New Caledonia’s Union Calédonienne, one of the main and oldest components of the pro-independence movement, has at the weekend elected Emmanuel Tjibaou as its new president. The election was one of the main items of the agenda of UC’s Congress, which was held in the small village of Mia (near Canala, East Coast of the main island of Grande Terre). Tjibaou, 48, was the only candidate for the position. Tjibaou’s election on Sunday comes as UC’s former leader, Daniel Goa, 71, announced last week he did not intend to seek another mandate, partly for health reasons, after leading the party for the past 12 years. Goa told his pro-independence supporters this was a “heavy burden” his successor will now have to carry. He also said there was a need to work on political awareness and training for the younger generations. He said the youths’ heavy involvement in the recent riots, not necessarily within the UC’s political framework, was partly caused by “all these years during which we did not train (UC) political commissioners” on the ground. “This has been completely neglected,” he told local media at the weekend, saying this was his mea culpa. After the riots started, there was a perception that calls coming from all political parties, including UC, were no longer heeded and that, somehow, the whole insurrection had gotten out of control. “Now we need to open (UC) to the youth. Now we got the message they have sent us”, he said. Tjibaou was also elected earlier this year as one of New Caledonia’s two representatives within the French National Assembly (Lower House). Tjibaou’s rise to the helm of UC comes as New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement is deeply divided. Last week, two of the main components of the 40-year-old FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front), the more moderate UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia) and PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party), reiterated they wished to distance themselves from the Front. They said they did not recognise themselves anymore in the way the UC has been operating since last year and more recently since insurrectional riots broke out in May 2024, causing extensive damage and 13 dead. UPM and PALIKA did not take part in the most recent FLNKS Congress, late August 2024, which, among other resolutions, appointed Christian Téin as its new President. Téin is the leader of a UC-created CCAT (Field Action Coordinating Cell) which, since October 2023, has been tasked to organise protests, marches and demonstrations. Initially organised peacefully, they later degenerated into the riots and destruction that broke out in May 2024. Téin is currently jailed in Mulhouse (North-east of France) following his arrest in June and pending his trial. Emmanuel Tjibaou is perceived as a man of dialogue and moderation and his election at the head of UC could also signal a gradual softening of the party’s hard-line stance, which could contribute to a more united approach from New Caledonia’s whole pro-independence movement. The development comes as New Caledonia, post-riot, faces a whole array of challenges. These include the French territory’s reconstruction and the necessary multi-billion Euro assistance from France, but also crucial political talks that are likely to start in December between all political parties and the French government in order to map out the political future. The talks (between pro-independence, anti-independence parties and the French State) are scheduled in such a way that all parties manage to reach a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement no later than March 2025. Over the past few days, earlier this month, from Paris to Nouméa, several references have been made with regards to what shape New Caledonia’s future status could take. Such wordings as “shared sovereignty”, “independence in partnership”, “independence-association” and, more recently, from the also divided pro-France camp, an “internal federalism” (Le Rassemblement-LR party) or a “territorial federation” (Les Loyalistes). After this, heavy campaigning will follow to prepare for crucial provincial elections to be held no later than November 2025. Tjibaou is the son of charismatic pro-independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou, who signed the Matignon-Oudinot agreements with pro-France leader Jacques Lafleur and the French government in 1988, to end half a decade of a quasi civil war. One year later, in 1989, he was shot dead by a hard-line pro-independence militant. -RNZAustralia sets impressive trade records which newsrooms refuse to reportNearly 200 countries agreed to triple the amount of money available to help developing countries confront rapidly warming temperatures. But the deal reached at the close of the two-week COP29 summit in Azerbaijan resulted from fractious and at times openly hostile negotiations, producing an agreement that even its supporters may see as insufficient and disappointing. The process of global climate cooperation will lurch forward from here under the weight of heavier existential questions. Global temperature rise is on the cusp of 1.5 degrees Celsius — a critical tipping point for avoiding the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. “We