At COP28, UN chief says ending fossil fuel use only way to save burning planet

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres told world leaders on Friday that the burning of fossil fuels must be stopped outright and a reduction or abatement in their use would not be enough to stop global warming.

“We cannot save a burning planet with a fire hose of fossil fuels,” Guterres said.

The 28th UNFCCC Conference of Parties commenced in Dubai’s Expo City on Thursday with 52,000 party delegates and 90,000 non-party delegates joining this year’s proceedings.

The summit opened with good news for poor nations struggling to cope with natural disasters, as delegates adopted the “loss and damage fund” to help the developing world bear the cost of climate-driven damages.

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the summit today, the UN chief said: “The 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels. Not reduce. Not abate.”

He urged fossil fuel companies to invest in a transition to renewable energy sources and told governments to help by forcing that change — including through the use of windfall taxes on industry profits.

“I urge governments to help industry make the right choice by regulating, legislating, putting a fair price on carbon, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and adopting a windfall tax on profits,” he said.

Addressing the world leaders, Guterres asserted that climate justice was long over due and developing countries were being devastated by disasters they did not cause. “Extortionate borrowing costs are blocking their climate action plans and support is far too little, far too late.”

He went on to say that the climate challenge was not just another “issue to the inbox” but protecting the climate was the world’s “greatest test of leadership”.

“I urge you … make this COP count, make this COP a game changer, make this COP the newer hope in future of modern times,” the UN chief concluded.

Meanwhile, Britain’s King Charles said the world was “dreadfully far off track” on addressing climate change and that the global economy would be in peril unless the environment was rapidly repaired.

He told world leaders the dangers of climate change were no longer a distant risk, and urged them to take more action.

“I pray with all my heart that COP28 will be another critical turning point towards genuine transformational action,” he said, in reference to the 2021 summit held in France.

“We are seeing alarming tipping points being reached.”

Charles cited the impact of climate change globally, including floods in India and Pakistan and severe wildfires in the United States, Canada and Greece.

“Unless we rapidly repair and restore nature’s unique economy, based on harmony and balance, which is our ultimate sustainer, our own economy and survivability will be imperiled,” he said.

UAE president announces $30bn fund to bridge climate finance gap

Separately, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed announced the establishment of a $30 billion climate fund for global climate solutions that it hopes will lead to $250 billion of investment by the end of the decade.

Dubbed ALTRRA, the fund will allocate $25 billion towards climate strategies and $5 billion specifically to incentivise investment flows into the Global South, according to a statement by the COP28 Presidency.

In collaboration with global asset managers BlackRock, Brookfield and TPG, ALTRRA has committed $6.5 billion to climate-dedicated funds for global investments, including the Global South, the statement said.

ALTRRA was established by Abu Dhabi-based alternate investment manager Lunate, and COP28 Director-General Majid Al Suwaidi will serve as ALTRRA’s chief executive officer.

 

COAS vows to defend Pakistan's territorial integrity, sovereignty

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has said Pakistan Army is fully prepared to defend territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan against all odds.

Interacting with the troops during his visit to Khairpur Tamewali (KPT) to witness Field Exercise of Bahawalpur Corps, he said Pakistan Armed Forces are focused on defending the frontiers of motherland against full spectrum of threat.

He said we are cognizant of the challenges and with the support of the nation we are prepared to thwart any nefarious designs of the enemies.

The Army Chief appreciated the training standards, operational preparedness and high morale of officers and troops. He directed troops to keep serving the nation with traditional zeal and passion under all circumstances.

The Army Chief witnessed integrated fire and battle maneuvers of various elements, including Armour, Mechanized Infantry, Artillery, Air Defense, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) duly supported by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Combat Aviation.

He was briefed about Field Exercise, aimed at enhancing professional skills at various tiers and battlefield procedures required to meet future challenges in operational environment.

Naseem Shah completes his rehabilitation after shoulder surgery

Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah has completed his rehabilitation after the 20-year-old underwent surgery on his right shoulder a few months back.

