Latest news with #GeneralConference
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Egyptian Candidate for Unesco's Top Spot Stresses Agency's Role in Times of Crisis
The Japan News Khaled El-Enany speaks during an interview with The Japan News at the Egyptian Embassy in Tokyo on May 26. Khaled El-Enany, a former minister of tourism and antiquities for Egypt and now a candidate for director general of UNESCO, stressed the role the U.N. organization has played in times of crisis and the need to strengthen its funding in a recent interview with The Japan News in Tokyo. A written response was also provided after the interview. Recent conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, have damaged and destroyed numerous cultural properties, while also seriously impacting many children's ability to get an education. El-Enany argued that the destruction of cultural heritage is 'no longer a tragic by-product of war' but is now rather 'a deliberate strategy … to erase identity.' As for the children who lose access to education, he said they 'miss the values needed to thrive in their societies,' which can put an entire generation at risk 'of marginalization, of vulnerability, sometimes of radicalization.' The affected children need 'pragmatic solutions,' such as distance-learning tools, as well as psychological support. UNESCO, said El-Enany, has neither the power nor the mandate to stop wars. That means it should be focused on its roles at three levels — preventing conflicts by 'fostering a culture of peace and fighting against hate'; protecting institutions and cultural assets during conflicts; and prioritizing reconstruction of 'heritage sites and schools' after conflicts. In February, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced it would reconsider U.S. membership in UNESCO because the agency has 'demonstrated anti-Israel sentiment over the past decade,' among other reasons. The United States withdrew from the organization in 2018 during the first Trump administration and was readmitted in 2023 during the Biden administration. Nicaragua recently announced it intends to withdraw over issues related to free speech. El-Enany expressed regret over these developments, which he said present a serious problem for funding and mean the loss of U.S. expertise. That is why UNESCO must 'do everything to keep the United States,' he asserted. 'The idea behind UNESCO is inclusivity, and we have to have everyone, even countries who disagree politically.' He added that UNESCO 'can offer [a] very important platform' for discussion of contentious issues. In light of these problems, he called for strengthening UNESCO's funding to make it more diverse, flexible and sustainable, so that the organization can minimize the possible impact of withdrawals and 'focus on its strategic priorities rather than constantly adapting to fragmented project-based logic.' To this end, there needs to be stronger 'partnerships with the private sector and philanthropic foundations.' UNESCO's next director general election will be appointed by the General Conference in October. Currently, two other candidates are also in the running.
Herald Malaysia
4 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
CELAM celebrates 70 years with a telegram from Pope Leo XIV
The bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean gather for the 40th Ordinary General Assembly of CELAM, marking 70 years since the first General Conference of the Episcopate was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1955. May 31, 2025 The bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean have gathered for the 40th Ordinary General Assembly of CELAM By Sebastián Sansón FerrariIn a spirit of gratitude, living memory, and renewed commitment, the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean have gathered for the 40th Ordinary General Assembly of the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM), marking 70 years since the first General Conference of the Episcopate, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1955. To commemorate this occasion, Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Cardinal Jaime Spengler, Archbishop of Porto Alegre and president of CELAM, warmly greeting the Council and emphasizing the continuing importance of ecclesial communion. The Pope's message summarizes the role CELAM has played in the life of the Church on the American continents: an expression of episcopal collegiality, an instrument of pastoral coordination, and a driving force for evangelization in diverse and often painful contexts. 'I join you all in giving thanks to the Lord,' the Holy Father states, 'for this joyful anniversary, which reminds us how the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council is a sign of collegiality […] at the service of the holy and faithful People of God who journey on that beloved continent.' A direct message The message does not shy away from the painful reality facing Latin America where 'a great number of men and women are suffering tribulation and poverty caused by ongoing crises at both the continental and global levels.' In the face of these challenges, the Pope encourages the bishops not to lose sight of the centrality of the Risen Christ, who 'protects and guides the Church, rekindling hope within her.' His call is clear: go out and meet those who dwell in the peripheries, wounded by injustice, and proclaim to them the Gospel with 'the joy that springs from a personal encounter with Him.' Both witness and participant Since its foundation seven decades ago, CELAM has been both witness to and participant in