Archive July 23, 2025

In landmark opinion, UN court says climate change an ‘existential threat’

The United Nations’ highest court has ruled that nations must fulfill their climate obligations and that failing to do so could violate international law, potentially allowing the affected countries to file for reparations in upcoming legal proceedings.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) urged states to take action urgently to combat the “existential threat” of climate change, including implementing global climate agreements, preventing harm to vulnerable populations and ecosystems, in a groundbreaking advisory opinion released on Wednesday at the Peace Palace in The Hague.

According to Yuji Iwasawa, president of the ICJ, greenhouse gas emissions are “unquestionably caused by human activities” and have transnational effects.

Iwasawa argued that failing to take appropriate action to protect the climate system could be a legally wrongdoing action. He referred to the climate crisis as “an existential problem of planetary proportions that threatens all forms of life and our planet’s very health.”

Notably, the court stated that a “clean, healthy, and sustainable environment” is a human right. That opens the door to additional legal proceedings, including domestic legal proceedings as well as states’ ICJ requests to hold each other accountable.

Countries themselves are required to take legally binding measures in order to adhere to climate treaties, according to the ICJ’s ruling, which is not binding. However, the ICJ held that industrialized countries have a legal obligation to take the lead in battling climate change because they have a longer history of emissions responsibility.

In keeping with the treaty’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1, the judges also affirmed that nations that signed the 2015 Agreement in Paris must ensure their individual national climate plans, according to their national contributions (NDCs), are “progressive” and reflect the “highest possible ambition”. 2 degrees Celsius) . a temperature of 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Environmental organizations immediately embraced the opinion.   Nafkote Dabi, the head of Oxfam’s climate change policy, stated: “This ruling strengthens national climate commitments everywhere by confirming that nations must reduce emissions in sufficient quantities to safeguard the rights to life, food, health, and a clean environment.

All nations, especially wealthy ones, must now reduce their emissions more quickly and gradually. To help reduce emissions and protect their populations from past and future harm, rich nations must increase their funding of Global South nations. This is international law, not just a wish list. ”

The opinion, according to Danilo Garrido, Greenpeace International’s legal representative, marked the “beginning of a new era of climate accountability at a global level.”

The court’s message is clear: fossil fuel production, consumption, and granting licenses and subsidies could violate international law, he said. Polluters must stop making emissions and be held accountable for the harm they have caused. ”

fundamental two questions

The UN General Assembly requested an advisory opinion in 2023, a non-binding but crucial foundation for international obligations, after years of lobbying by vulnerable island nations who feared they might be submerged beneath rising sea waters.

The landmark decision of the ICJ’s 15 judges, who all voted in favor, will have both legal and political weight and likely will determine how much global climate change will occur in the future, including whether polluters should be required to pay for their actions.

The Hague, Netherlands, July 23, 2025 [AFP] The International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Yuji Iwasawa (centre) and its members issue their first advisory opinion on states’ legal responsibilities to combat climate change.

As they sought to bring together various strands of environmental law into a definitive international standard, judges sifted through tens of thousands of pages of written submissions and listened to two weeks of oral arguments during the ICJ’s biggest-ever case.

Two crucial questions were asked by the UN to address the ICJ, a UN court that hears international disputes. What obligations do states have under international law to carry out to protect the environment from future generations’ greenhouse gas emissions? And what are the effects of the emissions of states, particularly those that are vulnerable on islands?

Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, spearheaded the investigation and received support from more than 130 nations.

What do climate activists want, supporters of the ruling gathered outside the court to chant it. Climate justice What time do we require it? Now! ”

Agreement in Paris

In two weeks of hearings last December at the ICJ, the United States, the world’s biggest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, along with other top polluters, told the judges that existing climate treaties like the 2015 Agreement in Paris, which are largely nonbinding, should be the basis for determining their responsibilities.

The Agreement in Paris does not explicitly provide for direct compensation for past damage caused by pollution, although at UN talks in 2022, wealthy nations did agree to create a fund to help vulnerable countries deal with current impacts caused by past pollution.

The Agreement in Paris saw more than 190 countries commit efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

However, it hasn’t succeeded in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, and the UN warned in a report last year that current climate policies will lead to a global warming of more than 3C (5). By 2100, 4F) above preindustrial levels.

According to legal experts, the decision is a victory for small- and mid-sized states that had requested clarification of their obligations.

“The ICJ rejected arguments by the likes of the US and UK that governments are bound only by climate treaties such as the Agreement in Paris and did not have stronger obligations under international law,” Dabi said.

Potter rejects Woodward’s ‘losing mentality’ claim

Images courtesy of Getty
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Australia vs. the British and Irish Lions in the second test

Melbourne Cricket Ground Date: Saturday, July 26 Kick-off: 11:00 BST

After receiving criticism from former Wallabies great David Campese and 2005 British and Irish Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward, Wing Harry Potter claims that the Australia squad has a “losing mentality.”

