COP26: talks go into overtime
Negotiators at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow worked overnight as summit president Alok Sharma eyes up Saturday for a final agreement. He has told delegates that a short informal plenary meeting will be held not before 10am, when he would introduce revised documents, share his assessment of the state of the negotiations and set out proposed next steps. Sharma said he envisages a formal plenary in the afternoon to adopt the final decisions of COP26 and close the session on Saturday. Sticking points include subsidies for coal and other fossil fuels, and financial help to poorer nations.
World powers warn against undermining Libya election plan
World powers will push for sanctions against anyone who disrupts Libya’s political transition, their leaders agreed at a Paris conference on Friday aimed at ensuring the country sticks to a plan to hold elections next month. The Paris meeting, which included the leaders of France, Libya, Germany, Italy, Malta, Egypt, the US and others, was intended to cement backing for the planned December vote and efforts to remove foreign forces.
‘World has become deaf to plight of the poor’
Pope Francis said on Friday that the world had become deaf to the plight of the poor and condemned those who become disproportionately rich while blaming the needy for their own fate. Francis travelled to Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, to meet with about 500 poor people before the Catholic Church’s World Day of the Poor which will be marked on Sunday. He called for the creation of more jobs, declaring “It is time to roll up our sleeves to restore dignity by creating jobs”. The Pope called for an end to violence against women “so they are respected and not treated as merchandise”.
US Court of Appeal blocks vaccine obligation
A US federal court has suspended the vaccine or testing requirement for private companies. The decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, composed of a judge appointed by Ronald Reagan and two chosen by Donald Trump, thus inflicts a slap in the face on the Biden administration that passed the rule.
New restrictions in Europe as COVID-19 cases rise
Austria, the Netherlands and Germany have announced partial lockdowns as COVID cases rise across Europe. In the Netherlands, the government said the country would enter partial lockdown as of today.For three weeks, bars restaurants and supermarkets will have to close at 8pm, while sports will have to be played in empty stadiums. Austria’s chancellor also announced regional lockdowns for unvaccinated people to the countries worst-hit areas. The unvaccinated are currently banned from restaurants, hotels, hairdressing salons and large public events. German Health Minister Jens Spahn has stated that public events in Germany can only be attended if immunised and in any case presenting a negative test. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that the Nordic country will reintroduce the Green pass in response to the increase in infections and in Croatia, from next Tuesday,it will be mandatory to have the European COVID certificate to enter all public bodies and institutions and publicly owned companies.
US businessman who went to space killed in plane crash
Glen de Vries, the entrepreneur who flew into space aboard Blue Origin with William Shatner, Captain Kirk of Star Trek, last October 13, has been killed in a plane crash. The small aircraft on which the 49-year-old was aboard crashed in New Jersey. The Blue Origin team said his passion for aviation and charity will be remembered and admired.
Britney Spears free after 13 years of legal custody
Britney Spears is finally free: after 13 years, a Los Angeles court has revoked the legal custody that subjected every action and expense of the pop star to guardians. Judge Brenda Penny’s decision ended a legal battle that had pitted Britney against her father Jamie. In seventh heaven, the fans gathered under the courthouse under the banner of #FreeBritney.
Paris Hilton Marries in Lavish Ceremony
Paris Hilton has tied the knot. The 40-year-old heiress married entrepreneur Carter Reum on Thursday in Los Angeles. Hilton and 40-year-old Reum got engaged in February after over a year of dating. Their wedding was filmed for a 13-part wedding docu-series, ‘Paris in Love’, which follows her from her engagement, to bridal dress shopping and wedding planning, to their joint bachelor-bachelorette party in Las Vegas.
Winter the dolphin dies
Farewell to Winter, the female dolphin whose story inspired ‘Dolphin Tale’, the 2011 film directed by Charles Martin Smith with Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. The news was released by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida, where Winter was located. She suffered from gastro-intestinal problems. Winter was rescued in December 2005 off the coast of Florida after tangling in a rope tied to a crab trap. She lost her tail and was replaced with a particular prosthesis.
