A Swiss court has agreed to hear a lawsuit against cement company Holcim, alleging it is not doing enough to reduce carbon emissions.
The court had decided to accept the legal complaint, according to Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), which supports the complainants. Holcim affirmed the decision and stated that it would file an appeal.
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Four Pari residents, a low-lying Indonesian island that has experienced repeated flooding as global temperatures rise, file the complaint in January 2023. The case was brought before a court in Zug, Switzerland, where Holcim’s corporate headquarters is located.
This is the first time a Swiss court has accepted a large corporation’s climate lawsuit, according to HEKS.
In the event of success, the group has filed a lawsuit challenging Swiss company’s legal responsibility for its role in global warming.
The lawsuit is one of the first climate cases brought by people in the world’s south who have been directly affected by climate change, according to campaigners who are supporting the case.
Holcim, one of the world’s biggest emitters of carbon dioxide and the biggest so-called “carbon major,” was chosen, according to the non-governmental organization supporting the plaintiffs.
Between 1950 and 2021, Holcim emitted more than 7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide, according to a study co-authored by HEKS and carried out by the United States-based Climate Accountability Institute. This represents about 0.42 percent of the total industrial emissions during that time.
Holcim has stated that it will work with science to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Since 2015, the business claims to have reduced direct CO2 emissions from its operations by more than 50%.
The plaintiffs are suing for damages to Pari Island’s flood protection measures, compensation for damage caused by climate change, and a swift reduction in Holcim’s carbon emissions.
Phil Cartwright, BBC Sport journalist and Matt Graveling, BBC Sport reporter
Paul Lim has a history background.
The 71-year-old became the oldest player to have won a match at the PDC World Championship after defeating Jeffrey de Graaf in the first round.
His most recent entry into the darts record books was almost 36 years after he became the first player to achieve a nine-dart World Championship finish.
The key to Lim’s longevity is “I’ve always enjoyed it.”
Lim added, “I’ve always enjoyed it,” adding that he “never had any doubt” that he would continue to play at this age.
I “get to play, practice, and commit to a level where I believe I can even get better,” says the passionate person.
“Darts is not a sport where you need to be extremely strong. Essentially speaking, you only need to be healthy. Darts have a longer lifespan than many other sports, which is something.
Lim qualified for his first PDC World Championship since 2022 through the PDC’s Asian Tour after winning the 1982 World Championship.
He was invited to compete in the WDF version of the World Championship in December 2024 despite having only a chance of qualifying for the PDC tournament from the previous year. He ended up being the runner-up at the age of 70, just as he did at the same Lakeside venue where he made his famous nine-darter in January 1990.
When asked if his current self-imposed expectations are different, he responded, “In the beginning of my career, I felt like I had everything to lose.” All I want to do is appear and perform well at this time.
“A moment that altered my life,” the phrase.
He will forever be remembered for winning the 1990 BDO World Championship at Lakeside against Jack McKenna, unless he produces some incredible shocks over the coming days at Alexandra Palace.
Lim won more money than Phil Taylor, who was the winner that year, with a sum of money worth £52,000 for his moment of perfection.
” The £52, 000 never came into my head, “said Lim”. I’m probably going to miss the last dart if I had given it some thought.
“I was aware that I was going to the nine-darter, but I never had the idea of the money.” My flow never faltered, I never stopped, and it turned out well.
It was a wonderful experience that forever altered my life.
When Lim won the top prize of £1 million from this year’s World Championship, he was prompted to question what he would do with that money, which helped him launch his own company.
He said, “I would look after my children first and foremost, and I would deposit money into a bank account for them and my granddaughters.”
nine hours ago
nine hours ago
A PDC champion from Asia?
There is still no male world darts champion, despite Mikuru Suzuki’s victory in the Japanese women’s BDO championship in 2019 and 2020.
“Probably two per cent of people who knew about darts ten years ago would have said they had seen it,” said Lim when I was on a street in Hong Kong and asked if they knew anything.
You watch the players from different countries, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan, in a different way. They are aware of darts when you ask anyone in Japan.
“It’s developing into something where someone wants to play darts well, compete for their country, and win a championship.”
Will the PDC World Championship be won by Asia in the future?
“I believe that will be true in ten years,” Lim said. It’s only a matter of time, I believe.
