Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Protests against rising fuel prices in Peru, NATO chief on Ukraine war

Gravitas Global Headlines: The fight against climate change, Bangladesh Protests, Corsica clashes

In a global call for demanding climate action against climate change, Protesters took to the streets across the world.

Protesters take to the streets across the world in a global call for climate action

Global warming has become a big concern around the world nowadays. Numerous protests have been held around the world recently to force governments to take concrete steps to fix the issue. &nbsp;

With time and rise in occurrence of several natural calamities, the need to increase the green cover globally has also been felt. &nbsp;

On this International Day of Forests, let’s learn about the significance of the day and theme for 2022. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/starbucks-looks-to-promote-use-of-reusable-cups-to-phase-out-single-use-ones-464199" hreflang="en">Starbucks looks to promote use of reusable cups to phase out single-use ones</a>

Since 2013, the International Day of Forests has been celebrated on March 21. It was established on November 28, 2012 after a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The day is observed to ‘celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.’ &nbsp;

On the day, several events are held by the United Nations Forum on Forests, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in association with many governments and organisations working in this field. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/recycled-plastic-bottles-pass-more-harmful-chemicals-into-contents-than-new-ones-warn-researchers-463736" hreflang="en">Recycled plastic bottles pass more harmful chemicals into contents than new ones, warn researchers</a>

As celebrations are held under a specific theme every year, this year’s is ‘Forests and Sustainable production and consumption.’ &nbsp;&nbsp;

Over 1.6 billion people are directly dependent on forests for food, medicines, shelter, energy, shelter, income, etc, as per a UN estimate. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Global warming has become a big concern around the world nowadays. Numerous protests have been held around the world recently to force governments to take concrete steps to fix the issue.

Global warming has become a big concern around the world nowadays. Numerous protests have been held around the world recently to force governments to take concrete steps to fix the issue. With time and rise in occurrence of several natural calamities, the need to increase the green cover globally has also been felt. On this International Day of Forests, let’s learn about the significance of the day and theme for 2022. Also Read: Starbucks looks to promote use of reusable cups to phase out single-use ones Since 2013, the International Day of Forests has been celebrated on March 21. It was established on November 28, 2012 after a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution. The day is observed to ‘celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.’ On the day, several events are held by the United Nations Forum on Forests, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in association with many governments and organisations working in this field. Also Read: Recycled plastic bottles pass more harmful chemicals into contents than new ones, warn researchers As celebrations are held under a specific theme every year, this year’s is ‘Forests and Sustainable production and consumption.’ Over 1.6 billion people are directly dependent on forests for food, medicines, shelter, energy, shelter, income, etc, as per a UN estimate. (With inputs from agencies)

Time to push for spike in global green cover on this International Day of Forests

Oil prices have skidded in hopes of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. US Crude oil fell over $3 a barrel while Asian shares trade mixed.

US Crude oil falls over $3 a barrel

The public health experts at World Health Organisation (WHO) have begun to discuss how and when to call for an end to the Covid crisis. &nbsp;&nbsp;

This comes as the world is witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in different parts of the world after its emergence two years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Geneva-based WHO has, however, said it is not currently considering any such declaration, according to a report in Bloomberg news agency. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/this-is-why-some-people-develop-life-threatening-covid-19-while-others-get-no-symptoms-at-all-460420" hreflang="en">This is why some people develop life-threatening COVID-19, while others get no symptoms at all</a>

The deliberations at the agency look to come up with the conditions, which would eventually signal&nbsp;that coronavirus-induced public health emergency is over.&nbsp;

The emergency was declared on January 30, 2020. &nbsp;

In an email, the agency, said, “The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Covid&nbsp;is looking at the criteria needed to declare the public health emergency of international concern as terminated. As of now, we are not there yet.” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-study-claims-hamsters-caused-covid-delta-outbreak-in-city-in-january-461616" hreflang="en">Hong Kong study claims hamsters caused Covid Delta outbreak in city in January</a>

This kind of a declaration would not just be a meaningful symbolic step, but would also add momentum to the rollback of many pandemic-era restrictions. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The researchers have also warned even if Covid cases fall to lower levels, the disease may still cause thousands of deaths annually.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The public health experts at World Health Organisation (WHO) have begun to discuss how and when to call for an end to the Covid crisis. This comes as the world is witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in different parts of the world after its emergence two years ago.

The public health experts at World Health Organisation (WHO) have begun to discuss how and when to call for an end to the Covid crisis. This comes as the world is witnessing a surge in the number of coronavirus cases in different parts of the world after its emergence two years ago. The Geneva-based WHO has, however, said it is not currently considering any such declaration, according to a report in Bloomberg news agency. Also Read: This is why some people develop life-threatening COVID-19, while others get no symptoms at all The deliberations at the agency look to come up with the conditions, which would eventually signal that coronavirus-induced public health emergency is over. The emergency was declared on January 30, 2020. In an email, the agency, said, “The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on Covid is looking at the criteria needed to declare the public health emergency of international concern as terminated. As of now, we are not there yet.” Also Read: Hong Kong study claims hamsters caused Covid Delta outbreak in city in January This kind of a declaration would not just be a meaningful symbolic step, but would also add momentum to the rollback of many pandemic-era restrictions. The researchers have also warned even if Covid cases fall to lower levels, the disease may still cause thousands of deaths annually. (With inputs from agencies)

Is global Covid crisis ending? WHO discusses when and how to make the call

Oil prices barreled down by 12% on Wednesday after the United Arab Emirates called on its OPEC partners to ramp up production.

Oil prices drop as UAE calls on OPEC to boost production

Crude oil prices rose up sharply amid concerns of a supply crunch even after countries agreed to release oil from reserves around the world. Now, OPEC meets US Shale executives.

