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General Assembly

All articles tagged with #general assembly

world1 month ago•3 min saved

Volker Türk Wins a Second Term as UN Rights Chief Despite Western and Israeli Objections

Volker Türk has been reappointed UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for another four-year term by the General Assembly, winning 144 votes in favour, 10 against and 13 abstentions, and becoming the first person to serve two full terms in the post since its 1993 creation. The reappointment drew vocal objections from the United States, Russia and Israel over perceived bias and a rushed process, while supporters say the move followed UN rules and that Türk has strongly pressed on rights issues from Gaza and Ukraine to Afghanistan and Xinjiang. Critics say he could have done more publicly on some crises; his office says he has pursued rights through both private diplomacy and public advocacy.

via Al Jazeera|

#general-assembly #human-rights #united-nations

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

Maryland braces for mid-decade redistricting with August session

Maryland will hold an August special session to begin a potential mid-decade redraw of its congressional map, pursuing a state constitutional amendment that would empower lawmakers to adjust lines ahead of the 2028 elections if voters approve it; Gov. Wes Moore backs the move to protect fair representation amid federal Voting Rights Act challenges, though the plan faces political hurdles and diverges from earlier calls to redraw before 2026.

via Politico|

#2028-elections #general-assembly #maryland

world5 months ago•4 min saved

UN General Assembly Declares Slavery a Crime Against Humanity, Pushes for Reparations

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans the gravest crime against humanity and urging reparations and restitution of cultural items; the 123-3 vote included opposition from the United States, Argentina and Israel, with the UK and EU abstaining. The measure is non-binding but signals broad international support for addressing historic injustices and reparatory justice.

via NBC News|

#general-assembly #human-rights #reparations

politics7 months ago•27 min saved

Spanberger lays out Virginia path: cooperation with Trump, firm on affordability

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger used a joint session of the General Assembly to outline an agenda centered on unity and affordability, while drawing the clearest lines yet on how she’ll handle President Trump: seek a productive, trust-based relationship but push back against federal policies that threaten Virginia jobs.

via The Washington Post|

#affordability #donald-trump #general-assembly

politics2 years ago•1 min saved

"Maryland Legislators Reach Budget Agreement with Tobacco Tax and Fee Increases"

The Maryland House and Senate have reportedly reached a budget agreement, aiming to restore funding for immediate transportation needs and invest in education, following a $1.2 billion revenue package proposed by the House. Efforts to pass the $63 billion spending plan had stalled over disagreements on tax increases and gaming expansion, but details of the agreement are expected to be released in a news conference with House and Senate leaders, with Gov. Wes Moore also expected to address the compromise.

via Maryland Matters|

#budget-agreement #education #general-assembly

politics2 years ago•7 min saved

"Virginia Governor Youngkin Vetoes 8 Bills and Signs 64 Into Law"

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed eight bills and made amendments to 12 others as the General Assembly prepared to wrap up its session without including his plan for a $2 billion sports arena. The vetoed bills covered topics such as firearms, book banning, marijuana, voter rolls, surrogacy, railroad safety, and cybersecurity. The General Assembly will have a chance to override the vetoes and amendments when it reconvenes for its “veto session” on April 17.

via The Washington Post|

#general-assembly #glenn-youngkin #legislation

environment2 years ago•6 min saved

Lamont retreats as CT gas car ban regulations crumble

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has withdrawn regulations that would have phased out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 after facing opposition from the legislature's Regulation Review Committee. The committee was set to vote against the regulations, prompting the administration to pull them. Instead, Lamont and legislators will propose an alternative plan to keep Connecticut in line with the timetable established by California and other states to phase out new sales of most gas-powered vehicles. The proposed regulations aimed to require all new vehicles sold in the state to have zero emissions by 2035.

via The Connecticut Mirror|

#connecticut #environment #gasoline-powered-vehicles

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Virginia Democrats Introduce Groundbreaking Bills to Secure Abortion Access and Outline 2024 Agenda