Humphries “was good then, and he is now great.”
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In the first round of the 2021 World Championship, Lim defeated Englishman Humphries 3-2 to win.
Given that Humphries, who is 41 years younger than Lim, has spent almost two years as the world’s number one and has won numerous major titles, including the world crown in January 2024, are unlikely to see another attempt.
After beating Ted Evetts in round one, Humphries said, “If anything, I’m thankful for Paul winning that game because it changed me as a player and as a person.
I lost about four stones in the 2021 UK Open final and was in a significant loss. It improved my career.
Lim responded, “To come across a champion who is as humble as him,” and that was truly a compliment. Nothing negative about Luke ever comes to mind.
There is a spark somewhere, and with every defeat or win, you must find it to lead you in the right direction. Although I don’t know whether or not he became a world champion, losing may have given him a reason to think differently, which has helped him.
Lim’s legacy: “A person who loved darts”
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You will inevitably be asked how long you will continue to play competitively at the age of 71.
I’m not sure when, but if I ever wake up one day and say, “Oh, I’ve got to go and play darts again,” Lim said.
“But I know it’s not right now because I get excited and pumped days and weeks before a tournament starts.”
“I won’t quit if I’m still excited about it,” he said.
What will be Lim’s legacy when it comes?
He said, “I want to be remembered as a person who loved darts and spent my entire life with them.”
“I want to be remembered as a player who spread the love among others. Darts are still being passed around by younger generations. I’m always willing to talk to anyone who wants to discuss darts.
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After watching the 26-year-old help the Gunners reclaim the top of the Premier League with a victory over Everton, former England striker Wayne Rooney has hailed Declan Rice as their “future captain.”
Rooney, who led England for three seasons from 2014 to 2017, was at Hill Dickinson Stadium to witness Mikel Arteta’s side’s 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
In addition to Harry Kane, Rice has worn the armband twice before, including in a 2-2 draw with Belgium in March 2024 and a 3-0 victory over Wales in October of this year. He has won 72 senior international caps.
In the most recent episode of The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport, Rooney said, “He’s the one who’s probably waiting for Harry to hang up his boots at some point.”
He appeared to be playing for Everton all night. It was a pleasure to watch his decision-making, including when to pass it, where to pass it, what foot to pass it to, and how much detail he provided on his pass. He was utterly amazing.
He was acting as a third centre-back when he was trying to score a goal in the first minute by splitting his centre-backs and taking the ball off Arsenal’s centre-backs. Some of his efforts may be a little underappreciated.
No justification exists for Calvert-Lewin not to win the World Cup.
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Former Everton team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s form has come to a head after a difficult start for his Leeds United career.
Prior to Leeds’ 3-2 defeat at Manchester City last month, the 28-year-old had only scored once in 10 league games before finding the net twice in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
Rooney thinks the striker could still make Thomas Tuchel’s team for the USA, Mexico, and Canada World Cup in the summer.
Rooney said, “If he continues, then there is no reason why he shouldn’t be discussed or even given the chance to participate in the World Cup, purely because England has a lack of forwards,” Rooney said.
He excels in both boxes and excels in the air. He’s a tough opponent when he’s in top form and scoring goals like he is.
You forget how talented he is, how young he is, how much of him still has left, and how much of a player he is.
Calvert-Lewin missed more than three months of the campaign with a hamstring injury, but he only found the net three times in his final season with the club. He scored 71 goals during his time at Everton.
Rooney continued, “I think Everton made the right decision to let him go.” He had been out of contract for the past few seasons, never really getting fit.
Gyokeres “does more than what you see.”
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Viktor Gyokeres has struggled for form since leaving Sporting over the summer, despite scoring the only goal for David Moyes’ side.
The Sweden international scored the opener with a powerful penalty, his seventh goal in a row this season and his first since Burnley’s 2-0 victory on November 1.
Rooney, however, believes Gyokeres should be evaluated on his goalscoring record as well.
He said, “He does a little bit more than what you see.” He occupies James Tarkowski and Michael Keane as the two center-backs in “Even]on Saturday.” That makes room for your inside wide players or your number 10 a little more.
He is significant to Arsenal, in my opinion. He does a job that assists other players, but he doesn’t quite have the goals you’d expect from him.