OPEC meets US Shale executives as oil prices skyrocket

Traders are still nervous about the situation in Europe. However, the oil prices took a breather after surging to a seven-year high in the previous session.

Oil prices pull back: Sanctions on Russia may not choke oil supply

Is it time to start living with the COVID-19? What is the global strategy for the pandemic at Present? How to adapt to ever-changing challenges. Watch this video to know all the answers from experts themselves.

Is it time to start living with the COVID-19? Experts answer

The global stock market stumbled this morning as investors concerned over escalating Ukraine-Russia tensions led to bloodbaths across stock markets from Asia to Europe.

Global stocks down on Ukraine-Russia tensions

Studies highlight the effectiveness of the Third dose against the Omicron variant of COVID-19. They claim that the booster dose is 90% effective in preventing hospitalisations.

Studies highlight the effectiveness of booster dose against the Omicron variant of COVID-19

COVID-19 cases continue to soar with each passing day. As per the latest data, the number of infections recorded is nearly 3 million globally this week only.

Global COVID cases continue to soar due to the Omicron variant

WEF survey finds 4 areas of emerging risks for global recovery with Freak weather being world's biggest risk. Gloomy outlook for global recovery.

WEF survey finds 4 areas of emerging risks for global recovery

2022 was expected to be the year of recovery. The beginning has been shaky though, the surge in cases has led to disruptions. Financial bodies are revising their estimates, and governments are lowering their projections.

IMF had predicted the global economy to grow by 4.9% in 2022

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin."

Extreme climate conditions have become a common phenomenon as a result of global warming. There has been a massive surge in the concentrations of methane in the atmosphere.&nbsp;

The Copernicus climate change service, in its latest assessment, revealed that 2021 was the fifth warmest on record globally, marginally warmer than 2015 and 2018.&nbsp;

Global warming has further led to record-breaking wildfires across Australia and Siberia, a 'once-in-1000-years' heatwave in North America and massive flooding across Asia, Africa, the US and Europe.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/western-diet-responsible-for-global-rise-of-autoimmune-diseases-say-researchers-443537">Also read |&nbsp;Western diet responsible for global rise of autoimmune diseases, say researchers</a>

C3S Director Carlo Buontempo said, "2021 was yet another year of extreme temperatures with the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, not to mention the unprecedented high temperatures in North America."

"These events are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work towards reducing net carbon emissions."&nbsp;

The C3S further stated that methane has gone up "very substantially", to an annual record of about 1,876 parts per billion. Methane is the gas that causes global warming, just like carbon dioxide. Methane growth rates for 2020 and 2021 were 14.6 parts per billion per year and 16.3 parts per billion per year, respectively.

Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director of the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service tracks greenhouse gas increases. He said that observational evidence is important to avoid "climate catastrophe". &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin.

European Union's climate monitoring service has made an alarming revelation as it reported that the last seven years have been the hottest on record globally "by a clear margin." Extreme climate conditions have become a common phenomenon as a result of global warming. There has been a massive surge in the concentrations of methane in the atmosphere. The Copernicus climate change service, in its latest assessment, revealed that 2021 was the fifth warmest on record globally, marginally warmer than 2015 and 2018. Global warming has further led to record-breaking wildfires across Australia and Siberia, a 'once-in-1000-years' heatwave in North America and massive flooding across Asia, Africa, the US and Europe. Also read | Western diet responsible for global rise of autoimmune diseases, say researchers C3S Director Carlo Buontempo said, "2021 was yet another year of extreme temperatures with the hottest summer in Europe, heatwaves in the Mediterranean, not to mention the unprecedented high temperatures in North America." "These events are a stark reminder of the need to change our ways, take decisive and effective steps toward a sustainable society and work towards reducing net carbon emissions." The C3S further stated that methane has gone up "very substantially", to an annual record of about 1,876 parts per billion. Methane is the gas that causes global warming, just like carbon dioxide. Methane growth rates for 2020 and 2021 were 14.6 parts per billion per year and 16.3 parts per billion per year, respectively. Vincent-Henri Peuch, Director of the Copernicus atmosphere monitoring service tracks greenhouse gas increases. He said that observational evidence is important to avoid "climate catastrophe". (With inputs from agencies)

A 'climate catastrophe': 2021 was the fifth warmest year on record globally

Amid the ongoing spread of the Omicron mutant variant of the Coronavirus, Global COVID-19 cases cross 300 million mark.

Global COVID-19 cases cross 300 million mark amid Omicron spread

In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined&nbsp;and hobbled&nbsp;the pandemic response all along.

As here-we-go-again fear and resignation gripped much of the world, the World Health Organization warned that the risk posed by the heavily mutated variant was “very high.” But operating once again in a vacuum of evidence, governments chose approaches that differed between continents, between neighbouring countries, and even between cities within those countries.

Little is known about omicron beyond its large number of mutations; it will be weeks, at least, before scientists can say with confidence whether it is more contagious&nbsp;early evidence suggests it is&nbsp;whether it causes more serious illness, and how it responds to vaccines.

In China, which had been increasingly alone in sealing itself off as it sought to eradicate the virus, a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party gloated about democracies that are now following suit as Japan, Australia and other countries gave up flirting with a return to normalcy and slammed their borders shut to the world. The West, it said, had hoarded vaccines at the expense of poorer regions, and was now paying a price for its selfishness.

In the United States, federal officials called Monday on vaccinated people to get booster shots. President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans, saying that the new variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic” and that his administration is already working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines, should that prove necessary.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-is-cause-for-concern-not-a-cause-for-panic-biden-432876">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron variant is 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic': Biden</a>

“We’re throwing everything we have at this virus, tracking it from every angle,” the president said in an appearance at the White House.

