Author: HeraldStar

November 24, Baku: The COP29 Presidency of Azerbaijan today announced the agreement of the Baku Finance Goal (BFG), a new commitment to channel $1.3tn of climate finance to the developing world each year. Success on the COP29 Presidency’s top priority for the UN Climate Summit represents a significant uplift from the previous climate finance goal of $100 billion and will unlock a new wave of global investment. The Baku Finance Goal contains a core target for developed countries to take the lead on mobilizing at least $300 billion per year for developing countries by 2035. This represents a $50bn increase on…

The push for a green hydrogen market in Germany is largely reliant on public funding, according to energy utility E.ON, which highlighted that only 9% of the country’s 2030 target for electrolysis capacity is currently under construction or has received investment decisions. Despite this, government-backed schemes have been the primary factor accelerating progress. E.ON’s research with the EWI energy institute reveals that high electricity costs and unclear regulations are hindering private investment, making hydrogen production seem unaffordable. Germany aims to develop its own green hydrogen capacity to decarbonize industries, but without better regulatory clarity and cost control, it risks losing…

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially concluded on Saturday, marking an intense and record-breaking year for storms. The season saw a total of 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of which were classified as major hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This activity exceeded the average for the season and aligned with NOAA’s earlier predictions. Several factors, such as near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, contributed to the unusually active season. The season was marked by significant storms, including Hurricane Beryl, the earliest known Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic, which made landfall in…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly denied claims made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that she had agreed to close Mexico’s border with the U.S. during their recent conversation. Trump’s post on Truth Social stated that their talks were “productive,” with Sheinbaum allegedly agreeing to halt migration through Mexico to the U.S. However, Sheinbaum quickly refuted these claims, emphasizing that Mexico’s stance is to address migration through a comprehensive strategy, not by closing borders. In her statement, Sheinbaum outlined that Mexico has worked closely with the Biden administration to reduce U.S. border crossings by 75% in the past year, and she…

At least six Democratic members of Congress were targeted with bomb threats over the Thanksgiving holiday, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Four Democratic representatives from Connecticut, including Reps. Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson, and Jahana Hayes, revealed on Thursday that they had received bomb threats while spending time with their families. Senator Chris Murphy’s office also confirmed that his Hartford home was among those targeted. Rep. Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island also reported receiving a bomb threat at his residence. Law enforcement agencies were immediately notified, and in each case, no bomb was found, with all of…

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Friday suggested that there could be ways for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit the Netherlands without being arrested, despite an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This statement appeared to soften the position taken last week by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who had emphasized that the Netherlands fully cooperates with the ICC, including acting on arrest warrants for individuals on Dutch soil. Schoof, speaking at a news conference, clarified that while the Netherlands has obligations under the ICC treaty, there are scenarios where Netanyahu might visit without facing…

Australia has enacted one of the world’s toughest social media regulations by imposing a ban on children under the age of 16 from using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The move, announced late Thursday after a highly charged national debate, has elicited a mixed response, ranging from anger to relief. The law mandates that tech giants, including Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok, prevent minors from logging into their platforms, with penalties of up to A$49.5 million (roughly $32 million) for non-compliance. The enforcement of the ban will begin in January 2025, with full implementation slated…

France has acknowledged Chad’s decision to terminate its defence cooperation with Paris, as announced by the Chadian government on Thursday. In a statement issued on Friday, France’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it would collaborate with Chad to facilitate the implementation of this decision. The announcement came just a day after Chad declared its intention to sever ties in the defence sector, which has been a cornerstone of the two nations’ relationship for decades. The French Ministry emphasized that it has been actively working to reconfigure its military presence in Africa over the past two years, in light of changing regional dynamics…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was forced to appoint a new transport minister on Friday after Louise Haigh, the youngest member of his cabinet, resigned following revelations that she pled guilty to a criminal offence dating back to 2013. Haigh admitted to misleading the police regarding a mobile phone she had claimed was stolen during a mugging, only to later discover it was still at her home. In her resignation letter, Haigh explained that she had made an honest mistake but acknowledged the incident could distract from the government’s work. Heidi Alexander, former deputy mayor for transport in London, was…

On Sunday, South Africa assumes the G20 presidency, marking a historic first for the African continent. The presidency comes a year after the African Union became a permanent member of the forum, providing South Africa with an opportunity to advocate for key issues that are central to Africa’s development. President Cyril Ramaphosa has outlined priorities including inclusive economic growth, food security, climate change, and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping global progress. However, with global tensions rising—especially surrounding trade wars and diplomatic conflicts—the country faces significant challenges as it works to implement its agenda. As the fourth emerging market…