Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia at the UN General Assembly on Friday of ignoring the will of the world as its war against Kyiv enters a third year. Continue reading Russia’s war in Ukraine ‘ignores will of global majority’: Kuleba
Category: World News
World News
Afghan Taliban official says taking pictures ‘a major sin’
A Taliban official said journalists were committing “a major sin” by taking pictures, Afghan media reported on Wednesday. Continue reading Afghan Taliban official says taking pictures ‘a major sin’
Ukraine troops withdraw from frontline city Avdiivka
Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the frontline city of Avdiivka to avoid being encircled, new military chief Oleksandr Syrsky said Saturday, handing Russia its biggest symbolic victory following Kyiv’s failed summer counter-offensive. Continue reading Ukraine troops withdraw from frontline city Avdiivka
Senegal constitutional body overturns presidential vote delay
Senegal’s Constitutional Council on Thursday overturned the postponement of this month’s presidential election, a historic decision that opens up a realm of uncertainty for the traditionally stable West African nation. Continue reading Senegal constitutional body overturns presidential vote delay
Two years on, Ukraine defiant but on defensive
Ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian army is increasingly on the defensive against more numerous and better armed Russian forces, but hoping that a recent military leadership change can make a difference. Continue reading Two years on, Ukraine defiant but on defensive
Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc ECOWAS
The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on Sunday announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS, saying it has become a threat to member states. Continue reading Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc ECOWAS
EU pushes Israel on two-state solution after war in Gaza
EU foreign ministers on Monday pressed Israel for an eventual two-state solution with the Palestinians after the war in Gaza, at meetings with the top diplomats from the two sides and key Arab states in Brussels. Continue reading EU pushes Israel on two-state solution after war in Gaza
FIFA’s Infantino condemns ‘abhorrent’ racism during games in Italy, England
FIFA president Gianni Infantino called for worldwide stadium bans for fans and “automatic forfeits” for teams whose supporters hurl “abhorrent” abuse, following racist incidents in Italy and England on Saturday. Continue reading FIFA’s Infantino condemns ‘abhorrent’ racism during games in Italy, England
Israel bombs Gaza as disagreements with US simmer
Israel bombarded southern Gaza on Friday after it publicly sparred with its main ally the United States over the possibility of a Palestinian state, the creation of which Washington sees as the only pathway to a lasting peace. Continue reading Israel bombs Gaza as disagreements with US simmer
2024 could be warmer than 2023, warns climate scientists
The year 2024 could be warmer than 2023 – as some of the record ocean surface heat escapes into the atmosphere – although the “weird” behavior of the current El Niño means it’s hard to be sure, Dr Hausfather says.
The year 2023, according to a BBC report, has been confirmed as the warmest on record, driven by human-caused climate change and boosted by the natural El Niño weather event.
But there is a possibility that 2024 may even surpass the key 1.5C warming threshold across the entire calendar year for the first time, according to the UK Met Office.
Nearly 200 countries agreed in Paris in 2015 to try to limit warming to this level, to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
It refers to long-term averages over 20 or 30 years, so a year-long breach in 2024 wouldn’t mean the Paris Agreement had been broken.
But it highlights the concerning direction of travel, with each hot year bringing the world closer to passing 1.5C over the longer term.
Human activities are behind this long-term global warming trend, even though natural factors like El Niño can raise or reduce temperatures for individual years, and the temperatures experienced in 2023 go far beyond simply natural causes.
At the time, 1998 and 2016 were record-breaking years, boosted by strong El Niño warming. But these don’t come close to the new 2023 records, marked in the darkest reds.
“2023 was an exceptional year, with climate records tumbling like dominoes,” concludes Dr Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.
This latest warning comes shortly after the COP28 climate summit, where countries agreed for the first time on the need to tackle the main cause of rising temperatures – fossil fuels.
While the language of the deal was weaker than many wanted – with no obligation for countries to act – it’s hoped that it will help to build on some recent encouraging progress in areas like renewable power and electric vehicles.
This can still make a crucial difference in limiting the consequences of climate change, researchers say, even though the 1.5C target looks likely to be missed.
“Even if we end up at 1.6C instead, it will be so much better than giving up and ending up close to 3C, which is where current policies would bring us,” says Dr. Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, adding that “Every tenth of a degree matters.”