He does occupy the center-back, though “you might not see it, it’s not eye-catching.” He might be better, but He can, of course. Should he make more goals while playing for that team? Yes, he ought to.
A nine-point political roadmap was signed by Sudanese political parties, armed groups, civil society organizations, and prominent political figures in Nairobi on December 16 and presented as a civilian-led initiative aimed at ending Sudan’s war and restoring a democratic transition.
It attempts to use civilians as a “third pole” in Sudan’s conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which are both framed as antiwar, pro-peace, and pro-peace.
Even though the declaration doesn’t provide any specific steps toward military reform, its authors claim that it represents an attempt to reclaim political power from civilians after months of being marginalized by armed actors and foreign mediators.
The roadmap sparked new political and civic circles in Sudan about legitimacy, representation, and the persistent dominance of elite-driven civilian politics.
The roadmap
The Quad’s announcement in September, which included Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States, led to the release of the Nairobi declaration.
A three-month truce, according to the Quad statement, should result in a permanent ceasefire, humanitarian assistance for civilians, and the establishment of a political transition process.
The Nairobi declaration also emphasized the importance of reforming Sudan’s security forces under civilian oversight and excluding remnants of the regime of former president Omar al-Bashir.
The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW), led by Abdelwahid al-Nur, as well as the National Umma Party, the Sudanese Congress Party, civil society organizations, and the Sudanese Congress Party (SUN).
Abdalla Hamdok, the former prime minister, signed the declaration, which coordinated with the SAF and the RSF, from al-Bashir’s overthrow in 2019 until the military coup in October 2021.
Al-Nur, the long-time leader of the SLM-AW armed group that controls Jebel Marra in Darfur and who has historically rejected what he sees as “elite-driven” political settlements, also endorsed it.
Having a bad day
Hamid Khalafallah, a researcher from Sudan, claimed that the declaration does not adequately reflect the country’s wider civic movement despite its intention to present a civilian leadership.
He claimed that the Nairobi coalition is an example of earlier civilian organizations that failed to reach Sudanese citizens, particularly those who were most impacted by the conflict.
He claimed that it is a reproduction of former groups that have struggled to represent the Sudanese people. It still represents a highly regarded elite group that practices politics the same way it has always done.
No committees formally supported or signed the declaration, despite reference to neighbourhood groups that emerged from Sudan’s protest movement and helped toppled al-Bashir in 2019.
Abdalla Hamdok, left, and Abdelwahid al-Nur met in Khartoum in February.
Drafts were reportedly shared with some grassroots organizations, but the process proceeded without a single vote, bolstering concerns that local people remain politically instrumental rather than empowered.
Khalafallah argued that his inclusion was intended to counterbalance rival military-aligned forces rather than change civilian politics, despite al-Nur’s participation being hailed by some as a breakthrough.
Prior to the Nairobi Declaration, Sudan’s three main civilian coalitions were either affiliated with or accused of acting in such a way.
The Democratic Bloc is a group of political parties and armed organizations affiliated with the SAF, while Tasis is a coalition of political parties and armed movements that was established in February of this year.
Finally, political parties and civil society organizations are joined by Hamdok’s Sumoud, which the SAF claims supports the RSF.
Europe’s one-track civilian strategy
Officials in Europe have taken a break from the initiative in Nairobi.
Under the condition of anonymity, a senior European Union diplomat told Al Jazeera that Brussels does not support the Nairobi roadmap as the foundation for a unified civil process.
The source stated that the African Union [AU] should have access to just one civil process. Like this Nairobi incident, “everything else is a distraction.”
The priority, according to the EU official, is not to multiply civilian platforms, but to consolidate them under a trustworthy umbrella that is widely accepted by Sudanese society.
The source stated that “our goal is to build a credible third pole in opposition to SAF and RSF.” “A welcoming one that most Sudanese citizens support.”
After the SAF and the RSF approve the Quad’s proposals for a humanitarian truce and ceasefire, including reforms putting security forces under civilian-led control, the EU plans to form a broad coalition that will take the lead.
The EU’s language asserts that abandoning Sudan’s divided civilian landscape would automatically legitimize military rule, while also reflecting growing international actors’ growing frustration with its fragmented civil landscape.
We are not naive that people will rule tomorrow, the source said. However, we must uphold our values.