The right-arm pacer took to Instagram to give the latest update on his recovery from injury and express gratitude to the medical team and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“Today, I have completed my rehab in England. I am very thankful to the PCB for organising all this," Naseem wrote.

“Special thanks to my medical team Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Physios George Earl, and Adam Wright here in England, for all their care," he added.

Naseem Shah picked up a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup, which led to him being left out of the rest of the tournament. Sadly, this setback also kept him from taking part in the 2023 World Cup.

He had surgery in England and completed his recovery there. His absence was keenly felt in the bowling lineup during the World Cup, where the team struggled.

Naseem’s decision not to play for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League's ninth season has been a hot topic. Several franchises vied for his inclusion, but it seems probable that his next franchise will be confirmed soon.

Naseem Shah is poised to switch to Islamabad United in one of the most stunning trades of the PSL.

Following a competition involving at least three teams vying for his signature, United emerged victorious, securing the prized fast bowler in Pakistani cricket.

Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim Jnr are anticipated to move to Quetta Gladiators before the transfer window closes. Although both parties have yet to officially ratify the transfer, it appears to be almost certain.

Just a few days ago, Multan Sultans seemed to have won the race for Naseem's signing ahead of United. They were close to issuing an official statement confirming the move. However, United had shown interest in Naseem earlier than the Sultans and ultimately succeeded in securing the deal.

 

Israel continues renewed bombardment of Gaza after collapse of truce

The Israeli military says it has attacked more than 400 targets in the Gaza Strip since a pause in the fighting with Hamas ended the day before.

Air, naval and ground forces were involved, it said, adding that fighter jets hit “more than 50 targets in an extensive attack in the Khan Yunis area” in the south of the territory.

The number of martyrs in the Gaza Strip, since Friday morning, has risen to 178 people, while 589 others have been injured, most of which are women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

According to media reports, an Israeli airstrike in the vicinity of the Bahloul Petrol Station in Rafah, in the southern region of the Gaza Strip. reports also revealed that Israeli bombardment targeted a house in eastern Khan Younis, killing one person and injuring several others.

Among those martyred on Friday, are Anadolu Agency photographer, Montaser al-Sawwaf, and Al-Aqsa TV photographer, Abdullah Darwish. As a result, the number of journalist martyrs has risen to 72, in the Gaza Strip alone, since October 7.

Earlier on Friday, the Palestinian Government Media Office in Gaza urged Arab and Islamic countries today to introduce equipped mobile field hospitals to rescue the wounded in the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

The government also urged the entry of hundreds of pieces of equipment and vehicles to assist the Palestinian Civil Defense in their efforts to retrieve the bodies of martyrs, which remain stuck under the rubble left behind by Israeli bombs.

"We call on UNRWA to resume work in the Gaza and North governorates," the office said, adding that the aid that entered Gaza during the ceasefire period does not exceed 1% of the population's needs.

Akmal, Anjum, Butt appointed consultant members to chief selector

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former Pakistan cricketers Kamran Akmal, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, and Salman Butt as consultant members to chief selector Wahab Riaz, as the board overhauls the structure after the national side’s disastrous performance at the World Cup.

“The three have assumed their responsibilities in the selection panel with immediate effect,” the PCB said in a statement.

“Their first assignment as consultant members to the chief selector includes the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, set to commence on January 12, 2024, following the conclusion of the Test tour to Australia.”

When not engaged in selection duties, the consultant members might be assigned additional tasks such as conducting skills camps.

A complete overhaul of the national board started after Pakistan did not make it to the knock out stage of the Men’s 50-over World Cup.

It started with Babar Azam who stepped down as the national team’s skipper in all three formats of the game, as many cricket aficionados blamed his captaincy for the side’s performance.

Shan Masood was named the Test team’s captain while Shaheen Shah Afridi was named T20 team’s skipper.

Last month, former Test captain Mohammad Hafeez was appointed Pakistan Men’s Team Director. Later, Wahab Riaz was appointed as the chief selector of the national men’s selection committee, with the first task to announce the side for the Australia tour.

