Latest news with #GeneralAssembly
Barnama
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Lavrov Praises OANA's Role In Unbiased Coverage Of International Events
ST. PETERSBURG (Russia), June 20 (Bernama-TASS) -- The Organisation of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) plays a key role in ensuring unbiased and objective coverage of international events, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. The message was delivered in a video address to participants of the plenary session of the organisation's 19th General Assembly, hosted by TASS agency. "For many years, the organisation – the world's largest association of news agencies – has facilitated the exchange of experience among media outlets from countries across Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. bootstrap slideshow 'It contributes to the objective and impartial reporting of key global developments, promotes the values and standards of honest journalism, and defends the professional rights of media workers without bias or discrimination. 'Such efforts, which genuinely help improve the global information environment, deserve both respect and support," Lavrov emphasised. He also highlighted the event's comprehensive agenda, noting that the General Assembly is being held within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). "We will discuss a broad range of issues relevant to the journalistic community - from combating fake news and disinformation to integrating artificial intelligence technologies into our work," Lavrov said. "I am confident that the assembly will be constructive, and that the decisions and recommendations adopted will foster the further development of depoliticised dialogue and cooperation among media organisations of participating countries, in the interest of maintaining trust and mutual understanding in both global and regional affairs," the foreign minister added. OANA was established in 1961 at the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia shuts down Tehran embassy as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the \"Summit of the Future\" in the General Assembly hall at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo SYDNEY - Australia said on Friday it had suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran, citing "a deteriorating security environment" as Israel hit Iran's nuclear facilities again, and the week-old air war showed no sign yet of an exit strategy from either side. Israel launched a sweeping aerial campaign against Iran last Friday, calling it a preemptive strike to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran has denied any such plans and retaliated by launching counterstrikes on Israel. "The Australian government has directed the departure of all Australian officials and dependents ... based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran," Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement. Consular staff are being deployed to neighbouring Azerbaijan, including its border crossings, to support Australians departing Iran, Wong said. "We remain in close contact with other partner countries. At this stage, our ability to provide consular services is extremely limited due to the situation on the ground. The airspace remains closed," she added. Australia's ambassador to Iran, Ian McConville, would remain in the region to support the government's response, Wong said. More than 1,500 Australians and their families in Iran have sought assistance to leave the country, official data showed. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Observer
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Observer
News agencies look at modern challenges
ST PETERSBURG: Oman News Agency (ONA) took part in the General Assembly meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), held on Thursday in St Petersburg, Russia, under the theme 'News Agencies and the Challenges of the Modern World." The event, attended by over 40 government and private news agencies, coincided with the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a two-day event hosted under the auspices of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation. In his opening address, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised the critical role of news agencies in delivering credible journalism and countering misinformation, particularly amid today's rapidly evolving global developments. Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, highlighted the importance of protecting journalists in conflict zones, especially in armed conflicts, given their vital role in reporting facts and exposing the humanitarian suffering of war victims. The OANA General Assembly addressed key topics, including the risks of disinformation and its impact on news credibility — particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence technologies — as well as the experiences of international agencies transitioning from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms in an era of accelerating media innovation. The meeting also included votes on the Executive Council composition for 2025–2028, the formation of the Technical and Ethical Committee for the same term, and the OANA Presidential Board for 2028–2031. Additionally, the assembly announced election results for the new OANA President and Secretary-General, presented awards, and approved reports from the Executive and Technical Councils, along with the appointment of vice-presidents. - ONA