The EU official rejected narratives that depicted either side as a governing body in her assessment of Sudan’s conflicting parties.
SAF is a bit better, but not much, according to the source, “than RSF does in Darfur.”
Look at the oil deal, the official continued. People are not important, but money is.
Following SAF’s pullout and the RSF’s capture of the site, they referred to the most recent agreement between the SAF and the RSF, which was reached under South Sudanese mediation. Both organizations would then withdraw from the Heglig oil facility.
Warring parties acting as spoilers
The Nairobi declaration effectively presents to the international community a roadmap that adheres to pre-existing goals in order to win support from the Quad, according to US-Africa policy expert Cameron Hudson, who told Al Jazeera.
According to Hudson, “I think the Nairobi declaration reverses what the Quad has said,” implying that the initiative is intended more to sway international support than to create genuine domestic consensus.
Hudson argued that this method “prematurely” links ceasefire efforts with army reforms or other political changes, and that it should continue to go along separate lines until the violence subsides. He also argued that this method mishandles the political transition in Sudan.
He argued that if the Quad wanted an unconditional ceasefire, it should pursue it rather than allowing for political guarantees during a transition.
It is premature to discuss reforming the army or engaging in other political reforms for this reason. For the time being, these should be kept separate.
The tension is intense. Both the SAF and the RSF should not have a political future, according to the Quad and the European Union, and they must be completely excluded from the Bashir regime.
After holding separate meetings with Ukrainian, European, and Russian negotiators in the state of Florida, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has praised discussions on ending Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine as “productive and constructive.”
The US, Russia, and Ukraine held their latest meetings on a 20-point plan that US President Donald Trump has touted to end the nearly four-year-old conflict on Sunday in Miami.
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No clear indications of imminent resolutions to pressing issues, including the one involving the territory Russia has seized during the conflict, have been received despite US optimism.
On Sunday, Witkoff met with officials from Europe and the Ukraine during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev. The Ukrainian delegation, led by senior official Rustem Umerov, was then led by him in separate discussions.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, also attended the gatherings.
According to Witkoff and Umerov, Sunday’s discussions focused on a “shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe,” according to a joint statement released on the occasion.
Discussions of timelines and the timing of the next steps were given particular attention, they said.
The 20-point plan, a “multilateral security guarantee framework,” a “US Security guarantee framework for Ukraine,” and an “economic &, prosperity plan” were the focus of discussions between Ukrainian and US officials on Sunday, according to Witkoff and Umerov.
Witkoff claimed that his discussions with Dmitriev were also “productive and constructive” in a separate X post that used some of the same language.
In the post, Witkoff stated that “Russia is unwaveringly committed to bringing peace to Ukraine.” Russia values the United States’ efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine and restore world peace.
Vladimir Putin and Yury Ushakov, the president of Russia, are pictured here.
Yury Ushakov, Putin’s top aide to foreign policy, claimed earlier on Sunday that the changes the US and its allies in Europe demanded to the US’s proposed framework had no effect on peace.
Dmitriev is scheduled to return to Moscow on Monday, according to Ushakov, and Putin will be informed of the outcome of his discussions.
He said, “We will formulate the position with which we will proceed, including in our contacts with the Americans.”
Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, claims that its participation in the talks will only hinder them.
After the latter suggested that Europe should contact the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin said on Sunday that Putin was ready to talk to Emmanuel Macron.
Putin and Macron have “expressed their willingness to dialogue,” Peskov told RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency. Therefore, “anything that is mutual political will can only be positively evaluated”
The Russian statement was welcomed by Macron’s office.
The Kremlin’s public support of this strategy is welcome, “. In the coming days, it said, “We will decide which course of action is best.”
Trump’s plan, which includes 28 points, was first released last month, drawing immediate criticism from European leaders who claimed it echoed the demands of the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy has since claimed that Ukraine and its allies in Europe have developed a 20-point plan based on the White House’s initial proposal.
One of the main disagreements between Russia and Ukraine is how much of the land that Russia has seized in Ukraine since launching its full-scale invasion in the wake of years of fighting in the east.
Zelenskyy described the discussions as “constructive” and claimed they were moving “quite quickly.” He did, however, warn that “a lot depends on whether Russia feels the need to end the war for real.”
