The Evening Wrap: COP27 negotiators reach deal on ‘loss and damage'

Negotiators said they have struck a potential breakthrough deal on the thorniest issue of United Nations climate talks, creation of a fund for compensating poor nations that are victims of extreme weather worsened by rich nations’ carbon pollution. “There is an agreement on loss and damage,” Maldives Environment Minister Aminath Shauna said on Saturday. It still needs to be approved unanimously in a vote. “That means for countries like ours we will have the mosaic of solutions that we have been advocating for.” According to the draft of the compensation proposal — the issue is called “loss and damage” in negotiations parlance — developed countries would be “urged” to contribute to the fund, which would also draw on other private and public sources of money such as international financial institutions. At the talks, the world’s poorest nations, which contributed little to historic emissions of heat-trapping gases, have been unified in insisting on such a fund. Saturday afternoon’s draft proposal came from the Egyptian presidency. A second overarching document from the climate talks leadership ignores India’s call to phase down oil and natural gas, in addition to last year’s agreement to wean the world from “unabated” coal. “We managed to make progress on an important outcome,” said Wael Aboulmagd, who heads the Egyptian delegation. “I think we’re getting there.” However, the proposal does not suggest that major emerging economies such as China have to contribute to the fund, which was a key ask of the European Union and the United States. It also does not tie the creation of the new fund to any increase in efforts to cut emissions, or restrict the recipients of funding to those countries that are most vulnerable, which had been an earlier proposal from the Europeans. Winter session likely to be held in old parliament building The winter session of Parliament will begin on December 7 and conclude on December 29, with sources saying it is likely to be held in the old building as the new one is still under-construction. In separate notifications, secretariats of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha notified the dates. “Subject to exigencies of government business, the session is likely to conclude on Thursday December 29 2022,” similar notifications issued by both the Houses said. Before the start of the session, both Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairperson will call all-party meetings to build consensus for smooth functioning of the Houses. The government will also call an all-party meeting to finalise the legislative business for the session. PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a month-long programme to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi. The Tamil Sangamam conclave in the pilgrim city is part of the Prime Minister’s initiative of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’ that portrays unity among the cultural diversity of various states and Union Territories. During his speech, PM Modi hailed Kashi and Tamil Nadu as timeless centres of culture and civilisation. The two regions are also the centres of the world’s oldest languages Sanskrit and Tamil, he said. There is a Dakshin Kashi in Tamil Nadu too, the PM noted. More than 2,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu are visiting Varanasi and will participate in seminars and visit to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest. It aims to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life, including scholars, traders and artisans, from the two ancient seats of learning to share their knowledge, culture and best practices, and learn from each other’s experience. A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history and tourist places of the two regions will also be put up in Varanasi. The endeavour is in sync with National Education Policy’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian knowledge systems with modern systems of knowledge. IIT Madras and the Banaras Hindu University are the two implementing agencies for the programme. Gautam Navlakha released from jail for house arrest Activist Gautam Navlakha, accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, was transferred from the Taloja Central Jail to house arrest for a month in Navi Mumbai. The Supreme Court on November 18 rejected the NIA’s plea to recall its November 10 order to shift him from jail to house arrest asking if “the might of the state cannot keep an eye on an ailing, 70-year-old man”. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor-General S.V. Raju argued that Navlakha was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and had “misled” the court to understand the house arrest premises was a residential property with a library occupying the ground floor. Instead, they said, the building was an “office” of the Communist Party. They said a recce by the NIA revealed a “kitchen door” leading outside and a collapsible grill door. They even revealed that karate classes were held on the terrace where “fit people” attend and could pose a security threat to the police guard. They also said a CCTV camera was not put up in one of the entrances to the house arrest premises. Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv, announces new air defence package for Ukraine British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his first visit to Kyiv, pledging to continue his nation’s firm support for Ukraine that was a focus of policy under his predecessors. During the visit Sunak also informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United Kingdom will provide a £50 million ($59.4 million) air defence package for Ukraine, including anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter Iranian-supplied drones. “We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead,” he said in a statement. “Britain knows what it means to fight for freedom,” Sunak said on Twitter. “We are with you all the way.” Zelenskyy posted a video of the meeting in Kyiv. “With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. Both of our nations know what it means to stand up for freedom,” Zelenskyy tweeted. In Brief: Given the level of focus on the Qatari regime, its attitudes toward human rights, immigrant workers, the LGBTQ community — and beer — the World Cup host’s soccer team has slipped under the radar. Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador on Sunday, but even the build-up to that match has been overshadowed by Friday’s announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds. Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino blasted the “hypocrisy” of Western critics of Qatar’s human rights record, making a passionate defence of the World Cup in the Gulf state. