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Ah, fact-checking. Where would we be without it? Take, for instance, a recent story that made the rounds on social media. According to these reports, Oxfam — the British NGO — found that a huge chunk of the World Bank’s spending on climate change-related issues was “missing.” Thank heavens for fact-checkers like the — a Poynter Institute-accredited fact-checker from down under — which set us all straight: “An Oxfam report did not find that $US41 billion has gone ‘missing’ from the World Bank’s climate change fund, contrary to claims online.” What a relief. Instead, the AAP noted, the Oxfam report found that the just doesn’t really know where the money went. See? Totally different! The controversy centers around an Oct. 2024 titled “Climate Finance Unchecked: How much does the World Bank know about the climate actions it claims?” Answer: not as much as it probably should. The findings are front-loaded in a TL;DR on page two of the 33-page report, in case you’re not interested in reading the whole thing through: “Oxfam finds that for World Bank projects, many things can change during implementation. On average, actual expenditures on the Bank’s projects differ from budgeted amounts by 26–43% above or below the claimed climate finance. Across the entire climate finance portfolio, between 2017 and 2023, this difference amounts to US$24.28–US$41.32 billion,” the report states. “No information is available about what new climate actions were supported and which planned actions were cut. Now that the Bank has touted its focus on understanding and reporting on the impacts of its climate finance, it is critical to stress that without a full understanding of how much of what the Bank claims as climate finance at the project approval stage becomes actual expenditure, it is impossible to track and measure the impacts of the Bank’s climate co-benefits in practice.” The report stated “generous accounting practices by different countries and providers, combined with the lack of transparency and consistency in how climate finance is defined, calculated, and reported, is at the root of the crisis of trust in climate finance.” As the pointed out in a November summation of Oxfam’s findings, this is sort of a big deal when you consider how the World Bank is in the process, more or less, of turning itself into the Global Climate Change Savings & Loan. “In recent years, the World Bank has touted its spending on climate finance and its plans to dramatically expand it,” the ICIJ noted. “World Bank President Ajay Banga said in December that the bank had met its goal to devote 35% of its financing to climate three years ahead of schedule and set a new target of 45% by 2025. That goal is well within reach; the bank announced in September that its climate finance investments reached 44% of total financing, or $42.6 billion, over the past fiscal year. ‘We’re putting our ambition in overdrive,’ Banga said.” The report underscored that there’s a huge difference between the World Bank’s ambition and the world bank’s accounting processes, however, and one that needs to be addressed. But both Oxfam and the AAP fact-checking team wanted to you to be sure that the NGO “was not alleging any mismanagement of funds due to corruption or waste; it was concerned about the World Bank’s reporting process for deviations in planned and actual climate finance.” “This distinction is significant,” a spokesperson for said. “Oxfam’s report doesn’t suggest funds are missing but points to a transparency issue that makes it difficult to know precisely what the Bank is delivering in terms of climate finance: where it’s going and what it’s supporting.” Yes, well, excuse us for sounding like negative Nancys, but this sounds a bit like one of those cheerful bosses who describes a major organizational setback as an “opportunity for breakthrough improvement.” Indeed it might b, on some level, but a Panglossian refusal to acknowledge the bedrock realities of the situation that accompanies it becomes downright hilarious — unless you’re on the hook for it, of course. And if you’re an American, you are! According to a report, the U.S. contributes over 16 percent of the World Bank’s total capital through its financial commitments, and has significant voting power on all of the that provide climate change funding. Yes, this may be a drop in the bucket in terms of your tax dollars, and yes, there are bigger climate hustles bureaucrats have spent your cash on (hey, whatever happened to that promising green energy start-up ?), but the difference between “a transparency issue that makes it difficult to know precisely what the Bank is delivering in terms of climate finance” and “missing” sounds an awful lot like the difference “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky” “Indeed, I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate; in fact, it was wrong.” Of course, when it comes to virtually any other institutional spending issue, using the word “missing” to refer to something being lost or something being unaccounted for would be a distinction without a difference. Here, it’s unspoken it’s problematic and why fact-checkers are taking issue with it: When it comes to spending on issues related to climate change and green energy, there are Good Guys and there are Bad Guys. The Good Guys say this is merely an accounting quibble, the Bad Guys say that this means at least $24 billion and up to $41 billion of World Bank funds are somewhere in the ether of global finance thanks to variances in accounting practices that charitably be described as curious. Thus, it’s not, “contrary to claims online,” missing. It’s just not accounted for! At this point, I’m not sure which is the bigger racket: dubious national or supranational funding of projects that fall loosely under the aegis of purported climate change mitigation, or . At least this can be said about fact-checking: It costs a hell of a lot less. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .
