 million.
The project, built by the China National Aero Technology International Engineering Corporation (CATIC), will supply water to the Thambuttegama area, where cases of chronic kidney disease have been linked to contaminated groundwater.
Swedish FM refuses request of Chief Minister Wigneswaran
The Swedish Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström, has stated that, due to Sri Lanka achieving middle-income status, Sweden would not treat the North and East separately when granting aid.
This was in response to the request of the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, C.V. Wigneswaran, who stated that Sweden’s aid was essential in the post-war development of the North and East.
World Bank report on increasing trade agreements
The World Bank report, ‘Stitches to Riches: Apparel Employment, Trade and Economic Development’, has addressed how Sri Lanka can increase employment and growth through the apparel industry.
The report makes numerous recommendations for Sri Lanka, including increasing trade agreements for existing apparel products and attracting foreign investment.
UN envoy warns of Syrian truce collapse
The UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has urged Russia and the US to intervene ‘at the highest level’ to save the ceasefire agreement, signed in February.
The request comes amidst intensified fighting and delays in aid delivery; following which the main opposition, the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), withdrew from the peace talks.
US requests restoration of the Western Sahara mission
The US has requested that the UN Security Council re-establish the UN peacekeeping mission in the disputed Western Sahara region, claimed by Morocco and the Polisario Front.
The proposal follows the UN Secretary General’s referral to Morocco’s annexation of the region as an ‘occupation’, which caused the Moroccan government to force over 70 UN staff out of the region.
Austria passes new asylum law
In addition, the law limits successful asylum claims to three years and proposes to build a fence at the main border crossing with Italy.
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