Virginia Democrats, who recently gained control of the state's General Assembly, have introduced four bills, including a proposal for a constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion access in the state. The bills also include raising the minimum wage, banning assault-style firearms, and repealing felon voter disqualification. The push for the constitutional amendment comes after abortion became a prominent issue in the election, with both parties campaigning on the topic. Virginia Republicans criticized the legislation, accusing Democrats of changing their stance on abortion.

via ABC News|

#abortion-access #constitutional-amendment #general-assembly

politics2 years ago•7 min saved

"Democrats Celebrate Victories in Northern Virginia Races, Shifting Balance of Power in General Assembly"

Democrats claim victory in several key races in Northern Virginia, potentially making it difficult for Republicans to gain control of both chambers of the state's General Assembly. The election results will determine the direction of the commonwealth on issues such as abortion access and gun laws, as well as the political future of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. The outcome of tight races in Northern Virginia will play a crucial role in determining which party will hold the majority in the General Assembly.

via WTOP|

#democrats #election #general-assembly

politics2 years ago•0 min saved

"Live Updates: N.J. Election Results 2023 for State House and Senate Races"

Candidates in New Jersey are competing for state Senate and General Assembly seats in the 2023 election. WHYY News will provide live coverage of the results as they come in.

via WHYY|

#2023-election #general-assembly #new-jersey

international-relations2 years ago•2 min saved

Niger Junta Accuses UN Chief of Obstructing General Assembly Participation

The military junta in Niger has accused UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of obstructing their participation in the UN General Assembly, claiming it undermines efforts to resolve the country's crisis. The coup leaders criticized Guterres for not allowing their chosen representative to attend the assembly, while the overthrown government also applied to represent Niger. The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson clarified that the matter would be decided by the Credentials Committee of the General Assembly. Niger, one of the world's poorest nations, has faced international concerns over the Sahel region's stability since the coup.

via FRANCE 24 English|

#coup #crisis #general-assembly

health2 years ago•1 min saved

"UN General Assembly Urges Global Action to End Tuberculosis and Combat Resistant Strains"

The General Assembly's 78th session will host a high-level meeting on the fight against tuberculosis, featuring statements from various leaders and stakeholders. The objective of the meeting is to review the progress made in achieving tuberculosis goals and identify solutions to accelerate progress towards ending the epidemic by 2030. The meeting aims to approve a concise and action-oriented political declaration to be adopted by the General Assembly.

via UN Web TV|

#general-assembly #health #high-level-meeting

international-relations2 years ago•5 min saved

"Overcoming Divisions: The Key to Securing a Spot on the UN Stage"

The United Nations Credentials Committee, an obscure and opaque body, serves as the gatekeeper to the world stage at the UN General Assembly's annual meeting. The committee decides which representatives from divided nations are granted legitimacy and the opportunity to speak. While effective control of territory is a key criterion, the committee's decision-making process remains unclear and may involve political considerations. The committee's recommendations can have significant impacts, including determining who represents a country at international courts. The lack of transparency allows the committee to avoid making difficult decisions and kick them down the road.

via The Associated Press|

#credentials-committee #general-assembly #international-relations

politics3 years ago•2 min saved

"Biden's Appointed Representatives to UN General Assembly: A Strong US Presence"

President Biden has announced his five nominations for the U.S. representatives to the upcoming General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). The nominees include Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.), political consultant Janet Keller, former Georgia state Rep. Calvin Smyre (D), and Jeff Worthe, president of Worthe Real Estate Group. The nominees will be confirmed by a full Senate vote. The General Assembly, which includes all 193 UN member states, will open on Tuesday and discuss key issues related to peace, security, admission of new members, and the budget.

via The Hill|

#general-assembly #nominations #politics

politics3 years ago•1 min saved

"Virginia's General Assembly Reaches Budget Deal with Tax Rebates and Cuts"

Virginia's General Assembly has reached a budget deal that includes additional tax relief for residents, investments in education, natural resources, and behavioral health. The deal includes a one-time tax rebate, increases the standard deduction, removes the age requirement for military retiree subtraction, and reinstates the sales tax holiday. The legislators emphasized the importance of maintaining college affordability and increasing financial aid. They praised the negotiations as fair and balanced, highlighting the cordial and respectful atmosphere during the process.

via WDBJ|

#budget-deal #education #general-assembly