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Climate Threat  COP30 Climate Summit
World on track for 2.5 degree warming

The world's updated plans to reduce emissions are not enough to avoid serious climate change, the UN warns in a new report.

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the world is on track for 2.3-2.5 degrees of warming by the turn of the century.

With current policies, the world is heading for 2.8 degrees of warming, far exceeding the Paris Agreement's target of 1.5 degrees.

The report is being published ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

The new space race
Chinese taikonauts have a barbecue in space

Chinese taikonauts have had the world's first barbecue in space using a new, smokeless oven installed aboard the Tiangong space station, reports the state-run Global Times.

Chicken wings and black pepper steak were the first dishes to be cooked in the oven. The chicken took 28 minutes to cook.

It is not the first food to be cooked in space – in 2020, cakes were baked aboard the International Space Station ISS, according to the BBC.

 Taliban rule Situation in Afghanistan
Taliban women's rules halt UN border work

The UN is temporarily suspending its work with returning Afghan refugees at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran, writes AFP. The decision is a consequence of the Taliban regime imposing restrictions that prevent female employees from working at the border.

- Without female staff, we cannot jointly assist returning women and children, says Indrika Ratwatte, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan.

The statement does not state exactly what restrictions are involved.

Islam Qala is the main border crossing for Afghan citizens being deported from Iran, and the majority of them are women.

Violence in Mali
MFA advises against all travel to Mali – too unsafe

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Mali, including the capital Bamako, until further notice.

The reason is the security situation. Bamako is more or less besieged by the jihadist group JNIM, which has attacked fuel transports to cut off the fuel supply to the city, which has led to an energy crisis with electricity and fuel shortages.

“JNIM has also carried out smaller attacks on the outskirts of the city and there is general concern that the group may attack the city,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes.

The fuel shortage has also affected air traffic, and air connections appear to be deteriorating.  

Political situation in Israel
Politicians could gain greater power over Israel's media

The Israeli parliament has given initial approval to a bill that gives the government far-reaching power over the country's television and radio channels. The Financial Times reports.

The bill has been sharply criticized for threatening press freedom. It was submitted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who has long wanted to see greater political control over Israeli media.

According to the proposal, the minister himself will appoint the members of a new regulatory authority that will monitor all news sites and broadcasting operations.

The bill needs to go through two more votes before it can become a reality.