In a landmark legal battle, a Belgian farmer, Hugues Falys, is confronting French oil giant TotalEnergies in court, demanding accountability for climate change-induced damages. Supported by Greenpeace, Falys seeks financial compensation and urges the company to reduce its oil and gas production to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The lawsuit, filed in Tournai, Belgium, represents a growing trend of environmental activists holding major energy corporations responsible for their role in global warming. Falys, addressing a crowd of 50 supporters in the rain, emphasized his goal to compel TotalEnergies to adopt more sustainable practices, particularly for agriculture and society at large. TotalEnergies has not publicly commented on the case but has previously stated its commitment to reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy. This case is part of a broader wave of nearly 100 lawsuits worldwide targeting oil giants like BP, Exxon Mobil, and Shell over the past two decades. A 2023 UN report highlighted a significant increase in such litigation, though none have yet resulted in companies paying for climate-related damages. The hearing is expected to continue until mid-December. Globally, activists have achieved more success in suing governments than corporations. Notable rulings include the Dutch Supreme Court’s 2019 decision affirming climate protection as a human right and a 2021 Paris court ruling that held the French government accountable for climate inaction. Internationally, the UN’s top court recently issued an advisory opinion stating that nations failing to address climate change could face legal consequences. These cases, while still unfolding, are shaping the legal landscape for future climate-related litigation.
标签： Europe
欧洲
-
Mountain of illegally dumped trash near Oxford river causes outcry in England
A colossal illegal waste dump near the River Cherwell outside Oxford, visible from space, has ignited widespread concern over environmental degradation and criminal activity. Concealed behind a dense tree line along the busy A34 highway, the trash pile spans the length of three Olympic-sized swimming pools and reaches the height of a two-story house. Despite its enormity, the dump went unnoticed for months, raising questions about oversight and enforcement. The Environment Agency identified the site as high-risk in July and issued a cease-and-desist order, but illegal dumping persisted, prompting a criminal investigation. Satellite imagery revealed the transformation of verdant fields into a sprawling garbage site between April and July 2024. The discovery has drawn attention to England’s struggle against organized crime groups responsible for illegal waste disposal, which costs the economy £1 billion annually. With winter rains approaching, fears mount that the waste could flood into the River Cherwell, threatening local ecosystems and waterways. The cleanup cost could exceed £26 million, surpassing the budget of the Cherwell District Council. Environmental advocates and lawmakers have criticized the government’s slow response, urging stricter enforcement and accountability. This incident highlights the growing problem of “fly-tipping” across the UK, with over 1.1 million incidents reported in 2023-24, a 6% increase from the previous year. The government has pledged increased funding for waste enforcement, but the scale of the crisis underscores the need for urgent action.
-
Louvre to set up new cameras and anti-intrusion systems after stunning crown jewels heist
The Louvre Museum in Paris is set to implement a series of advanced security measures following last month’s audacious crown jewels heist. Museum director Laurence des Cars announced on Wednesday that approximately 100 new surveillance cameras will be operational by the end of next year, with anti-intrusion systems being installed within the next two weeks. These measures aim to prevent unauthorized access to the museum’s premises and ensure comprehensive protection of its surroundings. Des Cars emphasized that these upgrades are part of over 20 emergency actions being taken in response to the October 19 robbery, which saw thieves steal an €88 million ($102 million) treasure trove in less than eight minutes. The breach occurred when intruders used disc cutters, typically meant for concrete, to penetrate the Apollo Gallery’s display cases. Des Cars revealed that the cases, designed in 2019 to withstand internal attacks, held up remarkably well during the heist, making the thieves’ task more challenging. The security enhancements align with the Louvre’s decade-long ‘New Renaissance’ plan, launched earlier this year with an estimated budget of €800 million ($933 million). This initiative aims to modernize the museum’s infrastructure, reduce overcrowding, and create a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031. Des Cars also highlighted the museum’s struggle with mass tourism, noting that visitor numbers have surged to over 8 million this year, far exceeding the 4 million capacity envisioned when the iconic glass pyramid was inaugurated in 1989. In a related development, the Louvre temporarily closed some employee offices and a public gallery due to structural fragility.
