The Israeli cabinet is ready to vote on a ceasefire deal with Lebanon on Tuesday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the plan his approval “in principle.” Netanyahu signalled his potential support during a security consultation with Israeli officials on Sunday night. The proposed deal aims to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and is expected to pass in the cabinet vote.
While Israeli officials signal that talks are progressing, a Lebanese official revealed a ceasefire could be announced “within 24 hours.” But the deal has sparked sharp divisions in Israel. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blasted the agreement as a “big mistake” and a “historic missed opportunity” to wipe out Hezbollah.
Residents in northern Israel and southern Lebanon have voiced concerns, with some fearing the ceasefire might be a repeat of the 2006 agreement that allowed Hezbollah fighters to return to the border. Nizan Zeevi, a resident of northern Israel, described the potential deal as a “surrender agreement” that could allow Hezbollah’s special forces to move closer to his home.
U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, who has been involved in the negotiations, said the ceasefire is “within our grasp,” with hopes that it could lead to a 60-day cessation of hostilities.
However, tensions are still high, and both sides continue to exchange fire, with Israel’s Home Front Command warning of increased rocket fire ahead of the vote.
After two weeks of tough negotiations, the COP29 summit concluded on November 23 with a compromise on climate financing. Despite calls from developing countries for financial aid to increase from $100 billion to $1 trillion, delegates agreed on only $300 billion in annual funding by 2035.
“This document is nothing more than an optical illusion,” said Indian delegate Chandni Raina.
While some developing countries, particularly small island nations, criticised the pledge as inadequate, this new commitment will replace the current $100 billion annual goal, which expires in 2025.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed disappointment, saying, “I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome… to meet the great challenge we face,” but acknowledged the agreement as a “base on which to build.”
The summit’s focus was supposed to be on reducing fossil fuel emissions, but little progress was made in that aspect. Instead, delegates settled on increasing climate finance, though small island nations, which are most vulnerable to climate change, voiced frustration over being excluded from discussions.
Hosted by oil-rich Azerbaijan, the summit faced difficulties, including protests from the AOSIS group representing small island states. These countries warned that the funding falls short of their needs, with some calling for at least $500 billion.
Climate scientists warn that without drastic emissions reductions, global warming could exceed 1.5°C by the early 2030s, leading to irreversible environmental damage.
The only positive outcome was the agreement on a global carbon credit market, which could help fund clean energy projects and reforestation efforts, benefiting countries like Guyana and Colombia.
While leaders say that COP29’s final outcome leaves much to be desired, attention now turns to next year’s summit in Brazil.
Yamandú Orsi, representing Uruguay’s left-wing Broad Front coalition, secured a narrow victory in the presidential runoff on Sunday, defeating the centre-right ruling coalition candidate, Álvaro Delgado. Orsi’s win marks a return to power for the Broad Front, which governed Uruguay from 2005 to 2020, following five years of conservative leadership under President Luis Lacalle Pou.
Delgado, conceding with grace, told supporters, “With sadness, but without guilt, we can congratulate the winner,” acknowledging Orsi’s triumph in a race that saw nearly 90% voter turnout. Orsi garnered just over 49% of the vote to Delgado’s 46%, with the remaining votes either blank or abstained.
Orsi, a 57-year-old former history teacher and two-time mayor, celebrated with supporters in Montevideo, vowing to unite the nation after the closely contested election. He emphasised inclusivity, saying, “We need everyone to help build a better country.”
Despite global trends of anti-establishment populism, Uruguay’s election maintained its reputation for political moderation. Orsi’s platform reflects continuity rather than drastic change, focusing on addressing childhood poverty, combating organised crime, and revitalising agriculture through tax incentives. He plans to maintain the Broad Front’s hallmark blend of market-friendly policies and social welfare programs.
The victory reflects growing voter dissatisfaction with economic stagnation and rising crime during the Lacalle Pou administration, despite high approval ratings and signs of economic recovery. Orsi also signalled likely shifts in foreign policy, including a reconsideration of a trade deal with China that had strained Uruguay’s ties within the Mercosur bloc.
