World roundup: June 12 2023

Stories from Thailand, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and elsewhere

TODAY IN HISTORY

June 12, 1898: Philippine rebel leader and dictator Emilio Aguinaldo proclaims Philippine independence with a declaration and a ceremony at his home south of Manila. This date is annually commemorated as Independence Day in the Philippines.

June 12, 1990: The Congress of People’s Deputies of Russia adopts the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, basically proclaiming Russia’s independence from the Soviet Union although “independence” may not exactly be the right term for this particular situation. This date is annually commemorated in Russia as “Russia Day.”

INTERNATIONAL

In today’s global news:

• Worldometer is tracking COVID-19 cases and fatalities.

• The New York Times is tracking global vaccine distribution.

• I hope you’re sitting down, because I have some shocking news. According to the Net Zero Tracker’s new Net Zero Stocktake 2023 report, “most entities that have pledged net zero do not meet minimum requirements for what good net zero looks like.” I know, I’m having a hard time believing it too. Apparently only four percent of corporate “net zero” plans comply with the United Nations’ “Race to Zero” guidelines, and the efficacy of these plans is really poor when it comes to—again please sit down before you read this—energy companies. As you try to digest this story, I think it’s important to bear in mind that the carbon offsets that form the centerpiece of most “net zero” plans are themselves a giant scam, meaning these companies can’t even be bothered to meet the environmental goals they’ve set out when those goals are fake.

MIDDLE EAST

LEBANON

A new candidate has emerged in Lebanon’s fully stalled out presidential campaign—former finance minister and current International Monetary Fund official Jihad Azour. The Lebanese parliament is reportedly set to vote on Azour’s candidacy on Wednesday, but according to Reuters the country’s two largest Shiʿa parties, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, are rallying support to block his election. They’re backing Suleiman Frangieh (grandson of the former Lebanese president of the same name). Azour appears to have more parliamentary support, but Hezbollah and company have the votes to prevent his election.