-
UK defense secretary warns Russia it is ready to deal with any incursions after spy ship spotted
The United Kingdom has issued a stern warning to Russia following the detection of the Russian spy ship Yantar near British waters north of Scotland. Defense Secretary John Healey emphasized that the vessel had directed lasers at surveillance aircraft monitoring its activities. “We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready,” Healey declared during a speech in London. This warning comes as the UK government prepares to unveil its new budget, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer advocating for significant increases in military spending to counter threats from Russia, China, and Iran. However, the government faces financial challenges, including potential tax hikes and spending cuts to address a multi-billion-pound deficit. Healey also announced plans to construct at least six new munitions factories across the UK, a move expected to create 1,000 jobs and bolster the military’s supply of explosives and propellants. The Yantar, part of the Russian navy, is known for its surveillance capabilities and potential for sabotage, prompting the UK and its allies to closely monitor its movements. Healey highlighted the need for a robust defense strategy in response to global threats, including conflicts in the Middle East, tensions between India and Pakistan, and espionage activities by China. The UK has pledged to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, aligning with NATO standards, to ensure national security in an era of heightened geopolitical risks.
-
Russian spy ship on edge of UK waters, defence secretary says
A Russian spy ship, the Yantar, has been detected operating near UK waters north of Scotland, according to UK Defence Secretary John Healey. The vessel, known for its intelligence-gathering capabilities, has reportedly used lasers to distract pilots of surveillance aircraft monitoring its movements. Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Healey emphasized that this marks the second instance in a year that the Yantar has entered UK waters. The ship is specifically designed to map undersea cables and gather intelligence, posing a potential threat to the UK’s undersea infrastructure and that of its allies. Healey issued a stern warning to Russia, stating, ‘We see you. We know what you’re doing. And if the Yantar travels south this week, we are ready.’ The Yantar is part of a Russian fleet associated with the Main Directorate of Deep-Sea Research (GUGI), a program aimed at conducting surveillance during peacetime and sabotage in conflict scenarios. Healey highlighted the UK’s determination to track and deter such activities, working in coordination with allies to ensure readiness and capability. This incident follows a similar warning issued by the Defence Secretary in January when the Yantar was previously spotted in UK waters.
-
Klimt painting second most expensive artwork sold at auction
A masterpiece by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, was auctioned for a staggering $236.4 million in New York on Tuesday, securing its place as the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The intense 20-minute bidding war involved six participants, though the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed by Sotheby’s, the auction house overseeing the sale. Painted between 1914 and 1916, the portrait has a tumultuous history, having been looted by the Nazis during World War II and nearly destroyed in a fire. It was rescued in 1948 and returned to Erich Lederer, the brother of the subject and a friend of Klimt’s contemporary, Egon Schiele. The painting remained in the Lederer family until its sale in 1983. The artwork depicts Elisabeth Lederer, an heiress and daughter of one of Klimt’s patrons, adorned in a white robe against a backdrop of a blue tapestry adorned with Asian motifs. The Nazis, who annexed Austria in 1938, plundered the Lederer art collection but spared the family portraits. In 1985, Leonard A. Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, acquired the painting, displaying it in his Fifth Avenue residence. The sale far exceeded pre-auction estimates of $150 million, surpassing the previous record for a Klimt artwork, Lady with a Fan, which sold for $108.8 million in 2023. The event also featured other Klimt works from Lauder’s collection, including Flowering Meadow and Forest Slope at Unterach am Attersee, each fetching between $60 million and $80 million. The most expensive artwork ever auctioned remains Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450.3 million in 2017. In a curious twist, a fully functional gold toilet sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan was sold for $12.1 million just an hour after the Klimt sale, with the buyer identified as a prominent American brand.
-
Russian barrage kills 10 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy heads for talks with Turkish leader
In a devastating overnight assault, Russia launched a massive drone and missile barrage across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuring dozens more. The attack targeted two nine-story apartment buildings in Ternopil, a city in western Ukraine, leaving emergency crews to search for survivors amidst the rubble. Ukrainian officials reported at least 37 injuries, including 12 children. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia deployed 476 strike and decoy drones alongside 48 missiles of various types in the assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating on Telegram that such brazen acts highlight the insufficient international pressure on Russia to cease its aggression. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a bid to strengthen diplomatic efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and increase global pressure to end the conflict. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the importance of achieving a ‘just peace’ and hinted at potential support from the United States, which is set to impose new sanctions on Russia’s oil industry. Meanwhile, the strikes extended beyond Ternopil, with nearly 50 injuries reported in three other Ukrainian regions. NATO member Romania scrambled fighter jets after a drone entered its airspace during the attacks, while Poland temporarily closed two airports to prioritize military aviation. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone strikes injured 46 people, including two girls, and damaged civilian infrastructure. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted four U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine, with debris damaging an orphanage and a gerontology center, though no casualties were reported.