ChatGPT search tool could be open to manipulation using hidden content: ReportAnaconda trail could become another symbol of recoveryNate Johnson scores 25 as Akron defeats Alabama State 97-78
Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. Georgia QB Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks. Patriots QB Drake Maye returns to game after evaluation for head injury vs. Chargers FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye has returned to the game after being evaluated for a head injury following a blow to the helmet in the first quarter of New England’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession of the game when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field on his own power. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent and then the locker room. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series. But Maye returned at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. Corbin Burnes and Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes was perhaps the top free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February trade after he spent his first six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. NBA coaches react with dismay over firing of 2-time coach of the year Mike Brown ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Not even two years ago, Rick Carlisle publicly lauded Mike Brown for the job he did on the way to winning the NBA’s coach of the year award. And on Friday, Carlisle was among the coaches reacting with dismay that Brown was fired. The Sacramento Kings dismissed Brown on Friday, with the team off to a 13-18 start this season and mired toward the bottom of the Western Conference — despite back-to-back winning seasons, something that franchise hadn’t managed in nearly two decades. Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas. Hurts is still in the NFL concussion protocol. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet. UConn beats Carolina in Fenway Bowl, dominating Bill Belichick's next team in his old backyard BOSTON (AP) — Joe Fagnano threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns to help UConn beat North Carolina 27-14 in the Fenway Bowl, embarrassing Bill Belichick’s new team in his old backyard. Belichick was not spotted in the home of the Boston Red Sox, about an hour north of the stadium where he and Tom Brady hung six Super Bowl championship banners. Interim coach Freddie Kitchens, who like Belichick is a former Cleveland Browns coach, took over when Mack Brown was fired and handled the bowl preparations. Mel Brown rushed for 96 yards for the Huskies. McCord throws for 453 yards, 5 TDs in No. 22 Syracuse's 52-35 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns to break Deshaun Watson’s Atlantic Coast Conference season passing record and lead No. 22 Syracuse to a 52-35 victory over depleted-yet-scrappy Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. LeQuint Allen rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 1,000-yard season for the Orange (10-3), who had their first 10-win season since 2018. Fran Brown joined Paul Pasqualoni (1991) as the only Orange coaches since World War II to win 10 game in their first season. The Cougars (8-5) lost their fourth straight game but were spirited despite losing coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma, both coordinators and the quarterbacks and running backs coach.
Michigan aims to cap lost season by beating Ohio StateRedefining the Real Happiness
Craig 2-5 6-6 11, Goode 1-1 4-5 6, Millender 1-3 2-2 5, Walker 3-9 5-7 13, Zilinskas 11-20 5-5 32, Brown 3-7 4-4 11, Dudukovich 3-6 1-1 9, Garner 0-4 1-2 1, Rutland 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-57 28-32 88. Moodie 7-10 2-6 16, Bryant 3-5 10-11 17, Ford 6-12 7-8 20, Riley 3-11 0-0 9, Downey 1-5 0-0 2, Lee 2-4 1-1 5, Colon 0-2 0-0 0, Crosby 3-4 4-4 10, Smith 0-2 2-3 2, Greer 0-1 0-0 0, Abdur-Rahman 1-1 0-0 2, Kuir 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-57 26-33 83. Halftime_Alabama A&M 33-32. 3-Point Goals_IU Indianapolis 12-28 (Zilinskas 5-10, Dudukovich 2-4, Walker 2-5, Brown 1-2, Craig 1-3, Millender 1-3, Rutland 0-1), Alabama A&M 5-25 (Riley 3-11, Bryant 1-2, Ford 1-4, Lee 0-1, Smith 0-1, Colon 0-2, Downey 0-4). Fouled Out_Craig, Brown, Downey. Rebounds_IU Indianapolis 32 (Brown 8), Alabama A&M 32 (Ford 6). Assists_IU Indianapolis 11 (Walker 3), Alabama A&M 13 (Ford 7). Total Fouls_IU Indianapolis 23, Alabama A&M 26. A_320 (6,000).
