You are invited to join us for Global Crisis Watch 254, on Friday, December 8 th at 10.00 GMT.
The highlighted topics will include:
Munich Airport Shuts Down as Snowstorm Wreaks Havoc in Central Europe
A heavy winter storm has caused major travel disruptions in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Munich's airport canceled all flights, with a reopening scheduled for Sunday, while Zurich Airport experienced cancellations and delays. Rail routes in Bavaria were affected, with Deutsche Bahn recommending travelers postpone journeys. The storm also halted a football match in Munich. In Austria and Switzerland, avalanche warnings were issued due to heavy snowfall. The Czech Republic faced road blockages, train delays and power outages. Downed trees left many without power in Bavaria, and police responded to numerous snow and ice-related incidents.
Oil and Gas Lobbyists Outnumber Delegations at UN COP28 Climate Conference
An analysis by the Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO) coalition reveals that a record 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists have access to the Cop28 climate negotiations. These lobbyists even outnumbered most country delegations and heavily eclipse the representation of Indigenous groups. The presence of these lobbyists at a time of extreme climate events worldwide highlights the tension between industry interests and the urgent need to address climate change, particularly the phasing out of fossil fuels. Critics argue that such industry influence undermines effective climate action and call for policies to limit this at future climate negotiations.
UN Says Situation in Gaza is Getting ‘More Apocalyptic’
As the war between Israel and Hamas enters its third month, Martin Griffiths, the UN emergency relief coordinator, described the situation in Gaza as "apocalyptic" due to the ongoing Israeli military campaign. Efforts to aid the 2.3 million residents are greatly limited, with safe areas for civilians and aid distribution being compromised. The situation follows the Hamas attack on Israel on 7th October and subsequent Israeli response. Despite international diplomatic efforts, the reduction of civilian casualties has not been significantly achieved, with a high death toll reported.
Possible Consequences of Trump’s Victory in November 2024
Amid speculations about what would happen if Trump wins in November 2024, various viewpoints emerge. On one hand, there's concern about a clear path to dictatorship in the US, where Trump's potential win in the election is seen to increase his power and diminish checks on his authority. On the other hand, there's a narrative that Trump's potential win could be a response to public dissatisfaction with the current political system. His candidacy might be seen as a challenge to the status quo, capitalizing on the desire for decisive leadership amidst perceived governmental dysfunction. These perspectives paint a picture of a deeply divided political landscape, with Trump's potential victory in 2024 representing either a significant shift towards authoritarianism or a populist response to current political dissatisfaction.
Plus, all the stories that are catching our attention wherever we live in the world. Feel free to join us and add your voice to the conversation.
