COP15 News Live Updates: Forest-rich nations ensure COP15 deal on nature sticks – The Economic Times

EU member countries reach compromise on gas price cap

European Union ministers on Monday finalized a long-awaited deal to implement a natural gas price cap they hope will help households and businesses better weather excessive price surges. EU member countries failed to overcome their differences at previous emergency meetings, but several EU leaders said last week that fixing a maximum ceiling to pay for gas was likely to be achieved this time. After talks in Brussels on Monday, the Czech presidency of the European Council, which represents member countries, said a deal had been reached. “We have succeeded in finding an important agreement that will shield citizens from skyrocketing energy prices,” said Jozef Sikela, the Czech minister of Industry and Trade, adding that the mechanism will steer the 27-nation clear “from risks to security of supply and financial markets stability.”

Pakistan may witness rise in terror attacks from western frontiers during winters

Come winter and there is always a rise in terror attacks from western frontiers, especially from borders adjoining Afghanistan, reported Pak vernacular media, Pahenji Akhbar. The attacks are usually carried out by ISIS, Taliban and now by Afghanistan forces, too. This has been happening during this season for a long time.On December 16, 2014, an army public school was attacked. Bacha Khan University was also attacked at Charsid during winter. These two big incidents are fresh in peoples’ memory. This winter too, attacks are reported at Swat, Waziristan, and Quetta claiming the lives of civilians and security officials. Attacks are being encouraged also from the eastern sides too, reported Pahenji Akhbar.

North Korea says sanctions won’t stop its missile development

North Korea said on Tuesday additional sanctions won’t stop its missile programme, days after launching what appeared to be two medium-ranged ballistic missiles in what it called an “important” test for the development of a spy satellite. Kim Yo Jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister, made the remark in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency, saying such a development is directly linked to the country’s security.

Jury finds former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape

Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape in a trial in Los Angeles on Monday, the second conviction for the one-time Hollywood kingmaker who became the face of #MeToo sexual abuse allegations five years ago, according to the Los Angeles Superior Court. The jury found Weinstein guilty of rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration by foreign object involving one woman, but acquitted him of charges relating to a second alleged victim. The jury could not reach a verdict on two allegations, including rape, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom, and did not reach a verdict on charges relating to one other women.

Pakistan: Blast leaves at least 13 injured in Balochistan’s Khuzdar

At least thirteen persons were injured on Monday in a powerful blast in Balochistan’s Khuzdar city, reported Geo News. The explosive device blew up on a two-way road near the Umar Farooq intersection in the city, the police said. The two injured are said to be in critical condition. The area has been cordoned off by law enforcers and the injured were shifted to the Teaching Hospital, reported Geo News. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area to start an investigation as well as ascertain the intensity of the blast.

Forest-rich nations ensure COP15 deal on nature sticks

A United Nations summit approved on Monday a landmark global deal to protect nature and direct billions of dollars toward conservation but objections from key African nations, home to large tracts of tropical rainforest, held up its final passage. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, reflecting the joint leadership of China and Canada, is the culmination of four years of work toward creating an agreement to guide global conservation efforts through 2030. The countries attending the U.N.-backed COP15 biodiversity conference had been negotiating a text proposed on Sunday and talks addressing the finer points of the deal dragged on until Monday morning.