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators finalized a bill Thursday that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law, while still directing regulators to aim to cancel out power plant carbon emissions in the state within the next 25 years. With some bipartisan support, the state Senate voted to accept the House version that would repeal the 2021 law's requirement that electric regulators take 'all reasonable steps to achieve' reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law's directive to take similar steps to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place. The bill's Republican supporters pushing the new measure say getting rid of the interim goal benefits ratepayers asked to pay for future electric-production construction and is more efficient for Duke Energy, the state's dominant electric utility. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who can veto the measure, sign it or let it become law without his signature. Stein previously expressed concerns about the Senate version of the measure, worried that it could hurt electricity users and threaten the state's clean-energy economy. His office didn't immediately provide comment after Thursday's vote. With over a dozen House and Senate Democrats voting for the final version, the chances that any Stein veto could be overridden are higher. Republicans in charge of the General Assembly are only one House seat shy of a veto-proof majority. The bill also contains language that would help Duke Energy seek higher electric rates to cover financing costs to build nuclear or gas-powered plants incrementally, rather than wait until the project's end. The 2021 greenhouse gas law marked a rare agreement on environmental issues by then-Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican lawmakers. At least 17 other states — most controlled by Democrats — have laws setting similar net-zero power plant emissions or 100% renewable energy targets, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. North Carolina and Virginia are the only ones from the Southeast. The legislation came about as President Donald Trump's administration has proposed rolling back federal environmental and climate change policies, which critics say could boost pollution and threaten human health. Republicans are promoting them as ways to reduce the cost of living and boost the economy. The state Utilities Commission, which regulates rates and services for public utilities, already has pushed back the 2030 deadline — as the 2021 law allows — by at least four years. The panel acknowledged last year it was 'no longer reasonable or executable' for Duke Energy to meet the reduction standard by 2030. Bill supporters say to meet the goal would require expensive types of alternate energy immediately. If the interim standard can be bypassed, GOP bill authors say, Duke Energy can assemble less expensive power sources now and moderate electricity rate increases necessary to reach the 2050 standard. Citing an analysis performed by a state agency that represents consumers before the commission, GOP lawmakers say removing the interim goal would reduce by at least $13 billion what Duke Energy would have to spend — and pass on to customers — in the next 25 years. Bill opponents question the savings figure given uncertainty in plant fuel prices, energy demand and construction costs, and say the interim goal still holds an aspirational purpose to while Duke Energy agreed in 2021 to meet. Provisions in the measure related to recouping plant construction expenses over time would reduce accumulated borrowing interest. Environmental groups argue the financing option would benefit Duke Energy financially on expensive projects even if they're never completed, and the bill broadly would prevent cleaner energy sources from coming online sooner. 'This bill is bad for all North Carolinians, whether they're Duke Energy customers or simply people who want to breathe clean air,' North Carolina Sierra Club director Chris Herndon said after the vote while urging Stein to veto the measure. Bill support came from the North Carolina Chamber and a manufacturers' group, in addition to Duke Energy. 'We appreciate bipartisan efforts by policymakers to keep costs as low as possible for customers and enable the always-on energy resources our communities need,' the company said this week. Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar participates in meeting of Europe, North Atlantic civil aviation directors-general
PARIS: The State of Qatar, represented by the Civil Aviation Authority participated in the EUR/NAT-DGCA/2025 meeting of Directors General of Civil Aviation for the Europe and North Atlantic Region, held in the French capital, Paris. The Qatari delegation was headed by acting President of the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority Mohammed Faleh Al Hajri. The meeting addressed a number of topics related to regional cooperation and ways to support the implementation of programs and initiatives overseen by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the areas of safety, air navigation, training, and aviation workforce planning. In his speech at the meeting, Al Hajri emphasized Qatar's commitment to strengthening international cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the field of civil aviation. He highlighted the importance of joint efforts to enhance safety systems and improve the efficiency of the human resources working in the sector. He also reviewed the State of Qatar's contributions to supporting ICAO's efforts, noting the ongoing constructive cooperation between the QCAA and the ICAO Regional Office in Paris, as well as other ICAO offices, in a manner that contributes to the organization's goals and strategic plans. On the sidelines of the meeting, Al Hajri held a series of bilateral meetings with heads of civil aviation authorities from countries in the Europe and North Atlantic region. These discussions focused on strengthening technical and operational cooperation and exploring mechanisms for joint coordination between Qatar and member states ahead of the upcoming ICAO General Assembly.
