India on Sunday rejected a new climate finance package of USD 300 billion for the Global South at the UN climate conference here, saying it was too little and too late. Nations agreed on the USD 300 billion climate finance deal for Global South at the UN climate talks taking place here in Azerbaijan. Making a statement on behalf of India, Chandni Raina, Adviser, Department of Economic Affairs, said they were not allowed to speak before the adoption of the deal. "USD 300 billion does not address the needs and priorities of developing countries. It is incompatible with the principle of CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities) and equity, regardless of the battle with the impact of climate change," she said. "We are very unhappy, disappointed with the process, and object to the adoption of this agenda," the Indian negotiator said. Supporting India, Nigeria said the USD 300 billion climate finance package was a "joke". Malawi and Bolivia also lent support to India. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 November,2024 11:52 AM IST | Azerbaijan | PTINATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks on Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase”, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said late on Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions”. Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech that the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of US and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Putin said Western air defence systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro had reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads each releasing six submunitions. Putin said, there is “a stockpile of such systems ready for use.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 November,2024 08:51 AM IST | Kyiv | AgenciesA key UN General Assembly committee adopted a resolution late Friday paving the way for negotiations on a first-ever treaty on preventing and punishing crimes against humanity after Russia dropped amendments that would have derailed the effort. The resolution was approved by consensus by the assembly’s legal committee, which includes all 193-member UN nations, after tense last-minute negotiations between its supporters and Russia that dragged through the day. The resolution calls for a time-bound process with preparatory sessions in 2026 and 2027, and three-week negotiating sessions in 2028 and 2029 to finalise a treaty on crimes against humanity. The ICC says crimes against humanity are committed as part of a large-scale attack on civilians and it lists 15 forms including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, sexual slavery, torture and deportation. But the ICC does not have jurisdiction over nearly 70 other countries. There are global treaties that cover war crimes, genocide and torture, but there has been no specific treaty addressing crimes against humanity. And according to sponsors of the resolution, led by Mexico and Gambia and backed by 96 other countries, this new treaty will fill the gap. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 November,2024 08:50 AM IST | United Nations | AgenciesAt least 37 people were killed and 30 others injured in sectarian violence in northwest Pakistan’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said. The clashes between the tribes of Alizai and Bagan in Kurram district bordering Afghanistan took place following Thursday’s attack on a convoy of passenger vans in which 47 people were killed by militants. Gunfire is also continuing in Balishkhel, Khar Kali, Kunj Alizai and Maqbal. Homes and shops have also been damaged in the fighting. People from various villages have fled to safer locations. Due to the deteriorating situation, all educational institutions in the district remain closed on Saturday, confirmed Muhammad Hayat Hassan, chairman of the Private Education Network. Over 50 passenger vehicles were fired upon at Bagan, Manduri, and Ochhat on Thursday. Six vehicles were directly hit in the firing, resulting in the deaths of 47 people, including women and children, police said. Most of the victims belonged to the Shia community, they said. The ongoing sectarian violence has led thousands of Shiite Muslims to the streets in protest in various cities of Pakistan. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 November,2024 08:48 AM IST | Peshawar | AgenciesIsraeli airstrikes on Saturday killed at least 11 people and injured dozens in central Beirut, as diplomats scrambled to broker a cease-fire. Lebanon’s civil defence said the death toll was provisional as emergency responders were still digging through the rubble looking for survivors. The strikes were the fourth on the Lebanese capital in less than a week. The escalation comes after US envoy Amos Hochstein travelled to the region this week in an attempt to broker a cease-fire deal to end the more than 13 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which has erupted into full-on war in the past two months. Hochstein said he held “very constructive talks” with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of Hezbollah who is mediating on the group’s behalf. “We have continued to significantly narrow the gaps,” the envoy told reporters after the two-hour meeting. “It’s ultimately the decisions of the parties to reach a conclusion to this conflict... It is now within our grasp” he continued. This also comes just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader, Mohammed Deif. Israeli bombardment has killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon and wounded more than 15,000, according to the Lebanese health ministry. It has displaced about 1.2 million, or a quarter of Lebanon’s population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by rockets, drones and missiles in northern Israel and in fighting in Lebanon. The strikes occurred at 4 am local time, destroying an eight-story building and leaving a crater in the ground. Also on Saturday a drone strike killed one person and injured another in the southern port city of Tyre, according to the state-run National News Agency. The agency said the people killed and injured in Tyre were fishermen. An AP journalist, who saw the strike from a nearby hotel overlooking the beach, said he had watched the fishermen set up their nets beforehand and they appeared to both be young teenagers. The strikes came a day after heavy bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs and as heavy ground fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants continues in southern Lebanon, with Israeli troops pushing farther from the border. Israel’s military did not issue a warning for residents to evacuate prior to the strikes in central Beirut and would not comment on those strikes. 