Latest news with #SteeringCommittee
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
International Big Cat Alliance holds its first assembly in Delhi
New Delhi: The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) held its first assembly at its Delhi headquarters on Monday. The assembly approved the Headquarters Agreement signed with India, work plan, rules of procedure and the manual of staff and financial regulations. These will serve as the guiding foundation for the effective governance, operations, and collaborative initiatives of IBCA. The assembly also endorsed the proceedings of the first International Steering Committee meeting of IBCA, which was held in April 2024, according to a statement by India's environment ministry. Further, the assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav, India's environment minister as the president of IBCA. The assembly also endorsed SP Yadav as the director general of IBCA. Created by the Government of India, the IBCA is a coalition of 95 range countries with a mandate for the conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma. The assembly, which is the apex body of IBCA, was attended in Delhi by ministerial delegations from Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia and Kazakhstan. In his address, Yadav called upon the Big Cat range countries to actively engage and collaborate in the initiatives and programmes of IBCA. He emphasised the importance of collective action to advance the conservation and protection of the seven major big cat species and their natural habitats and assist in securing our ecological future and mitigate adverse effects of climate change. The IBCA was established by the Government of India, through its nodal organisation viz. National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2024. The primary objective of IBCA is to facilitate collaboration and synergy among range countries and other stakeholders.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jewish festival organizers boost security amid recent anti-Semitic attacks
MORTON GROVE, Ill. (WGN) – The largest Jewish cultural event in the area is set for this weekend, right on the heels of two violent anti-Semitic attacks. On Sunday, a forest preserve in Morton Grove will be hosting a Jewish festival, featuring three music stages, 50 artists' booths and numerous food options. 'It is in that regard the longest-running Jewish festival in America and the largest Jewish cultural event in the area,' Michael Lorge, founder and chair of the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival, said. 'The philosophy is to share Jewish culture, food, dance music with everyone.' Chicago officials raise concerns over federal immigration raids in Pilsen The Greater Chicago Jewish Festival started in 1980 and runs every two years. It will be held at St. Paul Woods in Morton Grove this Sunday, June 8. 'It draws from around the area, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan people come,' Steve Franklin, a member of the Greater Chicago Jewish Festival Steering Committee, said. 'We've had as many as 15,000 people or more come to the event.' This year's event comes on the heels of two violent anti-Semitic attacks. Two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C. were shot and killed outside a D.C. museum last month. On Sunday, June 1, a man threw Molotov cocktails into a crowd of demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, taking part in a walk bringing attention to Israelis still being held hostage in Gaza. A total of 12 people were injured. Suspect in DC Jewish museum shooting faces murder, firearm charges in 'death penalty eligible case' 'It's terrible. People feel angry. At the same time, people feel resolved. We do not back down on this,' Lorge said. With incidents like these taking place throughout the country, there is concern people might not feel safe taking part in Jewish events. 'We are not going to be afraid. We are not going to cancel the festival or say to people, 'Be careful. Don't come.' We're saying come. It's a time of solidarity. This is a time to share our culture in the most positive way,' Lorge said. SEE ALSO: 4 more victims ID'd in Colorado fire attack, bringing number of injured to 12 Festival organizers said this year they are working with seven different law enforcement agencies and their own security staff to keep the event safe. 'We have the festival itself, our own officers, Chicago off-duty police with a bomb sniffing dog, all kinds of resources that are part of our planning,' Lorge said. 'The grounds will be fenced. There will only be one entrance in and out. We are telling people there will be metal detectors. We want people to get inside and feel comfortable and celebrate, because we're sharing this event, not just with the Jewish community, but the whole community.' Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Organizers told WGN-TV no vendors or musical acts have canceled. The event will be held Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
GAA, LGFA and Camogie urged to deliver long-awaited merger by 2027