needed to leave Baku with an agreement to keep the multilateral system alive,” said Juan Carlos Monterrey-Gomez, Panama’s special representative for climate change. “We kept the system alive. But I think 1.5 is dead.” Rich countries have pledged to provide at least $300 billion annually by 2035, through a wide variety of sources, including public finance as well as bilateral and multilateral deals. The agreement also calls on parties to work toward unleashing a total of $1.3 trillion a year, with most of it expected to come through private financing. Developed and developing countries entered the negotiations far apart. At one point on Saturday, the talks appeared to be on the brink of collapse, before numerous closed-door meetings brought a deal closer. Rich nations are grappling with a slew of fiscal and political constraints, including inflation, constrained budgets and rising populism. The election of Donald Trump and his threat to pull the U.S. out of the landmark Paris climate agreement also cast a shadow on the summit. Under a compromise, rich nations eventually agreed to commit $50 billion more than called for in a draft agreement on Friday. They had also made any agreement contingent on reaffirming last year’s COP28 outcome in Dubai that included a vow to transition away from fossil fuels. But Saudi Arabia, leading a bloc of Arab nations, opposed the move to single out any sector. “There is definitely a challenge in getting greater ambition when you are negotiating with the Saudis,” John Podesta, the top U.S. climate negotiator, told reporters. “At a time when the world is facing such catastrophic effects from climate change an inch at a time is not enough.” In the end, developed countries had to settle for simply reaffirming the deal reached last year at COP28 in Dubai, without explicitly referencing “fossil fuels” by name. ‘Too little’ The promised funding falls short of the trillions of dollars poor and vulnerable nations say they need to climate-proof their economies. They also want more of that money to come in the form of grants and other affordable financial support, since market-based loans risk deepening their debt burdens. The deal’s adoption came over the objections of India, whose delegates had raised their hands in an attempt to intervene, and as the gavel fell, walked up to the stage in a failed bid to get attention. India’s representative Chandni Raina called the deal inadequate. called the deal inadequate. “The goal is too little, too distant,” she said, her speech punctuated frequently by applause and cheers. Still, for some the result will likely serve as proof the COP process is still the best approach for coordinating global action to meet the escalating challenges of climate change. “COP29 took place in tough circumstances but multilateralism is alive and more necessary than ever,” Laurence Tubiana, chief executive office of European Climate Foundation, an architect of the landmark Paris Agreement. The new agreement will help inform individual country commitments for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 as well as the next round of U.N. climate talks in Brazil. Many developing nations emphasized the smaller-than-hoped finance commitment would slow their transitions to emission-free energy and constrain their ambition in setting carbon-reducing targets due in February.
LDF Triumphs in Kerala Bypolls Despite UDF's ChallengesLANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Austin Ekeler was concussed in the final minute of the Washington Commanders’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and taken to a hospital for further evaluation. Coach Dan Quinn said he and general manager Adam Peters got to visit with Ekeler before he went to the hospital. A team spokesperson said the decision to transport Ekeler was made out of an abundance of caution. Ekeler, 29, was injured when he was tackled by Damone Clark and Nick Vigil on a kickoff return with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Ekeler remained down on the field for some time being attended to by medical personnel, and players from each team knelt around him with their helmets off. Lineman Andrew Wylie was also concussed and fellow running back Brian Robinson Jr. sprained an ankle in Washington’s third consecutive defeat. Ekeler is in his first season with the Commanders after spending his first nine years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflKey strengths, sound policy, and political will
