Tunisian President Kais Saied has met with visiting Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Szijjarto, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations, the Tunisian presidency said in a statement…reports Asian Lite News
During the meeting on Wednesday, Saied highlighted the importance of further strengthening and diversifying bilateral relations in the future, especially in the economic, investment, cultural and education fields.
Tunisia To Cement Ties With Hungary
The Tunisian President also referred to the historical friendship between Tunisia and Hungary, as well as the values of freedom and democracy they share, Xinhua news agency reported.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called for calm following a court verdict which said former President Jacob Zuma has to be sent back to jail…reports Asian Lite News
This follows the verdict by the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday nullifying and setting aside the granting of the medical parole to Zuma, reports Xinhua news agency.
“The Commission also notes that the social media is already abuzz with statements that have the potential to inflame the situation in the country. The Commission calls for calm and appeals to all the people of South Africa to continue being law-abiding members of society and ensure that their actions and statements contribute to nation-building and social harmony, do not heighten tensions and lead to further destruction and violation of people’s rights,” said SAHRC spokesperson Gushwell Brooks.
Zuma was prisoned in July for refusing to appear at the State Capture Inquiry probing corruption during his presidency.
The jailing of Zuma resulted in unrest which claimed over 300 lives and led to the destruction and burning of shopping malls.
He was moved to a hospital prison in August, before being released in September on medical parole.
Brooks said statements on the media and social media sparked the July unrest.
“The Commission also calls upon the security cluster to note the developments, including the evolving social media discourse about the recent High Court decision, and to do their best to prevent the repeat of the July 2021 experiences.
“Let us all be calm and exercise restraint and allow the judicial processes to unfold,” he said.
The Turkish currency, lira, has hit a new record low of 14.60 against one US dollar ahead of an upcoming meeting of the country’s Central Bank on the interest rate cut…reports Asian Lite News
The lira stood at 14.48 at 12.20 p.m. on Monday after losing nearly 5 per cent of its value since the close of 13.88 on December 10, reports Xinhua news agency.
TURKISH LIRA SINKS
The currency has fallen more than 45 per cent in value against the greenback since the start of the year, and the losses expanded in the last three months as the central bank made consecutive interest rate cuts.
Following the further depreciation of the lira, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey interfered in the foreign exchange market by selling dollars, it announced on its website on Monday afternoon.
Israel archaeologists discover 1,900-year-old industry building, large cemetery
Israeli archaeologists have discovered the remains of an industrial building and a nearby wide cemetery, both dating back to about 1,900 years ago, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said…reports Asian Lite News
This is the first building discovered in the ancient central city of Yavne from the time of the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme legislative Jewish assembly.
Israel archaeologists discover 1,900-year-old industry building, large cemetery
It went into exile in Yavne after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Romans some 2,000 years ago, Xinhua news agency reported.
The building contained fragments of chalk stone cups, clear evidence that its occupants were observing Jewish laws of ritual purity, the researchers said.
The cemetery was located about 70 meters from the building, with dozens of tombs carefully spaced out at set distances.
Some of them are coffins or sarcophagi, which are made mostly of stone except for one made of lead.
The researchers assessed that these are the tombs of the city’s Jewish community, and the most elaborate ones may belong to the Jewish sages of Yavne.
The team also discovered 150 glass phials that were placed on top of the tombs, probably used to keep precious liquids such as fragrant oils.
“The findings are evidence of the life and death of Yavne’s inhabitants at the time of the Sanhedrin, where the foundations of Judaism as we know it were laid,” the researchers concluded.
The IEA has played an active role throughout, participating in a range of events addressing the ways in which the energy sector can help solve the world’s climate challenge…reports Asian Lite News.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday said if the world achieves a 30 per cent cut in methane emissions from human activity by 2030, it would have a similar impact on global warming as switching all world’s cars, trucks, ships and planes — the entire global transport sector — over to net zero emissions technologies.
After two weeks of intensive discussions on how to step up international efforts to tackle global warming, the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow concluded on Saturday night.
The IEA has played an active role throughout, participating in a range of events addressing the ways in which the energy sector can help solve the world’s climate challenge.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol joined dozens of world leaders, led by US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, at the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, underscoring that reducing methane emissions is the most impactful way to limit near-term climate change.