-
Nine killed in Russian attack on western Ukraine, Zelensky says
In a devastating overnight assault, Russian forces launched a massive attack on western Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties and destruction. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that nine people were killed and dozens injured in the city of Ternopil, where nine-story residential buildings were struck. The assault involved over 470 drones and 47 missiles, marking one of the deadliest attacks on western Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Zelensky described the attack as ‘brazen,’ emphasizing the widespread damage to energy facilities, transport, and civil infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that people may still be trapped under the rubble. The Kharkiv region also suffered a massive drone attack, injuring more than 30 people, including children. Photos from the scene showed buildings and vehicles engulfed in flames. Power outages have been reported across multiple regions, further compounding the crisis. Zelensky, currently in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called for increased international support, stating that ‘every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient.’ He urged for effective sanctions and aid to Ukraine to counter the aggression. Despite Zelensky’s efforts to intensify peace negotiations, the Kremlin has refused to send a representative to the talks in Ankara. This breaking news story is continuously updated, with more details expected shortly.
-
Cristiano Ronaldo attends White House dinner alongside Saudi crown prince
Global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo made a notable appearance at a high-profile White House black-tie dinner on Tuesday evening, rubbing shoulders with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and tech mogul Elon Musk. The event, hosted by former US President Donald Trump, underscored the deepening ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with Trump lauding the kingdom as a “major non-NATO ally.” Ronaldo, who has become a prominent figure in Saudi Arabia’s modernization efforts through his role in the Saudi Pro League, was personally praised by Trump, who humorously noted that his son Baron was a “big fan” of the Portuguese star. The dinner also marked Elon Musk’s first visit to the White House since his resignation from the Trump administration’s Department for Government Efficiency in April, following a highly publicized feud with the former president. Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments in sports and tourism, aimed at reducing its reliance on oil revenues, have drawn criticism from some quarters, with accusations of ‘sportswashing’ to divert attention from human rights concerns. Ronaldo, who has faced past allegations of sexual assault—claims he has vehemently denied—has embraced his role as a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s global image-building efforts, recently signing a lucrative two-year contract worth $400 million. His presence at the White House event highlights his continued influence both on and off the field.
-
On the front line of Europe’s standoff with Russia’s sanction-busting shadow fleet
In the western Baltic Sea, a Swedish coastguard officer radios a sanctioned oil tanker, seeking details about its insurance, flag state, and last port of call. This exchange is emblematic of Europe’s tense confrontation with Russia’s ‘shadow fleet,’ a network of aging tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. Since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western nations have imposed strict energy sanctions, prompting Moscow to rely on these vessels, often with obscure ownership and insurance, to maintain its oil trade. European coastguards and navies are increasingly encountering these ships, suspecting them of transporting oil illegally. Some are even accused of undersea sabotage, illicit drone launches, or falsifying location data. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reports that the number of falsely flagged ships has more than doubled this year, surpassing 450 globally. Many of these vessels are stateless, operating without valid flags or proper insurance, raising concerns about environmental and security risks. For instance, the tanker Unity, previously known as Ocean Explorer, has changed names and flags multiple times, most recently claiming a false flag from Lesotho. Despite being sanctioned by the UK and EU, Unity continues to operate, highlighting the challenges of enforcing maritime laws. The rise of the shadow fleet has alarmed European nations, particularly in the Baltic region, where vessels frequently pass through en route to Russian oil terminals. Estonia’s navy chief, Commodore Ivo Värk, notes a significant increase in such traffic, emphasizing the brazen nature of these operations. While countries like France, Finland, and Estonia have detained some ships, the fear of escalation with Russia limits more aggressive actions. NATO officials stress the importance of monitoring these vessels to deter illegal activities, but the complexity of the situation underscores the fragility of the international rules-based order. As Europe intensifies its surveillance, the shadow fleet continues to grow, posing significant risks to global commerce, security, and the environment.