‘Some G20 countries are a threat to the climate’
Some of the leading G20 countries have set climate targets that would lead to “disastrous global warming” and thus pose a threat to the environment. The alarm was raised by the group of scientists members of the Paris Equity Check, who pointed the fingers in particular against China, Russia, Brazil and Australia. These countries all have energy policies that provide for an increase in temperatures that risks “devastating” a large part of the planet.
51 Environment Ministers meet in London
Meanwhile, Environment ministers and representatives of 51 countries are meeting in London for crucial discussions for the success of the COP26 on climate, scheduled for November in Glasgow. After almost three weeks of discussions, international negotiators got stuck on issues of financing and transparency, in particular the monitoring of commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the timetable for implementation and carbon markets.
Incendiary balloons return to Gaza
Tension returns to the border between Gaza and Israel with the resumption – after a three-week lull – of the launch of incendiary balloons from the Strip towards the Negev. At least four fires occurred Sunday in agricultural areas and in the bush near the Gaza Strip.
Pope honours grandparents on first World Day for the Elderly
Pope Francis celebrated the Roman Catholic Church’s first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, urging people everywhere to reach out to older generations. He said just as the elderly need young people, young people need the elderly. “Grandparents have the sap of history and if young people and the elderly don’t meet and talk, “history does not go on, life does not go on.”
Eurozone public debt up to 100.5% of GDP
At the end of the first quarter of 2021, while measures were still in place to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, the public debt of Eurozone members rose to 100.5% of GDP, the first time over the 100% ceiling. At the end of the fourth quarter 2020 it stood at 97.8%. Eurostat says the countries with the highest public debt are Greece (209.3%), Italy (160%), Portugal (137.2%), Cyprus (125.7%), Spain 125.2%), Belgium (118, 6%) and France (118%); the least indebted are Estonia (18.5%), Bulgaria (25.1%) and Luxembourg (28.1%).
Libya steps up vaccination campaign
Libyan authorities have stepped up their vaccination campaign around the capital Tripoli, as coronavirus cases rise across the country.The health ministry has set up temporary centres in six districts of the capital. Libya has recorded over 229,600 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, including over 3,340 deaths. Fewer than 500,000 people have been vaccinated.
Typhoon, moonsoon rains hit Asia
A major typhoon has hit China’s eastern coast just days after deadly floods devastated parts of the country. Typhoon In-Fa, known in China as Yanhua, made landfall in the city of Zhoushan. Transport links were suspended and people have been told to stay indoors. Dozens of ships have been evacuated from Shanghai. Meanwhile, the death toll from floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in India rose to 124 while thousands of residents have fled from flooded communities and flooding rivers in the Philippine capital, Manila.
South Korean broadcaster says ‘sorry’!
South Korean broadcaster MBC has apologised to some countries for having “used inappropriate phrases and images” describing their characteristics during the Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony. A pizza was shown at the time of Italy’s entry, while salmon was used for Norway. The film about Chernobyl to ‘characterise’ Ukraine was definitely unpleasant, while the Marshall Islands were described as “the place where the United States carried out nuclear tests”. A note from the broadcaster said, “We apologise to these countries and to our viewers.”