crucial ecclesial conferences: Medellín in 1968, Puebla in 1979, Santo Domingo in 1992, and Aparecida in 2007. Each of these was an expression of communal discernment in light of the signs of the times. Today, in the era of synodality, this path takes on new dimensions and new challenges. From Bogotá, Colombia—where CELAM is headquartered—the assembly not only looked back on its past, but projected itself forward with a missionary spirit. As Pope Leo noted, the aim is to 'seek, in true and effective communion, pastoral initiatives that offer solutions grounded in the criteria of Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.' At the close of his telegram, the Pope entrusts the bishops to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, mother of the peoples of the Americas. He asks them to pray for him and imparts his apostolic blessing as a 'pledge of abundant heavenly gifts.'--Vatican News
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Groundbreaking announced for Singapore's first LDS Temple
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — is getting ready to break ground on its first temple in the island nation of Singapore. The Singapore Republic of Singapore Temple, as it will be known, was announced in the April 2021 General Conference by Prophet and President of the Church, Russell M. Nelson. The temple's groundbreaking ceremony will be held in June. The first counselor in the Church's Asia area presidency, Elder Kelly R. Johnson, will preside at the event. TIMELINE: The year-long debate surrounding the now-approved Fairview Texas Temple The temple will be located off the West Coast Highway and Pasir Panjang Road on the south side of the main island. 'From the beginning, Latter-day Saint communities in Singapore have represented diverse ethnic and national backgrounds,' the Church said in a press release Monday. 'Singapore has drawn this diverse community because it is a hub of Southeast Asian commerce, education and culture.' According to the Church, Singapore is home to over 3,200 Latter-day Saints in six congregations. of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are referred to by members as 'Houses of the Lord,' according to the Church's website. From the grounds outside to the practices inside, members of the Church hold the entire property of Temples as sacred. 'From the very beginning, there have been sacred places upon the earth where God has communed with His children. They were designated by God and hallowed by His presence as places where He would teach and bless His children,' the Church says on its site. The Church teaches that throughout biblical history, the Tabernacle which was carried around was a '' The Church also points to several additional scriptures from the and , which mention temples on several occasions. Inside the Temple, members of the Church seek to draw closer to God by making covenants and performing 'saving' ordinances for themselves or members of their family who have passed away. These temples are typically only open to members who have a . Church members believe through the temple endowment ceremony, that they can 'be endowed power from on high,' which appears in Luke 24:49. 'Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God's priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power,' , said in a speech to members of the Church. is one of many things that can happen inside of a Latter-day Saint temple. In the LDS church, members can also who have passed away and confirm them as members of the Church if they wish to accept them in the spirit world. , can also be performed in the temple. There are currently over 350 temples across the world that have been announced, are operational, or are presently under construction — over 180 of those have been announced by President Nelson. The Church's first temple in 1833. The temple took three years to complete and was dedicated in 1836. According to the Church, Jesus Christ appeared to the first LDS Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and accepted the Kirtland Temple as His house. Police ramp up education for rural teens ahead of deadliest time on Utah roads Republican tax bill would add $3.7 trillion to the national deficit: JCT Groundbreaking announced for Singapore's first LDS Temple Schumer places hold on DOJ political nominees over Qatari jet gift to Trump Trump, Saudis secure $600B investment deal to include billions in US defense weapons Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Kuwait News Agency
07-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait News Agency
Kuwait participates in 72nd session of ACAO Executive Council in Morocco
Transport RABAT, April 7 (KUNA) -- The State of Kuwait participated in the 72nd Executive Council meeting of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) held on Wednesday in Rabat. The Kuwaiti delegation was led by Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al-Hamoud Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, alongside delegations from other member states. In a statement to KUNA, Sheikh Homoud Al-Sabah emphasized that the meeting reflects ACAO's continued efforts to enhance the aviation sector in Arab countries by modernizing regulations to align with international standards. He added that the meeting addressed various topics related to the opportunities and challenges facing the air transport sector in the Arab region. Additionally, discussions included the review of recommendations and decisions from previous sessions, financial matters, and preparations for the upcoming General Assembly of the Organization. The meeting also focused on key issues to be discussed at the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) General Assembly in September, which will be held at ICAO's headquarters in Montreal, Canada. Sheikh Hamoud extended Kuwait's congratulations on the inclusion of Yemen and Tunisia in the Executive Council following a decision to expand its membership. The Executive Council, composed of 11 member states elected every two years by the General Assembly, serves as the governing body of ACAO, overseeing its administration and ensuring the implementation of decisions from the General Conference. (end)