In southern Africa, where scientists first identified omicron amid a largely unvaccinated population, leaders deplored the travel bans as ruinous and counterproductive to tracking the virus, saying they could discourage transparency about outbreaks. African officials also noted that because of the inequity in distribution of vaccines, the continent faces this latest variant with little to no protection.

But with vaccine deliveries to Africa becoming more reliable, some states looked to a vaccine mandate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On Sunday, Ghana’s government announced that government employees, health care workers and staff and students at most schools must be vaccinated by Jan. 22.

Europe which has acted in unusual concert in barring travel from southern Africa, is speeding up booster shots in the hope that they will work against omicron, and adjusting or reconsidering a hodgepodge of social-distancing measures, even in restriction-resistant countries such as Britain.

“The lack of a consistent and coherent global approach has resulted in a splintered and disjointed response, breeding misunderstanding, misinformation and mistrust,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization director.

The WHO convened a three-day special session to discuss a treaty that would ensure prompt sharing of data and technology and equitable access to vaccines. The European Union has pushed for the agreement to be legally binding, but the United States has balked.

The very proposal underlined that two years into a devastating pandemic that has killed millions, devastated national economies and robbed many of the world’s children of nearly two years of formative experiences, there is still no global plan for getting out of it.

As the largely vaccinated West clings to initial reports that omicron may cause milder illness and may be susceptible to vaccines, entire swaths of Africa remain essentially unvaccinated. Some nations, like South Africa, have sufficient doses but have struggled to distribute them. Others lack the freezers, logistical infrastructure and medical personnel to inoculate their populations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-defends-travel-ban-due-to-new-variant-omicron-says-it-is-necessary-and-justified-432668">Also read |&nbsp;Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified</a>

That has given the virus plenty of time and bodies in which to multiply and mutate.

The travel bans are intended to buy time as scientists determine whether the mutations in the new variant will allow it to dodge existing vaccines. But they also seemed to suggest that core lessons from the early phase of the pandemic must be learned again: An infection discovered somewhere is likely everywhere or may be soon enough&nbsp;and a single case detected means many more undetected.

On Monday, Portugal reported 13 omicron cases, all tied to a single soccer team and Scotland reported six, while the numbers in South Africa continued to soar.

Experts warned that the variant will reach every part of the world, if it hasn’t already.

The leaders of the world’s top powers insisted that they understood this, but their assurances also had a strong whiff of geopolitics.

President Xi Jinping of China offered 1 billion doses of COVID vaccine to Africa, on top of nearly 200 million that Beijing has already shipped to the continent, during an address to a conference in Senegal by video link.

The Global Times, a Chinese tabloid controlled by the Communist Party, boasted of China’s success in thwarting virus transmission, and said the West was now paying the price for its selfish policies. “Western countries control most of the resources needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” it read. “But they have failed to curb the spread of the virus and have exposed more and more developing countries to the virus.”

Biden said the United States had sent more free vaccines abroad than all other countries in the world combined. “Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” he said.

European health ministers seemed to agree.

“The identification of the omicron variant in the southern part of Africa confirms the urgency to do more to vaccinate the population of the most fragile countries,” Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, said at a virtual meeting of health ministers representing seven of the world’s wealthiest large democracies.

He called on those countries to help administer vaccines. “It is not enough to donate doses,” Speranza said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-praises-south-africa-for-quick-transparent-reporting-of-new-covid-variant-omicron-432491">Also read |&nbsp;US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron</a>

Within a few days of seeing evidence of a new variant, South African scientists, who run the continent’s most advanced genomic sequencing labs, had identified it. Last Wednesday, they made their findings public.

After other parts of the world, including the United States and the European Union, responded with travel bans on southern Africa, South African officials protested that their country was being punished for its speed and transparency.

Responses to the coronavirus have been as varied as the nations that are threatened by it.

Israel, the first nation to block travel in response to omicron, granted its intelligence service temporary permission to monitor the phone data of people with confirmed cases of the variant.

In Italy, which has kept infections low with some of the most stringent rules in Europe, the country’s conference of mayors urged the government to impose a national outdoor mask mandate from Dec. 6 until Jan. 15, as crowds gather to shop for and celebrate Christmas.

Even Britain, which has taken a lax approach to mask wearing and other social-distancing measures, has stepped up its response in the face of omicron. The country introduced new mask mandates and new travel restrictions and appeared to soften its opposition to vaccine passports and requiring masks in restaurants. And Britain’s vaccine advisory board announced Monday that it is suggesting an expansion of the country’s booster program.

In Germany, already hard hit by the latest pandemic wave, fear of the omicron variant was palpable.

“It feels different from the first bits of information we got about the delta variant,” said Christian Drosten, a prominent German virus expert, describing himself as “pretty worried.”

On Monday, the German government announced that Angela Merkel, state governors and Olaf Scholz, who is to succeed Merkel as chancellor next week, had moved up a planned meeting about potential lockdown measures by nine days.

“We need to buy time,” said Karl Lauterbach, a member of the parliament and public health expert who is considered a strong candidate to be the new German government’s health minister, said on Twitter. “Nothing is worse than a new variant into an ongoing wave.”

Pauline Londeix, a prominent French advocate for broader access to medicines and transparent drug policies, told France Inter radio Monday that variants would continue to emerge unless richer countries shared more vaccines. “We need a much more systemic approach,” she said.

The European Commission on Monday urged member states not to impose additional travel restrictions on their citizens.

