Nations strike deal at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Representatives from nearly 200 countries agreed at the COP28 climate summit on Wednesday to begin reducing global consumption of fossil fuels to avert the worst of climate change, signalling the eventual end of the oil age. The deal struck in Dubai after two weeks of hard-fought negotiations was meant to send […]
Russia, Ukraine to sign deal on restarting grain exports, Turkey says
Reuters Russia and Ukraine will sign a deal on Friday to reopen Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, Turkey said, a potential breakthrough that could ease the threat of hunger facing millions around the world as a consequence of Russia’s invasion. Ukraine and Russia are both among the world’s biggest exporters of food, and Ukraine’s ports, including […]
UN: Yemen’s Houthi rebels agree to stop using child soldiers
United NationsAP Yemen’s Houthi rebels have agreed to rid their ranks of child soldiers, who have fought by the thousands during the country’s seven years of civil war, the United Nations said Monday. The Houthis signed what the UN described as an “action plan” to end and prevent recruiting or using children in armed conflict, […]
Australia enters agreement to buy 51 million doses of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine
Reuters The government of Australia has signed an advanced agreement to purchase 51 million doses of Novavax Inc’s experimental COVID-19 vaccine, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Thursday. Australia will have the option to purchase up to an additional 10 million doses, with the initial doses expected to be delivered by mid-2021, the […]
Landless Thais get homes in mangrove forest in conservation push
Bangkok, ThailandThomson Reuters Foundation Thai authorities have reached an agreement with a landless community that will allow villagers to live in a mangrove forest if they help protect the area, a unique collaboration that could work across the country, land rights groups said. Under a memorandum of understanding between the government, human rights groups and […]
James MacDonald and Harvest Bible Chapel reach multi-million-dollar agreement
RNS The Chicago-area megachurch Harvest Bible Chapel has reached a multi-million-dollar agreement with its former pastor James MacDonald, who was fired last year for insulting his critics who had written unfavourably about his leadership style. As part of the settlement – reached through a Christian arbitration group – MacDonald was given the right to continue […]
ESSAY: BREXIT – WE HAVE A DEAL, BUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
MAL FLETCHER, writing from London, says it’s time for politicians to explain what the deal between the UK and EU over Brexit really means…