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The global state of the freedom of the press
On May 3, 2025 the world marked Press Freedom Day, an event that seeks to honour, and reinforce, the commitment of nations to a free and robust media. Just a day before, on May 2, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans Frontières- RSF) released the Press Freedom Index, its annual ranking of the status of journalistic freedom in 180 countries worldwide. While Norway tops the chart, Eritrea, under a dictatorship, scores the lowest rank. India places at a dismal 151. Another indicator— the Committee to Protect Journalists recorded that 103 journalists were killed in 2024; 15 have already died globally as of April 2025. Also Read: Why is May 3 observed as World Press Freedom Day? The journalist, whether today or historically, stares down polarised political environments, war, and an easily distracted public. Hostile governments and legal strictures further complicate a profession already widely cited to be at risk. As the world sees a tilt in the authoritarian direction, media is one of the spaces where the political war plays out. Further, with conditions and challenges varying by country, the state of the press often serves as a bellwether for the state of freedom in general. How are countries treating their press? We take a detailed look. World Press Freedom Day 2025 World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following a recommendation to this effect in UNESCO's General Conference. The day picked for the purpose was May 3— the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, made in 1992 at a UNESCO seminar held in Windhoek, Namibia. The day serves as a reminder to governments to respect their commitment to a free press. Since 1997, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is also formally awarded on this day. It is named for Guillermo Cano Isaza, the founder of Colombian newspaper El Espectador who was assassinated in front of its offices in Bogotá on December 17, 1986. This year's prize was awarded to Nicaraguan newspaper La Prensa- El Diario de los Nicaragüenses, which has operated in exile since 2021. Founded in 1926 in Managua, the newspaper weathered repression and confiscation of its assets in Nicargua, as well as the arrest of its leaders, to continue reporting about conditions in its home country from locations abroad. In 2024, the prize was awarded to Palestinan journalists covering the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Other recent winners have included Niloofar Hamedi, Elaheh Mohammadi and Narges Mohammadi from Iran (2023), the Belarus Association of Journalists (2022), and Maria Ressa from the Philippines (2021). World Press Freedom Index 2025 Since 2002, RSF has published the World Press Freedom Index, offering an insight into conditions on the ground. This year's edition was released on May 2, 2025. Norway topped the list in 2025— as it did last year— followed by Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland. Last year also saw the top ranks dominated by Scandinavian and European nations, with the top five being rounded out by Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands and Finland. The country ranked lowest this year is Eritrea (180), and rounding out the last five are Iran (176), Syria (177), China (178) and North Korea (179). India obtained a rank of 151, improving on its showing of 159 last year. The world leaders in press freedom Scandinavian countries have repeatedly featured at the top of press freedom lists, boosted by robust legal protections and a diversified media industry. In Norway, freedom of expression and the right to public information are protected both by the constitution and standalone legislations. Further, diverse ownership is ensured by competition authorities, while zero VAT has spurred industry growth. In general, the countries of Northern and Western Europe perform well on the RSF World Press Freedom Index, while South and Eastern Europe lag behind— Italy is at 49. The first non-European nation on the list is New Zealand, at 16, while the first Asian nation is Taiwan (24). South Africa (27) is the top nation from the African continent. The top country from the Americas is, interestingly, Trinidad and Tobago, a tiny Carribean country, at 19. Canada follows at 21. The United States, despite vocal proponents for the freedom of speech and expression, places at an unimpressive 57. This follows even as President Donald Trump has cut down on funds for public media and global journalism networks via executive orders. The credibility of the profession has also been called into question, with corporate ownership and partisanship forming part of the uncertain equation. Among other major economies, Germany places at 11, United Kingdom at 20, France at 25, Brazil at 63 and Japan at 66. The stragglers According to RSF, the world's least free country in terms of press freedom is Eritrea, ruled with an iron fist by President Issayas Afeworki. All