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The number of endangered species rises by 2,000. One aspect of the issue is climate change.

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 The number of endangered species rises by 2,000. One aspect of the issue is climate change. Author: Michael Phillis | AP December 11, 2023                                                                    Source washingtonpost.com An worldwide body that monitors the health of species claims that climate change is exacerbating the planet's biodiversity crises, increasing the risk of extinction for thousands of species, and hastening the sharp fall in the number of plants and animals on Earth. Salmon and turtle species are among those that are in decline due to global warming. Although the population of Atlantic salmon isn't in danger of becoming extinct just yet, it did decline by about 25% between 2006 and 2020, according to data released on Monday by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, an organization that monitors biodiversity worldwide. It's currently regarded as being in danger. They are less mobile and must contend with problems caused by humans, such

As COP28 considers phase-out of oil and gas, Arab OPEC ministers convene in Doha.

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 As COP28 considers phase-out of oil and gas, Arab OPEC ministers convene in Doha.                                                                                 Source reuters.com December 11, DOHA (Reuters) - As nations battle at the UN's COP28 climate summit over a potential agreement to phase-out fossil fuels, OPEC's top Arab energy ministers arrived in Doha on Monday for the 12th Arab Energy Conference. In a letter dated December 6 that was seen by Reuters, OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais pleaded with the organization's members to oppose any COP28 agreement that targets fossil fuels rather than emissions. Approximately 80% of the world's proven oil reserves are held by members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the majority of which are in the Middle East. Since oil revenue constitutes the primary source of income for most of those countries, every message emanating from COP28 geared at curbing the demand for oil and gas becomes a

400 Rohingya people arrive in Indonesia, contributing to the recent wave of migration.

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 400 Rohingya people arrive in Indonesia, contributing to the recent wave of migration.                                                                                 Source reuters.com Dec. 10, Jakarta (Reuters) - According to the head of a regional fishing community, dilapidated boats carrying an estimated 400 ethnic Rohingya arrived in Indonesia's Aceh province on Sunday, adding to the recent influx of Muslims from Myanmar. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that 1,200 Rohingya, a minority group fleeing Myanmar that faces persecution, had arrived in Indonesia as of Sunday. Two boats, one in each of the districts of Pidie and Aceh Besar, arrived in the province early on Sunday morning, according to Miftah Cut Ade, the head of the fishing community in Aceh. He added that each boat held about 200 Rohingya. Around 180 Rohingya arrived in Pidie at 4 a.m. (2100 GMT), according to Andi Susanto, a local military official, and officers were coordinating in the field to g

In five years, the Makkah Route serves 618,000 pilgrims

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In five years, the Makkah Route serves 618,000 pilgrims .                                                                                 Source arabnews.com Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route project, which expedites travel and entry procedures for guests from partner nations, is helping an increasing number of Hajj pilgrims. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the program has helped 617,756 Hajj pilgrims from Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, and the Ivory Coast so far. The program, which was introduced in 2019 in nations with a majority of Muslims, enables pilgrims to complete all visa, customs, and health formalities at the airport where they originated, saving hours of waiting both before and after arriving in the Kingdom. The method starts with the issuance of electronic visas and the gathering of personal data, and it ends with expedited passport procedures prior to departure. Each pilgrim's flight details and place of residence are marked wi

Which way do UNSC members lean ahead of this crucial decision on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire?

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  Which way do UNSC members lean ahead of this crucial decision on an Israel-Hamas ceasefire?                                                                            Source ALJAZEERA December 8, 2023 The UN Security Council, which is the most powerful body in the organization, will convene today at 14:00 GMT to examine the conflict in Gaza. This comes after Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used a unique procedure to invoke Article 99 in order to push for a ceasefire. At least 1,147 Israelis and 17,177 Palestinians have died in Gaza since October 7. Thousands more people are still missing beneath the ruins of Gaza's demolished structures. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the sole Arab nation among the 15 members of the UNSC, has pushed for a draft resolution calling for a "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in response to Antonio Guterres' plea. Which draft resolution is this new one? This will be the sixth resolution proposed since the war began in an attempt to re

After the explosion of the Marapi volcano kills 23, authorities cease their hunt.

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After the explosion of the Marapi volcano kills 23, authorities cease their hunt.                                                                                  Source thejakartapost.com Thursday, December 7, 2023 Following a weekend volcano explosion that claimed 23 lives, West Sumatra authorities announced on Thursday that they had completed their search and rescue operation for any hikers who may have been killed or missing. While 75 hikers passed through the area on Sunday, Mount Marapi erupted an ash tower that rose to a height of 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) and was higher than the volcano itself. Many people were saved, but during a difficult rescue operation hindered by more eruptions and inclement weather that occasionally prompted workers to seek shelter, 23 individuals were discovered dead, the last one on Wednesday night.  Despite initial concerns that some may have opted for unapproved hiking routes and remained unaccounted for, officials stated they believed every person r

Minister searching for new location to house Rohingya refugees

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 Minister searching for new location to house Rohingya refugees                                                                            Source en.antaranews.com As the number of refugees has surpassed the capacity of the current shelters, we are currently looking for a method to relocate them. Jakarta (ANTARA) - As more Rohingya people seek safety in Indonesia, the government is actively searching for a new location, according to Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs. He stated, "We are currently finding a way to find another location for the refugees, given that their number has exceeded the capacity of the existing shelters," following a discussion on the subject of Rohingya migrants on Wednesday at his Jakarta office. He claimed that he has requested that Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian discuss the relocation of the refugees with the regional leadership coordination forums of the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and Riau. Mahf