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 19 NOVEMBER 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( COP27 | Negotiators reach deal on ‘loss and damage’, says Maldives Environment Minister Negotiators said they have [struck a potential breakthrough deal on the thorniest issue of United Nations climate talks]( creation of a fund for compensating poor nations that are victims of extreme weather worsened by rich nations’ carbon pollution. “There is an agreement on loss and damage,” Maldives Environment Minister Aminath Shauna said on Saturday. It still needs to be approved unanimously in a vote. “That means for countries like ours we will have the mosaic of solutions that we have been advocating for.” According to the draft of the compensation proposal — the issue is called “loss and damage” in negotiations parlance — developed countries would be “urged” to contribute to the fund, which would also draw on other private and public sources of money such as international financial institutions. At the talks, the world’s poorest nations, which contributed little to historic emissions of heat-trapping gases, have been unified in insisting on such a fund. Saturday afternoon’s draft proposal came from the Egyptian presidency. A second overarching document from the climate talks leadership ignores India’s call to phase down oil and natural gas, in addition to last year’s agreement to wean the world from “unabated” coal. “We managed to make progress on an important outcome,” said Wael Aboulmagd, who heads the Egyptian delegation. “I think we’re getting there.” However, the proposal does not suggest that major emerging economies such as China have to contribute to the fund, which was a key ask of the European Union and the United States. It also does not tie the creation of the new fund to any increase in efforts to cut emissions, or restrict the recipients of funding to those countries that are most vulnerable, which had been an earlier proposal from the Europeans. Winter session likely to be held in old parliament building The winter session of Parliament will [begin on December 7 and conclude on December 29]( with sources saying it is likely to be held in the old building as the new one is still under-construction. In separate notifications, secretariats of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha notified the dates. “Subject to exigencies of government business, the session is likely to conclude on Thursday December 29 2022,” similar notifications issued by both the Houses said. Before the start of the session, both Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairperson will call all-party meetings to build consensus for smooth functioning of the Houses. The government will also call an all-party meeting to finalise the legislative business for the session. PM Modi inaugurates Kashi Tamil Sangamam Prime Minister Narendra Modi[inaugurated the Kashi Tamil Sangamam]( a month-long programme to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi. The Tamil Sangamam conclave in the pilgrim city is part of the Prime Minister’s initiative of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat’ that portrays unity among the cultural diversity of various states and Union Territories. During his speech, PM Modi hailed Kashi and Tamil Nadu as timeless centres of culture and civilisation. The two regions are also the centres of the world’s oldest languages Sanskrit and Tamil, he said. There is a Dakshin Kashi in Tamil Nadu too, the PM noted. More than 2,500 delegates from Tamil Nadu are visiting Varanasi and will participate in seminars and visit to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest. It aims to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life, including scholars, traders and artisans, from the two ancient seats of learning to share their knowledge, culture and best practices, and learn from each other’s experience. A month-long exhibition of handlooms, handicrafts, books, documentaries, cuisine, art forms, history and tourist places of the two regions will also be put up in Varanasi. The endeavour is in sync with National Education Policy’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian knowledge systems with modern systems of knowledge. IIT Madras and the Banaras Hindu University are the two implementing agencies for the programme. Gautam Navlakha released from jail for house arrest Activist Gautam Navlakha, accused in the 2018 Bhima Koregaon case, was [transferred from the Taloja Central Jail to house arrest for a month]( in Navi Mumbai. The Supreme Court on November 18 rejected the NIA’s plea to recall its November 10 order to shift him from jail to house arrest asking if “the might of the state cannot keep an eye on an ailing, 70-year-old man”. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor-General S.V. Raju argued that Navlakha was charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and had “misled” the court to understand the house arrest premises was a residential property with a library occupying the ground floor. Instead, they said, the building was an “office” of the Communist Party. They said a recce by the NIA revealed a “kitchen door” leading outside and a collapsible grill door. They even revealed that karate classes were held on the terrace where “fit people” attend and could pose a security threat to the police guard. They also said a CCTV camera was not put up in one of the entrances to the house arrest premises. Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv, announces new air defence package for Ukraine British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made his [first visit to Kyiv, pledging to continue his nation’s firm support for Ukraine]( that was a focus of policy under his predecessors. During the visit Sunak also informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United Kingdom will provide a £50 million ($59.4 million) air defence package for Ukraine, including anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter Iranian-supplied drones. “We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead,” he said in a statement. “Britain knows what it means to fight for freedom,” Sunak said on Twitter. “We are with you all the way.” Zelenskyy posted a video of the meeting in Kyiv. “With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. Both of our nations know what it means to stand up for freedom,” Zelenskyy tweeted. In Brief: Given the level of focus on the Qatari regime, its attitudes toward human rights, immigrant workers, the LGBTQ community — and beer — the World Cup host’s soccer team has slipped under the radar. [Qatar opens the tournament against Ecuador]( on Sunday, but even the build-up to that match has been overshadowed by Friday’s announcement that the sale of beer will be banned inside the stadium grounds. Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino blasted the “hypocrisy” of Western critics of Qatar’s human rights record, making a passionate defence of the World Cup in the Gulf state. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. 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