Orsi, described as a protégé of former President José “Pepe” Mujica, will assume office on March 1, 2025. His win underscores a broader trend of anti-incumbent sentiment across the globe while reaffirming Uruguay’s commitment to political stability and measured progress.
Seven of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have called for the nation’s inclusion in global climate governance during the high-level segment of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22.
Representatives from Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, Belize, and Haiti voiced their support for Taiwan’s participation, while Paraguay submitted a written statement, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. praised Taiwan’s climate efforts, stating, “By recognising Taiwan’s contributions, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of what is being done to combat climate change. The Taiwanese must be included in addressing the climate crisis.”
Saint Kitts and Nevis Environment Minister Joyelle Trizia Clarke highlighted Taiwan’s role in sustainable development and resilience, urging the global community to focus on substance rather than exclusion.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sustainable Development Minister Carlos James emphasised that nations most vulnerable to climate change, like Taiwan, deserve a place at the negotiating table.
Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Climate Change, Edwin J. Castellanos, reaffirmed his country’s support for Taiwan, acknowledging its contributions to global sustainability efforts.
Belize’s CEO in the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Dr. Kenrick Williams, noted that excluding Taiwan undermines collective action under the Paris Agreement. “Belize urges the international community to transcend politics and support Taiwan’s contributions to a climate-resilient future,” he stated.
Haiti’s Director-General Guito Edouard echoed these sentiments, stressing that Taiwan’s participation would strengthen global climate action and advance the pursuit of a greener, carbon-neutral world.
Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork, Comedian—a banana duct-taped to a wall—has been sold for an astonishing $6.2 million at Sotheby’s in New York, far surpassing its initial pre-sale estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million.
The piece became the highlight of Sotheby’s The Now and Contemporary auction, with a fierce seven-minute bidding war. Justin Sun, a Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur and founder of the Tron blockchain network, secured the winning bid after outdueling six rivals. According to Sotheby’s, Sun, known for high-profile art acquisitions, plans to pay for the piece using cryptocurrency.
The artwork, originally unveiled in 2019, has gained global fame for its provocative simplicity and the cultural debate it has sparked about the definition of art. “This is not just an artwork,” Sun said in a statement. “It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.”
True to its viral legacy, Comedian comes with instructions on how to replace the banana when it inevitably rots. Over the years, the artwork has travelled internationally and encountered its fair share of drama. In 2023, a South Korean art student ate the banana on display at Seoul’s Leeum Museum of Art, only for it to be promptly replaced. Similarly, in 2019, a performance artist consumed the banana during Art Basel Miami after it sold for $120,000, with no significant repercussions.
Sun has announced plans to eat the banana himself, claiming the act is a way to honour its role in art history and popular culture. The fruit itself was originally purchased for $0.35, highlighting the stark contrast between its inherent value and its status as a cultural icon.
As one of the most unconventional pieces to grace the art market, Comedian continues to inspire debate, blurring the lines between satire, spectacle, and artistic innovation.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Judges at the ICC found “reasonable grounds” to hold Netanyahu and Gallant criminally responsible for using starvation as a weapon and committing acts of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts in the Gaza Strip. This follows the court’s rejection of Israel’s challenge to the ICC’s jurisdiction, stating that Israel’s consent is not required for the investigation.
The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. These charges include murder, torture, sexual violence, and hostage-taking.
Previously, arrest warrants for former Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismael Haniyeh were withdrawn after their deaths were confirmed by Israeli forces. While Israel claims to have killed al-Masri, Hamas has not confirmed or denied this.
The ICC investigates individuals for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Its investigation into possible war crimes by Israel began in 2021, with concurrent investigations into Hamas actions and violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The ongoing conflict, particularly the violent escalation starting with Hamas’ October 7 attack, is central to these investigations.
The ICC’s jurisdiction typically applies when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute, and in this case, the Palestinian territories, which are signatories to the Rome Statute, have accepted ICC jurisdiction. Israel, the U.S., China, Russia, India, and most Arab states, including Iran, have not ratified the Rome Statute.
