Climate : Weak outcome on addressing pre-2020 ambition gaps (PRIV)
(TWN, Madrid)
At the closing plenary of the climate talks in Madrid that went overtime till Sunday, Dec 15, Parties adopted overarching or cover decisions, following intense wrangling behind closed doors, that revealed opposition from developed countries in having a strong outcome on addressing their pre-2020 implementation and ambition gaps.

Climate : Talks end without clear deal on how to finance losses and damage (PRIV)
(IPS, Madrid)
Millions of people, particularly in Africa, who lose their property, homes, and even die due to climate-related disasters will have to wait at least another year for the international community to agree on a means of supporting them.

Development : Arab region's largest youth gathering focuses on new tech (PRIV)
(IPS, Sharm-el-Sheikh)
On late Monday morning, a motley group of more than a thousand youth gathered in a hall in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to listen to Sophia - a humanoid robot capable of displaying humanlike expressions and interacting with people.

Opinion : Billionaires' existential threats to humanity? (PRIV)
(IPS, Sydney)
The social utility of billionaires' existence has come under increased scrutiny, especially during the Democratic Party primaries for the 2020 US Presidential election.