independent media has been banned since 2001, and only a few state-controlled outlets exist, subject to strict oversight. Freedom of the press is technically guaranteed by the Constitution but non-existent in practice, with arbitrary detentions, surveillance and imprisonment. North Korea slipped from its 2024 rank of 177 to 179 on 2025's Index. Under Kim Jong-un's dictatorship, there is heavy surveillance, censorship, policing of freedom of speech and the media. The only permitted news source for North Korean media is the Korean Central News Agency, which relays government propaganda, and foreign news agencies such as AFP operate under strict surveillance. Again, the freedom of the press is part of the Constitution, but not exercised. Arrest, detention, and killing of journalists is not uncommon, and the government has particular ire for journalists in South Korea. It does not spare its own— North Koreans can be penalised or sent to labour camps for accessing media from outside the country. Syria rose to rank 177 from 179 last year, the slight bump perhaps attributable to a freer media climate post the end of Bashar-al Assad's dictatorship in November 2024. Media in exile have returned and international news agencies are now operational in Damascus. RSF notes that the new government's Minister of Information, Mohamed al-Omar, has promised to uphold freedom of expression and work toward a free press. During Assad's regime, crackdowns, imprisonment and extrajudicial assassinations of members of the press were not uncommon. The political situation under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and President Ahmed al-Sharaa remains volatile, albeit with relatively more security for journalists. Maintaining its rank of 176 from last year, Iran retains a hostile environment for the media. Conditions worsened after the detention and death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, with many journalists being imprisoned for their reportage on Ms. Amini and the protests following her death. RSF notes that 23 journalists remain in detention today. The country's media is controlled by its Islamic regime, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei frequently alleges foreign influence on independent media in the country. Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the Constitution., but under press laws, journalists are proscribed from endangering the Islamic Republic, offending the clergy or the Supreme Leader and spreading false information. Arbitrary detention, persecution and imprisonment of journalists is common. China finds itself at rank 178 this year, a fall from 172 in 2024. Chinese media giants such as Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television (CCTV), China National Radio (CNR), and newspapers China Daily, People's Daily and the Global Times, as well as the internationally broadcast China Global Television Network (CGTN) and Radio China International (RCI) are state-owned. There is state censorship of content and dissemination of state-approved messaging by press, and China is also reportedly considering a law to ban all private investment in media. The country's Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and press. However, journalists may find themselves being surveilled, detained or even tortured, and accused of crimes against the Chinese government. According to RSF, China is the world's largest jailer of journalists, with at least 110 detained at present. Other countries with a penchant for jailing journalists of late have included Belarus, Russia and Israel. Russia, with its intense censorship, repression of dissidents and state propaganda machine, saw 30 journalists jailed in 2024. The state of media freedom in Israel has worsened as its war with Palestine continues, with several journalists killed by Israeli strikes. 43 were imprisoned last year, according to the CPJ. India and its neighbours India's press freedom is in crisis, according to the RSF Index. Violence against journalists, ownership of media being concentrated in the hands of a few, and increasing political polarisation are some reasons for its rank of 151. RSF also highlights the rise of Godi media, selective media access to government officials and the Prime Minister, and backlash against criticism of the government as factors hindering freedom of the media. It also notes that the media landscape is highly dependent on advertising revenue— the primary source for which is the Indian government. Also read: Indians fear fake news but are less concerned about press freedom China fares poorly at 178, and so does Afghanistan, which finds itself, at 175, among the bottom ten countries in the index. The Taliban's return to power in August 2021 signalled a decline in freedom and increased state control of the media. Dissidents are not tolerated by a government which imposes strict ideological control over the masses, and expects journalists to disseminate government-approved information. Media is closely monitored, circumscribed by the so-called '11 rules of journalism,' and the 2024 Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice bans the broadcast of images of living creatures, shuttering numerous television channels. Several subjects are also proscribed, including criticism of the Taliban rule, religion, and women's rights. Per the RSF website, more than two-thirds of Afghan journalists left the profession since 2021, including eight out of every 10 women. Women still in the media face strict restrictions, such as bans from appearing on air, or travelling without a companion. Independent media depended on