Around 40 dead, more than 100 injured in Swiss ski resort bar fire
Around 40 people dead and approximately 115 others injured, many of them seriously, after a fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Cr...
As the COP29 climate summit intensifies in Baku, discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) have taken centre stage. While progress is being made behind closed doors, the negotiations remain complex, with some disagreements shaping the dialogue.
Diverging Views on Climate Finance Targets
At the heart of the NCQG debate lies a significant divide between developed and developing nations. Developing countries are pushing for an ambitious target of $1.3 trillion to address climate adaptation and mitigation. However, other proposals on the table suggest lower figures, ranging from $900 billion to $440 billion. Developed nations have emphasised the importance of a unified goal, warning against fragmenting the NCQG into multiple objectives.
Structure of Climate Finance: A Key Sticking Point
Another critical issue is the structure of the proposed climate finance. Developing nations insist on grants or concessional loans, arguing that these terms are essential to effectively support countries most vulnerable to climate change. Developed countries have yet to align on this demand, further stalling progress.
Ministerial Drafts and Timelines
Yalçın Rəfiyev, Lead Negotiator for COP29 Azerbaijan, announced that ministerial pairs have completed draft proposals, which are expected to be shared with all parties by midnight tonight. These drafts represent a step forward in the negotiations, offering a framework for potential consensus.
The timeline is tight, with only a few days left before the summit concludes. Delegates hope that these proposals will form the foundation of a final agreement that aligns with the Paris Agreement's long-term goals.
Optimism Amid Challenges
There are positive signals from the European bloc. Acknowledging challenges to the COP process under a potential Trump administration, Europe appears keen to facilitate a decision on the NCQG now, leveraging the current window of opportunity.
Diplomatic sources suggest a growing sense of optimism among negotiators. Many recognise that if the NCQG is not finalised now, it could face delays until at least 2028. This understanding has added urgency to the discussions, with both developed and developing nations working to bridge their differences.
What's Next?
The outcome of COP29 remains uncertain, but the stakes are undeniably high. With a few days left, all eyes are on the negotiations to determine whether this summit will mark a turning point in global climate action or another missed opportunity.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
The Russian radio station known as 'Doomsday Radio' (or UVB-76) unexpectedly began playing ‘Swan Lake’, music from a ballet composition. The last time this was done was during the deaths of Soviet-era leaders and the 1991 coup.
Protests in Iran over soaring prices and a plunging rial have spread to universities in Tehran, as students join shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in demanding government action. With inflation above 42% and the rial at record lows, unrest continues to grow across the country.
As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, rising casualties, economic struggles, and mounting unrest expose cracks in society. Despite Kremlin propaganda, frustration is growing as more Russians question the government’s narrative, according to The Washington Post.
Chelsea Football Club have parted ways with manager Enzo Maresca, after the London side have won just one of their last seven English Premier League games.
Türkiye’s Zero Waste Foundation has released the Zero Waste Encyclopaedia in Turkish and English, ahead of hosting COP31 in 2026, providing a comprehensive resource on global zero waste practices.
Widespread flash flooding and mudflows have hit Southern California after heavy rain, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for motorists to stay off roads, authorities said.
Dense smog has forced authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province to shut several major motorways on Tuesday (16 December), stranding commuters as visibility dropped sharply and Lahore’s air quality reached hazardous levels.
At least 37 people have been killed in flash floods triggered by torrential rain in Morocco's Atlantic coastal province of Safi, Moroccan authorities said on Monday (15 December).
Climatologists say Poland has logged its warmest December in 74 years, with 2025 continuing a run of above-average temperatures and repeated national records.
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