Latest news with #UNESCO
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
S. Korea calls on UNESCO to step in if Japan reneges on pledge over forced labor site
South Korea on Tuesday called on UNESCO's heritage oversight body to step in if Japan continues to backtrack on its promise to honor wartime forced labor victims from its UNESCO World Heritage-listed industrial sites. South Korean Ambassador to UNESCO Bak Sang-mee made the call during a session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, about a week after Seoul's attempt to place the industrial sites on this year's WHC agenda was blocked by a rare vote among member states, including both South Korea and Japan. Seoul sought to bring attention to Japan's lukewarm efforts in implementing WHC recommendations on presenting the full history of the Meiji industrial revolution sites, which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015. One of the sites is Hashima Island, where many Koreans were taken to toil during World War II, when Korea was under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. "The case of the site of Japan's Meiji industrial revolution is notable for the committee's consistent request through four consecutive decisions for the development of an interpretation strategy that allows for an understanding of the full history of each site," Bak said. "However, nearly a decade later, its implementation remains insufficient and continues to raise concerns." Japan has established a museum in Tokyo featuring exhibits on related history, but the move has drawn criticism from Seoul for failing to present the full historical context as promised. Bak said South Korea will continue to support the full implementation of the WHC decisions on the sites, including through bilateral consultations with Japan. "We sincerely hope that Japan will engage in this process in a constructive and responsible manner," she said. Still, Bak said the WHC should engage if Japan continues to fail to follow through on the WHC decisions. "Should the shortcomings in the interpretive strategies at the Tokyo Industrial Heritage Information Center remain unaddressed despite such (bilateral) efforts, the committee should maintain its engagement in this matter as part of its ongoing responsibility," she said. Japan submitted follow-up progress reports to UNESCO outlining its implementation efforts. But each has prompted the committee to urge Tokyo to do more to present the whole history, echoing South Korea's position that Japan's actions fall short of its original commitment. The WHC had reviewed the sites every two to three years since their UNESCO designation. However, the issue was not included on this year's agenda, as Japan's most recent report, submitted in 2024, was an "update" to a previous implementation report, not a formal version that would automatically trigger a review. (Yonhap)
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'Drunken stupidity': Two men jailed for destroying iconic Sycamore Gap tree in UK; incident caught on camera
Representative Image Two people were sentenced for over four years on Tuesday for destroying Britain's iconic 'Sycamore Gap' tree, a beloved global landmark recognised for its striking silhouette that appeared in a Hollywood film. The nearly 200-year-old sycamore stood magnificently in a distinctive dip alongside the historic Hadrian's Wall in northern England, serving as a favoured location for photographers, walkers and romantic proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were convicted last month for deliberately felling the tree with a chainsaw after travelling from their residences during the night in September 2023. They recorded their destructive act on Graham's mobile phone and subsequently boasted about it. Their friendship later deteriorated as public outrage intensified over their actions. Initially, both denied involvement in destroying the tree, which appeared in the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and caused damage to Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed by Romans approximately 2,000 years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La app de IA que está cambiando vidas — ¿por qué de repente está en todas partes? Finanzas y economía Prueba ahora Undo Their lawyers indicated that both men later acknowledged responsibility when speaking with probation officers. Carruthers' legal representative, Andrew Gurney, characterised the incident as "drunken stupidity". Judge Christina Lambert, while imposing four-year-and-three-month sentences, stated the men had felled the tree out of "sheer bravado". The National Trust, which manages the heritage site, reported in August signs of growth at the tree's base, suggesting potential regeneration. Recently, Northumberland National Park announced plans to display the largest section of the tree in an installation near its original location.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Men jailed for felling UK's iconic 'Sycamore Gap' tree
Two men have each been jailed for more than four years for cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree in the UK, a much-loved and well-known global landmark whose dramatic silhouette had featured in a Hollywood movie. The sycamore, estimated to be almost 200 years old, stood at the centre of a dramatic dip in the landscape alongside the historical Hadrian's Wall in northern England, making it a popular spot for photographers, hikers and even marriage proposals. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were found guilty last month of travelling from their homes in the middle of the night in September 2023 to deliberately cut it down with a chainsaw. They filmed what prosecutors described as a "moronic mission" on Graham's mobile phone and later bragged about it, before the pair's friendship descended into acrimony as the widespread anger at their actions became clear. Both had denied any involvement in the felling of the tree, which featured in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and also damaged part of Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans almost 2000 years ago and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Graham and Carruthers did, however, accept their responsibility when speaking to probation officers, their lawyers said. Carruthers' lawyer Andrew Gurney described it as "drunken stupidity". Sentencing them to four years and three months in prison, Judge Christina Lambert told the men they had cut down the tree out of "sheer bravado". The National Trust, a heritage conservation charity which looks after the site, said last August there were signs of life at the base of the tree, giving hope it might live on. Last week, the Northumberland National Park said the largest part of the tree would go on display in an installation located not far from where it once stood.
See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO Holds Event on List of World Heritage in Danger
Mohamed Mandour The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) organized a side event on the sidelines of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, to showcase its efforts to support the removal of Member States' properties from the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger and promote international cooperation in this field. Titled 'ICESCO Strategy for Supporting the Removal of Properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger within Member States,' the event was organized in partnership with several distinguished partners and was moderated by Somia Djacta, Head of ICESCO's Office to UNESCO. Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, opened the event with a statement of appreciation to the host organizations and underscored ICESCO's recent accomplishments in assisting Member States in the removal of their sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Dr. Zinelabidine reaffirmed the Organization's unwavering commitment to proactive engagement and international cooperation in the preservation of cultural heritage. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Busan to host 2026 UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting
48th session of annual UNESCO meeting on world heritage to be held in southern port city next July Busan won the bid to host the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, the Korea Heritage Service said early Wednesday, marking South Korea's first time as host since the meeting was established in 1977. The annual meeting is the largest annual international event on the cultural heritage calendar and will take place in July 2026. The announcement was made during the 47th committee meeting in Paris on Tuesday. Busan was the sole bidder for next year's meeting. The Korea Herald has learned that Vietnam initially intended to enter a bid but later withdrew its decision to participate. "The host country is typically chosen on a rotational basis by continent so that each region gets a fair chance, and next year was expected to be Asia's turn. Since Japan and China have already hosted the event, and South Korea serves as a member of the committee, we actively expressed our desire to do so. Vietnam -- which could have been a competitor -- didn't expect to win, so it chose not to bid," a senior official at the KHS told The Korea Herald. South Korea was elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in November 2023 for a four-year term through 2027, marking the country's fourth such election. The KHS explained that convening a meeting of the 21-member World Heritage Committee where global strategies for artifact management are discussed would elevate Korea's international standing. The event is also expected to bring together government representatives who decide which sites to add to the World Heritage List and how to protect those enlisted. About 3,000 people are expected to attend the two-week event, according to the KHS. Previously, the meeting has been held in several Asian countries, including Cambodia's Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in 2013, China's Suzhou in 2004, Japan's Kyoto in 1998 and Thailand's Phuket in 1994.
