News

UN chief laughs off ‘wrong speech’ moment at COP27

Published

2 years ago

November 10, 2022

editor

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivered an unexpected moment of levity at the COP27 climate conference on Wednesday, reading the beginning of the wrong speech before realising, chuckling and starting again with a different opening line.

Speaking in the main plenary hall of the Sharm el-Sheikh conference on Wednesday, Guterres was due to give the opening address at a session with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore on tracking carbon emissions.

“The world is losing the race against the climate crisis, but I am hopeful because of you. You have been relentless in holding decision makers to account,” Guterres began before pausing in confusion and shuffling through his written speech.

Laughing to himself, he said: “I think that I was given the wrong speech.”

The delegates assembled in the hall then applauded as the correct document was brought to him.

Guterres explained that he was due to speak to a group of young people after his address, and had begun reading the speech aimed at them instead.

“There was a small confusion, I apologise.

(Reuters)

News

Brazilian nabbed at BIA with cocaine worth Rs. 240 mn.

Published

55 minutes ago

April 20, 2025

editor

A Brazilian national was arrested by the Narcotics Control Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this (April 20) morning over attempting to smuggle nearly 05 kg of cocaine concealed in his suitcase.

The suspect is a 59-year-old Brazilian teacher and the seized cocaine (4kg and 855g) is valued around Rs. 240 million.

News

New Mosquito species discovered in SL

Published

58 minutes ago

April 20, 2025

editor

A new species of mosquito endemic to Sri Lanka has been identified from Mirigama.

The species has been named Culex (Lophoceraomyia) cinctellus.

Entomologist Gayan Kumarasinghe from the Medical Research Institute said that the newly discovered mosquito has been identified as a major carrier of viruses.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

All postal ballot papers to be handed over to the EC today

Published

1 hour ago

April 20, 2025

editor

The Government Printer states that all ballot papers for postal voting will be handed over to the Election Commission today (April 20).

Printing of the ballot papers for 102 local government institutions were delayed due to a court order.

Director of the Government Printer – Pradeep Pushpakumara says that printing of ballot papers for postal voting, is currently underway and nearing completion.