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Swiss Women’s Climate Victory at European Court

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Swiss women who won a landmark climate change ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are feeling shocked and betrayed by their parliament’s refusal to comply with the decision. These women, referred to as the “climate seniors,” had previously argued in Strasbourg, France, that the Swiss government’s inadequate response to climate change, particularly extreme heat events linked to global warming, was harming their right to health and life.

In April, the court sided with them and mandated Switzerland, which has yet to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, to take more action. The court’s rulings are binding for member states, making this decision unprecedented. Climate activists had hoped it would set a precedent for using human rights law to protect citizens from health harms caused by worsening environmental conditions.

However, on Wednesday, the Swiss parliament voted against adhering to the ECHR’s ruling, claiming Switzerland already had an effective climate strategy in place. The parliamentary debate was emotionally charged, with right-wing politicians criticizing what they saw as overreach by “foreign judges,” while Green Party members condemned the discussion as “shameful” and “populist.”

Despite Switzerland’s struggles to meet its Paris Climate Agreement goals, which aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, opinion polls show many Swiss are concerned about climate change. The Alpine region is particularly vulnerable, with studies indicating that its glaciers, crucial to Europe’s water supply, could vanish by the century’s end if temperatures continue to rise.

The Swiss value their direct democracy system and prefer making decisions themselves, which explains why the “foreign judges” argument resonates with them. Recently, voters supported government proposals to increase renewable electricity production, though environmental groups argue these measures are insufficient to meet climate goals. Polls show a majority of Swiss voters oppose the ECHR’s involvement, believing the country is already doing enough to protect the environment.

Other nations, particularly the United Kingdom, are closely watching Switzerland’s rejection of the ECHR ruling. The UK government has faced pushback from the Strasbourg court over its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, leading some British voters to suggest leaving the court. However, such a move is unlikely in Switzerland, at least for now.

The final decision on whether to comply with the ECHR’s climate ruling rests with the Swiss government, which will announce its verdict in August. The ECHR did not specify what Switzerland must do, only that it must take more action. In a typical Swiss compromise, the government might present a list of measures taken since the climate seniors began their case, hoping for acceptance. If not, the climate seniors may return to court.

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France bans 28 Israeli settlers over West Bank violence

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France has taken decisive action by announcing the ban of 28 Israeli settlers who stand accused of perpetrating attacks against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. This move aligns with similar measures enacted by other nations, including the United States and the United Kingdom, which have also imposed restrictions on individuals involved in comparable activities. The French government’s decision comes amidst escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, prompting a firm condemnation of such actions.

In a statement issued by the French foreign ministry, the country emphasized the gravity of the situation, denouncing the unacceptable violence perpetrated against Palestinian civilians. France, along with Poland and Germany, collectively announced sanctions against Israelis implicated in attacks within the West Bank. This concerted effort underscores the international community’s recognition of the need to address the escalating tensions and safeguard the rights of Palestinians in the region.

The French government reiterated its stance on the illegality of colonization under international law, emphasizing the imperative to halt such activities. It emphasized the necessity of ending colonization to pave the way for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, thereby enabling Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully and securely. France also expressed its intention to pursue sanctions at the European level, highlighting the importance of a coordinated approach among European Union member states in addressing the ongoing conflict.

While the individuals affected by these measures have not been publicly named, the broader context underscores the gravity of the situation. The imposition of sanctions by France and other nations reflects a concerted effort to address the escalating violence and promote stability in the region. As the international community continues to grapple with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such actions serve as a testament to the importance of upholding human rights and seeking avenues for peaceful resolution.

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Spain lifts final Covid rules for UK travellers

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After travel restrictions were lifted, Brits visiting Spain can now enter the nation without needing to show proof of their Covid or vaccination status.  Previously, individuals had to demonstrate that they had recently recovered, had a negative Covid test, or were fully immunised.

As families get ready to go for half-term vacations, the number of Covid restrictions that remain has decreased. Travel agents claimed that a “last barrier” had been lifted for vacations.

Prior to Spain, the most popular destination for British tourists travelling abroad, other European nations like France, Italy, and Greece relaxed their regulations. People entering from outside the European Union will no longer be subject to controls, the Spanish Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday. This change will take effect on Friday.

Restrictions have been a hurdle, particularly for those who were not immunised, according to Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the travel agent network Advantage Travel Partnership.