15,000Total number of Lebanese people killed in Israeli airstrikes This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 November,2024 08:47 AM IST | Beirut | AgenciesA swiss church has given divine intervention a tech twist with an AI-driven hologram of Jesus taking confessions. The experiment at St Peter’s Church in Lucerne introduces worshippers to “Deus in Machina,” a digital confessor fluent in 100 languages. Housed in a booth with a screen, the AI Jesus analyses the confessor’s words and responds with synchronised facial expressions, offering guidance rooted in theology. AI-driven hologram of Jesus is taking confessions in this Swiss church. PIC/REDDIT This virtual saviour is a creation of theologians and computer scientists who trained it on scripture and online religious content. The hologram has answered questions about breaking cycles of violence through prayer and navigating moral dilemmas like assisted suicide, sparking awe and introspection among users. Available 24/7, it offers unprecedented accessibility compared to human priests. However, the experiment raises questions about faith, technology, and the human connection in spirituality. While some embrace its convenience, others ponder if divine wisdom can truly be digitised. Puff, puff, passed away Popular YouTuber smokes marijuana grown from her late father’s ashes mixed with soil to honour him Pansino enjoys a nice drag. PIC/INSTAGRAM Youtube creator Rosanna Pansino kicked off her new podcast, “Rodiculous”, with an unforgettable tribute to her late father, affectionately called Papa Pizza. On the première episode, Pansino revealed her dad’s unconventional dying wish: to mix his ashes with soil, grow a marijuana plant, and smoke it. True to her dad’s free-spirited nature, Pansino and her mom honoured his request in an emotional and hilariously heartwarming moment. Doppelgangers unite Celebrity look-alike contests are sweeping cities and uniting fans in playful mimicry. From Timothee Chalamet to Dev Patel, participants embody their idols with costumes and hairstyles, creating joyful gatherings. These low-stakes competitions offer a chase for connection, proving that in a chaotic world, even the silliest events can foster a sense of community. Dried yogurt’s TikTok moment TikTok has birthed yet another viral food trend, dried yogurt. Created by pressing out moisture from yogurt and refrigerating it, this snack transforms into a butter-like consistency. Some call it ‘dehydrated slime’, while others liken it to cream cheese and top it with fruits or chocolate. Its bizarre appeal has divided the Internet over its texture and taste. A fur-midable fraud Four Los Angeles residents found an unusual way to commit fraud—by using a bear costume to fake wild animal attacks on luxury cars! Claiming a bear mauled their vehicles, they submitted bad “evidence.” But, the authorities sniffed out the scam. A robo rebellion A Shanghai robotics showroom became the stage for a bot-napping. CCTV footage captured a small AI robot waltzing in and persuading 12 larger robots to ditch their posts and follow it. Turns out, this wasn’t a prank—another robotics company orchestrated the stunt as a test. Gone with a bang The city of Macon, Georgia, in the US is ringing in 2025 with a literal bang: a 16-storey hotel will meet its explosive end at the stroke of midnight. Once a guesthouse for celebrities, the vacant eyesore is costing the city $2.6 million.
24 November,2024 08:45 AM IST | Los Angeles | A CorrespondentIsrael has eliminated the commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group’s rocket unit, Khaled Abu-Daka, according to a joint IDF and Israel Security Forces (Shin Bet) statement. The statement added that Abu-Daka was targeted yesterday as he operated in the Deir al-Balah humanitarian zone in central Gaza. Before the strike, extensive measures were taken to minimize the risk to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, accurate intelligence, and aerial surveillance, according to the statement. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:35 AM IST | Jerusalem | AgenciesKetut Nita Wahyuni lifts her folded hands prayerfully to her forehead as a priest leads the temple gathering. The 11-year-old is preparing to perform the Rejang Dewa, a sacred Balinese dance. The rituals are part of the two-week-long Ngusaba Goreng, a thanksgiving festival for a rich harvest. ‘Ngusaba’ means gathering of the gods and goddesses. Wahyuni and her friends have an important role during the festival. Rejang Dewa and Rejang Pucuk, performed on two separate days, are reserved only for girls who have not yet attained puberty. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:35 AM IST | Bali | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 bilateral meetings and informal interactions with world leaders during his five days of three-country tour, officials said on Friday. The engagements included a bilateral meeting with the Nigerian president in Nigeria, 10 bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil and nine during Modi’s visit to Guyana. He also met with the heads and executives of various international organisations like Ursula von der Leyen of the European Union; Antonio Guterres of the UN; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization; and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization, among others. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:34 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesRussia has supplied air defence missiles to North Korea in exchange for sending its troops to support Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine, a top South Korean official said Friday. The US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in October, some of whom have recently began engaging in combat. It has been unclear what Russia would give North Korea in return. Shin Wonsik, national security adviser for President Yoon Suk Yeol, told a SBS TV program Friday that South Korea has found Russia provided missiles and other equipment to reinforce its air defence network for Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:33 AM IST | Seoul | AgenciesThe only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia was released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach, officials said Friday. The adult male, named ‘Gus’ by his caregivers, was found on November 1 on Ocean Beach sand dunes in the town of Denmark in temperate southwest Australia—about 3,500 km north of the icy waters off the Antarctic coast. He was released from a Parks and Wildlife Service boat on Wednesday. The boat traveled for several hours from the city of Albany before Gus was released into the ocean. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2024 08:31 AM IST | Melbourne | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT