Vanuatu island chief 'very impressed' by global climate decision
Vanuatu spearheaded the legal case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which found countries have a duty to protect against the "urgent and existential" threat of a warming planet.
"I'm very impressed," George Bumseng, the highest chief of the Pacific archipelago's cyclone-prone island of Ambrym, told AFP in the capital Port Vila.
"We have been waiting for this decision for a long time because we have been victims of this climate change for the past two decades," he said.
The chief recalled that his island was battered by three tropical cyclones in 2023, with twin cyclones Judy and Kevin striking in March of that year, followed by Lola in October.
The storms damaged "a lot of our root crops and forests and our traditional medicines", said Bumseng, who is chairman of the Ambrym council of chiefs.
Global warming "keeps on changing our environment", the chief said.
"We no longer have fig trees. There's coastal erosion continuously. Our tide is also changing," he said.
"Some of the traditional crops are no longer growing like before," he added.
"We're very happy that the International Court of Justice has ruled in favour on this issue."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
11 hours ago
- IOL News
South Africa Holds Hope for Review of US Import Tariffs After High-Level Call
Import tariffs by the United States could still be reconsidered, following direct communication between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump. Image: Mandel NGAN / AFP The South African government remains optimistic that recently imposed import tariffs by the United States could still be reconsidered, following direct communication between President Cyril Ramaphosa and US President Donald Trump. In a phone call held on Wednesday, the two leaders discussed trade relations between the two countries, with a focus on the new tariffs that have raised concern among South African exporters. The conversation marks a significant diplomatic step as Pretoria seeks to protect local industries affected by the changes in US trade policy. While details of the discussion remain limited, government officials have confirmed that President Ramaphosa used the opportunity to raise concerns about the impact of the tariffs on South African businesses and jobs. According to sources familiar with the matter, Ramaphosa highlighted the long-standing partnership between the two nations and expressed hope that the tariffs could still be reviewed in a spirit of cooperation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The tariffs in question have placed added pressure on several key sectors in South Africa, particularly agriculture and steel. Exporters of these goods have already reported increased costs and reduced competitiveness in the American market since the duties came into effect. Business leaders have warned that unless the situation changes, some companies may be forced to scale back operations or even cut jobs. In response, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has been engaging with its counterparts in Washington, hoping to find a resolution that will allow continued access to one of South Africa's most important trading partners. Officials say they are exploring all diplomatic and legal options available under international trade agreements. Minister of Trade Ebrahim Patel said the government remains committed to finding a way forward through dialogue. 'We believe that the relationship between South Africa and the United States has always been one of cooperation and mutual benefit. We are confident that, with continued engagement, we can address these recent trade developments in a way that supports both economies.' South Africa and the United States share a strong trade relationship under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which gives eligible African countries preferential access to the US market. However, new tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration have threatened to disrupt that arrangement, especially for goods that are now facing additional duties upon entry into the US.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
Trump's Economic Coercion Failing to Intimidate BRICS Countries
Demonstrators burn a US flag and a picture of US President Donald Trump during a protest in defence of national sovereignty following the US government trade taxes and sanctions on Brazil, near the US consulate, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 1, 2025. Image: AFP Kanwal Sibal US President Trump has rattled Washington's ties with New Delhi to an unexpected degree. Countries, including India, were prepared for rough diplomatic weather after Trump won his second term, but did not anticipate the kind of onslaught he has unleashed on the global system and diplomatic norms. Trump's latest attack on India and the BRICS countries explains this underlying dynamic. The BRICS aspire to play a greater political, economic and financial role in global affairs. This aspiration is based on shifts of economic and concomitant political and financial power towards the so-called emerging powers or middle-income countries. BRICS countries have already begun to use their national currencies in trading with each other as much as possible. The use of draconian financial sanctions on Russia by the West has accelerated this process. Today, almost all trade operations between Russia and China are conducted in rubles and yuan. India, too, is encouraging the use of its national currency in payment transactions with select countries. A significant portion of the trade between India and Russia is now settled using a rupee-ruble mechanism. Washington cannot use secondary sanctions to prevent countries, including India, from using the US dollar to trade with Russia and then oppose de-dollarisation if these countries are compelled to use alternative payment mechanisms. If the US continues to weaponise the dollar, it will inevitably lead to the very 'de-dollarisation' that Trump is concerned about. India has officially disowned any de-dollarisation agenda, not the least because the US is its biggest trade partner in goods and services. India seeks more investments and technology transfers from the US. In many ways, New Delhi's ties with Washington are the most important for achieving its growth and developmental goals. But that does not preclude India from establishing other partnerships to reduce over-dependence on one country, balance its external relations and hedge against the excesses of US foreign policy. Trump has exacerbated the disruptions caused by Washington's frequent use of sanctions as a political weapon by also weaponising tariffs. He is convinced that by imposing arbitrarily determined tariffs on imports from other countries, he will compel them to enter into negotiations with the US to obtain relief by lowering their high tariffs on American products. But India on Wednesday sent a clear message: it is determined to protect the interests of its businesses, farmers and people. Trump's use of tariffs as a lever, like in the case of Brazil, where he has cited President Lula's treatment of his predecessor Bolsonaro as a reason for imposing 50% levies, is being closely monitored by the world's governments. Trump has repeatedly targeted BRICS since his return to the Oval Office. He had threatened the countries with tariffs if they continued to pledge to create a new common currency or support any alternative to the US dollar. Trump appeared to harbour the illusion that BRICS was 'dead' following his threats, which have now materialised into action. In reality, the BRICS summit held in Brazil this July showed no visible signs of intimidation. On the contrary, such overt displays of American economic coercion may well drive more countries toward alliances that seek to challenge the dominance of any single global power. The administration in Washington appears to lack realism in its assessment of global trends. Trump positions himself as a peacemaker and openly aspires to win a Nobel Peace Prize, while at the same time bombing Iran and assisting Israel in perpetuating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Similarly, threatening China as a BRICS member with 100% tariffs so casually – along with talk of bombing Beijing if the People's Republic were to invade Taiwan – makes little sense, especially given that an interim trade deal has already been reached and further negotiations are imminent. The US cannot reasonably claim that forums like BRICS have no right to determine their agenda in pursuit of their shared interests. At the same time, the US has walked out of or subverted key international agreements and institutions. It has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Change agreement, the WHO, the UN Human Rights Commission and UNESCO. Trump seems to believe that these organisations cannot function or survive without the presence of the US and its financial contributions. In reality, the US will lose its voice and its leadership in these international forums. The space it vacates will be filled by others, especially China. Beijing has already carved out enormous influence in the UN institutions, as it is now the second largest contributor to the UN. With Washington also bullying Europe and thereby damaging Western solidarity, the US's absence from these organisations will have even less impact. The more the world learns to manage without the US in these international bodies, the more America's international influence will erode. These US decisions will also accelerate the dispersal of influence at the global level, as other centres of influence develop. * Kanwal Sibal is a retired Indian foreign secretary and a former Ambassador to Russia between 2004 and 2007. This article was originally published at ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Eyewitness News
20 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Thousands protest in Tel Aviv against Israeli govt move to expand Gaza war
TEL AVIV - Thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv on Saturday to call for an end to the war in Gaza, a day after the Israeli government vowed to expand the conflict and capture Gaza City. Demonstrators waved signs and held up pictures of hostages still being held in the Palestinian territory as they called on the government to secure their release. AFP journalists at the rally estimated the number of attendees to be in the tens of thousands, while a group representing the families of hostages said as many as 100,000 people participated. Authorities did not provide an official estimate for the size of the crowd, though it dwarfed other recent anti-war rallies. "We will end with a direct message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: if you invade parts of Gaza and the hostages are murdered, we will pursue you in the town squares, in election campaigns and at every time and place," Shahar Mor Zahiro, the relative of a slain hostage, told AFP. On Friday, Netanyahu's security cabinet greenlighted plans for a major operation to seize Gaza City, triggering a wave of domestic and international criticism. Foreign powers, including some of Israel's allies, have been pushing for a negotiated ceasefire to secure the hostages' return and help alleviate a humanitarian crisis in the Strip. Despite the backlash and rumours of dissent from Israeli military top brass, Netanyahu has remained defiant over the decision. In a post on social media late Friday, Netanyahu said "we are not going to occupy Gaza - we are going to free Gaza from Hamas". The premier has faced regular protests over the course of 22 months of war, with many rallies calling for the government to strike a deal after past truces saw hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. 'A NEW CRIME' The Palestinian Authority (PA) on Saturday lambasted Israel's plan to expand its operations in Gaza. According to a statement carried by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, PA president Mahmud Abbas said the plan "constitutes a new crime", and stressed "the urgent need to take action to stop it immediately". He also emphasised "the importance of enabling the State of Palestine to assume its full responsibilities in the Gaza Strip". In the same meeting that approved the Gaza City plan, the security cabinet adopted a set of principles for ending the war in Gaza that included establishing a new "administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority". The PA, conceived as a first step towards a Palestinian state, exercises limited administration over parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, but does not have a presence in Hamas-run Gaza. A statement issued Saturday by the foreign ministers of Italy, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom again criticised the decision to occupy Gaza City. "This will exacerbate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of hostages, and increase the risk of a mass exodus of civilians," they said. Russia also condemned the Israeli plan to take control of Gaza City in a statement Saturday. Implementing such plans "risks worsening the already dramatic situation in the Palestinian enclave, which shows all the signs of a humanitarian disaster", said a foreign ministry statement. Gaza's civil defence agency said at least 37 people were killed by Israeli fire across the territory on Saturday, including 30 civilians who were waiting to collect aid. Israel's offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel - which triggered the war - resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
