Sri Lanka on Alert – Sri Lanka Flood Emergency

Sri Lanka is facing a worsening monsoon emergency, with heavy rains triggering nationwide floods, landslides, and fatal accidents.

One of the most tragic incidents was reported from the eastern town of Sainthamaruthu, where three members of the same family lost their lives after their vehicle plunged into a flooded canal. As rescue operations continue and alerts remain in place, concerns are growing over the scale of the disaster across the island. In Ampara district, on the island’s eastern coast, heavy rainfall turned roads into rivers — and claimed lives. Authorities say a car carrying a grandfather, grandmother, and their young granddaughter veered off a submerged road late yesterday and slipped into the Borale Vely canal. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, but strong currents made rescue efforts extremely difficult. All three occupants were recovered without signs of life — another reminder of the deadly risks faced by families attempting to move through flood-hit regions. But this is not an isolated incident.

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre confirms that continuous rainfall over recent days has caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country. Dozens of deaths have now been reported nationwide, while thousands of homes are waterlogged or destroyed. Several major roads are impassable, railway operations have been suspended, and low-lying villages remain under evacuation alerts. Meteorologists warn that more rain is expected, with rivers and reservoirs already overflowing.

From the southern coastline to the central highlands, communities are scrambling for safety, temporary shelters are filling, and relief agencies are appealing for urgent support. Experts say Sri Lanka is now experiencing one of its most intense seasonal rainfall surges in recent years — a pattern increasingly linked to climate instability in the region. For the family lost in Sainthamaruthu, the tragedy is personal and immeasurable. For the country, it is part of a wider emergency — one that highlights fragile infrastructure, climate vulnerability, and the need for stronger preparedness systems. International agencies are monitoring the situation closely as Sri Lanka faces continuing rain in the days ahead. This is Geneva24 News, bringing global attention to Sri Lanka’s unfolding flood crisis — and the communities fighting to survive it.

By: SARIFUDEEN Zahran

18th UN Minority Forum Begins

Geneva — The United Nations today opened the 18th Session of the UN Forum on Minority Issues, meeting here in the historic Assembly Hall in Geneva. This year’s theme — “The contribution of minorities to diverse, resilient, and peaceful societies” — sets the stage for two days of high-level dialogue, taking place from 27 to 28 November 2025.

The opening session began with remarks from senior UN officials. The Vice-President of the Human Rights Council, H.E. Ambassador Razvan Rusu, addressed the assembly, followed by a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk. Also speaking was the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Mr. Nicolas Levrat, along with the Chairperson of this year’s forum, who officially launched the 18th session.

The first agenda discussion — Item 1: Building trust and social cohesion — focused on barriers faced by minority communities around the world. Delegates and speakers highlighted challenges such as discrimination, structural inequality, marginalization, and social invisibility, which continue to fuel mistrust and conflict in many societies. Experts emphasized that peace and harmony depend on addressing the root causes of exclusion. They stressed the importance of education, intercultural dialogue, media responsibility, and creative expression in reducing stigma and building inclusive, unified communities. Among today’s panelists were: Mr. Christophe Kamp, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ms. Diane Ala’i, human rights and international affairs expert, and former UN representative of the Bahá’í International Community Mr. Rup Sunar, Chairperson of the Dignity Initiative and former OHCHR Senior Minority Fellow They shared examples of successful models — from mediation programs to multilingual education — showing how inclusion policies can resolve tension, empower minorities, and strengthen social cohesion.

A full summary of the discussions from this 18th session will be prepared by the Forum’s Chair, while the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues will deliver an official recommendations report to the Human Rights Council at its 61st session.

By: SARIFUDEEN Zahran

“Impunity Must End”: Youth Future Alliance Issues Powerful Statement on Sudan Crisis

The UK-based NGO The Youth Future Alliance responded to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 38th Special Session on Sudan with a strong statement.

The organisation warns that propaganda and misinformation surrounding the fall of El-Fashir are undermining justice and obstructing accountability. It calls on the UN and member states to prioritise verified reporting and to counter disinformation campaigns. The Alliance also stresses that deflecting blame onto external actors does not advance peace. While foreign involvement should be examined, it notes that Sudan’s crisis was driven primarily by internal political decisions—including coups, the dismantling of the civilian transition, and the repeated rejection of peace proposals. The Youth Future Alliance further argues that the root cause of Sudan’s instability is the longstanding impunity of the Sudanese Armed Forces, whose repeated coups and use of militias contributed directly to today’s violence.

Finally, the organisation insists that Sudan’s future must be shaped by civilians, especially young people. It calls for the restoration of civilian rule, accountability for all violations—including those committed by the SAF—and a new political path grounded in human rights. The Youth Future Alliance is urging the international community to ensure that today’s UN resolution leads to real action: proper investigations, restored humanitarian access, and long-term support for a civilian-led, peaceful Sudan.

70 Years of Geneva’s Flower Clock – A Swiss Icon Celebrates Its Anniversary

In Geneva today, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks — the world-famous L’Horloge Fleurie, or Flower Clock — celebrated its 70th anniversary. A symbol of Swiss precision and the beauty of Geneva’s parks, the Flower Clock has been attracting millions of visitors every year. Our report looks back at its rich history and its significance today.

Nestled in Geneva’s English Garden, beside the shores of Lake Léman, the Flower Clock has been more than a tourist attraction — it’s a living tribute to Swiss craftsmanship.

Created in 1955, L’Horloge Fleurie was designed to celebrate Switzerland’s world-renowned watchmaking industryby blending two national prides: precise timekeeping and exquisite horticulture.

Over the last seven decades, the Flower Clock has become one of the most photographed sites in the country. Its face, made up of over 12,000 seasonal flowers and plants, is redesigned several times a year, creating a constantly evolving work of art. The giant second hand, once the largest in the world, reflects Geneva’s historic reputation for technical innovation.24

Seven decades on, the Flower Clock remains a reminder that in Geneva, time is not only measured — it is cultivated.

A timeless symbol now marking 70 years. The Flower Clock continues to blossom as one of Geneva’s most cherished ambassadors to the world.