King Charles n his 76th birthday, showed his commitment to duty, stepping out in London for a significant cause. 

Rather than taking the day off, the King met with Mayor Sadiq Khan and participated in the opening of two new Coronation Food Hubs—distribution centers created to address food insecurity and reduce waste.

At the event, he toured the facility, interacting with beneficiaries, food bank representatives, school staff, and community leaders who rely on these resources. 

He also viewed a newly installed industrial freezer that boosts the center’s storage capacity by 400 percent, allowing the charity to preserve and distribute much more surplus food. 

While he opened the first hub in person, he inaugurated the second remotely, underscoring his dedication to supporting communities in need.

King Charles celebrates his birthday on November 14, the date of his birth in 1948. 

However, his official birthday was honored earlier this year on June 15 with the King’s Birthday Parade, popularly known as Trooping the Colour, in London.

The event also marked Princess Kate’s first public appearance of 2024, a meaningful moment as she resumed royal duties following her cancer diagnosis earlier in the year. 

Since then, the Princess of Wales has made a powerful return to the public eye, including her recent participation in two Remembrance events, displaying her resilience and commitment to her royal role.

With a budgetary allocation of ₹46,000 crore this year, Ladki Bahin Yojana is the centrepiece in a host of populist cash transfer and welfare schemes offered by chief minister Eknath Shinde’s Mahayuti government in its bid to return to power when the state goes to the polls on Wednesday. The Mahayuti comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena (SS) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Launched just months before the election, it is similar to the Ladli Bahna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, which helped the incumbent BJP win the state election last winter. But it is not the only scheme being offered in Maharashtra.

In the last few months, the ruling coalition has announced a series of other sops and schemes, including waiving of electricity costs for agriculture pumps up to 7.5 horsepower capacity, training and stipend for youth, free pilgrimages for senior citizens, and even a toll waiver on light vehicles at five entry points to Mumbai. Some estimates put the annual allocation for such schemes upwards of ₹96,000 crore.

Not to be outdone, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), too, has promised enhanced monthly financial aid for women, electricity for the poor, subsidized gas cylinders, as well as farm debt waivers in its manifesto. The MVA comprises the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and NCP Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP).

Maharashtra is a politically crucial state, with the second highest number of parliamentary seats in the country. The assembly election in the state comes just months after the Lok Sabha polls, where the Congress-led MVA won more seats than the BJP-led Mahayuti. This is the first state election since Maharashtra’s two key regional parties—the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena (SS)—split.

Maharashtra is the biggest contributor to India’s GDP (gross domestic product). Historically, cutting across party lines, farm loan waivers and farm power bill waivers have been a recurring theme in the state’s political landscape. But experts say the scale of the populist pitch in this state election is breathtaking.

These populist schemes (and promises) come at a time when the state is steeped in massive debt and red flags have been raised by the finance department on the profligate spending on sops as well as infrastructure projects.

Voters in India’s second most populous state say inflation, unemployment and rural distress are key electoral issues and are divided over whether the competitive populism will influence their voting choices. Experts feel that while such populism will help mobilize voters, it does not necessarily guarantee a win.

Women voters

On a hot November afternoon, eight women in their late thirties sit and chat at a neighbour’s home in a densely populated slum in Mumbai’s Sakinaka locality. All except one are beneficiaries of the Ladki scheme. Three of them also received a household utensil set in the runup to the elections from the domestic workers welfare board. They all have varied views on the scheme.

Vandana Prakash Gaekwad, a domestic worker who first found out about the scheme from a YouTube reel, said she feels it will be stopped after the election. Manisha Gaekwad, a housewife, said that she would prefer to see the scheme stopped if in return the government reduces the cost of everyday items such as vegetables and groceries. And Samta Wahul said that “women are smarter than politicians think” and will keep several factors in mind while getting their fingers inked.

There are 4.66 crore women voters in Maharashtra (and 4.97 crore men). Of them, more than 2.34 crore women are already beneficiaries of the scheme. If it returns to power, the Mahayuti has pledged to increase the monthly assistance under the scheme to ₹2,100. Other women-specific schemes introduced in this summer’s state budget include pink e-rickshaws (under which 10,000 women in 17 cities will be financed to buy rickshaws), equipment for health sub-centres for breast and cervical cancer screening, a startup scheme for small entrepreneurs, and three free gas cylinders.

Most of the women voters Mint spoke to highlighted how rising inflation had made it difficult to run households and questioned why the ruling alliance waited till a few months before the election to announce the Ladki scheme.