While an arrest warrant does not equate to a conviction, it serves as a signal that the ICC takes the accusations seriously enough to proceed with the investigation. However, given the ICC’s lack of enforcement mechanisms, it is unlikely that Netanyahu or his associates will be arrested unless they travel to a country that is a signatory to the court’s treaty.
This case should not be confused with the genocide allegations against Israel, which are being pursued in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ, unlike the ICC, handles disputes between states and does not issue arrest warrants. The ICJ has acknowledged the risk of genocide in Gaza and has ordered provisional measures but has not demanded a cessation of all Israeli military operations.
Bluesky, a social media platform, recently reached one million users, seeing rapid growth as many users left X (formerly Twitter) following the U.S. presidential election. According to Similarweb, over 115,000 U.S. users deactivated their X accounts on November 6, though X still had its highest web traffic of the year on the same day. X, which was acquired by Elon Musk in 2022, has faced criticism over issues like hate speech and political bias, prompting many users to seek alternatives.
Bluesky, initially a project funded by Twitter before Musk’s acquisition, differentiates itself by focusing on decentralisation and user control. It allows users more freedom in what they see and enables easier movement across platforms. Founded as an independent company in 2022, Bluesky is primarily owned by Jay Graber, who has a background in cryptocurrency and decentralised systems.
Despite Bluesky’s surge, X remains larger, with more users and traffic. However, Bluesky’s user base has doubled in the past 90 days, and its growth accelerated post-election, while X’s user engagement appears to be waning. Prominent journalists and media outlets, such as Charlie Warzel, Mara Gay, Don Lemon, and The Guardian, have also shifted to Bluesky, citing concerns over X’s content and direction under Musk. While Bluesky’s rise signals a potential shift, X still dominates, though its future remains uncertain amid growing user dissatisfaction.
You can follow News 5 Belize on Bluesky by clicking here.
At COP29, large developing countries strongly rejected a private proposal suggesting $200-300 billion in climate finance for emerging economies, calling the amount “unacceptable.” Bolivia’s negotiator, Diego Pacheco, speaking for the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group, said, “We are unable to fathom this $200 billion to step up ambition in developing countries,” adding, “Is it a joke?”
Developed countries, including the EU, are still negotiating the amount of finance they will provide under the new climate finance goal (NCQG). Germany’s climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, stated that the EU is working on a “modern and fair” approach but has not yet disclosed a concrete number.
Developing countries also voiced frustration over a lack of progress on emission reductions. Pacheco criticised the talks as “totally imbalanced,” focusing too much on mitigation without addressing the finance and adaptation needs of vulnerable nations. “All we hear is mitigation, mitigation, and more mitigation,” he said.
On Wednesday, Germany’s climate envoy, Jennifer Morgan, emphasised that the EU is taking the issue seriously, aiming for a feasible yet ambitious goal. She stated that no EU or German figure has been set because they are striving for a fair and modern approach to climate finance.
As COP29 progresses, time pressure is mounting.
Australia’s environment minister Chris Bowen reported that the figures under consideration for an overall “mobilised” climate finance goal of $1.3 trillion include $440 billion, $600 billion, and $900 billion, all proposed by developing countries. Egypt’s environment minister, Yasmine Fouad, noted that debates over the structure of the climate finance goal are ongoing, with differing views on whether private investments should be included.
With the conference nearing its end, WWF’s Stephen Cornelius called for urgent political guidance, as key issues such as the size of the finance goal, who will contribute, and how funds will be allocated remain unresolved. He urged COP29 leadership to use their authority and diplomacy to reach an ambitious agreement by the summit’s close on Friday.