international funding and projects to survive, and has now collapsed after the stopping of international aid. The threat of arrest by security forces and the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) also hovers over the Afghan press. Bangladesh ranked 149th in this year's edition of the World Press index, up from 165 last year. While the media landscape is dotted by state broadcasters, there exist several private players, with prominent newspapers such as Prothom Alo (Bengali) and Daily Star (English) retaining some measure of editorial independence. Former prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime saw increasing levels of censorship, with laws like the Cyber Security Act, and Digital Security Act imposing draconian curbs on the freedom of speech. Journalists may also find themselves at the receiving end of violence from police, political elements and religious extremists. RSF notes that after the fall of Sheikh Hasina in 2024, around 130 journalists were subjected to unfounded judicial proceedings and five were detained. Myanmar is at rank 169, up three steps from its 171 ranking in 2024. The military coup of 2021 stymied progress towards greater freedom after the previous coup in 2011. The junta, headed by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, issued a list of publications that were banned, and other media outlets have gone into exile. Government-controlled media conveys approved messaging to the public, and coverage of human rights violations, such as the plight of the Rohingyas, is censored. Journalists may be detained under vague penal provisions for false information or defamation, or for promoting terrorism, fear and instability. They are also at risk from anti-junta groups or ethnic armed organisations. Press freedom was already fragile in Mynamar during the previous regime under Aung Sang Suu Kyi, with coverage of ethnic minority conflict being taboo. In 2018, two Reuters journalists had been arrested post their work investigating a massacre of Rohingyas, and faced trial before eventually being pardoned. Myanmar continues to jail journalists at an alarming rate; CPJ placed it third on its list of the world's largest jailers of journalists. According to RSF, around 60 media workers remained detained in Myanmar. Pakistan, at 158, has slid down from a ranking of 152 last year. State monopoly on media ended in 2002, and many TV channels, newspapers and radio stations flourish in Urdu, English and regional languages. However, there is a huge influence of the military in governance, which in turn influences control over the media. This means lowered tolerance for criticism of either the military or the government. Legal provisions may be used to curb media activities, and the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act reportedly does not offer adequate safeguards. Further, journalist safety is a concern in the country, with risk of surveillance and detention, and multiple cases of murder. Bhutan (152) ranks right after India in this year's list, dropping a few ranks down from last year (147). Despite several private players, the media industry in the landlocked kingdom struggles from a lack of independence. For example, the Bhutan Broadcasting Service is state-owned and not assured of editorial independence. Journalists face difficulties in access to government information. There is also self-censorship and the risk of government retaliation for critical articles. Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have fared better than India, according to the index, but conditions remain far from ideal Sri Lanka is ranked at 139, and faces the after-effects of the civil war that ended in 2009. Killings of journalists during this turbulent period in Sri Lankan history have largely gone unpunished. Further, before the fall of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency in 2022, there were reports of detention of journalists and gagging of the press. State owned media occupies a lion's share in the country, while some owners of private media too have political links, thus hindering editorial independence. Freedom of expression is not restricted in Sri Lanka, however, it is also not expressly protected. Further, prevention of terrorism laws have been used to suppress reportage on certain issues, such as the condition of minority Tamil communities. Maldives has a rank of 104, bouncing back from a multi-decade rule by autocratic elements, a draconion defamation law (now repealed) and varying political approaches to press freedom. The Maldives Constitution protects the freedom of the press and says that 'no person shall be compelled to disclose the source of any information that is espoused, disseminated or published by that person.' However, evidentiary law in the country could compel journalists to reveal their sources in court, thus undercutting the constitutional guarantee. Threats from extremist groups and instances of violence or killing of journalists without redressal hinder press security. Nepal is the only one of India's neighbours to notch a double digit rank, at 90, a fall from its 74 in 2024. It has reportedly acquired a freer media post the dismantling of the monarchy in 2008. It sees major state-owned publications but also many diverse privately-owned ones, and several political parties have their own mouthpieces. Press members have been subjected to defamation and can be subject to legal persecution for inconvenient investigations. Notably, Nepal is one of the few countries in the world to have freedom of the press as part of its constitution— in its preamble.
