Monday, November 28
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Monday, November 28

“The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 finished its negotiations with a breakthrough agreement that is set to provide “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries harshly hit by climate disasters. Countries also agreed on t...

Todd Marshall
4 min
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The most important foreign affairs events of the week

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November 21, 2022

“The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 finished its negotiations with a breakthrough agreement that is set to provide “loss and damage” funding for vulnerable countries harshly hit by climate disasters. Countries also agreed on the post-2025 finance goal, and the so-called mitigation work programme, that would reduce emissions faster, catalyze impactful action, and secure assurances from key countries that they will take immediate action to raise their ambitions and keep the world on the path towards 1.5°C. Yet little progress was made on other key issues, particularly on the phasing out of fossil fuels.”

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The noun breakthrough means “an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacleor “a major achievement or success that permits further progress.

The phrasal verb phase out means “to discontinue the practice, production, or use of by phases.”

November 22, 2022

“This Tuesday Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Philippines, a long-standing strategic ally for the United States in Southeast Asia. Harris underscored America’s values and hopes for the region: “respect for sovereignty and international integrity, unimpeded lawful commerce, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation.” Manila, however, is being cautious not to alienate China as it pursues revamping ties with Washington. The Philippine President met with China’s Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, last week.”

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The adjective unimpeded means “not slowed, blocked, or interfered with; not impeded.” Close synonyms are “unhindered”, “open”, “free”, “unrestrained”.

The transitive verb revamp means “to revise or reconstruct; to restore; a complete reorganization or revision.”

November 23, 2022

“The European Parliament approved a resolution that designates Russia a state sponsor of terrorism, months after an illegal invasion in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, in February, the European Union has been fiercely imposing economic and political sanctions on Russia. The resolution was praised by Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, and naturally criticized by Russia’s government. Conversely, the US Government has previously refused to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism because it could set back humanitarian efforts and potential peace negotiations.”

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The adverb fiercely derives from the adjective fierce, which means, in this context, “intense in activity or feeling; vigorous or ardent.”

November 24, 2022

“The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor aims to revive the case against the Ugandan rebel commander Joseph Kony, who remains a fugitive since an arrest warrant was issued in 2005 on allegations of war crimes. Kony launched a bloody rebellion more than three decades ago seeking to impose his own version of the Ten Commandments in northern Uganda, unleashing a campaign of “terror” that spread to several neighbouring countries. Suspects cannot be tried in absentia at the ICC, but it is possible to hold confirmation hearings while they are still fugitives.” 

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The noun warrant means “a commission or document giving authority to do something.”

The transitive verb unleash means To set free from restraints.” Close synonyms are “release” and “unlock”.

November 25, 2022

“Anti-lockdown protests are mounting in China as citizens are disgruntled by the Government’s zero-Covid strategy. Crowds took to the streets on Friday night in Xinjiang's capital of Urumqi, chanting "End the lockdown!" and pumping their fists in the air. In the capital of Beijing 2,700 km (1,678 miles) away, some residents under lockdown staged small-scale protests or confronted their local officials over movement restrictions placed on them. China defends President Xi Jinping's signature zero-COVID policy as life-saving and necessary to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.”

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The transitive verb overwhelm means “to overcome by superior force or numbers.” Close synonyms are “crush” and “devastate”.