India's delayed action plan raises eyebrows at COP30 climate summit
At this year's UN climate summit (COP30), under way in Brazil's Belem city, all eyes are on India - the world's third largest carbon emitter, BBC reported.
India has not yet submitted a key climate plan that countries are required to do every five years, even as international assessments have deemed India's climate action as being "worryingly inadequate". Delhi has argued otherwise.
Known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the updated plan from each member country to the UN Framework Climate Convention (UNFCC) is expected to have more ambitious carbon reduction targets as the world has failed to make the required level of cuts to avoid dangerous global warming, according to BBC.
Starmer arrives in South Africa as G20 gathers without Trump
The prime minister has arrived in Johannesburg in South Africa for a gathering of world leaders at the annual G20 summit, BBC reported.
The summit brings together the 20 biggest economies, although Donald Trump has decided not to attend over widely discredited claims that white people are being persecuted in the country.
Sir Keir Starmer, whose critics label him "never here Keir" because of the frequency of his international trips, will emphasise the benefits of a prime minister acting as an ambassador for UK businesses abroad, according to BBC.
At least 41 dead as relentless rains flood Vietnam
Relentless rains and floods have killed at least 41 people in central Vietnam since the weekend, while a search continues for nine still missing, state media reported, BBC reported.
The deluge has submerged more than 52,000 homes and left half a million households and businesses without power, according to reports.
Rainfall exceeded 1.5m (5ft) in several areas over the past three days, even rising beyond the 1993 flood peak of 5.2m in some parts, according to BBC.
Mexico's Fatima Bosch, who walked out on organisers, crowned Miss Universe
Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch has been crowned the new Miss Universe in Thailand on Friday - marking the end of an exceptionally scandal filled pageant season, BBC reported.
The 25-year-old contestant had earlier in November walked out of a pageant event after an official publicly berated her in front of dozens of contestants and threatened to disqualify those who supported her.
A week after, two judges resigned, with one of them accusing organisers of rigging the competition, according to BBC.
