Latest news with #CoP
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
In Bonn, the pursuit of elusive climate finance
The Bonn climate conference — the mid-year climate review — serves as a prelude to the annual Conference of Parties (CoP) . To that end, the stormy start to the ongoing mid-year review in the German city is not good augury. On the first day, developing nations clashed with developed nations — Donald Trump-governed US is absent from the talks — over two inclusions to the conference agenda proposed by the former: discussions on climate finance under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, and on unilateral trade measures with climate goals in mind. The Like Minded Developing Nations (LMDC) bloc that includes India had demanded that climate finance as well as trade measures such as the carbon border adjustment mechanism be taken up at the conference. Predictably, the EU and other rich nations and blocs strongly resisted this, delaying the adoption of the agenda for the conference to the second day. Climate finance, more than other differences on climate action being debated by the global community, has become the leitmotif of the limited success at recent climate talks. The developed world resists any binding obligations on quantum, duration, and conditionality of funding that they must provide to the developing nations to undertake necessary climate action. The window for any meaningful action to contain warming within 1.5 degree C is likely closed (or quite narrow). Generating consensus in a Trumpian world will need reviving trust in multilateral climate action, and the responsibility lies squarely with the developed nations to demonstrate that they are willing to work with developing nations on climate by making greater concessions than they have agreed to in the past and, indeed, working to offset the damage from the US's abdication of climate responsibility. One of the areas where they can demonstrate this is climate India said earlier this month, without the money, even preliminary climate pledges won't be met, let alone ambitious ones articulated and pursued.
Euronews
a day ago
- Politics
- Euronews
EU Parliament sets up working group to scrutinise EU funding to NGOs
The European Parliament's political leaders agreed on Thursday to form a working group within the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) to scrutinise how the European Commission funds non-governmental organisations. The group will include 13 MEPs chaired by German lawmaker Niclas Herbst with two co-rapporteurs, from the centre-right European People's Party and the right wing European Conservatives and Reformists, Parliament sources told Euronews. The decision came after a spat over the financing of environmental NGOs by the European Commission, accused by the German newspaper Welt Am Sonntag of having secretly paid up to €700,000 to promote the bloc's climate policy. The Commission denied that it had signed "secret contracts' and claims it exercises a high degree of transparency in providing funding to NGOs. The right and far-right groups of the European Parliament have been pushing to set up an inquiry committee to clarify the issue, but their request was voted down during the Conference of Presidents (CoP), the weekly meeting of the Parliament's political groups' leaders. Instead, the CoP approved a working group, proposed by the European People's Party (EPP), the largest group in the Parliament, and ultimately backed also by the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Patriots for Europe (PfE). All the other groups of the so-called 'pro-european majority' (Socialists, liberals and Greens) were against both the inquiry committee and the working group, but on the latter they were outvoted by the so-called 'Venezuela majority', an alliance in the chamber which sees the EPP cooperating with other right-wing groups. Working groups are ad hoc structures that enable European Parliament's committees to follow up on the implementation of legislation in place, conduct investigations and studies on very specific and time-defined issues. This one has a six-month mandate. According to internal sources of the EPP, a working group was preferred to an inquiry committee as the former is more focused on scrutinising the future behaviour of the Commission, rather than focusing on what went wrong historically. As Israel and Iran continue to exchange fire for the seventh consecutive day, a disinformation war is simultaneously escalating on social platforms. Euronews' fact-checking team, Euroverify, has been analysing several viral videos emerging from Iran and Israel over recent days in order to verify their authenticity. Our team found a significant number of old videos, unrelated to the current conflict, being falsely linked to the ongoing exchange of fire. Many of them have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times and amplified across platforms, sowing confusion and misleading social media users. A clip circulating widely across X, TikTok and Instagram, and seen hundreds of thousands of times, claims to show Iranians dancing as they shelter in tunnels in the capital of Tehran. Some social media users allege they are celebrating Israeli strikes on the city. "Iranians stuck in traffic on their way to northern Iran start singing and dancing inside a tunnel to celebrate Israeli attacks on the Islamic regime," one X user claims. But a reverse image search using still shots from the clip shows that it was originally posted on Instagram as far back as September 2023. Another video claims to show people fighting among themselves while sheltering at a Tel Aviv bunker. One X post with the video has been viewed over 700,000 times. Yet, the footage in fact shows an altercation at a Georgian court, which was first published on X on June 12, two days before Israel launched the first attacks against Iran. On that day, a 21-year-old Georgian protester was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for "hitting police officers with a stick" during demonstrations against the ruling government last November. Georgian media reported that following