In contrast to Europe’s patchwork of regulations, China has had a more consistent and plainer policy: It is essentially sealed off as it pursues a “zero COVID” strategy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-variant-in-australia-two-passengers-from-south-africa-test-positive-for-new-covid-strain-432478">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain</a>

China has steadfastly kept a high wall against visitors from the rest of the world. Foreign residents and visa holders are allowed in only under limited circumstances, leading to concerns by some within the business world that COVID restrictions were leaving the country increasingly isolated.

Visitors must submit to two-week quarantines upon arrival and face potential limits on their movement after that. Movements are tracked via monitoring smartphone apps, which display color codes that can signal whether a person has traveled from or through an area with recent infections, triggering instructions to remain in one place.

In other parts of Asia, people are less focused on eradicating the virus than just surviving it.

“This news is terrifying,” said Gurinder Singh, 57, in New Delhi, who worried about his shop going under. “If this virus spreads in India, the government will shut the country again, and we will be forced to beg.”

In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined and hobbled the pandemic response all along.

In a wrenchingly familiar cycle of tracking first cases, pointing fingers and banning travel, nations worldwide reacted Monday to the omicron variant of the coronavirus in the piecemeal fashion that has defined and hobbled the pandemic response all along. As here-we-go-again fear and resignation gripped much of the world, the World Health Organization warned that the risk posed by the heavily mutated variant was “very high.” But operating once again in a vacuum of evidence, governments chose approaches that differed between continents, between neighbouring countries, and even between cities within those countries. Little is known about omicron beyond its large number of mutations; it will be weeks, at least, before scientists can say with confidence whether it is more contagious early evidence suggests it is whether it causes more serious illness, and how it responds to vaccines. In China, which had been increasingly alone in sealing itself off as it sought to eradicate the virus, a newspaper controlled by the Communist Party gloated about democracies that are now following suit as Japan, Australia and other countries gave up flirting with a return to normalcy and slammed their borders shut to the world. The West, it said, had hoarded vaccines at the expense of poorer regions, and was now paying a price for its selfishness. In the United States, federal officials called Monday on vaccinated people to get booster shots. President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans, saying that the new variant is “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic” and that his administration is already working with vaccine manufacturers to modify vaccines, should that prove necessary. Also read | Omicron variant is 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic': Biden “We’re throwing everything we have at this virus, tracking it from every angle,” the president said in an appearance at the White House. In southern Africa, where scientists first identified omicron amid a largely unvaccinated population, leaders deplored the travel bans as ruinous and counterproductive to tracking the virus, saying they could discourage transparency about outbreaks. African officials also noted that because of the inequity in distribution of vaccines, the continent faces this latest variant with little to no protection. But with vaccine deliveries to Africa becoming more reliable, some states looked to a vaccine mandate to curb the spread of the coronavirus. On Sunday, Ghana’s government announced that government employees, health care workers and staff and students at most schools must be vaccinated by Jan. 22. Europe which has acted in unusual concert in barring travel from southern Africa, is speeding up booster shots in the hope that they will work against omicron, and adjusting or reconsidering a hodgepodge of social-distancing measures, even in restriction-resistant countries such as Britain. “The lack of a consistent and coherent global approach has resulted in a splintered and disjointed response, breeding misunderstanding, misinformation and mistrust,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization director. The WHO convened a three-day special session to discuss a treaty that would ensure prompt sharing of data and technology and equitable access to vaccines. The European Union has pushed for the agreement to be legally binding, but the United States has balked. The very proposal underlined that two years into a devastating pandemic that has killed millions, devastated national economies and robbed many of the world’s children of nearly two years of formative experiences, there is still no global plan for getting out of it. As the largely vaccinated West clings to initial reports that omicron may cause milder illness and may be susceptible to vaccines, entire swaths of Africa remain essentially unvaccinated. Some nations, like South Africa, have sufficient doses but have struggled to distribute them. Others lack the freezers, logistical infrastructure and medical personnel to inoculate their populations. Also read | Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified That has given the virus plenty of time and bodies in which to multiply and mutate. The travel bans are intended to buy time as scientists determine whether the mutations in the new variant will allow it to dodge existing vaccines. But they also seemed to suggest that core lessons from the early phase of the pandemic must be learned again: An infection discovered somewhere is likely everywhere or may be soon enough and a single case detected means many more undetected. On Monday, Portugal reported 13 omicron cases, all tied to a single soccer team and Scotland reported six, while the numbers in South Africa continued to soar. Experts warned that the variant will reach every part of the world, if it hasn’t already. The leaders of the world’s top powers insisted that they understood this, but their assurances also had a strong whiff of geopolitics. President Xi Jinping of China offered 1 billion doses of COVID vaccine to Africa, on top of nearly 200 million that Beijing has already shipped to the continent, during an address to a conference in Senegal by video link. The Global Times, a Chinese tabloid controlled by the Communist Party, boasted of China’s success in thwarting virus transmission, and said the West was now paying the price for its selfish policies. “Western countries control most of the resources needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” it read. “But they have failed to curb the spread of the virus and have exposed more and more developing countries to the virus.” Biden said the United States had sent more free vaccines abroad than all other countries in the world combined. “Now we need the rest of the world to step up as well,” he said. European health ministers seemed to agree. “The identification of the omicron variant in the southern part of Africa confirms the urgency to do more to vaccinate the population of the most fragile countries,” Italy’s health minister, Roberto Speranza, said at a virtual meeting of health ministers representing seven of the world’s wealthiest large democracies. He called on those countries to help administer vaccines. “It is not enough to donate doses,” Speranza said. Also read | US praises South Africa for quick, transparent reporting of new Covid variant Omicron Within a few days of seeing evidence of a new variant, South African scientists, who run the continent’s most advanced genomic sequencing labs, had identified it. Last Wednesday, they made their findings public. After other parts of the world, including the United States and the European Union, responded with travel bans on southern Africa, South African officials protested that their country was being punished for its speed and transparency. Responses to the coronavirus have been as varied as the nations that are threatened by it. Israel, the first nation to block travel in response to omicron, granted its intelligence service temporary permission to monitor the phone data of people with confirmed cases of the variant. In Italy, which has kept infections low with some of the most stringent rules in Europe, the country’s conference of mayors urged the government to impose a national outdoor mask mandate from Dec. 6 until Jan. 15, as crowds gather to shop for and celebrate Christmas. Even Britain, which has taken a lax approach to mask wearing and other social-distancing measures, has stepped up its response in the face of omicron. The country introduced new mask mandates and new travel restrictions and appeared to soften its opposition to vaccine passports and requiring masks in restaurants. And Britain’s vaccine advisory board announced Monday that it is suggesting an expansion of the country’s booster program. In Germany, already hard hit by the latest pandemic wave, fear of the omicron variant was palpable. “It feels different from the first bits of information we got about the delta variant,” said Christian Drosten, a prominent German virus expert, describing himself as “pretty worried.” On Monday, the German government announced that Angela Merkel, state governors and Olaf Scholz, who is to succeed Merkel as chancellor next week, had moved up a planned meeting about potential lockdown measures by nine days. “We need to buy time,” said Karl Lauterbach, a member of the parliament and public health expert who is considered a strong candidate to be the new German government’s health minister, said on Twitter. “Nothing is worse than a new variant into an ongoing wave.” Pauline Londeix, a prominent French advocate for broader access to medicines and transparent drug policies, told France Inter radio Monday that variants would continue to emerge unless richer countries shared more vaccines. “We need a much more systemic approach,” she said. The European Commission on Monday urged member states not to impose additional travel restrictions on their citizens. In contrast to Europe’s patchwork of regulations, China has had a more consistent and plainer policy: It is essentially sealed off as it pursues a “zero COVID” strategy. Also read | Omicron variant in Australia: Two passengers from South Africa test positive for new COVID strain China has steadfastly kept a high wall against visitors from the rest of the world. Foreign residents and visa holders are allowed in only under limited circumstances, leading to concerns by some within the business world that COVID restrictions were leaving the country increasingly isolated. Visitors must submit to two-week quarantines upon arrival and face potential limits on their movement after that. Movements are tracked via monitoring smartphone apps, which display color codes that can signal whether a person has traveled from or through an area with recent infections, triggering instructions to remain in one place. In other parts of Asia, people are less focused on eradicating the virus than just surviving it. “This news is terrifying,” said Gurinder Singh, 57, in New Delhi, who worried about his shop going under. “If this virus spreads in India, the government will shut the country again, and we will be forced to beg.”

