BAKU, Nov 24 2024 (IPS)* –They say it is taboo to talk about money. But this is exactly what developing countries came for: to haggle and push for the climate finance deal of a lifetime, as the climate crisis is, for them, a matter of life and death.
A delegate reacts during the final negotiations that led to a much-criticized climate finance deal. Credit: UN Climate Change/Kiara Worth
Wealthy nations also came for their own deal of a lifetime—to hoist the climate finance burden on the private sector as they take the bare minimum financial responsibility.
A finance COP was always going to be difficult as, although they can pay, they simply will not pay.
Ultimately, this is the story of how the Israel lobby undermined America, wrecked the Middle East, and set a series of international crimes against humanity in motion.
21 November 2024 Common Dreams — It’s official now. America’s closest ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the one accorded more than 50 standing ovations in Congress just months ago, is under indictment by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint meeting of the United States Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol March 3, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)
(UN News)* — Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), told reporters in Geneva that ground clashes inside Lebanon – some of them very close to UNIFIL positions – have become “more violent”.
Peacekeepers have witnessed the “shocking” destruction of villages in southern Lebanon along the UN-patrolled Blue Line that separates the country from Israel, along with ever-deeper Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground incursions and continuing Hezbollah attacks, the UN said on Tuesday [].
MADRID, Nov 20 2024 (IPS)* – Did you know that hundreds of millions of children around the world are currently suffering from physical, sexual, and psychological violence, including child labour, child marriage, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, war, trafficking, bullying, and cyberbullying?
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Over 1 billion children have had their lives disrupted by disasters since 2000, with over 80,000 schools damaged or destroyed. Credit: Shutterstock
We are playing a poker game with a young generation that without any perspective on solutions, can find other ways to get an outlet for their frustration. That is very dangerous, and it’s dangerous for all. And it’s not only here. It is dangerous.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas | Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General.
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(UN News)* — The war in Gaza represents “the biggest stress test” the UN has faced in its work to forge greater peace and a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians, according to the senior envoy who has been at the forefront of these efforts since 2021.
(UN News)* — The United States on Wednesday [] vetoed a UN Security Council draft resolution that demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider | A wide view of the UN Security Council as members vote on a draft resolution during the meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Despite having secured 14 votes in favour, the draft resolution put forward by the 10 elected members of the Security Council (E10), failed to pass owing to the negative vote by a permanent member, the US.
The text also reiterated the Council’s demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
(Beirut) – Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has facilitated and benefited from human rights abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a report released on 20 November 2024.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov 19 2024 (IPS)* – Western financial policies have been squeezing economies worldwide. After being urged to borrow commercial finance heavily, developing countries now struggle with contractionary Western monetary policies.
Central banks ‘Unconventional monetary measures’ in the West helped offset the world economic slowdown after the 2008 global financial crisis.
Jomo Kwame Sundaram
Higher interest rates have worsened contractions, debt distress, and inequalities due to cost-push inflation triggered by ‘geopolitical’ supply disruptions.
Western central bank efforts have tried to check inflation by curbing demand and raising interest rates. Higher interest rates have worsened contractionary tendencies, exacerbating world stagnation.
7 Nov 2024 – Empires do NOT reform. Resilience is the term associated with the Oppressed, not the Oppressor. (Try imagine being enslaved or colonized for 300 years).
Maung Zarni
With elite delusions and a popular sense of “being special/ exceptional/ unique/ superior), Empires get toxic at home and abroad, decay, get overpowered/ crushed or simply collapse.
USA is no exception, except it has the capacity to bring humanity at large with it, to Hell.
I do not hate Americans as a people – just another population of fellow humans, who deserve life, not more or less than any other population.
But, with every cell in my body, I absolutely loath Empires and Imperialisms, whatever their names.
()* — As COP29 climate talks in Baku enter their final week, the UN climate chief told negotiators on Monday [] to “cut the theatrics,” get down to business and hammer out a new finance deal to compensate countries for climate-driven damages and pay for a clean-energy transition.
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UNFCCC/Kiara Worth | UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell addresses negotiators as the final week of COP29 begins in Baku, Azerbaijan.
“We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees,” said Simon Stiell, urging delegates to wrap up “less contentious issues” as early as possible this week, so there is enough time for the major political decisions.
HUMAN WRONGS WATCH 