Other News
PHL pushes for operationalization of Loss and Damage Fund to help vulnerable countries affected by climate change
(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos made a push for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund in a bid to support developing and vulnerable countries from the impact of climate change. The President made the call on the world stage through a message delivered by Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. during the opening of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) on Friday in Dubai. In pushing for […]
PAGASA: Northeast monsoon affecting Northern Luzon
(Eagle News)–The northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands will have cloudy skies with rains as a result. Aurora and Quezon will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, this time, due to the easterlies. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Central Luzon […]
Walkout, no-shows at COP28 as Israel-Hamas war resumes
By Talek HARRIS and Sahar AL-ATTAR DUBAI, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – Iran’s delegation walked out and Israel’s president cancelled his speech as tensions over the Gaza war spilled over at the UN COP28 climate talks in Dubai on Friday. As deadly air strikes resumed after a week-long truce, several of the world leaders gathered to discuss climate change took the chance to lament the Israel-Hamas war that has left thousands dead. “It is impossible […]
US House ousts ‘crook’ congressman in historic vote
By Frankie TAGGART WASHINGTON, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – US lawmakers voted Friday to expel George Santos, the scandal-plagued politician who lied his way into Congress and has been indicted on charges of bankrolling his lavish lifestyle with stolen donor cash. One of the most colorful but controversial figures in the 234-year history of the House of Representatives, the New York Republican is only the third person to join Washington’s rogues gallery of ejected lawmakers […]
Binance faces Philippine ban as SEC tightens grip on crypto trading platforms
MANILA, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines will block access to cryptocurrency giant Binance, an official said Thursday, as part of a crackdown on online trading platforms operating in the country without licences. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Tuesday that Binance was not registered in the Philippines and therefore not authorised to sell or offer securities in the country. Filipinos could withdraw their investments before access to Binance’s platform and apps was […]
EU demands Meta provide more information on measures to address child sexual abuse online
BRUSSELS, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – The EU on Friday demanded Instagram-owner Meta provide more information about measures taken by the company to address child sexual abuse online. The request for information focuses on Meta’s risk assessment and mitigation measures “linked to the protection of minors, including regarding the circulation of self-generated child sexual abuse material (SG-CSAM) on Instagram”, the European Commission said. Meta must also give information about “Instagram’s recommender system and amplification of […]
US ‘intensely focused’ on hostages despite end of Gaza truce: Blinken
DUBAI, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – The United States remains “intensely focused” on freeing hostages held in Gaza despite the resumption of the Israel-Hamas war after a week-long truce, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday. “We remained intensely focused on getting everyone home, getting hostages back, something that I also worked on today,” he said, after meeting Arab foreign ministers in Dubai. Blinken met with the top diplomats of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, […]
Olympic chief ‘very satisfied’ with Paris 2024 Village
SAINT-DENIS, France, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – Olympic chief Thomas Bach said he was “very satisfied” with the state of preparations for the Olympic Village of the Paris 2024 Summer Games after a visit to the new build north of the French capital on Friday. “As an Olympian it’s always a great moment to be in an Olympic Village,” said Bach, who won Olympic fencing team gold for West Germany in the 1976 Games and […]
King Charles urges ‘genuine’ climate action at COP28
By Laurent Thomet, Nick Perry and Talek Harris DUBAI, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – King Charles III told world leaders Friday that the UN’s COP28 talks in Dubai must be a turning point in the fight against climate change, as tough negotiations on fossil fuels began. King Charles kicked off two days of speeches by heads of state and government in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, with a stark warning. “We are carrying out a […]
‘Hard blow’ for Israeli hostage families as truce ends
TEL AVIV, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – The families of hostages still being held in Gaza on Friday said the end of a truce that saw 80 kidnapped Israelis freed was a “very hard blow” to bear. Under an agreement between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel, the hostages were being released at a rate of 10 each day, forcing the families to endure an agonising waiting game. But as the pause in the conflict […]
World Bank to operate ‘loss and damage’ climate fund
DUBAI, Dec 1, 2023 (AFP) – The World Bank will “operate” an ambitious new climate change fund, but donors and recipients will likely control how the money is actually spent, the head of the development lender said Friday. More than $400 million has been pledged initially to the new “loss and damage” fund for countries impacted by climate change since it was approved by nations attending the UN’s COP 28 climate summit in Dubai on […]
