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Hazel Behan, a woman who claims to have been raped by the man suspected of Madeleine McCann’s murder, gave chilling testimony in court. She recounted feeling an indescribable fear when awakened by a masked intruder. Christian Brückner, the prime suspect, denies involvement in both cases. The trial in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, focuses on unrelated sex offense charges against Brückner, alleged to have occurred in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.

Behan, a former holiday rep in Praia de Rocha, vividly described the night of the assault in June 2004. She walked home alone after an argument with her boyfriend and was attacked in her apartment. The assailant, dressed entirely in black and armed with a knife, subjected her to a prolonged ordeal, including rape and filming parts of the assault. Behan endured physical and emotional trauma, and despite years passing, she still suffers from panic attacks and requires medication.

The trial also highlighted Behan’s disappointment with the Portuguese police’s handling of her case. She recalled feeling neglected and mistreated during the investigation. Years later, upon seeing Brückner’s photo in a news article, Behan recognized him and decided to come forward, linking her assault to his previous convictions.

Behan emphasized the profound impact the attack had on her life, stating that she no longer feels like the carefree person she was before. Brückner’s defense team maintains skepticism about the case’s foundation and is challenging the charges.

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The Portuguese government has firmly rejected the notion of offering reparations for the country’s involvement in transatlantic slavery and colonialism, despite recent remarks by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa suggesting otherwise. President de Sousa acknowledged Portugal’s historical wrongdoings, including acts of violence and exploitation, but refrained from specifically addressing the issue of slavery. Instead, he proposed taking full responsibility for the past through alternative measures such as development aid and debt forgiveness.

However, the government swiftly issued a statement asserting that there is no concrete plan or program for reparations, maintaining continuity with the stance of previous administrations. While there have been discussions within the government about returning looted items from colonial times, the official position remains unchanged. The current Minister of Culture, who previously served as the director of a national museum housing artifacts from former colonies, has expressed support for the idea in the past.

Despite the government’s stance, anti-racist groups and left-wing political parties have reignited the debate surrounding Portugal’s colonial legacy in recent days. They advocate for acknowledgment and redress of historical injustices, including slavery and colonial-era abuses. President de Sousa, with his personal family ties to colonial governance, emerges as a significant figure in advocating for a nuanced understanding of Portugal’s colonial past, countering narratives minimizing its impact.

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Portugal’s recent snap elections resulted in a fragmented parliament, with the center-right Democratic Alliance (AD) emerging as the leading party but falling short of a majority. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has invited Luís Montenegro, a center-right politician, to form a minority government. However, with only 80 seats secured by the AD, alliances are necessary to pass legislation.

Montenegro’s appointment as prime minister follows consultations with party leaders and a refusal to collaborate with the far-right Chega party, despite their record gains. The rejection of Chega underscores the complexities of coalition-building in Portugal’s current political landscape, which faces its most fragmented parliament since the end of dictatorship.

As Montenegro assumes the role of prime minister, he confronts the challenge of navigating a divided parliament and securing support either from the Socialists or Chega to pass crucial legislation. His reluctance to divulge detailed strategies for forming a majority underscores the uncertainties surrounding the future governance of Portugal.

The premiership transition marks the departure of Antonio Costa, who led Portugal as Socialist party leader but resigned amid corruption allegations. Despite Costa’s departure, the issues that shaped voter discontent, such as low wages and rising rents, remain pertinent, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the country’s leadership.

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Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, recently appeared in a German court for unrelated sex offenses. He faces charges of rape and sexual abuse dating back to between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal. Brückner, who is already serving a seven-year sentence for rape, denies any involvement in Madeleine McCann’s case.

The trial was postponed due to allegations that a lay judge had posted radical views on social media. Brückner has never been formally charged in the McCann case, but German investigators identified him as a suspect in 2020. The charges he currently faces are for offenses unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

Brückner’s lawyer has criticized the charges, but the trial continues in Lower Saxony, Germany. Brückner has a history of convictions in Portugal, including rape and theft. Although initially not closely investigated in Madeleine’s case, Brückner’s connection to it has brought him under scrutiny.

He is currently serving a prison sentence and the outcome of this trial may affect his incarceration beyond his current sentence.

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FIFA has confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be hosted across six countries spanning three continents. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to co-host the tournament, with the opening matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the World Cup’s centenary. This decision is expected to be ratified at a FIFA congress next year.

The choice of co-hosting the tournament across multiple continents has drawn criticism, with concerns raised about its impact on fans, the environment, and human rights. FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, emphasized the unique global footprint this approach would create, uniting Africa, Europe, and South America.

This proposal signifies a significant change for the World Cup, as teams may find themselves playing in two different seasons due to the hemisphere switch. If approved, Morocco will become only the second African nation to host a World Cup. Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will also qualify automatically as co-hosts.