Fragmented reactions hinder global fight against Omicron variant

Recent figures by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have revealed that global food prices have hit the highest level in over a decade after rising by more than 30 per cent in the last year. The cost of cereals and vegetable oils have surged all across the globe, figures have revealed.&nbsp;

The FAO Food Price Index surged for the third month in October as there was a 3 per cent increase from the previous month.

Vegetable oil prices hit a record high after rising by almost 10 per cent in the same month. Oil prices increased because of rises in the cost of palm, soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils.&nbsp;

Labour shortages are contributing to the price surge.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-likely-to-reopen-consulates-shut-in-2020-says-report-426931">Also read |&nbsp;US-China likely to reopen consulates shut in 2020, says report</a>

The price of wheat soared by almost 40 per cent in the last 12 months after major exporters, including Canada, Russia and the US had poor harvests.

Shipping disruptions pushed up milk prices as the cost of dairy products rose by almost 16 per cent over the last year.

Brigit Busicchia from Macquarie University has said that speculation on global markets is also contributing to price volatility.&nbsp;

"Since the 1990s, the deregulation of commodity futures trading has made it possible for institutional investors to enter this market on a large scale," she said.&nbsp;

Recent figures by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have revealed that global food prices have hit the highest level in over a decade after rising by more than 30 per cent in the last year.

Recent figures by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have revealed that global food prices have hit the highest level in over a decade after rising by more than 30 per cent in the last year. The cost of cereals and vegetable oils have surged all across the globe, figures have revealed. The FAO Food Price Index surged for the third month in October as there was a 3 per cent increase from the previous month. Vegetable oil prices hit a record high after rising by almost 10 per cent in the same month. Oil prices increased because of rises in the cost of palm, soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils. Labour shortages are contributing to the price surge. Also read | US-China likely to reopen consulates shut in 2020, says report The price of wheat soared by almost 40 per cent in the last 12 months after major exporters, including Canada, Russia and the US had poor harvests. Shipping disruptions pushed up milk prices as the cost of dairy products rose by almost 16 per cent over the last year. Brigit Busicchia from Macquarie University has said that speculation on global markets is also contributing to price volatility. "Since the 1990s, the deregulation of commodity futures trading has made it possible for institutional investors to enter this market on a large scale," she said.

Global food prices record 10-year high as wheat prices soar by 40%

The chairman of European Union leaders said on Friday he was cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a global treaty on future pandemics, with the World Health Organization (WHO) due to decide by the end of November whether to launch talks on it.

The WHO and the EU hope a treaty on future pandemics would help prevent the initial chaos when the novel coronavirus started spreading around the world from China in late 2019 and early 2020, causing a deep global recession as countries went into lockdowns to prevent mass infections.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-of-blackmail-eu-court-imposes-massive-fine-of-over-1-million-per-day-on-poland-424592">'Pressure of blackmail': EU court imposes massive fine of over $1 million per day on Poland</a>

Speaking on the sidelines of the summit of leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies (G20), Charles Michel told reporters such a treaty would spell out how to better prevent and detect pandemics and share data.

