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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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Portugal battles wildfires amid third heatwave of the year

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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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Pope Holds Meeting with Clerical Sexual Abuse Survivors in Portugal

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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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Over 40 People Killed in Devastating Mediterranean Wildfires

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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, 86, to have abdominal surgery

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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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Lisbon stabbing: Two women killed at Ismaili Muslim centre

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At a mosque in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, two women were fatally stabbed. The Ismaili Center on Avenida Lusada was the scene of the assault. Police shot the guy in the leg while he was in possession of a big knife.

After being detained, he was brought to the hospital. It’s unclear why the attack on Tuesday occurred. Police reported that shortly after the suspect entered the centre, they received a call at around 11:00 local time. The man was shot after officers ordered him to stop the attack.

The two victims were Portuguese ladies, according to Nazim Ahmad, the head of the Ismaili community, who was speaking to SIC Noticias. The perpetrator was an Afghan.

Portuguese media reported that one of them served as the attacker’s English teacher at the school and the other was a classmate.

The attacker arrived in Portugal “a year or so ago,” according to Omed Taeri, the president of the Afghan Community Association, and was receiving assistance from the Ismaili centre.

According to Mr. Taeri, who spoke to CNN Portugal, “This individual lost his wife in Greece and suffers from psychological problems as a result of this event.”

The Ismaili community was described as being “shocked and grieved by this occurrence and is extending support to the relatives of the victims” in a statement posted on their website.

Discussing a potential reason was deemed “premature” by Prime Minister Antonio Costa because it appeared to be “an isolated incident”.

Carlos Moedas, the mayor of Lisbon, said, “We got the news of the horrific act within the Ismaili community in Lisbon with deep regret.” On Tuesday, the police warned people to stay away from the vicinity of the Ismaili Center.

According to a worker at the centre, the Portuguese news outlet Sapo: “It happened in a flash. In the centre, the police are conducting an investigation.”

Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam. Followers recognise Prince Karim Aga Khan as their spiritual leader.

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Bobi breaks Guinness World Record for oldest dog ever

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Guinness World Records has crowned a 30-year-old Portuguese dog as the world’s oldest canine, breaking a record that had stood for a century. Bobi is a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a breed with a 12- to 14-year lifespan on average.

Australia’s Bluey, who passed away in 1939 at the age of 29 years and 5 months, was the previous oldest dog ever. Bobi was 30 years and 226 days old as of February 1 and is considered to be in good health for his age.

According to Guinness World Records, his ripe old age has been confirmed by the pet database of the Portuguese government, which is run by the National Union of Veterinarians.

He was born with three siblings in an outbuilding and has spent his entire childhood with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, close to Portugal’s west coast.

Eight-year-old Leonel Costa claimed that even though his parents had to put the puppies to sleep because they had too many pets, Bobi managed to escape.

The dog was kept hidden from Leonel and his brothers’ parents until he was eventually found and adopted by the family, who feed him the same food they do.

Bobi has lived a mostly trouble-free existence, according to Mr. Costa, with the exception of a scare in 2018 when he was hospitalised after abruptly falling from respiratory issues. Mr. Costa attributes Bobi’s longevity to the “quiet, serene atmosphere” he lives in.

Given that Bobi’s mother lived to be 18, it might also run in the family. However, Bobi has suffered the effects of time; he is now having difficulty walking and his vision is deteriorating. Bobi is the “last of a long generation of creatures,” according to Mr. Costa, who calls him “one of a kind.”

Just two weeks prior, Spike the Chihuahua, another dog, was recognised by Guinness World Records as being the oldest living dog at 23 year old.Since then, Guinness has updated its records and declared Bobi to be the oldest dog ever as well as the oldest dog to ever live.

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Legendary surfer Márcio Freire, known as “Mad Dogs,” killed in Portugal’s massive waves

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Márcio Freire, a legend of Brazilian surfing, passed away while riding the massive waves in Nazaré, off the coast of Portugal. On Thursday, the 47-year-old injured himself while practicing.

In the 2016 documentary Mad Dogs about an attempt to ride Hawaii’s enormous “Jaws” wave, Freire was one of three pioneering Brazilian surfers featured.

In order to surf the largest and most hazardous waves in the world, he had relocated to the US state.

Freire reportedly crashed while practicing tow-in surfing, which involves using a Jet Ski or other form of artificial help to catch waves that are moving more quickly than they would be able to if they were paddling by hand.

He was brought back to the beach, where rescuers discovered him in cardio-respiratory arrest. Unable to be revived, he was declared dead at the spot, according to a statement from Portugal’s National Maritime Authority.

In the surfing fraternity, Freire was regarded as a big-wave pioneer who traveled the globe to surf enormous waves.

On social media, condolences have been pouring in. Nic von Rupp, a professional big-wave surfer, was the first to do so in an Instagram story:

The Nazaré Canyon on the seabed off the coast of Portugal is responsible for some of the largest and most dangerous waves in the world, which are present in the region where Freire perished.

Sebastian Steudtner, a German surfer, established the world record for thebiggest wave ever surfed in October 2020.

Several accidents have occurred there but until Thursday, none had ever been fatal.

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Europe heatwave: Thousands escape wildfires in France, Spain and Greece

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As fires are driven up by strong winds and tinder-dry conditions in various nations in Europe, residents and vacationers have left towns and villages in France.

In the past few days, more than 10,000 people have been compelled to leave the south-western Gironde region. In Portugal and Spain, where temperatures have soared beyond 40C, dozens of flames are currently raging.

The heatwave was responsible for at least 281 fatalities in the two nations. In western Spain, several towns have been evacuated.

The leader of the French Firefighters Federation has issued a warning about the effect that climate change is having on civil defence. Grégory Allione stated that “firefighters and civil security are the ones who deal with the impacts on a daily basis – and these effects aren’t in 2030, they’re right now.”

Due to human-induced climate change, heatwaves are now more common, more powerful, and stay longer. Since the start of the industrial age, the world has already warmed by around 1.1C, and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments drastically reduce emissions.

Fires broke out further south in the Monfragüe national park, which is home to endangered bird species. Firefighters in Spain battled to defend the town of Monsagro. When a forest fire got close to the main N-5 road in Cáceres, it closed off access to the park to the east.
On Friday, temperatures were predicted to reach 40C in many parts of western Spain and Portugal. A record high temperature for July in mainland Portugal was reached on Thursday at Pinho in the north, where it was 47C.

However, Spanish meteorologists predicted that temperatures will start to drop on Friday.

The Carlos III Health Institute said on Thursday that the latest heatwave’s first two days, on Sunday and Monday, saw at least 43 fatalities as a result of heat. Since July 7, there have been 238 more deaths than usual in Portugal, which health experts attribute to the extremely hot and dry weather. The elderly, kids, and persons with chronic illnesses are those who are most negatively impacted.

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Two killed in train accident in Portugal

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At least two have been killed and over 30 others have been injured in a train accident in Coimbra, which is a popular district in the European country of Portugal.

The accident has happened at around 15:30. The crashed train is one of the fastest train operating in the country.

There were as many as 240 passengers in the train. The train has crashed into a railway maintence machine situated in a small town in the region of Coimbra.

The train was travelling from Lisbon to Branga. The real cause for the accident is at present unclear. An investigation is on.  

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sausa, has expressed his condolence to the families of the affected personals.   

The rescue operation has been handled by a team comprising of around 163 rescue personals. The timely interference of the rescue team has averted the possibility of a great disaster.

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