Keshav Upadhye, the Maharashtra BJP’s chief spokesperson, said that it was unfair to link the scheme with elections because it has been five months since it was first announced. “This scheme has brought about a big change on the ground, especially in rural areas. Women feel self-reliant as they have been using this money to do something of their own,” he told Mint.

In response to a question on concerns over the stress on the state’s finances, Upadhye said these schemes should not be viewed as a “financial burden” and said each state has its own financial situation within which such calls are taken.

An increase in women’s political participation in the last decade has meant that political parties, especially the Congress and BJP, have eyed their votes. In the past, gender-targeted schemes have helped parties win elections. Examples include prohibition for the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, Mission Shakti for the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, and subsidized gas cylinders under the Ujjawala Yojana for the BJP nationally.

Prithviraj Chavan, a former Maharashtra chief minister and chief of the Congress’ manifesto committee in the state, gave a spirited defence of the party’s proposed cash transfer scheme for women. “There is evidence in international economic theories on universal basic income about how direct cash transfers help women. We promised the same in Karnataka and Telangana and it has helped women a lot,” he told Mint.

“There can always be an argument over where the money is going to come from. But money must be found and must be spent where absolutely needed,” Chavan added.

Inflation, unemployment woes

Several low-income voters, especially informal workers, domestic workers, farmers and fisherfolk, spoke about the introduction of schemes such as Ladki in conjunction with rising inflation, rural distress, and lack of regular employment opportunities. A constant refrain was that the modest financial gain through these schemes is soon offset by high spending on everyday items and services.

Vishnu Laxman Vartha, a 62-year-old farmer from Vire village in Dahanu taluka near Palghar, said that farmers have borne the brunt of rising input costs. “We are not asking for free seeds or free electricity. We simply say: give us a good subsidy on fertilizers and ensure constant electricity supply,” he said.

Sitting on their home’s porch, his younger sister-in-law, Hiroo Chandrakant Vartha, 45, quipped that in remote villages like theirs, getting access to basic facilities and government schemes is a challenge. “This challenge gets compounded when everything from vegetables to vegetable oil is costly,” she added.

Several people from villages near Palghar (including Vire and Ranshet) and near Uran (Hanuman Koliwada (Sheva) and Gavhan Koliwada) told Mint that young men prefer migrating to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai in search of work.

However, concerns over inflation and lack of regular employment resonated in urban areas as well. Ram Kishan Khillare, a 42-year-old construction worker in Navi Mumbai’s Belapur, migrated from his hometown Hingoli decades ago. Every morning, he along with hundreds of others stands at a labour chowk to find work. In a good month, he said, there are 12-14 days of work, at a daily wage of ₹600.

“We have got a one-time safety kit and a household utensil kit from our board. It helps, but it is not critical to our jobs. We need more jobs, regularisation of work and effective medical assistance,” Khillare added.

A survey by MIT-SOG-CSDS-Lokniti (MIT School of Government and Centre for the Study of Developing Societies) published in The Hindu newspaper last month showed that 24% of voters in the state identified unemployment as their primary issue, while 22% cited inflation.

To address unemployment, the state government has launched a Ladka Bhau Yojana under which 10 lakh youths will be trained annually with a monthly stipend of up to ₹10,000. The annual expenditure on this scheme is ₹10,000 crore. The MVA, too, has promised a ₹4,000 monthly allowance to educated youths if it gets voted to power.

Neeraj Hatekar, an economist from Maharashtra, said that unlike loan waivers, direct cash transfer schemes require regular committed expenditure by governments. The MVA has promised a farm loan waiver of up to ₹3 lakh in its manifesto, while the Mahayuti has pledged to increase existing financial assistance to farmers.

Also read: Will Haryana shocker impact Maharashtra elections? Should AAP & Congress unite to win Delhi? 3 key questions answered

“The kind of debt profile that we are in, it all comes down to where the resources are being used. And right now, rural infrastructure should be the priority,” he said, adding that the state has not been able to provide effective basic services such as health and education.

News reports peg Maharashtra’s total debt burden at ₹7.11 trillion while its fiscal deficit has crossed the ₹2 trillion mark. Last month, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, justified overruling concerns raised by the state’s finance department.

According to Hatekar, such schemes amount to “official buying of votes” and could only offer marginal political returns as other factors, such as caste, religion, local candidates etc, could override populism.

