Jill Biden marks U.S. re-entry into UNESCO with a flag-raising ceremony in Paris
The Hindu
U.S. first lady Jill Biden attended a flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO in Paris marking Washington’s official reentry into the U.N. agency after a controversial five-year hiatus
U.S. first lady Jill Biden attended a flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO in Paris on July 25, marking Washington's official re-entry into the U.N. agency after a controversial five-year hiatus.
The Stars and Stripes was hoisted up outside UNESCO's headquarters with the Eiffel Tower on the skyline to rousing applause and a rendition of the national anthem. Before the flag-raising, Dr. Biden made remarks about the importance of American leadership in preserving cultural heritage and empowering education and science across the globe.
“I was honored to join you today as we raise the flag of the Unites States, the symbol of our commitment to global collaboration and peace,” Dr. Biden said. She said that this move was an example of President Joe Biden's pledge about “restoring our leadership on the world stage.”
“We are so proud to rejoin UNESCO,” she proclaimed, acknowledging that “as a teacher I’m a little biased.”
The United States had announced its intention to rejoin UNESCO in June, and the organization’s 193 member states earlier this month voted to approve the U.S. reentry. Tuesday’s ceremony, which also featured a speech by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, formally signified the U.S. becoming the 194th member — and flag proprietor — at the agency.
We are putting “the Star Spangled banner back where it belongs,” Ms. Azoulay said.
“In the time of divisions, rifts and and existential threats, we reaffirm our union here today," Azoulay also said, referring to current global political instabilities. “Together we will be stronger."
“We are judges and therefore, cannot act like Mughals of a bygone era ... the writ courts in the guise of doing justice cannot transcend the barriers of law,” the High Court of Karnataka observed while setting aside an order of a single judge, who in 2016 had extended the lease of a public premises allotted to a physically challenged person to 20 years contrary to 12-year period stipulated in the law.
The High Court of Karnataka on Monday declined to interfere, at present, in the investigation against a Bharatiya Janata Party worker, who is among the accused persons facing charges of circulating obscene clips, related to “morphed” images and videos clips related to Prajwal Revanna, former Hassan MP, in public domain through pen drives and other modes.
The 16th edition of Bhoomi Habba was held on June 8, at the Visthar campus. The festival drew a vibrant crowd who came together to celebrate eco-consciousness through a variety of engaging activities, creative workshops, panel discussions, interactive exhibits and performances, all centered around this year’s theme: “Save Water, Save Lives.”