- Global stocks mostly rise in thin pre-Christmas trade
- Postecoglou says Spurs 'need to reinforce' in transfer window
- Le Pen says days of new French govt numbered
- Global stocks mostly rise after US tech rally
- Villa boss Emery set for 'very difficult' clash with Newcastle
- Investors swoop in to save German flying taxi startup
- How Finnish youth learn to spot disinformation
- South Korean opposition postpones decision to impeach acting president
- 12 killed in blast at Turkey explosives plant
- Panama leaders past and present reject Trump's threat of Canal takeover
- Hong Kong police issue fresh bounties for activists overseas
- Saving the mysterious African manatee at Cameroon hotspot
- India consider second spinner for Boxing Day Test
- London wall illuminates Covid's enduring pain at Christmas
- Poyet appointed manager at South Korea's Jeonbuk
- South Korea's opposition vows to impeach acting president
- The tsunami detection buoys safeguarding lives in Thailand
- Teen Konstas to open for Australia in Boxing Day India Test
- Asian stocks mostly up after US tech rally
- US panel could not reach consensus on US-Japan steel deal: Nippon
- The real-life violence that inspired South Korea's 'Squid Game'
- Blogs to Bluesky: social media shifts responses after 2004 tsunami
- Tennis power couple de Minaur and Boulter get engaged
- Supermaxi yachts eye record in gruelling Sydney-Hobart race
- Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, spewing columns of lava
- Sokoman Minerals Completes Phase 1 Diamond Drilling Program Fleur de Lys Gold Project, NW Newfoundland
- Canadian Government Provides C$100 Million Financing LOI to Green Technology Metals in Support of Electric Royalties' Flagship Lithium Royalty Asset in Ontario
- Sendero Resources Announces First Tranche Closing of Its Non-Brokered Private Placement
- EVSX Completes Installation of Multi Chemistry Line
- InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - December 24
- El Salvador Congress votes to end ban on metal mining
- Five things to know about Panama Canal, in Trump's sights
- NBA fines Minnesota guard Edwards $75,000 for outburst
- Haitians massacred for practicing voodoo were abducted, hacked to death: UN
- Inter beat Como to keep in touch with leaders Atalanta
- Mixed day for global stocks as market hopes for 'Santa Claus rally'
- Man Utd boss Amorim questions 'choices' of Rashford's entourage
- Trump's TikTok love raises stakes in battle over app's fate
- Is he serious? Trump stirs unease with Panama, Greenland ploys
- England captain Stokes to miss three months with torn hamstring
- Support grows for Blake Lively over smear campaign claim
- Canada records 50,000 opioid overdose deaths since 2016
- Jordanian, Qatari envoys hold talks with Syria's new leader
- France's second woman premier makes surprise frontline return
- France's Macron announces fourth government of the year
- Netanyahu tells Israel parliament 'some progress' on Gaza hostage deal
- Guatemalan authorities recover minors taken by sect members
- Germany's far-right AfD holds march after Christmas market attack
- European, US markets wobble awaiting Santa rally
- Serie A basement club Monza fire coach Nesta
Pacific Islands ask international court to rule on climate
Climate-threatened Pacific islands called on Monday for the International Court of Justice to rule on countries' legal duties to stop climate change, a move designed to ratchet up pressure on polluting nations.
In a statement released after a summit in Fiji last week, Pacific leaders issued a joint call for the Hague-based court to make clear states' obligations "to protect the rights of present and future generations against the adverse impacts of climate change".
The islands -- many low-lying and already buffeted by climate change -- hope the move will introduce a heightened level of legal jeopardy for high carbon-emitting countries and spur action.
Leaders also declared the region was in a climate emergency that posed an "existential" threat.
The plan will need the backing of a majority at the United Nations General Assembly in September to be put to the ICJ.
The initiative began in a classroom at the University of the South Pacific in 2019. About 27 law students wrote to Pacific leaders asking them to take up the campaign -- and Vanuatu answered the call.
Fijian university student Vishal Prasad, 26, was one of those involved.
He told AFP during the Suva summit last week that even a non-binding "advisory opinion" from the International Court of Justice would have "wide-reaching impacts".
Prasad said he hoped the court weighing in would put polluters on notice.
For young people in the Pacific, "the existential threat, the reality" of climate change "is quite scary", he said.
- Eyes on Australia -
Rising sea levels and stronger storms are already causing serious problems across the Pacific.
"We are already seeing impacts on a daily basis. We are seeing the onset of cyclones," said Prasad. "We are seeing communities being relocated."
Tuvaluan Foreign Minister Simon Kofe told AFP that he would like to see Vanuatu's campaign supported as it was "consistent with our efforts to protect our people that are impacted by climate change".
Smaller islands are also looking to fellow Pacific Island Forum members Australia and New Zealand to do more.
Australia is one of the world's largest coal and gas exporters.
"I've been clear and consistent in our ask for more ambitious climate commitments," said Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama following the summit, which wrapped up on Thursday.
"We need to end our fossil fuel addiction, including coal. That is our ask of Australia, New Zealand" and all high emitting countries, he added.
Greenpeace welcomed Australia's support for the ICJ to rule on climate change.
"However, this endorsement cannot be viewed in isolation," said Greenpeace Australia campaigner Steph Hodgins-May.
"Australia must not only champion the journey towards climate justice through the campaign for an ICJ advisory opinion, but also pursue more ambitious climate action by committing to no new coal and gas projects."
O.Norris--AMWN