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine, has temporarily closed following intelligence indicating the possibility of a significant airstrike on the city. Greek, Spanish, and Italian embassies have also suspended public operations, citing similar security concerns, with Italy specifically referencing the risk of a high-intensity attack. The U.S. embassy has advised its staff and American citizens in Kyiv to remain prepared to shelter in place as air raid sirens continue to sound across the capital.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the White House is set to announce a $275 million military aid package for Ukraine, which will include artillery, rocket systems, and anti-tank weapons. The U.S. has, for the first time, approved sending anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, a controversial decision given the long-standing criticism from human rights organisations regarding the indiscriminate dangers posed by such weapons. U.S. officials have clarified that these mines are intended for defensive use within Ukraine’s borders.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions are intensifying as Russia updates its nuclear doctrine to include the use of nuclear weapons in response to aggression from non-nuclear states allied with nuclear powers. Despite this development, the U.S. has refrained from altering its nuclear posture, dismissing Russia’s actions as provocative and irresponsible rhetoric. At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to target Russian territory with long-range U.S.-made missiles has added further strain to diplomatic relations. Biden avoided direct engagement with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, reflecting the complexity of navigating shifting U.S. policy and the uncertainties surrounding President-elect Trump’s future approach to the conflict.
Azerbaijan had planned to unveil its flagship initiative—the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF)—on COP29’s ‘finance day’. However, the controversial climate fund is on hold, while progress on the climate finance talks remains slow. The CFAF’s objective is to raise at least $1 billion primarily to support clean energy projects, energy efficiency, and climate resilience in developing nations that rely on voluntary contributions from fossil fuel-producing nations and companies from developed nations.
COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev had previously described the fund as a “significant step” for communities looking for action, not just words. However, when the time came, the fund was noticeably absent from the agenda. A high-profile event to launch the CFAF was cancelled, and the initiative was placed on the backburner.
Azerbaijan’s chief negotiator, Yalchin Rafiyev, explained that a working group had been formed to refine the concept and ensure it was acceptable to potential donor countries. “It’s a very complex process to establish a new fund,” Rafiyev said.
The decision to delay the CFAF was reportedly due to ongoing tensions over the post-2025 climate finance goal (NCQG). Developing countries were allegedly wary that contributing to Azerbaijan’s fund could set a precedent for them to also contribute to the NCQG.
Environmental groups have largely welcomed the postponement, with Andreas Sieber from 350.org calling the fund a “distraction” and “greenwashing.” “Putting money into a fund while expanding fossil fuels is like pretending to put out a fire while feeding it more fuel,” Sieber said.
Azerbaijan was also expected to announce a new climate action plan (NDC) at COP29, but it has not yet done so.
Finance Talks Stall as Deadline Approaches
Progress on COP29’s key outcome—the post-2025 climate finance goal—remains sluggish. Negotiators arrived in Baku with a nine-page draft text, but after discussions, it was expanded to 34 pages. On Wednesday, the co-chairs attempted to shorten it again, but they ended up only reducing it by one page.
Negotiators are expected to continue discussions behind closed doors on crucial issues like transparency, reporting, and how to ensure climate finance actually reaches those who need it.
Top economists recently released a UN-backed report calling for a massive increase in climate finance, urging advanced economies to triple their existing commitment from $100 billion to $300 billion per year by 2030. The report also stressed the importance of private sector and multilateral development bank support, along with greater cooperation between developing nations.
Campaigners at COP29 are rallying behind Colombia’s call for a global treaty on the mining of critical minerals needed for the energy transition, such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These minerals are crucial for clean energy technologies but have often been linked to human rights abuses and environmental damage.
Suneeta Kaimal, CEO of the Natural Resource Governance Institute, argued that voluntary standards have not been enough and a binding agreement is needed to ensure traceability from mining to recycling.
Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, also spoke out, warning against repeating past mistakes where resource-rich countries remain trapped in poverty while others reap the benefits. Mnangagwa brought up the need for more investment in Africa’s mineral industries rather than just exporting raw materials for processing abroad.
Calls for a fairer, more sustainable approach to critical mineral extraction are growing at this year’s COP. Several world leaders stand against making the mistakes of the past and ensure that the benefits of the energy transition are shared more equitably.