An official statement quoting Birol said he welcomed the commitment by more than 100 countries worldwide to join the pledge to cut global methane emissions from human activity by 30 per cent by 2030 and highlighted the IEA’s longstanding efforts to push for an end to methane leaks from fossil fuel operations.
Multiple leaders including Colombian President Ivan Duque, at the Global Methane Pledge launch, noted the IEA’s important role in advocating measures to clamp down on methane emissions.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country was the first to commit to meeting the IEA goal of 75 per cent reduction in energy-related methane emissions by 2030.
Got to see an old friend today – except this time, he’s the Mayor. Glad we could spend some time together this morning, @AmarjeetSohiYEG. I’m looking forward to once again working with you on affordable housing, public transit, climate change, and so much more. pic.twitter.com/gQ1t4gjPtT
US Special Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry, who moderated the event, said the IEA has “played a tremendous role for all of us” and expressed appreciation to Birol for his leadership.
At COP26, Birol also met key leaders and top officials from around the world for discussions on key energy and climate issues, including a substantive meeting with Chinese Special Envoy on Climate Change Xie Zhenhua.
They discussed the IEA’s recent Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050 and Energy Sector Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality in China, as well as China’s energy transition and climate goals.
Birol also held a bilateral meeting with UAE’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, at which they discussed cooperation between the UAE government and the IEA to support the Gulf nation’s efforts to accelerate its clean energy transition and diversify its economy with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
At a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, Birol focused on strong and growing programme of IEA-Indonesia cooperation on the energy transition, including the country’s net zero roadmap and the energy agenda for its G20 Presidency in 2022.
During the first week of COP26, the IEA published a commentary on new analysis showing that if all the climate pledges made by countries around the world as of November 3 — covering methane as well as carbon emissions — were to be met in full and on time, it would limit the rise in global temperatures in this century to 1.8 degrees Celsius.
That’s a notable improvement from the 2.1 degrees Celsius of warming that was projected by its World Energy Outlook 2021’s Announced Pledges Scenario in mid-October, based on the climate pledges to date at that point.
But Birol believes this progress is still not enough to put the world in line with the critical goal of limiting warming to 1.5 Celsius — and the pledges still need to be backed up with clear policies to actually put greenhouse gas emissions into decline.
Boosting progress on appliance energy efficiency is key to delivering on global climate ambitions.
Our initiative, in partnership with the UK, aims to double the efficiency of key appliances sold globally ahead of #COP26.
Tracking and accountability will be critical to ensure that countries and companies are following through on their promises.
At the request of the UK’s COP26 Presidency, the IEA is leading the tracking of global progress against the Glasgow Breakthroughs — five goals aimed at driving down the costs of clean technologies. Meeting these goals will be essential to enabling the achievement of governments’ long-term net zero pledges.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the role of Unesco in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding…reports Asian Lite News
Some 28 heads of state and government gathered in Paris to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
In his video message on Friday night, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the role of Unesco in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding, reports Xinhua news agency.
“At a time of great inequalities, environmental crisis, polarization and the global pandemic, Unesco’s role is more critical than ever to restore trust and solidarity, to ensure greater access to education for all, promote cultural diversity and steer technological progress for the greater good,” the UN chief said.
To celebrate our past and our future, we planned a very special live birthday celebration which YOU can be a part of, wherever you are in the world!
Join us now to celebrate 75 years of ideas that shaped the world.
— UNESCO 🏛️ #Education #Sciences #Culture 🇺🇳😷 (@UNESCO) November 12, 2021
The work carried out by Unesco proves its importance in “a more networked, inclusive and effective multilateralism that delivers tangible benefits for people across the world”, he said.
Audrey Azoulay, the newly re-elected director-general of UNESCO, said that the UN agency was established “based on a strong conviction … that peace should be established upon the foundation of the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity.”
She highlighted the role of Unesco, noting it played as an “essential tool” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has reaffirmed her confidence in multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region…reports Asian Lite News
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has reaffirmed her confidence in multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and called for consistent joint efforts to tackle the most important regional challenges.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Addressing the 28th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, Ardern, who chairs APEC in 2021, underscored the persistent challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and the benefits of collaborative response by all member economies, reports Xinhua news agency.
