German court rejects landmark climate case, but enviros seen green lining
The case, Luciano Lliuya v. RWE AG, was filed in 2015, pitting Peruvian farmer and mountain guide Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE, Germany's largest electricity provider. The Hamm Higher Regional Court dismissed Lliuya's case, finding that the risk of flooding at his house was not enough for the case to proceed. It also ruled out the chance of appeal.
But in a legal first, Presiding Judge Rolf Meyer did find that under German law it is possible that a polluter may be ordered to cut emissions or bear the costs of climate damages.
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That makes the verdict a 'milestone' that will provide a 'tailwind to climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies,' said Lliuya's attorney, Roda Verheyen. 'For the first time in history,' Verheyen added, 'a high court in Europe has ruled that large emitters can be held responsible for the consequences of their greenhouse gas emissions.'
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Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
A German city mobilizes to save Sorbian, a vanishing Slavic language
BAUTZEN, Germany — In the singsong cadence of Sorbian, Europe's westernmost Slavic language, a milk-drinking dragon came to life in a small preschool in Bautzen, a German town in east Saxony, not far from the borders with Poland and the Czech Republic. Outside, bilingual signs mark the town's name not only as Bautzen but Budyšin, in Sorbian. Inside, a dozen children giggled as a teacher animated the green dragon hand puppet, telling a modern tale rooted in Slavic folklore. The Sorbs, a West Slavic group, settled in what is now eastern Germany more than 1,000 years ago and never left. Borders shifted, regimes and ideologies changed. But the Sorbian language, in its upper and lower variants, endured. Now, however, the Sorbian language is on the brink, threatened by assimilation and also overt hostility from the region's surging German ultra-nationalists. In response, artists, educators and tech innovators are undertaking an urgent effort to preserve the language and Sorbian customs. 'The language can only be saved if more and more people speak it,' said Stefan Schmidt, a Sorbian-language broadcaster and father of five Sorbian-speaking children. 'It's an ambitious goal.' The Sorbs are one of Germany's four officially recognized national minorities, alongside the Danes, Frisians, Sinti and Roma. The designation provides cultural funding, education and media in Sorbian, as well as protection under European law. Fewer than 20,000 people still speak Upper Sorbian in Saxony — and even fewer speak Lower Sorbian in Brandenburg. UNESCO, the United Nations cultural and educational arm, lists Sorbian as endangered, along with other minority languages such as Welsh and Breton. Beate Brězan, head of the Witaj Language Center in Bautzen, has a bold goal: 100,000 active Sorbian speakers by 2100. State and federal funding, bilingual signage and public awareness campaigns help, Brězan said — but the true battleground is within family homes. 'What happens at home is key to the language's survival,' she said. This isn't the first time Sorbian has confronted extinction-level risk. The Nazis sought to erase Sorbian identity through cultural annihilation and assimilation, and banned the language from public use. In the former East Germany, Sorbs were given more freedom, but only within a tightly controlled framework that often commodified their traditions. Across the rest of Germany, the Sorbs are best known for their elaborate traditional dress, or 'Tracht,' and their colorful Easter eggs. But here in the Lusatia region — straddling Brandenburg and Saxony — the effort is to make Sorbian relevant day-to-day, not just in folklore or on holidays. The Witaj Language Center's digital arm, for example, is working to ensure Sorbian has a digital presence. Its Sorbian translation app, Sotra, launched in 2019, is now being developed to include speech functions. In a small studio in Bautzen, Sorbian native speakers like Veronika Butendeich have recorded hours of Sorbian sentences. It's painstaking work — but essential if children are to use the language digitally, said Daniel Zoba, who leads the digitization effort. 'If it's not available in Sorbian, they'll take it in another language — and get used to German or English,' Zoba said. At Jan Radyserb Wjela preschool, named for a 19th-century Sorbian poet, about 80 percent of the children come from German-speaking families. 'We speak only Sorbian with the children,' day care director, Grit Hentschel, said. 'They first understand through constant listening — and only later start to speak.' For Hentschel, who learned Sorbian at school while growing up in a German home, the mission is personal. 'I really live the Sorbian culture and I wear my Tracht with pride,' she said. 'We're especially proud when former students come back and say they passed their school exams in Sorbian,' she said. With fewer children raised in Sorbian-speaking homes, maintaining native-speaking staff is a challenge. The facility now partners with a local vocational college to sustain staffing. Sorbian language is taught just as much through Sorbian culture. The highlight of the year at the preschool is Ptači Kwas (Upper Sorbian for 'Bird Wedding'), a midwinter tradition, featuring Tracht crafted by a dwindling number of seamstresses like Petra Kupke in nearby Räckelwitz. The country road from to Kupke's studio winds through rolling cornfields, flanked by ornate wayside monuments that bear witness to the Upper Sorbs' deep Catholic roots. Across the state border in Brandenburg, the Lower Sorbs have traditionally followed the Protestant faith. Kupke, 57, began sewing Sorbian outfits in the mid-1990s after losing her factory job following German reunification. She learned from local grandmothers mastering the intricate floral embroidery to keep Sorbian identity alive, one stitch at a time. 'It makes me proud to look around the church at festivals and see my work,' she said. But with few young people taking up the craft, she worries for its future. Training an apprentice is expensive. Traditionally, the outfits are worn only on religious and festive holidays, and Kupke believes things should stay that way. But some younger Sorbs have begun to merge elements of the Tracht with modern streetwear. Janźel Panaš — known onstage as Angel van Hell — is one young Sorb pushing boundaries. Earlier this year, Panaš, 24, performed in drag at the first non-heteronormative bird wedding organized in Cottbus by Kolektiw Wakuum, an initiative that aims to create a space for feminist and queer elements within Sorbian society. Wearing traditional ribbons, an apron and a denim bonnet, Panaš played the role of the wedding entertainer. 