Germany’s largest steelmaker to cut thousands of jobs by 2030
President-elect Donald Trump demonstrated backing for the H-1B visa initiative, joining tech tycoon Elon Musk in a passionate discussion among MAGA conservatives. In an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, Trump expressed support for immigration visas for skilled workers, a stance that has created rifts in his political base. “I’ve always liked the visas. I’ve always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump stated, referring to the H-1B program, which allows companies to hire foreign specialists for key roles. Trump admitted to heavily utilizing H-1B visas at his properties, describing the program as “great” and “essential.” These remarks differ from Trump's previous position during his presidency when he placed limits on visas for foreign workers, such as the H-1B program. Critics have claimed that the initiative puts American workers at a disadvantage, a worry often expressed by staunch MAGA supporters. Elon Musk Defends H-1B ProgramElon Musk became a prominent supporter of the H-1B visa program, emphasizing its significance for sustaining U.S. competitiveness. Musk emphasized that the initiative is essential for acquiring high-quality engineering talent that is frequently not accessible within the country. Addressing critics on his social media platform, X, Musk ardently supported the program. His remarks escalated after Steven Mackey, an X user, mocked Musk’s advocacy by using Musk’s own words, “Stop trying to optimize something that shouldn’t exist.” Musk fired back, stating that the H-1B program enabled many key contributors, including himself, to thrive in America. “The reason I’m in America, along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies, is because of H-1B,” Musk wrote. In a heated exchange, Musk added, “Take a big step back and F–K YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” paraphrasing a famous line from the film Tropic Thunder. Pushback From MAGA ConservativesTrump's remarks and Musk's support have elicited strong backlash from certain MAGA conservatives. Notable individuals like Laura Loomer and Ann Coulter have claimed that the program is being misused by corporations to the detriment of American workers. Steve Bannon, an ex-White House advisor, ridiculed Musk on Gettr, suggesting a “wellness check” on the billionaire's mental health. As reported by The New York Post, these conservatives contend that H-1B visas compromise Trump's commitment to prioritize American jobs and implement tougher immigration regulations. Broader ImplicationsMusk’s stance has gained backing from certain individuals within Trump’s inner circle. Vivek Ramaswamy, set to head the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump, shared Musk’s views. Ramaswamy characterized American culture as one that “valued mediocrity more than excellence,” endorsing policies that draw in top talent. Musk stressed that the U.S. needs to compete internationally by attracting the best “0.1% of engineering talent” to maintain its leadership in fields such as technology and innovation. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.Jamichael Stillwell scores 22 to lead Milwaukee to 69-65 victory over St. Thomas-MinnesotaThe 49ers will have running back Isaac Guerendo for Monday Night Football. Guerendo, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, does not have an injury designation for the game against the Lions. Patrick Taylor Jr. started in his place against the Dolphins. The 49ers have running backs Christian McCaffrey (knee), Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Jordan Mason (ankle) on injured reserve, which elevated Guerendo to the starting role Dec. 8. The team ruled out offensive guard Spencer Burford (calf), offensive guard Aaron Banks (knee), defensive end Robert Beal (ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) for Monday night. The 49ers list cornerback Charvarius Ward (personal), safety Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle), offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (knee) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee) as questionable.