Author: HeraldStar

COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev has written to UNFCCC Constituencies, inviting each Constituency to appoint two representatives to be included in the Friends of the COP29 Presidency forum. The Friends of the COP29 Presidency will give the UNFCCC Constituencies the opportunity to have their voice heard on the negotiation topics of COP29 by having a direct conversation on their needs and priorities. This is an important step in delivering on the COP29 Presidency’s commitment to delivering this year’s climate negotiations in a transparent, impartial and inclusive manner, as laid out in the COP29 President-Designate’s First Letter to Parties and Constituencies. The…

A fresh wave of Russian attacks has struck Ukraine, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. In the western city of Lviv, seven people, including a mother and her three daughters, were killed in a drone and hypersonic missile strike. A baby and another girl were also among the victims, officials said. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy confirmed that Russia had attacked the city with drones and hypersonic missiles early on Wednesday, damaging over 50 buildings in the historic heart of the city, including homes, schools, and clinics. The attack came as Ukraine was still reeling from Russia’s…

The UK government has announced the suspension of some arms sales to Israel, citing a “clear risk” that they might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law. This decision follows a review of UK arms exports to Israel, which was launched by Foreign Secretary David Lammy upon taking office. The review found that there was a risk that UK arms could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law. As a result, around 30 of 350 export licences will be suspended. Lammy stressed that the suspension is not a blanket ban or an…

In a special edition of Colorado Matters, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson joined Colorado Public Radio’s Ryan Warner for a monthly climate conversation. The discussion, which took place in late August 2024, covered a range of topics, including Mike’s 50-year career in meteorology and his experiences covering climate change. Nelson, who has spent decades tracking weather patterns and predicting storms, shared his insights on the evolving field of meteorology and the growing importance of climate coverage. Warner and Nelson also discussed the upcoming fall weather outlook, with a focus on temperature trends and precipitation patterns. In addition, the conversation touched…

Brazil’s economy continued to grow at a robust pace in the second quarter, driven by strong household expenditure and resilient private consumption. According to a Reuters poll, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to show a 0.9% expansion compared to the first quarter, with an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The median forecast of 18 analysts surveyed between August 28 and September 2 suggests that household spending remained a key driver of growth, supported by a strong labor market and rising real wages. Public spending also contributed to the expansion, with an increase in social benefit payments and…

The countries of Central Asia are grappling with significant challenges in drinking water and sanitation, with a looming investment gap threatening to exacerbate the situation. Experts warn that urgent action is needed to address the region’s water crisis, which is being driven by rapid population growth, urbanization, and climate change. According to Arman Akhunbaev, Head of the Sectoral Analysis Center at the Eurasian Development Bank, over 10 million people in Central Asia lack access to safe drinking water, with a funding shortfall of over $12 billion needed to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030. The region’s…

A heated debate has erupted over plans to keep the Olympic rings on the Eiffel Tower, with descendants of the iconic landmark’s designer and locals expressing strong opposition. Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Saturday that she intends to replace the original rings, which were installed during the recent Olympic Games, with new ones. However, the Association of Gustave Eiffel’s Descendants has criticized the move, stating that the Eiffel Tower should not become an “advertising outpost.” The association’s chairman, Olivier Berthelot-Eiffel, argued that while the family did not object to the rings staying longer than the Paralympic Games, they should not…

A team of researchers has identified a probable deployment site in Russia for the 9M370 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile. The site, located in Vologda, Russia, approximately 295 miles north of Moscow, appears to be under construction and features infrastructure consistent with the deployment of the Burevestnik. The researchers used satellite imagery from Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, to make their assessment. The images, taken on July 26, reveal a construction project adjacent to a nuclear warhead storage facility known as Vologda-20 or Chebsara. The facility is believed to be the likely deployment site for the Burevestnik. The…

A makeshift mpox isolation ward in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is struggling to cope with an influx of patients, amidst a global public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization. The hospital in Kavumu has received over 900 symptomatic patients in the past three months, with 135 currently crammed into three large plastic tents. Health workers are facing significant challenges, including daily medicine shortages and lack of space. “We are overwhelmed and desperate for support,” said head doctor Musole Mulamba Muva. “Donations from international organizations have dwindled, and we are struggling to make ends meet.” Relatives, who typically…

UNICEF today announced that it has issued an emergency tender for the procurement of mpox vaccines. Vaccines can play a critical role in containing the mpox outbreak which was declared a public health emergency by both the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNICEF tender is issued to help secure mpox vaccines for the hardest hit countries in collaboration with Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO, the Pan American Health Organization and other partners. This collaboration to increase access and timely allocation also includes working together to facilitate donations of…