World leaders at the UN conference of parties (COP29) have agreed on a new finance deal of $300 billion a year after days of intense negotiations.

The high-level climate event which went into overtime left many developing countries disappointed with the outcome.

Developing countries had been vocal about their demand for a $1.3 trillion funding to help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Alliance of Small Island States and Least Developed Countries had staged a walkout during a finance meeting at the conference on Saturday.

The walkout was to protest the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) of $300 billion proposed by developing countries.

Speaking during the closing plenary, Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged countries to fulfill their pledges.

Stiell added that although not all nations reached their intended goals, the outcome leaves the parties with a pressing task ahead.

“This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, amid worsening climate impacts hitting every country. But like any insurance policy – it only works – if premiums are paid in full, and on time. Promises must be kept, to protect billions of lives,” Stiell said.

“No country got everything they wanted, and we leave Baku with a mountain of work to do.

“The many other issues we need to progress may not be headlines but they are lifelines for billions of people.”

Antonio Guterres, United Nations (UN) secretary-general, said he had envisioned a bold and ambitious outcome, noting that the newly forged deal serves as a foundational stepping stone.

“I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome – on both finance and mitigation – to meet the great challenge we face. But this agreement provides a base on which to build,” Guterres said.

Reacting to the new NCQG, Mohammed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, said it is a betrayal of the planet by rich countries.

“This COP has been a disaster for the developing world. It’s a betrayal of both people and planet, by wealthy countries who claim to take climate change seriously,” Adow said.

“Rich countries have promised to “mobilise” some funds in the future, rather than provide them now.

“At this ‘Finance COP’ not a single dollar of real climate finance has been provided right now.”

The new finance goal at COP29 builds on the efforts made at COP27, where nations agreed on the historic loss and damage fund, and COP28, which delivered a global agreement to transition from fossil fuels to boost climate resilience.

Heartland FC coach from last season Christian Obi has died suddenly after the club’s bus was involved in a ghastly accident on Friday.

The coach was said to be in front of the Heartland FC bus when it collided with a tipper, with the front of the bus seriously dented.

Obi reportedly died on the way to the hospital.

The accident reportedly occurred in Okigwe en-route to Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, where the Naze Millionaires were to participate in the Ifeanyi Ekwueme TICO/SELECT pre-season tournament.

Obi was in charge last season when Heartland FC were relegated.

According to Punch, aged 57, Obi was a Nigeria youth international goalkeeper who competed in the Men’s Football Tournament of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

Juventus player Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years following a failed drug test, according to reports by Italian media.

Pogba tested positive for testosterone earlier this season and was suspended on September 11, 2023, while officials opened an investigation.

Pogba argued that he had ingested the substance accidentally in the hope of receiving a reduced suspension but, as first revealed by La Repubblica, his claims have been rejected and he has now been handed the biggest possible suspension of four years.

Pogba will turn 31 in March and will not be able to return to competitive football until shortly before his 35th birthday. It is understood that his four-year suspension will include the period he has already served on the sidelines and will therefore be lifted in 2027.

Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer after his Manchester United contract expired in 2022 but suffered a serious knee injury during the summer which limited him to just ten appearances across all competitions last season, including just one start in Serie A. In total, he has played just 213 minutes for Juventus since returning to the club.

The French midfielder went unused in the first game of the season but was still randomly selected for a doping test after the match. He made two more substitute appearances before the results were confirmed and Pogba was suspended.

He remains under contract with Juventus until 2026. The club have been informed of the court’s decision but are yet to respond publicly.