U.S. shuts down Iran's maritime trade despite optimism for more talks
The United States said on Wednesday its military had completely halted trade going in and out of Iran by sea, e...
Brazil’s COP30 summit aims to spotlight developing nations' climate finance needs, pushing wealthy countries to meet funding pledges amid challenges from the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
As global leaders address the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, Brazil, host of this year’s COP30 climate summit, aims to amplify developing nations' voices in the ongoing debate over funding the global transition to cleaner energy.
At last year’s COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, nations pledged $300 billion annually by 2035 to support developing countries, tripling the current $100 billion target.
However, this figure remains below the $1.3 trillion developing nations claim is needed. The funding battle is expected to continue at COP30.
Andre Correa do Lago, COP30’s newly appointed president, acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly without U.S. involvement in negotiations. Under President Biden, the U.S. introduced climate-friendly policies and boosted funding through institutions like the World Bank. Without such efforts, Correa do Lago warned, increasing climate finance will be more difficult.
Despite these obstacles, Correa do Lago emphasized the unity among developing nations in resisting wealthy countries’ calls to expand the base of contributors to climate finance. Emerging economies like China and Gulf states are being pressured to contribute, but Correa do Lago argues this diverts responsibility away from historically high-emitting wealthy nations.
“What developed countries want isn’t to increase the financial resources, they want to lower their contribution in donating financial resources and that is naturally and profoundly wrong,” Correa do Lago said.
The U.S. withdrawal raises concerns regarding leadership at COP30. Traditionally, the United States, European Union, and China have played pivotal roles in driving negotiations. At COP29, China's climate envoy, Liu Zhenmin, acknowledged the challenges of compensating for the absence of the U.S., despite aspirations for enhanced collaboration between the EU and China.
Brazil plans to leverage its BRICS presidency to rally developing nations, fostering consensus to maintain pressure on wealthy nations. Correa do Lago highlighted Brazil’s deforestation mitigation efforts and China’s significant investments in clean energy, such as affordable solar panels and electric vehicles, as meaningful contributions to combating climate change.
Correa do Lago reaffirmed that developing countries are already making significant sacrifices and contributions to address the global climate crisis.
At a time of deepening global polarisation, rising conflict and shrinking space for dialogue, Pakistan is stepping into a historic role. Diplomatic engagements in Islamabad, bringing together regional powers amid the Iran crisis, signal both urgency and opportunity.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian ships approaching ports in the Strait of Hormuz would be "immediately eliminated" on Monday, as the U.S. started its blockade.
A preliminary round of Lebanon-Israel talks has concluded in Washington, marking a tentative diplomatic step as regional tensions rise. The development comes as the United States launches a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Hungary’s election winner Péter Magyar has said he does not support Ukraine’s fast-track entry to the European Union and will uphold an opt-out allowing Hungary to avoid contributing to a €90 billion EU loan for Kyiv.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that talks with Pakistan had been positive, while Türkiye stressed the importance of stronger ties between Kabul and Islamabad.
Communities in Mexico have taken to the streets to protest against an ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico that has killed wildlife and damaged coral reefs over several weeks.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the Earth’s climate system is becoming increasingly unstable, with new evidence showing a growing imbalance in how the planet absorbs and releases energy.
China is preparing for a year of extreme weather in 2026, with authorities warning the country could face both severe flooding and widespread drought, underscoring mounting climate pressures.
Heavy rain, flash floods and lightning strikes across Afghanistan have killed 28 people and destroyed hundreds of homes in Kabul, Herat and other provinces.
Central Asia is stepping up efforts to address rapid glacier melt, following United Nations warnings of unprecedented climate pressure on mountain ecosystems.
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