In addition to the World Cup announcement, FIFA revealed that only bids from countries within the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation would be considered for the 2034 finals. This led to Saudi Arabia announcing its bid for the 2034 tournament. The deadline for prospective hosts to express interest is October 31.

FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup across three continents has raised concerns about sustainability and climate impact, given the significant air travel and emissions associated with such a large-scale event.

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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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Amidst soaring temperatures, firefighters in Portugal are working diligently to contain wildfires that have spread across thousands of hectares. An overnight effort near Odemira involved around 800 personnel, leading to the evacuation of over 1,400 individuals. Tragically, nine firefighters have sustained injuries during the firefighting operations.

The Iberian Peninsula is expected to experience temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) this week. While three significant fires in Spain have been brought under control after scorching extensive areas, weather advisories persist across the country.

Portugal recorded its highest temperature of the year, reaching 46.4°C (116°F) in Santarém on Monday. A blaze that ignited near Odemira on Saturday was propelled southward into the Algarve’s hilly interior due to strong winds. Approximately 6,700 hectares (16,600 acres) of land have already been devastated, and numerous villages, tourist accommodations, and a camping site were evacuated. The mayor of Odemira described the situation as “critical, difficult, and complex.”

Elsewhere in Portugal, major fires prompted the closure of several sections of highways, including parts of the A1 connecting Lisbon and Porto. Firefighting efforts across both regions are being aided by sixteen waterbombing aircraft.

In response to the heightened fire risk, authorities have labeled over 120 municipalities in Portugal as being at maximum wildfire risk. Meanwhile, in Spain, fires near Cadiz, Huelva, and Catalonia consumed over 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) collectively over the weekend.

This week’s heatwave marks the third to affect the Iberian peninsula this summer. According to Ruben del Campo of Spain’s State Meteorological Agency, the heatwave results from a substantial mass of hot, dry air originating from North Africa and is projected to be more intense, widespread, and longer-lasting than the two previous ones in July.

The increasing risk of such scorching and dry conditions that fuel wildfires is attributed to climate change. Global temperatures have already risen by around 1.1°C since the onset of the industrial era, and this trend will persist unless governments worldwide take significant measures to reduce emissions.

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During his five-day visit to Portugal, Pope Francis held a private meeting with victims of clerical sexual abuse. The Vatican described the gathering, which took place on Wednesday, as an occasion of intense listening. A recent report revealed that at least 4,815 children in Portugal had suffered abuse, and the Church had attempted to systematically cover up the issue.

At an evening service in Lisbon, Pope Francis acknowledged the need for the Church to heed the anguished cries of the victims. He emphasized the importance of a continual process of purification in response to the scandal, which had also led to a growing detachment from practicing the faith among believers.

The meeting was conducted at the Holy See’s diplomatic mission in Portugal and included 13 abuse survivors, lasting for over an hour. Representatives from the Portuguese Church responsible for protecting minors also attended the meeting.

In February, an independent commission established by the Catholic Church in Portugal released a report documenting the experiences of 564 individuals who reported abuse by priests or other Church figures. This study, similar to audits conducted in other regions, covered cases dating back to 1950 and suggested that the actual number of victims could be much higher.

The Pope’s visit to Portugal coincided with World Youth Day, a week-long event organized by the Church every few years in different cities worldwide, celebrating religious and cultural activities.

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A deadly wave of Mediterranean wildfires has resulted in over 40 deaths and forced thousands to evacuate in Algeria, Italy, and Greece.

The situation remains dire as high temperatures and dry conditions persist, making firefighting efforts challenging. The island of Rhodes has declared a state of emergency, and other regions, including Corfu, Evia, Sicily, and Puglia, have also been severely affected.

Climate scientists warn that human-induced climate change played a significant role in the intensity of this month’s heatwave across Southern Europe, North America, and China. Italy faced contrasting extreme weather events, with deadly storms in the north and wildfires in the south.

Portugal, Croatia, and France also witnessed wildfires and took measures to combat them. The widespread impact of these fires has caused immense human and economic losses across the region.

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Pope Francis is scheduled to undergo abdominal surgery for a hernia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican has stated that he is expected to remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the operation.

The hernia has been causing recurrent and worsening symptoms, leading to the decision for surgical intervention. The Pope has experienced various health issues in recent years and relies on a cane and wheelchair due to a persistent knee ailment.

His medical team determined that surgery was necessary, and the procedure will involve a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anesthesia. Pope Francis carried out his regular audience earlier on Wednesday without mentioning the upcoming operation.

This follows a scheduled check-up at the same hospital the day before, as well as a previous hospitalization in March for a lung infection. In 2021, he had part of his colon removed to address a painful bowel condition, and he recently disclosed that the issue had returned.

Despite his health challenges, the Pope remains committed to his role and has dismissed any notions of resignation. He is generally regarded as having been in good health during his tenure as the head of the Catholic Church and maintains a busy schedule, with upcoming visits planned to Portugal and Mongolia in August.

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