Electoral stakes

Along with Maharashtra, the Jharkhand assembly election is also being held this month. In that state, too, both the ruling coalition led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and the opposition BJP are banking on a slew of populist promises to win. Counting will take place on 23 November in both states. The stakes are high for both the national parties as well as regional players in the two polls.

Sanjay Kumar, political analyst and co-director of Lokniti, a research institute, said that political parties are ‘mistaken’ if they believe that they can win elections only on populist schemes.

“Populist schemes and promises help political parties mobilize voters but they cannot ensure a victory. At the same time, they do no harm either,” said Kumar. “So, it comes down to what is the degree of benefit. I think the benefit is far less compared to what we or political parties generally tend to believe.”

He added that surveys show there is usually a tilt among beneficiaries in favour of ruling parties. “But that does not mean, all of them will vote for incumbents; some also vote for the opposition. Non-beneficiaries voting for incumbents is also sizable,” he added.

In Mumbai, voters are divided over the impact of such policies on their lives and on the election outcome. Anita Navnath Mane, a beneficiary who is a sweeper with the municipal corporation, feels that the Mahayuti government deserves her vote because of the steps they have taken for women. “I am a single mother and the money under Ladki Bahin scheme came just when my daughter fell ill. I could use the money for medical expenses,” she said.

But Sunil Bendre, a 43-year-old auto driver from Bhandup, whose wife is a Ladki beneficiary, said that everyday life for his family in the metropolis is difficult because of how costly things are. “You tell me: ₹1,500 a month comes down to ₹50 a day. What do you get in Mumbai for that amount? Maybe four vada pavs from a cart. That is not even food for one day, for one person,” he said.

Anuja, an independent journalist based in Delhi, writes on politics and policy

Ajit Pawar says there is “absolutely” no chance of him rejoining his uncle Sharad Pawar in the future.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar politically broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar almost a year ago. His claims on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its symbol were accepted by the Election Commission but the matter is now with the Supreme Court. He contested as a partner of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha election and could win one seat out of four. This time, in the State Assembly election, Ajit’s party is contesting 55 seats. He believes that the Mahayuti has improved its election position in the last four months and is going to win this election. He spoke to Frontline during his campaign in Marathwada. Excerpts.

Also Read | No need for ‘Batenge toh Katenge’ narrative in Maharashtra, focus should be on development: Pankaja Munde

Also Read | In Maharashtra election, it is caste over crops

“It was the Razakars – not the entire Muslim community,” is how Mallikarjun Kharge’s son Priyank responded day after Yogi Adityanath brought up the 1948 Razakar violence to attack the senior Kharge, reminding him how his mother and sister died in the incident while accusing him of “vote bank politics.”

In a long post on X, Priyank Kharge attempted to shut down the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, saying that every community has individuals who do wrong and urging him to “take your hate elsewhere.”

“Try winning the elections on PM Narendra Modi’s ‘achievements’ instead of trying to sow seeds of hatred in the society for political gains,” the Congress leader said.

Priyank Kharge argued that his father never exploited the Razakar violence tragedy for political gain and never played the victim card, letting hatred define him.

Expanding on the Razakar violence, Priyank Kharge said, “In 1948, the Razakars burned down Sri* @khargeji’s house, taking the lives of his mother and sister. Though he narrowly escaped, he survived and rose to become a 9 time MLA, twice Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP, central minister, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and an elected @INCIndia President. Despite the tragedy, he never exploited it for political gain, never played the victim card and never let hatred define him.”

Yogi Ji, take your hate elsewhere. You cannot bulldoze his principles or his ideology – Priyank Kharge on X

“It was the Razakars who committed this act—not the entire Muslim community. Every community has bad apples and individuals who do wrong. So, tell me CM saab, your ideology fails to see Kharge Ji as an equal, it discriminates between human beings, does that make all of you bad or those who are practicing it?” he asked.

The Congress leader said, “At 82, Kharge Ji is fighting tirelessly to uphold the values of Buddha-Basavanna-Ambedkar and to protect the Constitution from the tyranny and hatred you seek to instill and he will continue this fight with unwavering conviction.” Also Read | Who are you? Who am I? Razakar!: Explaining the war cry in Bangladesh protests and Razakar’s 1971 role

“Yogi Ji, take your hate elsewhere. You cannot bulldoze his principles or his ideology.”

WHAT’S THE CONTROVERSY?

While speaking at an election rally in Maharashtra’s Achalpur, Yogi Adityanath cited an incident where Mallikarjun Kharge’s family was a victim of the violence carried out by the Razakars of Hyderabad’s Nizam, allegedly burning the family members of the Congress chief.

