He was speaking at the COP 22 climate change summit designed to put meat on the bones of the Paris Agreement committing countries to do this.

ends intro

There’s global concern that president-elect Donald Trump, who maintains global warming is a Chinese hoax, will make good on his threat to withdraw the US from the Paris Accord.

US Secretary of State John Kerry tells the COP 22 summit reaching its climax in Marrakesh that no one can deny the remarkable progress made in fighting climate change.

Kerry says this progress was hard to imagine a few years ago.

The global community, including  the United States, is more united than ever in this quest.

(take in the commit clip here)

Kerry says they’re ready to take concrete action to back up the legal agreement reached.

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The pact struck in Kigali yesterday will have rich counties begin the process of cutting use off the gases that do more damage to the environment than half a billion motor cars.

World leaders hail the agreement by more than 150 countries to cut the use of HFC, the fastest growing greenhouse gases used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

US Secretary of State John Kerry says: “It’s an historic breakthrough and it can reduce the warming of the planet by a half a degree centigrade.

Conservation groups have reservations, however, saying too many concessions have been made to developing countries like India which will stop using HFCs only in 2028

The post Greenhouse gas deal seen as historic breakthrough appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The London gathering shifted the focus on global corruption, turning the spotlight of blame away from African generals, oligarchs and corrupt dictators and toward the rich countries, whose banks and real estate brokers have been the benefactors of the stolen wealth of nations.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron announced measures including a public register intended to force companies to name their real owners.

Cameron says corruption is the cancer at the heart of so many problems the world needs to tackle.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says corruption is as much of an enemy as the extremists being fought around the world.

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US Secretary off State John Kerry says Washington’s very grateful for this humanitarian gesture from the West African country.

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The Pentagon says the transfer of prisoners, Salem Abdu Salam Ghereby and Omar Khalif Mohammed Abu Baker Mahjour Umar, brings the number of inmates being held in Guantanamo down to 89.

This includes 35 inmates approved for transfer if security conditions can be met.

Several more prisoners are expected to be transferred from the facility this month, and officials expect to move all of those cleared for transfer out of the facility by the end of the summer.

The US is bent on completely closing down the Guantanamo detention centre.

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Leaders of more than 50 countries, including South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, were present to watch the historic event on Eagle Square in Abuja.

US Secretary of State John Kerry leads the US delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration.

He shook hands with President Jacob Zuma as he took his seat at the ceremony on Eagle Square in Abuja.

Outgoing president Goodluck Jonathan, beaten by Buhari in elections two months ago, was present

Buhari’s undergone a remarkable transformation from military leader to avowed democrat.

Nigerians are hoping, however, that he will wield the iron first against instability rocking their country with Islamists in the North East and dissidents in the southern oil fields.

The post Military leader turned democrat sworn in as Nigeria’s president appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The Tunisian government, commended for its swift response, has declared a war on terrorism.

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Tourists from Poland, Italy, Spain and Colombia are among the dead at the Barda Museum next to Parliament in the Tunisian capital.

French visitors are among the 40 wounded.

A policemen and a Tunisian citizen are among those mowed down by AK47 wielding terrorists before they themselves were killed by security forces.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who’d paid a surprise visit to Tunisia the day before the attack, says Washington is with Tunisia at this difficult time.

UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon and a string of Presidents have deplored the attack in the country that gave birth to the Arab Spring four years ago.

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He was speaking after the death in Dallas, Taxas of the first man to have been diagnosed with the haemorrhagic fever in the United States.

Washington’s begun screening travellers from Ebola-infected West African countries arriving at five US airports.

They’ll have their temperatures checked and be screened for signs of Ebola.

The US which has pledged 4 000 troops to help fight the disease that’s killed almost that many people, has published a list of countries that are responding to the crisis.

This includes Britain which is deploying 750 military medical personnel and is sending a naval support vessel to the area.

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Egypt US relations are creeping back to normality following last year’s coup.

Secretary of State John Kerry’s the most senior US official to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi who won the election earlier this month.

Washington’s resumed military aid to Cairo.

Secretary of State John Kerry says the US is very interested in working closely with President Abdel Fattah al Sisi and his cabinet and Egypt in order to help make the restoration of democracy as quick and smooth as possible.

Kerry says delivery of several attack helicopters – delayed by the US last year, in protest against Egyptian human rights abuses – will go ahead.

Earlier state department officials said all but $70m of a total $650m aid package to Egypt has been released.

One official told reporters heading for Cairo that the US is doing all it can to give assistance to Egypt.

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