Consulting members

Kamran Akmal played 53 Tests, 157 ODIs and 58 T20Is. The former wicketkeeper-batter amassed 6,871 runs across formats and bagged 453 dismissals behind the stumps. He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2009 at Lord’s.

Rao Iftikhar played a Test, 62 ODIs and two T20Is from 2004 to 2010 and took a total of 78 international wickets. He was also part of the side that lifted the T20I World Cup in 2009.

Former Test captain Salman Butt represented Pakistan in 33 Tests, 78 ODIs and 24 T20Is. He made 5,209 runs spanning the three formats with 11 international centuries. He was in the T20I World Cup winning squad in 2009.

Pakistani rupee stands defiant against US dollar

The dollar fell by 67 paisas against the rupee in the mid afternoon trade in the interbank market on Friday, market dealers said.

At midday, the rupee was hovering at 284.50, an increase of Re0.67 in the inter-bank market.

The greenback closed at Rs285.17 against the local currency on Thursday, according to the central bank.

Although the decrease is marginal it is the fourth consecutive day that the foreign currency fell against the rupee. The government has attributed the rupee appreciation to the crackdown on illegal hoarders and money exchangers.

Meanwhile, the total liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan increased by $77 million to $7.257 billion during the week ended November 24, 2023.

The US dollar was on the backfoot in the international market on Friday, while the euro nursed steep losses as traders weighed data that showed inflation was easing, stoking expectations that interest rates had peaked and central banks would soon start cutting rates.

The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six rivals, was 0.145% lower at 103.30, after clocking its weakest monthly performance in a year in November, despite a 0.6% jump overnight.

Gaza health ministry says 32 Palestinians martyred since truce expired

Thirty-two Palestinians have been martyred in Israeli strikes in Gaza since the truce expired on Friday morning, Ashraf Al-Qidra, the spokesman for Gaza's health ministry said on Friday, according to the ministry's Telegram account.

The Israeli army issued a statement on Friday saying it had resumed fighting against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, claiming that the Palestinian resistance group violated the truce by firing into Israel territory, Al Jazeera reported.

Al Jazeera journalists in the Gaza Strip said air raids had resumed and aircrafts were heard hovering overhead.

There were also reports of Israeli air raids and artillery fire in Gaza City.

Witnesses in Gaza City and the north of the Gaza Strip said heavy clashes were taking place between Palestinian fighting groups and Israeli troops.

In the central of the Gaza Strip, Israeli tanks were also shelling near Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps.

A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas that was due to end at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday expired, with neither side announcing a deal to extend it, added Reuters.

Israel, Hamas extend Gaza truce by one day in last-minute deal

In the hour before the truce was set to end, Israel said it intercepted a rocket fired from Gaza and Hamas-affiliated media reported sounds of explosions and gunfire in the north of the Palestinian enclave.

Further sirens warning of rockets sounded again in Israeli areas near Gaza just minutes before the deadline, the Israeli military said.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas or claim of responsibility for the launches.

The seven-day pause, which began on November 24 and was extended twice, had allowed for the exchange of dozens of hostages held in Gaza for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid into the shattered enclave.

Qatar and Egypt have been making intensive efforts to extend the truce following the exchange on Thursday of the latest batch of eight hostages and 30 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel had previously set the release of 10 hostages a day as the minimum it would accept to pause its ground assault and bombardment.

“We’re ready for all possibilities…. Without that, we’re going back to the combat,” Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on CNN ahead of the expiry of the truce.

Israel has sworn to annihilate Hamas, which rules Gaza, in response to the October 7 raid the resistance group carried out in Israel’s territories against the latter’s continuous violation of Palestinian rights.

Israel retaliated with intense bombardment and a ground invasion. Palestinian health authorities deemed reliable by the United Nations say more than 15,000 Gazans have been confirmed killed.

Thursday’s releases brought the totals freed during the truce to 105 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners.

With fewer Israeli women and children left in captivity, lengthening the truce could require setting new terms for Hamas to release Israeli men, including soldiers.

The militant group could in turn seek to have Palestinian male prisoners handed over. So far, three Palestinian prisoners have been freed for each Israeli hostage.