No formal Cop26 role for big oil amid doubts over firms’ net zero plans
Fossil fuel firms will have no official role in the Cop26 climate summit, it can be revealed, amid growing concern among UK officials that big oil’s net zero plans do not stack up.
Private emails from civil servants in the Cop unit, seen by the Guardian, show doubts about one oil major’s net zero plans, with an official saying BP “[does] not currently fit our success criteria for Cop26” and another noting “it’s unclear whether [its net zero] commitments stack up yet”.
Last year the Guardian revealed that fossil fuel firms had held a series of private meetings with UK officials in an attempt to be part of Cop26. Documents revealed that some of the world’s biggest polluters had been lobbying the government, offering money in return for exposure at the event and in one case saying they could act as an intermediary between UK officials and other governments.
Afghans evacuated to Germany face legal uncertainty
After their dangerous evacuation from Kabul, many Afghans in Germany are struggling with bureaucratic hurdles. It has left many frustrated.
When he recalls the five hours he spent in the throng of men, women and children pressing towards Kabul airport, desperate to flee the Taliban's takeover, he relives the terror, the shots that were fired into the melee, the sense of despair.
Even now, weeks later, "I am still carrying the fear in my heart," he says. "I don't know how I survived."
But survive he did.
Sudan’s fragile transition to democracy at stake as rival camps flex muscles
Supporters of Sudan’s transitional government have called for mass rallies in Khartoum on Thursday amid fears the military is plotting to withdraw its support for an uneasy power-sharing agreement, more than two years after a popular uprising led to the overthrow of veteran autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
The call to protest sets the stage for a possible showdown between rival camps in the Sudanese capital, where supporters of military rule have held a sit-in outside the presidential palace since Saturday, calling for the dissolution of the country’s embattled transitional government.
The looming confrontation on the streets caps a month of escalating tensions between the military and a coalition of civilian political parties, who have ruled the country under a precarious power-sharing deal following Bashir’s removal in April 2019.
Ex-U.S. envoy Hagerty slams Japan's justice system over Nissan case
Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty on Wednesday accused Japan of what he called an "inhumane" justice system, citing the ongoing case of a former Nissan Motor Co executive who was arrested along with his boss Carlos Ghosn in 2018 in Japan over financial misconduct allegations.
Hagerty, now a Senator representing Tennessee, highlighted the plight of Greg Kelly, who is currently on trial in Japan, during a confirmation hearing for U.S. Ambassador to Japan nominee Rahm Emanuel. Kelly, who is from the southern state, has pleaded not guilty.
Noting that Kelly's defense attorneys plan to present their closing arguments next week, Hagerty emphasized it took "35 months to get to this point" since the arrest. He also said a verdict is not expected until next March for "reasons that defy logic."
Bannon case and stalled voting rights bill show how GOP has given up on democracy
Updated 1323 GMT (2123 HKT) October 21, 2021
George Washington's nightmare is coming true.
COP26: Document leak reveals nations lobbying to change key climate report
BBC News
A huge leak of documents seen by BBC News shows how countries are trying to change a crucial scientific report on how to tackle climate change.
The leak reveals Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are among countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels.
It also shows some wealthy nations are questioning paying more to poorer states to move to greener technologies.
This "lobbying" raises questions for the COP26 climate summit in November.
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