State of play: CIA director Bill Burns is meeting with Mossad director David Barnea, Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani on Tuesday to discuss a possible second extension of the pause in the fighting in Gaza if Hamas releases more hostages.
More than 1 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean were internally displaced in 2021 because of disasters that were worsened by climate change, a new study finds.
The big picture: The World Bank predicts that more than 216 million people could be displaced by climate change by 2050 — with 17 million of those coming from Latin America — putting pressure on migration, food supplies and housing.
Indigenous language speakers and experts across the Americas are increasingly using apps and other tech to preserve their endangered tongues.
Why it matters: UNESCO says "optimistic" estimates show 40% to 50% of the more than 6,000 Indigenous languages spoken worldwide could disappear by the end of the century as those who speak them die and newer generations are forced to assimilate into dominant languages.
A Russian court on Tuesday extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich's detention by another two months, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Why it matters: Gershkovich, who was arrested last March on espionage charges and faces up to 20 years in prison, will now remain in pretrial detention until at least Jan. 30.
Texas Republicans have upped the ante in their effort to control the southern border, sending Gov. Greg Abbott a bill that gives local police authority over immigration enforcement.
Why it matters: Critics of the legislation say it is unconstitutional and will lead to racial profiling.
CIA director Bill Burns will meet with Mossad director David Barnea and Qatar's prime minister in Doha on Tuesday to discuss a possible second extension of the pause in the fighting in Gaza if Hamas releases more hostages, according to a U.S. official and two sources with direct knowledge of the plan.
Why it matters: It will be just the second such meeting between the three leaders since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 — and comes as Israel and Hamas already have agreed to extend a pause in fighting for two more days in Gaza in return for the release of another 20 hostages.
The U.S. has made it clear to Israel that it expects the increased levels of humanitarian aid and fuel entering Gaza during the pause in fighting to continue even when the temporary ceasefire ends, two senior U.S. officials told reporters.
Why it matters: During the pause, which was extended by two days on Monday, there has been a significant increase in the number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza, including in the northern parts of the enclave. This increase has also included additional fuel and cooking gas.
Fossil fuel lobbying at COP28 is facing scrutiny after a report alleged host country the UAE planned to discuss striking oil and gas deals with other governments at the climate summit, which starts Thursday.
Why it matters: The report — which COP28 organizers categorically deny —includes allegations that a UAE team prepared "talking points" to further the interests of ADNOC, a state oil firm that COP president-designate Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber heads.
President Biden is not expected to attend the opening of COP 28 this week but will send top U.S. officials to the UN climate summit in Dubai, the White House confirmed.
Why it matters: Biden attended the previous two COP summits and has put tackling climate change at the center of his policymaking. Environmental policy forms a key part of his administration's national security strategy.