Each economy is facing the same fundamental problems in terms of getting as many people vaccinated as fast as possible, keeping businesses afloat and people in jobs, resuming safe cross-border travelling, accelerating economic recovery, and securing an equitable response, she said.
Looking ahead, Ardern stressed the importance of protection offered by mass vaccination.
JACINDA ARDERN, PRIME MINISTER, NEW ZEALAND: “Today is also a chance to look to the future, as we seek to emerge from this crisis better than before. A future where our businesses flourish and our economies offer opportunities for all, where we embrace a green transformation, combat climate change and harness digital technologies. A future where, once protected by vaccination, we are able to deepen our connections for all our benefit.”
Calling for more solidarity and renewed belief in the institution of the regional bloc, Ardern said: “I hope we can write a new chapter in APEC’s history, and leave the organization stronger and ready to assist us all in tackling our most important challenges.”
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has tendered his resignation and asked the Speaker of Parliament Andreas Norlen to commence the formal process of finding his successor…reports Asian Lite News
Lofven, who will lead a caretaker government until a new Prime Minister is installed, had previously insisted he would lead the Social Democrats over the 2022 elections, reports Xinhua news agency.
Swedish PM tenders his resignation
However, in August he unexpectedly announced his decision to resign.
The surprising announcement was made following a turbulent year.
In July, Lofven was re-elected as Prime Minister shortly after becoming the first Swedish premier to be ousted in a no-confidence vote in June.
He has been chairman of the Social Democrats since 2010 and Prime Minister since 2014.
On November 4, he stepped down as party leader and Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson was elected to lead the Social Democrats.
Most political analysts believe the speaker will now propose Andersson as the next Prime Minister, but due to the parliamentary situation, she would need support of the Left and Centre parties.
Should a majority not vote against her, Andersson will become Sweden’s first female Prime Minister.
Sudan refuses to relinquish disputed Fashaga area with Ethiopia
General Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has reiterated commitment to democratic transition in the country…reports Asian Lite News
Al-Burhan made the remarks on Sunday when he received a delegation of the Arab League led by Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab bloc.
“The armed forces are committed to the democratic transition until an elected government selected by the people is reached,” Al-Burhan was quoted by Sudan TV as saying.
Sudanese Army Chief voices commitment to democratic transition
Zaki stressed the importance of dialogue among all Sudanese components to reach a satisfactory settlement for all parties, Xinhua news agency reported.
He further expressed the Arab League’s readiness to help the Sudanese parties sit at the negotiating table.
Sudan has been suffering from a political crisis after Al-Burhan declared a state of emergency on October 25 and dissolved the sovereign council and government.
The Forces of Freedom and Change alliance, the civilian component in the ruling coalition, accused Al-Burhan of carrying out a military coup.
Sierra Leonean President, Julius Maada Bio has expressed his condolences over a fuel tanker explosion in the capital Freetown that claimed more than 100 lives…reports Asian Lite News
“Deeply disturbed by the tragic fires and the horrendous loss of life around the Wellington PMB area. My profound sympathies with families who have lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result,” said Bio on Saturday.
The President pledged the government will “do everything to support affected families.”
Sierra Leonean President condolences over fuel tanker explosion
Earlier on Saturday, police and hospital sources revealed that over 100 people have been killed in the fuel tanker explosion in Freetown. The tragedy happened late Friday after the fuel tanker collided with a truck in the eastern part of the city and caused fuel leakage.
Eyewitnesses said residents within the community came out desperately to fetch the leaking fuel when the explosion occurred and caused heavy casualties, Xinhua news agency reported.
Sinneh Kamara, a senior official at the Sierra Leone Connaught Hospital Mortuary Department, told Xinhua earlier that they have received 95 bodies in the early hours of Saturday and they feared the casualty figures are set to increase because of the critical conditions of those currently admitted at hospitals across Freetown.
Eyewitnesses said some other dead bodies have been taken by their relatives for burial.
Meanwhile, Bio canceled his trip to the Extraordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State and government, which is set to be held in Ghana on Sunday.
Police said further investigations into the accident are still underway.