Adityanath’s response against Kharge came after the latter criticised his “batenge to katenge” remark ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections.

African elephants, the planet’s largest land animals, are celebrated for their intelligence, complex social systems, and essential role in their ecosystems. However, they are now facing a severe crisis, as highlighted in a recent comprehensive study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study, which analysed data from 475 sites across 37 countries spanning from 1964 to 2016, reveals alarming population declines: savanna elephant numbers have fallen by an average of 70%, and forest elephants by a staggering 90%. These losses are especially pronounced in northern and eastern Africa due to intense poaching pressures and habitat loss.
Despite some success in conservation efforts within southern Africa, urgent action is needed to protect remaining populations and ensure the survival of these iconic animals, whose ecological role is critical to biodiversity.

African elephant populations are at risk of extinction

A comprehensive study has documented alarming declines in both African savanna and forest elephant populations. Researchers analysed data from 475 sites across 37 countries, covering a period from 1964 to 2016, making it the most thorough assessment of African elephants to date. The findings are troubling:

In total, the two species combined have seen a 77% population reduction across surveyed locations. “A lot of the lost populations won’t come back, and many low-density populations face continued pressures. We likely will lose more populations going forward,” said George Wittemyer, a professor of wildlife conservation at Colorado State University and chair of the scientific board for Save the Elephants, who co-led the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

African elephants population is declining due to poaching and habitat loss

African elephants are primarily threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Poaching for ivory remains a persistent issue, fuelled by demand in China and other parts of Asia. Meanwhile, agricultural expansion has significantly reduced their habitat, affecting their ability to forage and survive.
Forest elephants, which already have smaller populations compared to savanna elephants, have been disproportionately impacted by these pressures, especially in northern and eastern Africa. The study underscores distinct regional differences:

“We have lost a number of elephant populations across many countries, but the northern Sahel region has been particularly hard hit. High pressure and limited protection have culminated in populations being extirpated,” Wittemyer highlighted.

African elephant: Challenges and conservation efforts

Due to differing survey methods and timeframes, the study did not present a continent-wide population total. However, separate conservation estimates suggest the combined population of African elephants was between 415,000 and 540,000 as of 2016, establishing a vital baseline for ongoing conservation efforts.
“The loss of large mammals is a significant ecological issue for Africa and the planet,” said Dave Balfour, a conservation ecologist at Nelson Mandela University.
Despite the alarming trends, southern Africa’s conservation efforts demonstrate that targeted management can make a difference. “We have seen real success in several places across Africa, but particularly in southern Africa, with strong population growth,” Wittemyer noted.

The ecological importance of African elephants around the world

African elephants play a crucial ecological role, maintaining the balance between forests and grasslands and dispersing seeds that support other species’ survival. “While the trends are not good, it’s important to recognize both successes and challenges in conservation,” emphasized Wittemyer, co-leader of the study.
The slightly smaller Asian elephant, the world’s third existing elephant species, faces similar threats from habitat loss and poaching, underscoring the global need for coordinated conservation initiatives.
Also Read | New study maps the evolution of colour vision in animals

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office rushed to deny the existence of any such proposal, but documents show the CM had already approved amendments to the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act extending existing SC/ST/OBC quotas to Muslims.
| Photo Credit: KIRAN BAKALE/ THE HINDU

In the wake of the controversy over the past two weeks regarding the Waqf Board’s notices to farmers in Karnataka, a new dispute erupted in the State on November 12, a day before three Assembly constituency byelections. News broke that the State government was considering reserving four per cent of government civil works contracts up to Rs. 1 crore for Muslim contractors, matching their share in the IIB quota.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s office quickly issued a note acknowledging that while there has been a demand for Muslim reservation in government civil works, “there is no formal proposal regarding this pending before the State government.” Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar stated, “The BJP has spread this canard that Muslims will be provided reservation in government civil works to benefit in the byelections. There is no such proposal.”

Also Read | Waqf amendments challenge the essence of Islamic endowments, risking constitutional conflicts

Despite these denials, documents reveal that a proposal to amend the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act has been pending with Law Minister H. K. Patil since October 25, following the Chief Minister’s approval. The approval came after an August 24, 2024, letter from the CM’s political secretary, Naseer Ahmed, an MLC. Ahmed’s letter requested extending to Muslims the reservations currently provided to Schedule Castes (17 per cent), Tribes (7 per cent), and Other Backward Castes under Category I (4 per cent) and IIA (15 per cent). He cited “the socio-economic backwardness of Muslims” as justification.

Several Muslim legislators endorsed Ahmed’s letter, including Ministers B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan and Rahim Khan, along with Tanveer Sait, Saleem Ahmed, Abdul Jabbar, N. A. Harris, Rizwan Arshad, Asif Seth, Kaneez Fathima, Iqbal Hussain, and Bilkis Banu. Documents show that after receiving the CM’s approval, the Minority Welfare Department placed the proposal before the Finance Department on October 19, 2024. While the CM’s office has not addressed these documents’ authenticity, Minister Shivanand Patil remarked, “What is wrong if Muslims are provided reservation in government contracts?” BJP State president B. Y. Vijayendra called the proposal part of a “series of moves by the Congress government for the appeasement of Muslims.”

The four per cent Muslim reservation in Karnataka under Category IIB has existed since 1994 for government recruitment and educational admissions. The previous BJP government under Basavaraj Bommai attempted to scrap it in 2023, but the Supreme Court ruled against this decision, maintaining the quota. The Congress government now apparently seeks to extend this reservation to government civil works contracts, following similar reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs implemented in 2016 during Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure.

Also Read | Propriety, not just property: The Waqf debate

This revelation, coming a day before the byelections, has worried Congress leaders, especially following the recent Waqf controversy. BJP leaders focussed on the Waqf issue while campaigning for the November 13 byelections in Sandur, Shiggaon, and Channapatna. A Congress leader campaigning in Channapatna, where Janata Dal (Secular) leader H. D. Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, faces C. P. Yogeshwar of the Congress, said, “The JD (S) and the BJP turned the election into a Hindu-Muslim contest and raised the Waqf controversy to ensure that votes are polarised. The issue of Muslim quota in government contracts also started spreading on social media just a day before the elections, and I think this will also impact voters.”

Spinach (palak) is a winter wonder vegetable, and if you haven’t yet tried it in all its delicious forms, now’s the time. Sure, we all know the classic Palak Paneer, Palak Aloo, Palak Ka Saag, and even Palak Paratha, but today we’ve got something a little different – Palak Masala Chana. This flavorful, healthy curry is exactly what your winter dinner needs. It’s packed with taste, it’s super nutritious, and it’s a great way to add some variety to your meals. Spinach is already an iron powerhouse, and when you pair it with black chickpeas, you’re doubling the health benefits. Black chickpeas are high in protein and fibre, both of which are fantastic for weight loss. So, yes – this curry is your new best friend for both taste and health. Let’s take a look at the recipe!

Also Read: 5 Wonderful Benefits Of Spinach You Never Knew

Palak Masala Chana Recipe: How To Make Palak Masala Chana

First things first, soak your chickpeas overnight or for about 4-5 hours. Once soaked, toss them in a pressure cooker with some salt and cook them for 5-6 whistles. While that’s cooking, rinse and boil the spinach, then blend it into a smooth paste.

Next, check the chickpeas to make sure they’re cooked through. Now, blend three onions into a paste, and do the same for tomatoes and ginger-garlic. Pro tip: blending everything into a paste makes the curry extra flavorful!

Heat some oil in a pan, toss in cumin seeds and a pinch of asafoetida. Then, add the onion paste and sauté for a bit. After that, stir in the ginger-garlic paste, cook it for a minute, and then add the tomato paste. Let it cook together for another two minutes before adding red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and salt. Stir it all up and let the flavours meld together.

Once your masala is smelling amazing, add the boiled chickpeas to the pan. Mix them with the masala and cook for a few minutes. Then, pour in the spinach puree and stir it all together. Cover the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it’s done, turn off the heat and sprinkle some garam masala on top. Garnish with fresh coriander.

For an extra burst of flavour, finish it off with a tadka! Finely chop some garlic, heat some desi ghee in a pan, and fry the garlic with two whole red chillies and some kasuri methi. Let it cook for about two minutes, then pour it over the curry and cover the pan again.

After a few minutes, remove the lid, and get ready for a mouthwatering experience! Serve this Palak Masala Chana with roti, paratha, puri, or even rice for a wholesome meal. This winter, treat yourself to this delicious dish and enjoy a cosy, comforting dinner.

