Sunday News Brief
Good Morning,
Our Climate
If you should care about one thing today, it’s the climate and our changing World increasingly hit with record setting heat, devastating forest fires, flooding, and weather changes costing lives and billions of dollars in damage.
The COP 27 climate conference in Egypt ended today, with an agreement called ‘loss and damage” to compensate the worst hit countries effected by climate crises but failed address the causes of climate change.
Sherry Rehman – climate change minister of Pakistan, which suffered record floods in September and became a symbol at the conference of the devastation developing countries are facing – hailed the “historic” deal.
The European Union's climate policy chief said the commitment of some countries towards efforts to limit rising temperatures fell short.
Frans Timmermans said there is a "yawning gap" between climate policies and climate science adding that the mitigation programme agreement allows for some parties to "hide from their commitments".
"This is the make or break decade," he says. "But what we have in front of us is not enough of a step forward for people and planet.
"Too many parties are not ready to make progress in the fight against the climate crisis.
"Some are afraid of the transition ahead and the cost of change."
The War In Ukraine
There are many reports of Russian troops digging in for the winter months in Southern Ukraine, trying to slow a Ukrainian offensive will continue despite the colder conditions.
Saturday the new British P.M. Rishi Sunak made a visit to Kyiv promising another 60 million dollars in air defence aid to stop Iranian supplied drones to Russia.
At the worst, it looked like an awkward political photo stop for Sunak, who looks like an equity trader in his suit and tie, dropped awkwardly into a war zone. He was smiling from ear to ear as he walked past captured Russian tanks, Sunak looking like a tentative school child with little gravitas, with little to sway anyone he is a leader to be reckoned with.
But the perfect host, President Zelenskiy seemed to welcome Sunak, because even he knows Ukraine counts on continuing Western support in arms and political isolation of Russia.
Kyiv is in a “critical situation” with power shortages and faces hours-long blackouts, officials say, amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. But the energy ministry said on Saturday that Ukrainian electricity supplies were under control and there was no need to panic.
World Cup
I don’t think football or hockey players, or in general sports figures should wade into politics to deeply. It’s usually a disaster to hear views from young inexperienced but highly paid youngsters, still learning what the world is about.
But FIFA, which is the governing body of football, should understand something about human rights and international politics as it operates in that space and has to navigate these issues.
Then again, FIFI awarded the world cup to Qatar, and has been highly criticized for doing so.
But the rant by FIFA President Gianni Infantino sparked fury last night after claiming Europeans "should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years" instead of criticizing World Cup hosts Qatar for their barbaric human rights record. He meant the west can’t give moral lessons to anyone.
Infantino said this in a country that makes same sex relationships a criminal matter with a 7 year jail term. He said it in a country where women’s rights are zero, and where workers rights are almost nil.
Infantino said it because FIFA clearly needs a new President, because this one has apparently lost his moral compass with no apparent ability to navigate political or social sensitivity.
FIFA is a disgrace say many critics from sports, to political leaders.
In an interview earlier this month, Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter admitted it was a “mistake” to award Qatar the World Cup.
As well as highlighting the country’s human rights record, critics say Qatar is too small, and too hot for players to perform at their best, with temperatures expected to reach up to 28°C in the tournament.
The finals begin today with an opening ceremony at 2pm UK time before Qatar play Ecuador. England’s first match is against Iran on Monday afternoon, while Wales play the USA on Monday evening.
Other News…
Twitter owner, the ever controversial Elon Musk has justified reinstating former President Donald Trump to the social media platform.
Trump was suspended for spreading hatred and encouraging violence.
Musk claims a poll on Twitter voted in favour of allowing Trump to make his Twitter comeback. With slightly over 15 million Twitter users voted in the poll with 51.8% voting in favour of reinstatement.
The good news, (although I don’t believe it) is toxic Trump has stated he has no interest in returning to Twitter.
Have a good Sunday everyone.
Dana Lewis