It would also provide a framework for coordination and cooperation in dealing with future pandemics, for vaccine production and for sharing intellectual property for vaccine and treatment technology through the World Trade Organisation.

"I am cautiously optimistic. It means I feel that it goes in the right direction, but there are still difficulties," said Michel, who launched the treaty idea in November 2020. It was endorsed by all 27 EU leaders last May.

Watch |&nbsp;G20 summit in Rome: India to raise issues related to cross border terrorism

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He said the General Assembly of the WHO would decide next month what mandate to endorse for such treaty negotiations, a decision that could be crucial to win the support of countries like China.

"In principle, China is positive. But it is not a simple 'yes'&nbsp;or 'no'&nbsp;-- it is more complex than that. It is based on what will be the exact mandate that will be given," Michel said.

"A 'yes'&nbsp;with some caveats that, in fact, could mean: 'we are not yet convinced'," he said, adding that talks over the next two weeks would be crucial for securing a green light for the project.

The chairman of European Union leaders said on Friday he was cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a global treaty on future pandemics, with the World Health Organization (WHO) due to decide by the end of November whether to launch talks on it.

The chairman of European Union leaders said on Friday he was cautiously optimistic about the prospects of a global treaty on future pandemics, with the World Health Organization (WHO) due to decide by the end of November whether to launch talks on it. The WHO and the EU hope a treaty on future pandemics would help prevent the initial chaos when the novel coronavirus started spreading around the world from China in late 2019 and early 2020, causing a deep global recession as countries went into lockdowns to prevent mass infections. Also Read | 'Pressure of blackmail': EU court imposes massive fine of over $1 million per day on Poland Speaking on the sidelines of the summit of leaders of the world's 20 biggest economies (G20), Charles Michel told reporters such a treaty would spell out how to better prevent and detect pandemics and share data. It would also provide a framework for coordination and cooperation in dealing with future pandemics, for vaccine production and for sharing intellectual property for vaccine and treatment technology through the World Trade Organisation. "I am cautiously optimistic. It means I feel that it goes in the right direction, but there are still difficulties," said Michel, who launched the treaty idea in November 2020. It was endorsed by all 27 EU leaders last May. Watch | G20 summit in Rome: India to raise issues related to cross border terrorism He said the General Assembly of the WHO would decide next month what mandate to endorse for such treaty negotiations, a decision that could be crucial to win the support of countries like China. "In principle, China is positive. But it is not a simple 'yes' or 'no' -- it is more complex than that. It is based on what will be the exact mandate that will be given," Michel said. "A 'yes' with some caveats that, in fact, could mean: 'we are not yet convinced'," he said, adding that talks over the next two weeks would be crucial for securing a green light for the project.

EU leaders' chairman cautiously optimistic on global treaty on pandemics

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 236.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4.83 million and vaccinations soared to over 6.39 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Friday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and the total number number of vaccine doses administered stood at 236,730,066, 4,833,592 and 6,394,485,945, respectively.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-covid-testing-kits-recalled-that-delivered-false-positives-418697">Thousands of Covid testing kits recalled that delivered false positives</a>

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 44,158,348 and 710,173, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 33,894,312 cases.

The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (21,532,558), the UK (8,084,275), Russia (7,575,825), Turkey (7,357,306), France (7,142,387), Iran (5,674,083), Argentina (5,264,305), Spain (4,971,310), Colombia (4,967,524), Italy (4,692,274), Germany (4,295,876), Indonesia (4,224,487) and Mexico (3,699,621), the CSSE figures showed.

Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are Brazil (599,810), India (449,856), Mexico (280,610), Russia (209,752), Peru (199,581), Indonesia (142,494), the UK (137,818), Italy (131,198), Colombia (126,517), Iran (122,012), France (117,845) and Argentina (115,416).

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 236.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4.83 million and vaccinations soared to over 6.39 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 236.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 4.83 million and vaccinations soared to over 6.39 billion, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload, death toll and the total number number of vaccine doses administered stood at 236,730,066, 4,833,592 and 6,394,485,945, respectively. Also Read | Thousands of Covid testing kits recalled that delivered false positives The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 44,158,348 and 710,173, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 33,894,312 cases. The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (21,532,558), the UK (8,084,275), Russia (7,575,825), Turkey (7,357,306), France (7,142,387), Iran (5,674,083), Argentina (5,264,305), Spain (4,971,310), Colombia (4,967,524), Italy (4,692,274), Germany (4,295,876), Indonesia (4,224,487) and Mexico (3,699,621), the CSSE figures showed. Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are Brazil (599,810), India (449,856), Mexico (280,610), Russia (209,752), Peru (199,581), Indonesia (142,494), the UK (137,818), Italy (131,198), Colombia (126,517), Iran (122,012), France (117,845) and Argentina (115,416).

Global Covid-19 caseload tops 236.7 million

In 1949, a Soviet expedition in Siberia was looking for uranium to supply the national nuclear arsenal when it stumbled on a vast deposit of copper.

More than 70 years later, a mining complex in Russia's Far East between Lake Baikal and the Pacific Ocean is finally due to launch operations next year.

With copper key to the world's energy transition away from carbon, the hope is it will be a boon for Russia and beyond.

"The long-awaited project is a long-awaited event in the life of the Far East and the entire mining industry of Russia and the world," said Valery Kazikayev, chairman of Udokan Copper, the company developing the site.

Kazikayev, who makes the nine-hour journey by plane from Moscow to the mine twice a month, brought AFP journalists on a tour late September.

At an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,500 feet), the heavy snow covering the mine offers a glimpse at the difficulty of rendering it operable.

