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Legalise abortions in first trimester, German commission says

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An expert commission appointed by the government in Germany has recommended legalizing abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Currently, while abortions are technically illegal, exceptions exist for cases such as medical consultation beforehand, rape, or danger to the woman’s life. However, the ambiguous legal situation leads to challenges for both women seeking abortions and healthcare providers, contributing to stigma and uneven access to services, especially in rural areas.

The commission’s report, released a year ago, argues that maintaining the status quo is untenable in light of constitutional, human rights, and European law considerations. However, the government is not bound to follow the commission’s recommendations, and conservative opposition parties are threatening legal action if the law is changed. They accuse the commission of bias and claim the government is initiating a culture war over abortion rights.

While Germany has generally avoided the intense politicization of abortion seen in other countries, such as Poland or the US, upcoming national elections next year could intensify the debate. Politicians may use the issue to rally support amidst declining popularity, potentially prolonging the discussion and fueling further polarization.

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France to sue teen for falsely accusing school head in headscarf row

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France’s prime minister has announced that a teenage girl will face legal action for falsely accusing her headteacher of hitting her during a dispute over her wearing an Islamic headscarf. The headteacher resigned following death threats received after the incident.

This incident comes amidst heightened concerns over Islamist threats to French schools following the murders of two teachers, including Samuel Paty in 2020. The headteacher, unnamed publicly, cited safety concerns in his resignation letter sent to colleagues. Two individuals were detained for making death threats, though they had no direct connection to the school.

The police found no evidence to support the girl’s allegations, prompting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal to announce that she will be sued for false accusations. Politicians across the political spectrum condemned the hate campaign targeting the teacher.

Additionally, several Paris schools were closed due to bomb threats, with some investigators considering the possibility of Russian disinformation involvement. Prime Minister Attal previously warned of Russian efforts to destabilize France’s support for Ukraine.

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Karim Benzema files defamation suit against French interior minister

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French footballer Karim Benzema has taken legal action against France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, by filing a defamation lawsuit. The minister had accused Benzema of having links with the Muslim Brotherhood in October, claiming that he had a “notorious link” with the Sunni Muslim Islamist group. Benzema, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia and is a practicing Muslim, refutes any association with the organization and argues that Darmanin’s comments have damaged his honor and reputation.

In response to the minister’s accusations, Benzema issued a strong denial and promptly threatened legal action for slander. His lawyer, Hugues Vigier, emphasized that the footballer has “never had the slightest link with the Muslim Brotherhood organization” and accused Darmanin of engaging in “political exploitation.” Benzema contends that, due to his high profile, he is being used in political games, particularly in light of significant events, and insists that such statements are inappropriate.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded about 80 years ago in Egypt, is banned in several countries, including Egypt, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. However, it is not restricted in most of the European Union. Benzema’s legal complaint highlights the broader issue of political exploitation and the potential consequences of associating individuals with controversial groups based on their personal beliefs.

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Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni sorry for hospital pandoro claim

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Italian influencer Chiara Ferragni, known for her nearly 30 million Instagram followers, has issued an apology for a misleading promotion involving a “designer” pink pandoro Christmas cake. The AGCM antitrust authority fined Ferragni €1.075 million for falsely claiming that sales of the cake would contribute to a children’s hospital in Turin. The watchdog revealed that the cake’s producer had donated money to the hospital months before the product launch. Ferragni, 36, expressed regret for the “mistake in good faith” and pledged to donate €1 million to the Regina Margherita hospital. She intends to appeal the ruling, describing the fine as disproportionate and unjust.

The “Pandoro Pink Christmas,” labeled as designed by Ferragni, was sold at over €9, more than twice the price of Balocco’s classic unbranded pandoro. The AGCM found that buyers were misled into believing their purchases would contribute to medical equipment for treating children with specific illnesses. Prime Minister Georgia Meloni criticized influencers promoting “expensive cakes that make people believe they are charitable,” although she did not explicitly mention Ferragni. This controversy has raised questions about the reputation of Ferragni, often regarded as the “princess of influencers and queen of social media.”

Consumer group Codacons announced plans to launch legal action seeking compensation for individuals who bought the cake under the false impression that they were supporting the Turin children’s hospital. They are filing complaints with 104 Italian prosecutors, alleging aggravated fraud. The AGCM watchdog imposed a €420,000 fine on the cake’s manufacturer, Balocco, stating that false advertising exploited consumers’ sensitivity to charitable initiatives, violating Italy’s consumer code. Additionally, fines exceeding €1 million were imposed on two companies managing Chiara Ferragni’s trademarks and rights. Balocco had already donated €50,000 to the hospital months before the cake was put on sale, and the company paid Ferragni’s two companies around €1 million for promotion.

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Global Climate News Trending

Young Activists Sue 32 Nations Over Climate Change

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Claudia Duarte Agostinho vividly recalls the fear she felt during the devastating heatwave and wildfires that swept through Portugal in 2017, claiming over 100 lives. The trauma of those wildfires left her and her siblings anxious about their future. Claudia, aged 24, her brother Martim, aged 20, and her 11-year-old sister Mariana are among a group of six young Portuguese individuals who have taken an unprecedented step by filing a lawsuit against 32 governments, including all European Union member states, the UK, Norway, Russia, Switzerland, and Turkey.

