Gaza migrants: Embarking on a dangerous journey to Europe
A few clothes, important documents, money and cellphones ― that’s all Waseem, Wajdi and Momen packed for their start into a new life. Their plan: Cross from Gaza into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing. Then travel to Turkey. And then make it to the EU from there. But none of the three young men have a visa to enter the European Union. They plan to join the scores of migrants and asylum seekers trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.
"Of course, it is risky. It’s difficult, but this is the only way to seek a better future," says 26-year-old Wajdi, who has never left Gaza. He is still traumatized from the war in 2014, when his family home was severely damaged.
His friend Waseem also doesn’t see his future in Gaza.
"Nobody should ask us why we want to leave Gaza. It’s impossible to make a living here," the 26-year-old says. He, like his two friends, wants to be referred to by first name only to protect their identity. "I studied hard, worked hard, stayed up late, got up early, tried everything to get a proper job and what did we achieve, besides living through wars and conflict?"
Gaza: Years of isolation and conflict
They are part of a generation that has grown up amid recurring wars. Over the last 15 years, Gaza has seen at least four wars, and many shorter military escalations between Israel, Hamas and other militant organizations.
In 2007, Israel largely closed Gaza’s borders and imposed restrictions on air, land and sea access after militant Islamist group Hamas seized power militarily from the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. At times, Egypt also imposes restrictions on its border with the territory. Hamas is classified by Germany, the European Union, the United States and some Arab states as a terrorist organization.
Israel cites security reasons for severely restricting the movement for people and goods in and out of the small territory. This policy has isolated Gaza and its 2.3 million people from the rest of the world for more than 16 years.
India targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, says Modi
India’s economy will become carbon neutral by the year 2070, the country’s prime minster has announced at the COP26 climate crisis summit in Glasgow. The target date is two decades beyond what scientists say is needed to avert catastrophic climate impacts. India is the last of the world’s major carbon polluters to announce a net-zero target, with China saying it would reach that goal in 2060, and the United States and the European Union aiming for 2050.
COP26: What climate summit means for one woman in Bangladesh
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Why China's climate policy matters to us all
China's carbon emissions are vast and growing, dwarfing those of other countries. Experts agree that without big reductions in China's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change. In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping said his country would aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030 and for carbon neutrality before 2060. His statement has now been confirmed as China's official position ahead of the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. But China has not said exactly how these goals will be achieved.
Deliver on promises, developing world tells rich at climate talks
A crucial U.N. conference heard calls on its first day for the world's major economies to keep their promises of financial help to address the climate crisis, while big polluters India and Brazil made new commitments to cut emissions. World leaders, environmental experts and activists all pleaded for decisive action to halt the global warming which threatens the future of the planet at the start of the two-week COP26 summit in the Scottish city of Glasgow on Monday. The task facing negotiators was made even more daunting by the failure of the Group of 20 major industrial nations to agree ambitious new commitments at the weekend.