"The Soviet Union wasn't able to develop these deposits," Kazikayev, 66, said at the site, where construction began in 2019.

The mine is located both in a seismic zone and on permafrost -- ground that remains completely frozen all-year round. Temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter.

These conditions mean developing the site is "difficult", Kazikayev said, noting as a result that "construction is very expensive."

The new 'black gold'

The work of harvesting copper ore has begun and workers are busy setting explosives to blow up permafrost so digging can go ahead.

Holding more than 26 million tonnes of copper, the mine, some 6,500 kilometres (4,000 miles) east of Moscow, claims to be the largest untapped deposit in Russia and the third largest in the world.

To develop the project, Udokan Copper -- which purchased the license in 2008 and is part of billionaire Alisher Usmanov's USM holding company -- raised nearly $3 billion (2.5 billion euros) from Russian banks.

The company also took advantage of preferential conditions granted for developing Russia's Far East, a neglected and isolated region.

The substantial investment is expected to bear fruit.

The price of copper, dubbed the "new black gold", soared to historic heights this year -- and shows no signs of slowing.

"Over the next 15 years, the demand for copper will grow by 30 percent" as the "green economy" grows, said Yulia Buchneva, an analyst at Fitch Ratings in Moscow.

Copper plays a key role in renewable energies and green technologies, she explained, because of its thermal and electrical conductivity properties.&nbsp;

She cited in particular the growing production of electric vehicles, which rely on copper.

Udokan Copper is eyeing Asian markets, particularly China, South Korea and Japan, where demand is high.&nbsp;

To reach those markets, the company is relying on the Baikal-Amur Mainline track (BAM) railway, where work is ongoing.

The line was constructed in the early 1980s next to the deposits in part to realise the goal of extracting the region's mineral wealth.

Logistical challenges

The BAM, which spans more than 4,000 kilometres across Siberia to the Pacific, is a grandiose Soviet project and financial abyss.

Udokan Copper hopes eventually to send its cathodes and copper condensates by train to the Chinese border or Russian ports on the Sea of Japan.

Kazikayev notes the mine is 2,000 kilometres closer to Tokyo than to Moscow.

Still, in an isolated and icy expanse, the logistical challenges are massive.&nbsp;

The company has had to build a power station to supply the energy for the work.

It had to construct a road to the closest airport, which features a wooden terminal.

And it had to bring 4,000 construction workers from Siberia and ex-Soviet republics to the area, home to a few hundred members of the indigenous Evenk reindeer herding people.&nbsp;

The site's deputy general manager Alexei Yaschuk said the team is now used to extreme conditions.

"The main challenge is keeping the roads in working condition. Bulldozers are constantly working," the 44-year-old told AFP.

The only time they stop, he said, is when temperatures fall below minus 35 degrees and visibility is less than 50 metres (165 feet).

"The storms and snowfalls are pretty heavy here."

In 1949, a Soviet expedition in Siberia was looking for uranium to supply the national nuclear arsenal when it stumbled on a vast deposit of copper. More than 70 years later, a mining complex in Russia's Far East between Lake Baikal and the Pacific Ocean is finally due to launch operations next year.

In 1949, a Soviet expedition in Siberia was looking for uranium to supply the national nuclear arsenal when it stumbled on a vast deposit of copper. More than 70 years later, a mining complex in Russia's Far East between Lake Baikal and the Pacific Ocean is finally due to launch operations next year. With copper key to the world's energy transition away from carbon, the hope is it will be a boon for Russia and beyond. "The long-awaited project is a long-awaited event in the life of the Far East and the entire mining industry of Russia and the world," said Valery Kazikayev, chairman of Udokan Copper, the company developing the site. Kazikayev, who makes the nine-hour journey by plane from Moscow to the mine twice a month, brought AFP journalists on a tour late September. At an altitude of 2,000 metres (6,500 feet), the heavy snow covering the mine offers a glimpse at the difficulty of rendering it operable. "The Soviet Union wasn't able to develop these deposits," Kazikayev, 66, said at the site, where construction began in 2019. The mine is located both in a seismic zone and on permafrost -- ground that remains completely frozen all-year round. Temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees Celsius (minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter. These conditions mean developing the site is "difficult", Kazikayev said, noting as a result that "construction is very expensive." The new 'black gold' The work of harvesting copper ore has begun and workers are busy setting explosives to blow up permafrost so digging can go ahead. Holding more than 26 million tonnes of copper, the mine, some 6,500 kilometres (4,000 miles) east of Moscow, claims to be the largest untapped deposit in Russia and the third largest in the world. To develop the project, Udokan Copper -- which purchased the license in 2008 and is part of billionaire Alisher Usmanov's USM holding company -- raised nearly $3 billion (2.5 billion euros) from Russian banks. The company also took advantage of preferential conditions granted for developing Russia's Far East, a neglected and isolated region. The substantial investment is expected to bear fruit. The price of copper, dubbed the "new black gold", soared to historic heights this year -- and shows no signs of slowing. "Over the next 15 years, the demand for copper will grow by 30 percent" as the "green economy" grows, said Yulia Buchneva, an analyst at Fitch Ratings in Moscow. Copper plays a key role in renewable energies and green technologies, she explained, because of its thermal and electrical conductivity properties. She cited in particular the growing production of electric vehicles, which rely on copper. Udokan Copper is eyeing Asian markets, particularly China, South Korea and Japan, where demand is high. To reach those markets, the company is relying on the Baikal-Amur Mainline track (BAM) railway, where work is ongoing. The line was constructed in the early 1980s next to the deposits in part to realise the goal of extracting the region's mineral wealth. Logistical challenges The BAM, which spans more than 4,000 kilometres across Siberia to the Pacific, is a grandiose Soviet project and financial abyss. Udokan Copper hopes eventually to send its cathodes and copper condensates by train to the Chinese border or Russian ports on the Sea of Japan. Kazikayev notes the mine is 2,000 kilometres closer to Tokyo than to Moscow. Still, in an isolated and icy expanse, the logistical challenges are massive. The company has had to build a power station to supply the energy for the work. It had to construct a road to the closest airport, which features a wooden terminal. And it had to bring 4,000 construction workers from Siberia and ex-Soviet republics to the area, home to a few hundred members of the indigenous Evenk reindeer herding people. The site's deputy general manager Alexei Yaschuk said the team is now used to extreme conditions. "The main challenge is keeping the roads in working condition. Bulldozers are constantly working," the 44-year-old told AFP. The only time they stop, he said, is when temperatures fall below minus 35 degrees and visibility is less than 50 metres (165 feet). "The storms and snowfalls are pretty heavy here."