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Javonte Brown had 17 points in Rhode Island’s 91-53 victory against Charleston (SC) on Sunday. Brown added seven rebounds and four blocks for the Rams (5-0). Jamarques Lawrence shot 6 for 11, including 4 for 8 from beyond the arc to add 16 points. Sebastian Thomas shot 5 for 10 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. AJ Smith finished with 10 points for the Cougars (4-2). Derrin Boyd added nine points and four assists for Charleston (SC). Deywilk Tavarez also had nine points. Rhode Island took the lead with 19:31 left in the first half and did not give it up. Brown led his team in scoring with 10 points in the first half to help put them up 45-16 at the break. Rhode Island outscored Charleston (SC) by nine points over the final half, while Lawrence led the way with a team-high eight second-half points. NEXT UP Both teams next play Wednesday. Rhode Island plays Detroit Mercy and Charleston (SC)plays Northern Kentucky at home. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Tweet Facebook Mail The federal government said it is closely looking into Commonwealth Bank 's move to charge their customers a $3 withdrawal fee. It comes the day after Australia's largest bank announced that from January 6, customers will be charged a fee for withdrawing cash over the counter at a branch, post office or over the phone. The fee won't apply to customers under the age of 18 or any ATM withdrawals. READ MORE: 'Positive shift' as Aussies turn to zero-alcohol drinks over holidays The federal government said it is looking into Commonwealth Bank's "out-of-touch" move to charge their customers a $3 withdrawal fee. Commonwealth is forcing existing customers to move from their complete access accounts to new smart access accounts. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher today urged the bank to reverse the decision. "This type of charging and looking at $3 per transaction, I think, it's really hard, and particularly for those customers that have those types of accounts and want to go into the branches," she told ABC News Breakfast. "So we're having a close look at this ... I would really think that some goodwill here just before Christmas is for the CBA to have a think about the announcement that they made yesterday." READ MORE: Home buyer battles neighbours swimming in her $1.29m backyard Commonwealth Bank isn't the only institution that charges customers a withdrawal fee. (iStock) Commonwealth Bank's retail banking services group executive Angus Sullivan defended the decision yesterday, saying it would only affect 10 per cent of their customers. "The last thing we want to do is upset our customers," he told Nine's A Current Affair . "We're doing as much as we can to support them with fee-free options, support, exemptions to make this change as manageable as possible. "But the reality is, there's also a cost associated with offering this service." Commonwealth Bank isn't the only institution that charges customers a withdrawal fee. ANZ, NAB and Bendigo Bank charge some of their customers fees ranging from 80 cents to $3. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG Makes New $855,000 Investment in PG&E Co. (NYSE:PCG)
The Osun State Government on Friday unveiled 16-day events to mark Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second anniversary as governor of the state. Unveiling the events lined up for the celebrations, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Teslim Igbalaye, rated Adeleke high in terms of service delivery. Igbalaye said a health walk, novelty match, Jumaat, church service, state awards presentation, and project commissioning were some of the events that would be held during the celebrations. The SSG, who said ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, among others, would inaugurate some of the projects completed by the administration, also noted projects would be inaugurated across the 30 local government areas in the state. He added that Adeleke and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, would also perform the turning of sod for some new projects that would be flagged off during the second anniversary of the administration. Related News Adeleke accuses Ganduje of plotting to destabilise S'West Adeleke champions sports to curb youth restiveness, boost Osun economy Displaced Osun farmers seek end to land dispute “Some of the activities lined up include: Jumaat service, novelty football match, executive versus legislature, church service, and commissioning of Old Garage-Oke Fia Dual Carriage by ex President Olusegun Obasanjo. “Presentation of bond certificates to contributory pensioners and presentation of award to Governor Adeleke by the contributory pensioners would also be held. “There will also be commissioning of Osogbo Ring Road by Governor Makinde, as well as, foundation laying for Airport project by the Minister of Aviation/Works,” Igbalaye said. Commenting on the achievements of the administration in the past two years, Igbalaye, said Adeleke had surpassed expectations, assuring that an increase in political activities would not distract the governor from completing all ongoing projects.
Second Cup at Montreal Jewish hospital shut down over alleged Nazi salute6:42 p.m. ET update : Jacobs was spotted jogging back from the locker room late in the third quarter. The Packers just punted the ball, so we’ll wait to see if he returns on their next offensive drive. The Green Bay Packers are rolling over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12, but they might have to finish out the game without running back Josh Jacobs. The big back scored his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter and then proceeded to head to the locker room. The team quickly announced he was questionable to return due to cramps. Jacobs left the game with 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He’s likely getting some fluids to try and fix that issue and get back into the game. The Packers lead 24-7 late in the third quarter.