Their lawsuit accuses these nations of inadequately addressing climate change and failing to sufficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This groundbreaking case is the first of its kind to be brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, potentially carrying legally-binding implications for the accused governments. The initial hearing took place recently.

These six claimants, ranging in age from 11 to 24, argue that the annual forest fires in Portugal since 2017 are a direct consequence of global warming. They assert that their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, privacy, family life, and freedom from discrimination, are being violated due to governments’ failure to combat climate change adequately. They have already experienced significant impacts, such as extreme temperatures forcing them indoors, restricting their daily lives, and causing health issues like eco-anxiety, allergies, and respiratory conditions. Remarkably, none of them seeks financial compensation.

The case’s proponents argue that the policies of these 32 governments are steering the world toward a catastrophic 3-degree Celsius global warming scenario by the century’s end. They demand urgent action to prevent unbearable heat extremes that threaten their health and well-being. In a 2021 study, the Lancet found widespread climate anxiety and dissatisfaction with government responses among children and young people worldwide, impacting their daily lives.

The governments, in their responses, contest that the claimants haven’t adequately demonstrated that their suffering directly results from climate change or Portuguese wildfires. They argue that there is no immediate evidence of climate change posing a risk to human life or health, and they question the ECHR’s jurisdiction over climate policy.

This David vs. Goliath case could have far-reaching implications, potentially binding these governments to increase climate action by reducing emissions and phasing out fossil fuels. It would also guide domestic courts dealing with climate change-related cases. A verdict is anticipated in nine to 18 months.

For Claudia, this case represents a glimmer of hope in an otherwise uncertain world. She contemplates the possibility of having children one day, but winning this case would mean that people are truly listening, governments are taking action, and a brighter future might be on the horizon.

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Spanish Football Federation to Pursue Legal Action Against Jennifer Hermoso for Alleged False Statements

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The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced its intention to pursue legal recourse in response to statements made by Jenni Hermoso concerning the federation’s president, Luis Rubiales. This follows a controversial incident where Rubiales kissed Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup victory over England. While Hermoso claimed that she did not give consent for the kiss, the RFEF disputes her account and asserts that evidence supports Rubiales’ innocence.

Represented by the players’ union Futpro, Hermoso has stated that she did not attempt to lift President Rubiales during their embrace on the podium. In response, the RFEF has released images of the embrace along with a detailed analysis, asserting that Hermoso did indeed exert force to raise Rubiales off the ground.

The RFEF expressed its intent to initiate legal actions against Hermoso or any party involved in spreading what they deem to be false information. This move comes amidst larger tensions within Spanish football, as 81 female players have declared their refusal to represent Spain’s national team until Rubiales steps down. The controversy has even extended to the men’s team, with Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias also announcing his refusal to play under Rubiales’ leadership.

The RFEF’s decision to pursue legal action follows international criticism of Rubiales’ behavior at the Women’s World Cup final. Rubiales had faced calls for resignation from government ministers, and Fifa had initiated disciplinary proceedings against him. Despite mounting pressure, Rubiales remained defiant and vowed to continue his position as president, asserting that the kiss was consensual and mutual.

The situation has also spurred solidarity among players, as evidenced by wristbands worn during a National Women’s Soccer League game in the United States, which bore the message ‘Contigo Jenni’ (With you Jenni). Prominent players like Alex Morgan have expressed their support for Hermoso and the Spanish players, condemning the alleged assault, misogyny, and failures of the Spanish federation.

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Irish Woman Wrongly Accused by Newspaper of Losing Son to Vaccine

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Following a lawsuit against a conspiracy theory newspaper that falsely attributed her son’s death to a Covid vaccine, a bereaved mother and her legal representative have become targets of severe online abuse. The Irish Light, known for spreading vaccine misinformation, inaccurately implicated Edel Campbell’s son, Diego Gilsenan, and others in vaccine-related deaths. This marked the first instance of a relative suing over such a case. Diego, who tragically took his own life and was not vaccinated, was included in the erroneous article.

The backlash against Ms. Campbell after filing her legal action has been distressing, deterring other affected families from seeking similar recourse, according to her solicitor, Ciaran Mulholland. The Irish Light and its editor, Gemma O’Doherty, have launched a campaign of derogatory social media posts and threats. Supporters of the publication have even called for violence against Ms. Campbell’s lawyer. The legal case aims to address harassment and defamation, rather than pursuing retribution or compensation.

In response to the false claims made by the newspaper, Ms. Campbell and her lawyer decided to take legal action against Gemma O’Doherty. The Irish Light had published a front-page photo of Diego and others with the misleading headline “Died Suddenly.” This headline was subsequently used by conspiracy theorists to suggest a link between young people’s unexpected deaths and the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ms. Campbell’s legal pursuit is backed by donations and pro bono work. Despite obtaining a restraining order against the Irish Light editor in July, abusive posts have persisted on social media. The Irish police are investigating the alleged harassment. Gemma O’Doherty and the Irish Light have not responded to inquiries from the BBC.

The case bears resemblance to other instances where conspiracy theorists have targeted victims, such as survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing and parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Irish Light has a history of promoting conspiracy theories, and its unfounded claims have been a source of distress for Ms. Campbell and others who have faced similar unfounded allegations.

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