In Siberia, a copper mine hopes to become a global energy pivot

Climate change is real and the world needs to act now before it’s too late. A new study has found out that if the world needs to meet the ambitious climate targets, the majority of the planet’s fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The study in the journal ‘Nature’ said that 60 per cent of oil and natural gas and 90 per cent of coal must never see light of the day till 2050 to make attempts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Typhoon Chanthu brings heavy rainfall to Taiwan, over 100 flights cancelled

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At a press conference while announcing the results, Dan Welsby, a researcher at University College London and lead author of the study, said, “These results are broadly consistent with the findings of numerous recent reports, from the United Nations, the International Energy Agency and others, which have all provided evidence that dramatic cuts in fossil fuel production are required immediately in order to move towards limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees.” &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/experts-warn-first-ever-rain-in-greenland-ice-sheet-shows-risks-of-climate-change-412789" hreflang="en">Experts warn first-ever rain in Greenland ice sheet shows risks of climate change</a>

Under the Paris climate agreement, the nations are trying to keep global temperatures under two degrees Celsius of their preindustrial levels and within 1.5 degrees Celsius if at all possible.&nbsp;

Climate change is real and the world needs to act now before it’s too late. A new study has found out that if the world needs to meet the ambitious climate targets, the majority of the planet’s fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground.

Climate change is real and the world needs to act now before it’s too late. A new study has found out that if the world needs to meet the ambitious climate targets, the majority of the planet’s fossil fuel reserves must stay in the ground. The study in the journal ‘Nature’ said that 60 per cent of oil and natural gas and 90 per cent of coal must never see light of the day till 2050 to make attempts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Watch: Typhoon Chanthu brings heavy rainfall to Taiwan, over 100 flights cancelled × At a press conference while announcing the results, Dan Welsby, a researcher at University College London and lead author of the study, said, “These results are broadly consistent with the findings of numerous recent reports, from the United Nations, the International Energy Agency and others, which have all provided evidence that dramatic cuts in fossil fuel production are required immediately in order to move towards limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees.” Also Read: Experts warn first-ever rain in Greenland ice sheet shows risks of climate change Under the Paris climate agreement, the nations are trying to keep global temperatures under two degrees Celsius of their preindustrial levels and within 1.5 degrees Celsius if at all possible.

Leave 60% global oil, gas reserves unused to curb warming to 1.5 degrees: Study

Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned.

Nafkote Dabi, climate policy lead at Oxfam and co-author of the report, explained, "It is difficult to tell how much land would be required, as governments have not been transparent about how they plan to meet their net-zero commitments. But many countries and companies are talking about afforestation and reforestation, and the first question is: where is this land going to come from?".

As per few estimates, the food prices could rise by 80 per cent by 2050.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/japan-reserve-gets-first-alpha-female-in-70-year-history-402680">Also read |&nbsp;Japan reserve gets first alpha female in 70-year history</a>

Also, about 350m hectares of land could be used for offsetting without disrupting agriculture around the world.&nbsp;

However, taken together the plans for offsetting from countries and companies around the world could soon exceed this.

The Guardian quoted Dabi as saying, "Already, hundreds of millions of people, around the world are going hungry. We need to consult countries on how they are going to use their land, and countries and companies need to reduce their emissions first [before relying on offsetting]. We also need to reduce emissions from agriculture, which is the second biggest source of emissions globally.”

The report further highlighted that two of the most commonly used offsetting measures, reforestation and the planting of new forests, were among the worst at putting food security at risk.

Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned.

Governments and businesses hoping to plant trees and restore forests to reach net-zero emissions must limit such efforts to avoid driving up food prices in the developing world, the charity Oxfam has warned. Nafkote Dabi, climate policy lead at Oxfam and co-author of the report, explained, "It is difficult to tell how much land would be required, as governments have not been transparent about how they plan to meet their net-zero commitments. But many countries and companies are talking about afforestation and reforestation, and the first question is: where is this land going to come from?". As per few estimates, the food prices could rise by 80 per cent by 2050. Also read | Japan reserve gets first alpha female in 70-year history Also, about 350m hectares of land could be used for offsetting without disrupting agriculture around the world. However, taken together the plans for offsetting from countries and companies around the world could soon exceed this. The Guardian quoted Dabi as saying, "Already, hundreds of millions of people, around the world are going hungry. We need to consult countries on how they are going to use their land, and countries and companies need to reduce their emissions first [before relying on offsetting]. We also need to reduce emissions from agriculture, which is the second biggest source of emissions globally.” The report further highlighted that two of the most commonly used offsetting measures, reforestation and the planting of new forests, were among the worst at putting food security at risk.

Reforestation might threaten global security, warns Oxfam

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