his sentencing the court building "descended into chaos" with hundreds of supporters, including the Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, present to lend their support to the accused. Another video purports to show a crowd of Israeli citizens fleeing from a square in Tel Aviv amid Iranian strikes. A reverse image search shows that the scene dates from April this year, when a false security alert triggered a swift evacuation of a square in Tel Aviv during a memorial day event. While the scene does show residents fleeing an Israeli square, it pre-dates the current conflict. Other social media users have shared a video claiming to show an explosion caused by an Iranian strike on Tel Aviv. But the footage is astonishingly 22 years old, and shows a US strike on Iraq in 2003. Similarly, recent footage showing an Israeli airstrike on Houthi targets in Yemen's capital Sanaa has been circulating with false claims that it shows explosions in Israel caused by Iranian attacks.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madras High Court advices Chennai Commissioner of Police not to send investigating officers on bandobust duty
The Madras High Court, on Monday (June 9, 2025) advised Greater Chennai City Commissioner of Police (CoP) A. Arun to ensure officers investigating criminal cases do not get diverted for any other work such as providing bandobust (security) for public events/VIPs so that the investigating officers (IOs) could devote their time and conclude the investigations as early as possible. Justice P. Velmurugan said, he would summon Director General of Police/Head of Police Force Shankar Jiwal too in an appropriate case and give a similar advice so that it could be followed by police officers across Tamil Nadu. The judge said, it was high time the judiciary and the police department worked in tandem to reduce the pendency of criminal cases. The judge also told State Public Prosecutor Hasan Mohamed Jinnah there were discrepancies between the data maintained by the police department and the judiciary with respect to disposal of criminal cases. He said, most of the times, the police close criminal cases by terming them as 'mistake of fact' but that does not get reflected in the judicial records. He added in some cases, the police complete investigation and file final reports but that information does not find place in judicial records because the courts do not take those reports on file. Mr. Arun told the court the discrepancies could be sorted out if the Principal District Judges and Superintendents of Police conduct monthly meetings to crosscheck the data. Concurring with him, Justice Velmurugan said, such practice of conducting monthly meetings do not appear to be followed in many districts. After asking Mr. Arun to set things right at his end in coordination with the trial courts, the judge told the Commissioner that any non-cooperation on the part of the judicial officers could be brought to his notice so that he could issue appropriate directions. 'The poor and illiterate people do not know the legal procedures beyond the process of lodging police complaints. Therefore, it is essential that the criminal justice system works for their benefit and it does not take years together even for a simple criminal case to reach its logical conclusion. Let us do something to make sure that justice is delivered at the earliest,' the judge told the CoP. He asked the officer to submit fresh data by July 8 regarding the pending criminal cases within Chennai city limits along with statistics related to those under investigation, the cases in which final reports had been filed, the cases that were pending trial and so on. The direction was issued after the Commissioner was summoned to the court in connection with non registration of a SC/ST case. Mr. Jinnah told the court that though the writ petitioner V. Vanamalai had produced a copy of a communication sent by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes calling for an action taken report from the CoP on the petitioner's complaint, the Commissionerate had not received any such communication. Though the NCSC had claimed to have sent it by e-mail, no such e-mail had been received, he said. After hearing the SPP, the judge asked him to make the submissions by way of a counter affidavit by June 23 so that appropriate orders could be passed on the writ petition.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress issues ultimatum over safety audit after cruise vessel fire
Panaji: Congress gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Captain of Ports (CoP) to conduct a safety audit of all the vessels licenced to operate in the state's waters. Citing the early morning fire aboard a drifting cruise boat, state Congress president Amit Patkar claimed that the CoP department is inviting a man-made disaster by shirking safety norms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Patkar said that firefighting equipment remains absent on vessels that are currently operating in Goa's waterways, including on the river navigation department's ferries. 'We are giving the CoP and the shipping ministry 15 days to conduct a safety audit and structural audit for all the vessels that have got licences and put it in the public domain. Vessels that are not under IRS classification are actually supposed to be scrapped,' said Patkar. He said that if the audit report is not released within 15 days, Congress would hold a protest outside the department office and 'force out the information'. Congress has criticised the department's handling of the fire aboard the cruise vessel as well as an earlier fire onboard a ferry boat. 'The CoP tug should have a 30m range for the firefighting mechanism. But that tug could not fight a fire even on its own deck. This fire was a serious incident. Tomorrow, if another boat catches fire, how will they fight it in the middle of the river? Will they rely on firefighters on land to put out the fire?' said Patkar. He said that the vessels that do not meet the Indian registrar of shipping classification or any other international classification should be seized and scrapped.
Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Standard
Driving Change: TSL Foundation Successfully Hosts India's First Indian Road Safety Alliance CoP
VMPL New Delhi [India], May 13: TSL Foundation successfully hosted the First Annual Convention of Parties (CoP) of the India Road Safety Alliance (IRSA) at Le Meridien, New Delhi, bringing together key stakeholders to address India's road safety challenges. The convention aimed at strengthening policy frameworks, fostering multi-sectoral collaboration, and drive innovative solutions to reduce fatalities on the road in alignment with global safety standards and India's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This event was graced by several esteemed dignitaries from India, including Shri Ajay Tamta, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways; Shri Shripad Naik, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; Shri Yogender Chandoliya, Hon'ble Member of Parliament; Shri Nitin Agrawal, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Excise Ministry; Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Union Minister, Ministry of External Affairs; Smt. Vimala R., Senior Official; along with other senior government officials, policymakers, corporate and civil society representatives, and academic experts. Shri Ajay Tamta, Hon'ble Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, stressed the importance of advanced infrastructure and technology-driven policy reforms: "Our approach to road safety must evolve beyond traditional awareness campaigns. Embracing smart technologies and enhancing infrastructure design will be pivotal in reducing road fatalities and ensuring a safer transportation ecosystem." Shri Shripad Naik, Hon'ble Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, emphasized the synergy between road safety and sustainable energy solutions, stating: "Road safety and clean energy are inherently interconnected. The adoption of green technologies, such as electric vehicles (EVs) and solar-powered smart traffic systems, not only enhances transportation safety but also contributes to the reduction of carbon emissions. It is imperative to prioritize sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions in road safety initiatives. In this regard, the efforts of IRSA and TSL Foundation are highly commendable, as they represent a significant step toward integrating modern technology and sustainability into road safety frameworks." Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi, Former Union Minister, Ministry of External Affairs, underscored the importance of community engagement in road safety, stating: "Road safety goes beyond infrastructure and laws--it requires active community participation. Engaging local communities, civil society, and youth can turn it into a mass movement. Recognizing it as a shared responsibility is key to safer roads. I commend TSL Foundation and IRSA for leading this initiative and am confident it will drive impactful policies and interventions." Shri Yogender Chandoliya, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, North West Delhi, emphasized the critical role of grassroots engagement: "Local communities and civic organizations must be at the heart of our road safety initiatives. Their active involvement is essential to drive lasting behavioral change and cultivate a culture of safety that benefits every generation." Shri Nitin Agrawal, Hon'ble Minister of State, Excise and Prohibition Department, participated in the event virtually and stated: "Road safety is a serious social and public health concern requiring collective action. The Uttar Pradesh government is enhancing safety through awareness campaigns, strict anti-drunk driving measures, ambulance network expansion, and legal protection for Good Samaritans. I commend IRSA for uniting stakeholders to strengthen road safety efforts." Vimala R, Resident Commissioner & Secretary, GoM, Maharashtra Sada, New Delhi, highlighted the importance of research and data-driven policymaking: "Accurate data collection and analysis are crucial to devising targeted road safety interventions. Academic institutions and research bodies must play a pivotal role in shaping policies." Shri Sahil Arora, CEO, TSL, emphasized the vision behind establishing IRSA and the CoP as a collaborative platform: "The First Annual CoP of IRSA was conceived to unite key stakeholders in road safety, fostering dialogue and partnerships that drive impactful change. By creating a dedicated platform for collaboration, we aim to build a sustainable ecosystem for policy innovation and implementation." Shri Adesh Gupta, Director Advisory Board, TSL, highlighted the long-term goal of the initiative: "IRSA and the CoP were envisioned to bridge gaps between policy, industry, and grassroots efforts in road safety. This platform is not just about discussions but about forging sustainable and scalable interventions that lead to real, measurable impact on the ground." The convention featured four expert-led panel discussions, bringing together policymakers, corporate leaders, academics, and civil society representatives to address key road safety challenges. Discussions focused on adopting a Safe Systems Approach to reduce fatalities, fostering cross-sector collaborations to drive impactful interventions, leveraging technologies for smarter traffic management, and exploring behavioral insights to influence driver compliance. These sessions provided a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder perspective on strengthening road safety frameworks in India. The First Annual CoP of IRSA represented a landmark step in transforming India's road safety landscape. By bringing together decision-makers, innovators, and community leaders, this convention aimed to catalyze meaningful policy action and create safer roads for all.