“We saw other destinations benefit from an overall boost in demand over the summer,” she added. “We saw destinations where restrictions were loosened earlier in the year, such as Greece.”

Spain’s action, according to Ms. Lo Bue-Said, is “excellent news” and “better late than never.”

It’s not the first time Spain has slowed down in easing its Covid regulations.

The requirement for children over the age of 12 to be double vaccinated to enter the Spanish mainland was only scrapped just before the February half-term, after tourism businesses warned that it was driving families to book trips to other countries instead.

Many countries around the world including the US still have Covid entry rules in place.

Despite the challenges caused by rising living costs on households, travel companies have continued to report good demand for bookings, with Heathrow Airport predicting a busy Christmas.

Due to “increasing economic headwinds, a new wave of Covid, and the rising situation in Ukraine,” it said, there is still uncertainty about the winter. The travel sector experienced a challenging summer as demand for foreign travel surged once again, while businesses struggled to keep up due to personnel shortages.

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Liz Truss Resigns As UK Prime Minister After Tax-Cut Plan Backfires

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After a brief and turbulent term as prime minister of the UK, Liz Truss announced a big package of unfunded tax cuts before largely rolling most of them back in the face of a market crash.


Truss, 47, left her position after only 45 days in office, being history’s shortest-serving British prime minister. She assumed office in early September with promises of a full-court press for growth, but the financial markets found her programme intolerable as the value of the pound and gilts plummeted due to worries about how she would finance her economic goals.

After 12 and a half years in power, her departure severely damages the current Conservative Party, which is currently polling more than 30 points behind Labour. In fewer than seven years since the 2016 Brexit referendum, which ushered in an era of unprecedented upheaval in British politics, her successor will become the party’s fifth premier.

Truss stated that she will continue serving as prime minister until the party selects her replacement, which is expected to happen within a week.

Regardless of who it is, they will have a difficult job rebuilding the Tory party’s economy and reputation in time for the mandatory general election in January 2025. After Brexit, Truss’s position is practically assured. In the near future, Britain will face increasing borrowing rates, slow growth, and tax hikes and spending cuts.

“It’s a shambles and a disgrace,” veteran Tory MP Charles Walker told the BBC on Oct. 19. “The damage they have done to our party is extraordinary.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, who was recently promoted from the back benches after Truss fired Kwasi Kwarteng in an effort to calm the markets, and former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who finished second to Truss in this summer’s leadership election, are likely candidates for the top position. It’s also likely that Tom Tugendhat, Penny Mordaunt, and Kemi Badenoch will be in the running this summer. Suella Braverman, the former home secretary who was fired on October 19, might potentially be considered.

Truss’ lack of political sense and understanding of economic reality ultimately proved to be his downfall.

The ultimate humiliation occurred on Wednesday night as the beleaguered prime leader attempted to herd her furious MPs into the House of Commons voting lobbies for a vote that could have made or broken her government. Braverman’s dismissal earlier that day for a security violation for which she ordinarily would have received only a warning had already alienated a significant portion of the party’s right wing.

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Ukrainian boy, 4, refused visa to UK over passport,according to his family

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According to his family, a four-year-old Ukrainian refugee was denied entry to the UK because his passport had recently expired.

Inesse Gwynne, Platan’s great-aunt who wants to bring him to Stockport, said his visa application was denied. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the youngster and his mother Ruslana fled to Italy, but only made it that far.

The Home Office stated that it is “moving as quickly as possible” to ensure that Ukrainians can find safe haven in the United Kingdom. Ms Gwynne wanted to bring her relatives to her Greater Manchester home, but they “don’t know what to do” after being told “they can’t come.”

“We’d like to have them as part of our family. We want to take care of them “she stated “We’d like to send Platan to nursery, but we won’t be able to.” Ruslana, who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in art in 2009, still has friends and connections in the city, according to Ms Gwynne.

“Surely, this minor detail in a child’s passport can be overlooked,” she added.

“It had only been a few weeks since it had expired. What difference does it make?” The government launched the Ukraine family scheme earlier this month, allowing Ukrainians to join family members in the UK or extend their stay. The application process is free, and those who are accepted will be able to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom while also having access to government funds.

“We are moving as quickly as possible to ensure that those fleeing horrific persecution in Ukraine can find safety in the UK, setting up both the Ukraine family scheme and now the Homes for Ukraine scheme, which allows those without family connections to come here,” a spokesperson for the Home Office said.

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