GLASGOW, Scotland — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's much-anticipated speech today at the COP26 climate summit broke new ground for the world’s third-largest emitter, but it won’t calm fears that the summit has failed to summon the urgency required to truly change the trajectory of the planet.
The big picture: Success or failure in Glasgow will largely be defined by the plans that individual countries bring to the table to limit their emissions this decade and strive toward net zero.
More than 100 world leaders representing over 85% of the world's forests say they will halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030, the U.K. government announced Monday as the COP26 conference continued in Glasgow, Scotland.
Why it matters: Forests are considered a key to addressing the effects of climate change — one-third of global CO2 released from burning fossil fuels is absorbed by forests every year, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature — but they're disappearing at an alarming rate.
Same-sex partners and spouses will now have access to Social Security survivors benefits they were previously denied due to now-defunct bans on gay marriage.
Why it matters: In the past, surviving partners who had been barred from legally marrying were ineligible to receive benefits. Couples who were able to marry could only successfully apply for benefits if they were married for at least nine months, even if that wasn't possible due to previous bans on marriage.
The University of Florida's accreditor on Monday announced plans to investigate the university over the decision to bar three professors from providing testimony in a case against the state, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Why it matters: The accreditor's inquiry comes days after the state's flagship university prevented faculty members from sharing expertise in a case challenging the new Republican-backed state election law.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) told an audience at a South Carolina Republican conference that he'd "of course" support former President Trump if he ran again in 2024, the Post and Courier reports.
Why it matters: Scott is the only Black Republican in the Senate, and is viewed as a rising star in the GOP, with the backing of both pro-Trump Republicans as well more moderate members. He's been seen by some as a potential 2024 candidate.
An Illinois judge paused a vaccination requirement for the Chicago Police Department (CPD) until a lawsuit between the department and its union is settled, CNN reports.
Driving the news: The local Fraternal Order of Police lodge says they were negotiating CPD's COVID-19 policy when the department implemented "unilateral changes" per CNN.
The Supreme Court on Monday seemed likely to let legal challenges to Texas' near-total abortion ban proceed.
Why it matters: A majority of the justices — including two Trump nominees, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — seemed concerned with the way Texas has tried to evade legal challenges in federal courts.
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Monday he won't be pressured into supporting a $1.75 trillion expansion of the nation's social safety net and urged House progressives to pass a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in the interim.
Why it matters: Manchin's declarations — and the unusually strong language he used in making them — show Democrats are no closer to passing the two bills that House leaders had hoped to move this week, and President Biden has said will define his presidency.
President Biden's delivery at the COP26 climate summit today wasn't especially lively, but his words were heavy on hope.
What they're saying: "The American people, four or five years ago, weren't at all sure about climate change," Biden said. "Well they have, as they say in southern parts of my state, seen the Lord. ... They're now finally — finally, finally, finally — realizing the sense of urgency that you all are."
About 9,000 New York City workers were put on unpaid leave for refusing to get vaccinated for COVID-19, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday.
Driving the news: New York City's vaccine mandate for all city employees went into effect on Monday. The 9,000 holdouts represent a fraction of the city's 400,000 employees.
President Biden, speaking at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday, warned that "every day we delay" strong action on climate change, "the cost of inaction increases."
Why it matters: The United States' climate credibility is on the line during this year's summit, which has been billed as a crucial moment for countries to pledge more dramatic actions in order to avoid potentially devastating climate change effects over the next several decades.
GLASGOW, Scotland — The U.S., U.K. and other countries are charging into COP26 with bruises from difficult climate and energy negotiations at the G20 meeting in Rome.
Why it matters: That meeting's outcome previews what is to come in Glasgow, where the climate summit is entering its early and frenetic phase today with leader speeches and events.
With massive stakes for both parties in tomorrow's Virginia governor's race, the one place to watch — both to forecast the result and understand the outcome — is Loudoun County.
Why it matters: Loudoun (the second "u" is silent), about 40 miles outside D.C., reflects national and state demographic trends. And it's ground zero for cultural battles that have given Republican Glenn Youngkin last-mile momentum against Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