THE Steering Group on Integration insists unification can happen by 2027. Time is ticking for the 2 Steering Committee Chairperson Mary McAleese says GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association must unite under the one umbrella in 2027 2 The Steering Committee Chairperson Mary McAleese gave the update on the integration process A new Central Fixtures Oversight Committee was formed last month, headed up by former Munster GAA chair Ger Ryan. The GPA have raised concerns over the lack of consultation with the players' representative body in the process, as doubts hang over the plan to make it happen by 2027. Chaired by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, the SGI remains confident that joining forces will be a reality in two years. A statement said: 'Integration is a complex mission but the sentiment remains the same. There is a clear commitment to deliver an integrated association by 2027. Most read on GAA 'The integration of three separate associations, who have spent decades building their own identity, structures and ways of doing things, is an extraordinary undertaking. 'This is a complex piece of work involving experts across the three associations. 'The goal is to have one single membership for all in 2027.' McAleese added: 'I urge all stakeholders to do everything they can to make an integrated mindset a reality in their sphere of influence. "It is our future and making it happen is the responsibility of all.' Most read in GAA Football 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Resources utilized in best interest of citizens'
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar Thursday chaired 45th meeting of the Steering Committee on SDGs Achievement Programme (SAP). The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including ministers of Power, Commerce, Religious Affairs, and Science and Technology, SAPM Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries, members of the National Assembly, and officials of the provincial government. The DPM stressed the importance of involving local communities in identifying basic development infrastructure projects. He emphasised the government's resolve to ensure that resources are utilized in the best interest of Pakistan's citizens, aligning them with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It was decided that unallocated funds will be surrendered while the implementing agencies were directed to utilise the allocated funds efficiently and responsibly. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Star
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos and Switzerland strengthen efforts to improve dam safety
VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Laos and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to safer hydropower development with the successful convening of the Steering Committee meeting for the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance (DSTIA) project in Vientiane. The meeting, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton recently, brought together key government officials, technical experts, and development partners to review progress and set priorities for the year ahead. Co-chaired by Bouathep Malaykham, Director General of the Department of Energy Industry and Safety Management under the Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Björn Schranz, Head of the Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Program at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in the Mekong region, the session marked another step forward in the growing partnership between the two countries. Since its launch in 2022, the DSTIA project has received CHF 5.36 million (around US$6.5 million) in funding from the Swiss Government, with implementation led by Helvetas Laos. Working closely with the Lao government and partners such as the National University of Laos, the Lao Association on Dams, and Electricité du Laos Generation (EDL-Gen), the project has made notable progress. It has supported the implementation of the 2022 Dam Safety Law, helped build the capacity of the newly established Department of Energy Industry and Safety Management, and improved monitoring, reporting, and emergency planning systems. A major milestone highlighted at the meeting was the launch of Laos's first-ever Dam Engineering Course at the National University of Laos in February 2025. This course represents a significant achievement in developing homegrown technical expertise and reducing long-term reliance on external specialists. The project also serves as a platform for connecting Lao institutions with Swiss experts to find sustainable, long-term solutions for dam safety. The overarching goal is to ensure that the country's growing hydropower infrastructure is managed safely and responsibly, protecting more than 1.5 million people living downstream. During the meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed the main achievements of 2024 and formally endorsed the operational work plan for 2025. This plan focuses on enhancing safety protocols, advancing professional training, and continuing institutional reforms to ensure that dam development is both secure and sustainable. In his remarks, Bouathep Malaykham emphasized the vital role DSTIA plays in strengthening the country's dam safety institutions and expressed appreciation for Switzerland's ongoing support. Schranz echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of combining Swiss technical expertise with Lao leadership to build a more resilient energy sector. The Steering Committee also adopted several recommendations to guide the next phase of work, including improved cooperation across sectors, increased capacity-building support for local agencies, and greater transparency in how data is shared and used. Looking ahead, an independent Mid-Term Review of the DSTIA project will provide insights into its effectiveness and ensure alignment with both national development goals and international standards. - Laotian Times
