🌏 Rich Countries Agree To Pay For Climate Damages In Poor Countries, Slovenia's First Woman President And More

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In a historic moment, rich countries have agreed to create a fund to pay for the damages that poor and vulnerable countries have already been bearing the brunt of as a result of climate change.

The “loss and damage” fund was announced in the early hours on Sunday Nov. 20 at COP27, the UN’s annual climate change conference, in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheik, after two weeks of negotiations between nearly 200 countries.

For years, wealthier nations have rejected discussing compensation for loss and damage – funding costs that countries can’t avoid or adapt to.

Loss and damage refers to the harms vulnerable states are already suffering as a result of climate change, such as rising sea levels.

Under the deal, which was finally agreed on after marathon late-night negotiations on Sunday, countries can’t be held legally liable for payments.

According to the deal, a new committee will be formed to figure out how the fund would work. It would be made up of representatives from 24 countries who would work out which countries should contribute and which countries should receive the money.

The breakthrough agreement has been hailed by climate activists and Global South countries.

“The announcement offers hope to vulnerable communities all over the world who are fighting for their survival from climate stress, and gives some credibility to the COP process.” Sherry Rehman, the minister for climate change from Pakistan said, according to the New York Times.

One third of the country was submerged when devastating floods hit Pakistan over summer, killing at least 119 people in a day and affecting more than 30 million people.

Pakistan contributes to less than 1% of the emissions that contribute to global warming.

The agreement also reaffirmed the existing commitment by countries to limit global warming to less than 1.5˚C above pre-industrial levels in the 19th century.

However, countries failed to reach any new goals on phasing out fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

In a statement, the UN’s Secretary General António Guterres called the loss and damage fund an important step for climate justice but said the world still needed to “take a giant leap on climate ambition.”

Also Happening Around The World

🇹🇻 Also at COP27, the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu announced it is recreating itself in the metaverse to preserve its history and culture as rising sea levels swallow its land.

🇮🇷 Iranian security forces allegedly shot and killed two young boys aged 10 and 14 during anti-government protests.

🇩🇰 Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA rejected a request by Denmark’s team to wear shirts supporting human rights at the tournament.

🇶🇦 Qatar also banned beer and alcohol at its World Cup stadiums in a last minute reversal, and fans aren’t happy.

🇭🇰 A Hong Kong pro-democracy anthem played at a rugby match instead of China’s national anthem and the government is mad.

🇹🇼 Nearby in Taiwan, Tuan Tuan, one of the giant pandas gifted by China to Taiwan, has died at age 18 after battling a serious brain disease.

🇬🇧 A student tried to egg King Charles to protest the UK’s history of slavery but the king just ignored it.

🇧🇸 Finally, we explain the fall of crypto’s golden boy, Sam Bankman-Fried and the crash of his cryptocurrency exchange FTX, and why it’s important.

Natasa Pirc Musar, one of Slovenia’s most influential lawyers, has been elected as its first woman president.

With a 49.9% voter turnout, Musar obtained at least 53% of eligible votes and defeated right-wing candidate and former foreign minister Andze Logar, according to the electoral commission.

Once the lawyer of former US first lady Melania Trump, the 54-year-old liberal politician, who had the backing of the center-left party, has promised to fight for human rights and democracy.

“I will do my best to be a true president for all, to work for fundamental and constitutional human and democratic rights and democracy,” Musar told press after winning, according to Reuters.

She also noted climate change is an important issue that should be discussed and is affecting the world.

“Young people are now putting the responsibility on our political shoulders to take care of our planet so that our next generation, our children, will live in a healthy and clean environment,” she said.

Musar started her career as a TV presenter before becoming one of the country’s most influential lawyers and the president of the Slovenian Red Cross from 2015 to 2016.

She also served as the country’s former Information Commissioner from 2004 to 2014 and has authored several books about the importance of freedom of information and privacy.

In Slovenia, the position of president is largely ceremonial, but presidents possess the power to nominate prime ministers and propose initiatives, while also serving as the commander in chief of the armed forces.

Watch as this Kenyan journalist reporting on a story is interrupted by a curious baby elephant.

TV reporter for local channel KBC Alvin Kaunda had been reporting on the aftermath of a drought and its effects on wildlife at an elephant shelter in Nairobi.

And in case you were wondering, the baby elephant that interrupted him is named Kindani.

More Good News For Your Week

🇰🇷 People in South Korea crocheted blankets for trees to get them ready for winter and it’s so wholesome.

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