News / News Bulletin

Myanmar swears in new president

Wednesday, 30 March 2016 12:20 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 30 March 2016 12:19 PM ]

Myanmar’s new President Htin Kyaw (3rd-L), flanked by Vice Presidents Myint Swe (2nd-L) and Henry Van Thio (4th-L), is sworn in by House Speaker Mahn Win Khine Than (1st-L) during a ceremony in the country’s capital, Naypyidaw, March 30, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities. The Leader noted that negotiations without defense power will force the country to back down against threats. He also said those who knowingly say otherwise are traitors.
The United States, Britain, Germany, and France are seeking a UN Security Council meeting over Iran’s recent ballistic missile tests. They claim the tests have defied a UN resolution. A similar attempt by the US to ramp up pressure against Iran earlier this month faced opposition from Russia.
The Syrian foreign minister says Damascus will not tolerate any attack on its sovereignty. Walid al-Muallem says the Syrian crisis should only be resolved through a solution that respects the country’s territorial integrity. He made the remarks in a meeting with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in Algiers.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned attempts to demonize refugees. Ban said solving the refugee crisis demands global solidarity and urged all nations to share the responsibility. The UN chief made the remarks during a high-level meeting for Syrian refugees in Geneva.
UK’s Defense Secretary Michael Fallon has visited Saudi Arabia to discuss London’s military relations with the kingdom. Fallon has already held a meeting with the Saudi interior minister. The UK government is under fire over its arms trade with Saudi Arabia.
UK’s National Union of Teachers has thrown its weight behind an anti-government campaign launched by the country’s junior doctors. NUT general secretary Christine Blower says teachers and doctors have common interests. The doctors and the teachers say the government’s new reform plans make their working conditions worse.
French authorities have forced hundreds of refugees out of a makeshift camp in northern Paris. The camp was set up three weeks ago and hosted refugees mostly from Sudan, Eritrea, and Afghanistan. This is the 18th such evacuation in Paris since June.
Myanmar has a new president. Tin Cho is the country’s first elected civilian president after five decades of military rule. He’s a close aide of Aung San Suu Chi and has pledged to remain faithful to the people of Myanmar. The National League Democracy won a landslide victory last month.