标签： Europe

In a complex international saga involving conservation, diplomacy, and wildlife trade, the transfer of 26 Spix’s macaws to a private zoo in India has sparked global scrutiny. The birds, declared extinct in the wild in 2019, were part of a captive-breeding program in Brazil before being sent to the Vantara animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Gujarat, India, in 2023. The facility, operated by the philanthropic arm of the Ambani family, Asia’s wealthiest, has faced questions over the legality and ethics of the transfer. While Indian investigators cleared Vantara of wrongdoing, Brazil and European officials remain concerned. Brazil claims it did not consent to the transfer and has raised the issue at CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) meetings. Germany, which initially approved the transfer, later rejected further shipments after consulting with Brazilian authorities. Vantara, which houses over 2,000 species, insists the transfer was lawful and non-commercial, aimed at conservation breeding. The controversy highlights the challenges of balancing conservation efforts with international wildlife trade regulations. As discussions continue, the fate of these rare birds remains a focal point of global conservation debates.

An Eritrean man has been deported from the UK to France under the government’s ‘one in, one out’ migration agreement, marking the second such removal since the policy was introduced. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was escorted by Home Office officials on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris. This action follows a failed last-minute court appeal to delay his departure, with the presiding judge ruling there was no legal justification to halt the process. The ‘one in, one out’ scheme, a year-long pilot agreement between the UK and France, aims to deter illegal small boat crossings by returning migrants to France while allowing asylum seekers with strong cases to enter the UK in exchange. The first deportation under this policy involved an Indian national, who was returned to France earlier this month. The Eritrean man, who arrived in the UK via a small boat in August, had claimed to be a victim of human trafficking. However, the judge noted inconsistencies in his account, leading to the decision to proceed with his removal. The Home Office has confirmed that more flights are planned, though ongoing legal challenges may affect their execution. Since the scheme began in August, approximately 5,590 migrants have reached the UK, with around 100 currently detained in immigration removal centers near Heathrow.

In a landmark achievement for European infrastructure, workers on Thursday breached the final layer of rock in the construction of the Brenner Base Tunnel, a monumental project set to become the world’s longest underground rail connection. This tunnel, linking Austria and Italy, is a cornerstone of the European Union’s strategy to reduce road freight traffic, lower pollution, and enhance cross-border trade. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the event as a “decisive step” in building one of the continent’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, calling it a historic milestone for Italy, Austria, and Europe as a whole. Scheduled to open in 2032—16 years behind schedule—the tunnel will span 55 kilometers (34 miles) and, when connected to an existing underground link to Innsbruck, extend to 64 kilometers. It promises to slash travel times between Fortezza, Italy, and Innsbruck, Austria, from 80 minutes to under 25 minutes. The Brenner Pass, one of Europe’s busiest freight routes, currently sees over 2.5 million trucks and 50 million tonnes of goods annually, contributing to severe congestion and environmental strain. The tunnel aims to shift 70% of trans-Alpine freight traffic from roads to rail, reversing the current imbalance. However, the project’s full potential could be hindered by Germany’s delay in finalizing crucial northern access routes to the tunnel, which are essential for maximizing its impact on reducing road traffic through the Alps. With a budget now exceeding 8.5 billion euros ($10 billion), the Brenner Base Tunnel represents a significant investment in Europe’s sustainable transportation future.