In the first Test in Brisbane, Woodward and Campese criticized Australia captain Harry Wilson’s decision to kick the ball off the field with the clock in the red and Australia on their own line at 27-19.

In the Daily Mail, Woodward wrote, “Talk about a losing mentality,” claiming that the hosts should have played on for pride and practice even with a win.

Wilson’s kick on the touch was described as “ridiculous” by Campese, who played for the Lions on their 1989 tour.

After losing, Australia’s players were also accused of conversing with their opponents on the Suncorp Stadium pitch.

It’s ridiculous to think that the 23 players who played on the weekend had a mindset of losing, according to Potter, who won his fourth cap.

“We went out there to win the game,” the statement read.

Potter was a child in Bristol before relocating to Melbourne at the age of 10. He was born in London and raised there.

He joined the Western Force in Australia in 2020 to play for the Leicester Tigers, scoring 20 tries in 67 appearances and winning the 2022 Premiership. He then made his return to Australia in the same year.

He was in the crowd when Australia won the second Test match 16-15 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne in 2013 as a 15-year-old.

Potter acknowledged that Australia didn’t display the same fight on Saturday.

He remarked, “It has been difficult to look back at that game.”

“We certainly picked up a few things,” he said. Particularly in the first 50 to 60 minutes, it didn’t feel like we put our best foot forward. There are a lot of lessons to be learned from that.

They are a very strong team, but we are aware that we must perform better and start the game stronger.

“Towards the close of the game, there were some encouraging signs. We believe that putting enough pieces together will lead to a much better outcome.

Australia must win the second Test in order to maintain the series, just like it did in 2013.

After missing out on Brisbane due to injury, head coach Joe Schmidt wants to have heavyweight forward duo Rob Valetini and Will Skelton back.

This week, Potter said, “Emotionally, it’s very simple.”

related subjects

  • Irish Lions and British &
  • Rugby Union

Rene Kirby dead: Shallow Hal dies at 70 after health struggles and lengthy hospital stay

Rene Kirby, who is well-known for his role in Shallow Hal, has sadly passed away. According to his brother Jon Kirby, the actor’s death on July 11 came after a two-month hospital stay due to complications with his oesophagus, kidneys, and bladder.

According to the Vermont-based publication Seven Days, his passing took place at the University of Vermont Medical Center. He was most famous for his role in the Farrelly Brothers-directed 2011 American comedy Shallow Hal, in which Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black were co-starring.

Love interest Rosemary (played by a fat-suit-wearing Paltrow) and Black’s sexist character were hypnotized, only seeing the inner beauty of people. The film received a sizable box office success, earning $ 141 million from a budget of $ 41 million.

Rene Kirby’s role in the 1999 film Shallow Hal (YouTube) was most well-known.

After having a chance encounter with Hollywood director Peter Farrelly, Kirby was able to land a role in the 1999 Hollywood motion pictures. In Burlington, Vermont, Farrelly was filming Jim Carrey’s Me, Myself &amp, Irene in Rene’s hometown.

After spending the evening chatting with Rene and buying her a pint, Farrelly made the decision to include her in his upcoming movie. He stated in an interview from 2001 that “he has a very funny and infectious zest for life.”

Farrelly co-wrote and co-directed with his brother Bobby in Shallow Hal, and he played a specific role for Rene in the film. Given the film’s theme of transcending physical appearances, Farrelly thought Rene would be a good fit for him, who he said epitomises inner beauty.

Because of his lack of use for his legs, Kirby’s condition caused him to have spina bifida. The actor continued to ride, ski, and act after that. In a Stuck in Vermont episode, he said, “Walking on my hands is just, all I’ve ever known, I just never thought of myself being disabled.”

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Inside Fantastic Four star Joseph Quinn’s life from Stranger Things fame to rapper girlfriend

What is known about the actor off-screen since Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn takes on the role of Emperor Geta in Gladiator II?

Sir Ridley Scott’s wildly anticipated action film has finally arrived, and with it, a star-studded cast.

Gladiator II transports viewers to the Roman Colosseum with the performances of Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn. The plot develops with the release of the first movie in 2000 and introduces a new brave protagonist.

According to its official synopsis, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must rely on his past to find strength to bring back the glory of Rome to its citizens after his home is taken over by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome.

As Lucius and Quinn take on the tyrannical Emperor Geta, Mescal leads the team. But who is the Stranger Things actor on-screen dating and what is known about him?

Gladiator II is out in cinemas now(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Early life and breakout roles

Quinn received a drama scholarship and was born in Clapham, England, in 1994. She then enrolled in a private school in Battersea.

The 30-year-old first began acting when he was just a year old, and he later advanced to acting school in 2015 at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Quinn had appeared on a number of TV shows before making his Stranger Things debut in 2022. He made a notable appearance in Dickensian, a period drama on BBC that featured Arthur Havisham, a character from Dickens’ best-selling novel Great Expectations.

Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things
Joseph Quinn played Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season four(Image: Courtesy of Netflix)

In season four of Stranger Things, he made his big break as Eddie Munson. Quinn has mentioned that the auditioning process was simple despite the role changing in her career.

He stated to The Hollywood Reporter in 2022, “I sent two tapes from my home in London to America and the Duffer brothers, the series’ creators, watched both, and then they gave me the job, which is mental!” That is never the case. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sent tapes to America without getting a response, so it’s kind of crazy.

Quinn has also appeared in a Les Misérables TV adaptation, Timewasters, and Game of Thrones. The Londoner most recently starred opposite Lupita Nyong’o, who won an Oscar for her role in A Quiet Place: Day One.

Doja Cat romance

Quinn is believed to be dating rapper Doja Cat, real name Amala Dlamini. The couple were spotted holding hands in London this August, which fans took as confirmation of their relationship.

Although the pair hasn’t yet confirmed their romance, Doja Cat has been aware of the actor’s interest since 2022.

Following Quinn’s Stranger Things debut, the rapper sent a message to his co-star Noah Schnapp onInstagram. She wrote: “Noah can you tell Joseph to hmu [hit me up]. Wait no. Does he have a gf?”

Doja Cat
Rapper Doja Cat is in a relationship with Joseph Quinn(Image: Theo Wargo/Getty Images )

After Schnapp advised her to “slide into his DMs,” she asked for Quinn’s Instagram username in the same exchange.

After Doja Cat expressed she didn’t feel comfortable sharing the private conversation, Schnapp later deleted it from his TikTok account, sparking a very public disagreement.

Continue reading the article.

Quinn and the songwriter do seem to be dating after the incident, two years later.

What is Joseph Quinn currently up to?

In the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot, Quinn will play the comic book character Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch.

Jesy Nelson reveals symptoms of terrifying pregnancy condition she thought were normal

Today, the singer discussed her symptoms with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome while her partner Zion Foster and her partner Jesy Nelson took to the This Morning sofa.

Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson and her partner Zion Foster made their TV debut with their “miracle twins” on This Morning today as she opened up about the symptoms she experienced with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Back in May, Jesy gave birth to twin girls, naming them Ocean Jade Nelson-Foster and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster.

During her interview with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, the singer opened up about the moment she found out her her twin girls had twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome – a rare condition that threatened their lives before they were born.

On This Morning, Jesy and Zion made their TV debut with their “miracle twins” on the network.

The star has revealed the symptoms she experienced before having her Fetoscopic laser, a “high risk procedure,” after sharing their heartbreaking journey with fans on social media.

Jesy, who revealed she was being scanned weekly, said: “Even when we were told we were pre stage TTS, I still felt like we didn’t think it was going to happen.” Jesy acknowledged that she didn’t believe she would have to undergo the procedure because she was “in denial” about it.

When Jesy referred to the signs to watch out for, she said, “There were signs to watch out for if your belly starts to feel really tight like a drum, or if you’re having trouble breathing.” Jesy wasn’t sure if they were just “normal” pregnancy signs when she first saw them herself.

Jesy Nelson doctor
On the This Morning sofa, Jesy’s doctor and her husband sat down.

Jesy revealed two days after her scan that she had gone to the park and had “couldn’t even walk” because she was so exhausted. What is normal and what is not when you’re pregnant with twins?

She thought to herself, “I’m going to be out of breath because I’m pregnant with twins.” My belly will obviously be very tight because I’m developing two people.

She then asked her partner, Zion, to feel her belly because she was unable to identify anything in the world. After experiencing his partner’s stomach throughout her pregnancy, Zion was the one who recognized the differences.

Zion told Alison and Dermott, “It felt really, really tight.” Jesy explained that her stomach had lost the “squidgy” feeling, and she said, “My fingers couldn’t go in.”

The hospital was where they went the following day, and Jesy was required to undergo the procedure that day. Zion remarked on the frightening moment, “Overnight, we went from pre-stage to having the procedure now.”

Dr. Ruwan Wimalasundera, Jesy’s doctor, said, “We only do it when the risks are greater than the risks of doing it.” We had no choice at this point because things were getting worse so quickly.

In their mother’s womb, identical twins share the same placenta, and some blood vessels join them. One baby can become anaemic while another can receive too much blood, leading to heart failure, because twins with TTS don’t have an equal flow of blood between the babies.

Continue reading the article.

Elsewhere, the mum of two revealed she was in a “constant state of fear” during her pregnancy as she revealed she felt like she couldn’t enjoy the experience. “I almost felt from that point I couldn’t really enjoy my pregnancy because I was constantly worried that something would happen,” she said. “I could only take it two weeks at a time.”