DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — U.S. lawmakers and ministers from around the world blasted a letter that emerged Friday night, warning OPEC member states to resist calls at the COP28 climate summit for a fossil fuel phase-out.
Why it matters: The letter has shaken up the climate talks in a critical phase, as nations spar over whether to include historic language in an emerging climate agreement that calls for a phase-out of fossil fuels.
The U.S. vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on Friday.
Why it matters: This is the second time the U.S. has been the only opposing vote on such a resolution — indicating its ongoing support for Israel, which is under international pressure as its military campaign continues.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — After five days in Dubai for the UN COP28 climate talks, my throat hurts and I can't stop coughing, writes Axios "1 Big Thing" podcast host Niala Boodhoo.
Driving the news: Axios Publisher Nick Johnston said his lungs felt like they were on fire. Other colleagues felt similarly — complaining of lungs hurting or heartburn.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Young people at COP28 in Dubai are calling on the world to "do better" to ensure their countries — and the planet — are habitable for generations to come.
The big picture: COP28 kicked off its second week with youth day, injecting energy in what will undoubtedly be the toughest days so far as negotiators work to hammer out some of the thorniest issues for the final text of the key Global Stocktake document.
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron described China on a visit to Washington this week as an "epoch-defining challenge" — a sharp shift from his approach as prime minister and in business dealings more recently.
Why it matters: Outreach to China was a pillar of Cameron's foreign policy during his tenure in Downing Street from 2010-2016, at which time he heralded a "golden era" in China-U.K. relations.
A senior Israeli defense official told Axios Israel expects to end its military operation in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in three to four weeks. The high-intensity phase of the war would likely last another three to four weeks, the official said.
Why it matters: The Biden administration has backed the Israeli operation in Gaza and says it supports Israel's stated goal of ousting Hamas in Gaza but the White House is under mounting international and domestic pressure to tell Israel to end the war.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The COP28 climate talks are shifting into high gear in the second week of the summit.
The latest: Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, who heads the talks, has handed off sections of a potential agreement to pairs of ministers who must wrestle with negotiators over the final text.