BAKU: With the first draft decision text on new post-2025 climate finance goals released at COP29 here on Wednesday, amid huge differences between rich and developing nations on the issue, UN climate body said developing countries would need $1.1-2.4 trillion annual investment by 2030, and up to $2.9 trillion till 2035, to meet mitigation goals.
This could, at least, be an indication to negotiators of rich nations about requirement when developing countries have been struggling to get a deal on having at least $1.3 trillion a year from their developed counterparts with a significant provision component for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.
Developing countries, however, don’t want it in the form of “investment” as currently much of climate finance discussions are focused on investments in mitigation actions.
Though the new text has mentioned the amount ($1.3 trillion), it also carried the other much lesser options in brackets with caveats on the nature of climate finance which won’t be acceptable to developing countries.
Developing countries expressed that climate finance should be “adequate, predictable, accessible, grant-based, low-interest and long-term”. The developed countries have, so far, not put in any numbers.
Referring to the text, developing countries have already pointed out that it was an attempt to push weak language to avoid providing real grant-based finance. Negotiations at COP29 would, therefore, see more texts on a new climate finance goal — called New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) — in the coming days for countries to thrash out their differences. In all probability, the more intense discussions for some convergence in the final text is expected next week when ministers are around.
Albanian PM goes off script, speech creates a stir
Albanian PM Edi Rama created a stir on Wednesday at COP29, claiming that nothing had actually changed in the real world despite big appeals by leaders, who he blamed lacked common political will to go beyond words and unite for meaningful action. Citing an observation he had made a day before, Rama said he decided to leave aside his “well prepared speech” after watching the “silent TV” in the leaders’ lounge.
“People there eat, drink, meet, and take photos together, while images of voiceless speeches from leaders play on and on and on in the background. To me, this seems exactly like what happens in the real world every day,” he said.
Special envoy says US will continue path of decarbonisation
Putting up a brave face amid the threat of dilution of climate actions under Donald Trump, the American special Presidential envoy for climate John Podesta said the US economy would continue down the path of decarbonisation, reducing emissions for years to come, because of historic private sector investments made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act under President Joe Biden.
Delivering his nation’s statement here at COP29, he said the US is on track to meet President Biden’s ambitious international public finance commitment of $11 billion per year by the end of 2024. He emphasised that the American negotiators would need to first conclude the key negotiated outcomes including Article 6 (carbon market) and a robust new climate finance target here at the climate conference.
“It should be multi-layered with an ambitious, realistically achievable support layer involving new contributors … underpinned by a set of qualitative elements that evolve the international financial architecture,” said Podesta in the context of the new post-2025 finance goal.

Veteran Democratic Party strategist James Carville argued that President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive sway with male voters is proof that the party needs to overhaul its messaging.

Earlier this year, Carville made headlines when he warned that “preachy females” and “feminine” woke messaging from Democrats were driving away male voters. After Trump’s victory, Carville has said Democrats have the “stench” of wokeness.

PBS host Christiane Amanpour asked Carville about his past comments on Wednesday’s “Amanpour and Co.” 

“Last spring you said, you know, ‘A suspicion of mine is that there are too many preachy females dominating the culture of the Democratic Party,’” the PBS host said. “Do you stand by that? ‘Females?’”

JAMES CARVILLE SAYS KAMALA HARRIS’ FAILED CAMPAIGN COULD BE REDUCED TO SUNNY HOSTIN’S QUESTION ON ‘THE VIEW’

“Well, would you look at our male vote?” Carville said. “Would somebody just take a look at how we did with males and how we did with non-White males and tell me that the Democrats don’t have a messaging problem, that the message comes across as too feminine?”

Carville continued, “There is not a person in the world that I’ve talked to that doubts that I’m right, right now. I mean, I say provocative things to get a provocative reaction. Is somebody really going to tell me we don’t have a problem with male voters?”

Amanpour, who is also a CNN International anchor, acknowledged Democrats poor performance with male voters, but asked what the party can do going forward.

“We could certainly shovel the entire identity politics about 50 feet into the ground and bury it. I mean, you can start by doing things like that,” he said. 

JOY REID SAYS BLACK WOMEN NO LONGER INTERESTED IN ‘SAVING AMERICA’ AFTER BETRAYAL BY WHITE FEMALE VOTERS

He also argued that Democrats were not allowed to talk about the Biden-Harris administration successfully cracking down on crime because the “woke-police would not allow that.” 

“You can change your language around. You know, don’t use coded language. Like I said, it’s going to take one cycle before we can wash this smell off of our shirt, but I think there’s a good chance that if we act correctly, it will be gone by ’26 and gone-gone by ’28,” Carville said. “But please don’t let anybody infer to me that we did well with males because we did not.” 

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