'My mum was worried I'd upset people — the bonnet didn't fully cover my hair, like it's supposed to,' he recalled. But for Panaš, blending tradition with personal identity offers a path forward to preserving Sorbian culture. Dressed in drag, on a hot August day in his hometown of Schleife, Panaš wore one of his favorite pieces: a neck bow passed down from his great-grandmother and updated with a silver hoop chain. 'She was the last person in our family who really spoke Sorbian,' he said of his great-grandmother. Even in Germany, 'many people outside of Lusatia don't even know that Sorbs exist,' he said. Rural population decline is one of the main challenges. But for families like Andrea Schmidt's in Räckelwitz, the language is very much alive. Growing up in Crostwitz, Sorbian was part of everyday life. Now, her grandchildren carry on the legacy. 'Witaj Wowka!' her granddaughter Hana, 20, called through the kitchen door — 'Hi grandma!' 'It would feel artificial to speak German with the children,' Schmidt, 61, said. Jurij, 4, the youngest of Hana's four brothers, entertained himself on the lawn with a toy horse, practicing to ride through the village as an 'Osterreiter,' or 'Easter rider' — a traditional Sorbian procession proclaiming the resurrection. Despite studying and living in a big city, Hana still speaks Sorbian with her roommates from back home. In her teenage years, she once had doubts: 'There was a phase when we spoke more German. But the awareness of how important Sorbian is came back quickly.' An emerging threat from ultra-nationalists is a concern for many Sorbs. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, classified as extremist by domestic intelligence, is surging in the Sorbs' traditional heartland. Last year, the Domowina, an umbrella organization of Sorbian societies, banned AfD officials and candidates from holding office within its ranks. A number of young Sorbs recounted incidents in which they were threatened by far-right groups and told to speak German. Despite the hostility, families like the Schmidts remain defiant. 'We definitely don't avoid speaking Sorbian,' Hana said. For her grandmother, protecting the language is a matter of identity and of the heart. 'It's amazing with how much emotion and with how much love you can pass it on,' Andrea said. 'If you don't put your heart and soul into it, it won't work.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
DC attorney general sues Trump over police takeover efforts
Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb (D) sued President Trump early Friday after the administration installed the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) head to command the city's police force. The 33-page complaint alleges DEA Administrator Terry Cole's appointment as 'emergency police commissioner' goes beyond the emergency authorities in the D.C. Home Rule Act that Trump invoked to surge law enforcement resources in the city. The lawsuit seeks to cancel the DEA head's installment and keep the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under the command of Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and Police Chief Pamela Smith. 'There is no greater risk to public safety in a large, professional police force like MPD than to not know who is in command,' the lawsuit reads. Citing a crime emergency, Trump on Monday began taking over the MPD by invoking a Home Rule Act provision that requires the mayor to provide law enforcement 'services' to the president when special emergency conditions are declared. City leaders initially vowed to comply, but they say the administration is now stretching the law too far. Hours earlier, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order appointing Cole to effectively take command of the force and requiring MPD leaders to receive his approval before issuing new directives. Bondi also purported to rescind MPD orders that limited how officers could aid immigration enforcement. Schwalb quickly issued a legal opinion saying the order is unlawful and telling the MPD chief to not enforce it. And now, the District's top local prosecutor has escalated the clash further with the lawsuit. 'Section 740 does not authorize this brazen usurpation of the District's authority over its own government,' Friday's lawsuit reads. The Justice Department declined to comment. The legal complaint does not implicate Trump's other recent efforts to police the city, including the mobilization of 800 National Guard troops and surging federal law enforcement officers to patrol the city. Updated at 9:43 a.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Associated Press
Global Times: China Port Watch: From a small harbor to a global logistics powerhouse as Lianyungang expands global connectivity under China's Belt and Road Initiative
BEIJING, Aug. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the dock, a pure electric tugboat lies quietly at a berth. Stepping into the cabin, there is none of the roar or vibration of a traditional fuel-powered tug, only the faint hum of electric currents as the equipment runs. Crew members are checking the systems, with screens displaying real-time data on energy consumption and operational status. When mooring operations begin, a single press of a switch on the bridge sets the vessel in motion, and within minutes, the tug departs smoothly from the dock to precisely assist a large ship in berthing or unberthing. Compared with traditional fuel-powered tugboats, the electric model in Lianyungang, the largest port in Jiangsu Province, offers zero emissions and quiet, low vibration operation, greatly improving air quality and crew comfort. They can operate for 1-2 days, meeting the demands of port tug-assist operations, and can be fully recharged within 2-3 hours using high-voltage fast charging at dedicated berths. Thanks to intelligent energy management, they use only one-third of the energy consumed by traditional fuel tugs and require fewer crew members, saving the port about 2-3 million yuan annually in fuel and labor costs. This is part of China's first all-electric tugboat fleet, a three-vessel lineup that forms a key element of Lianyungang's technological and green transformation to become a modern port of global significance, playing a crucial role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). On September 13, 2022, a signed article by President Xi Jinping titled 'Build on the Past to Make Greater Strides in China-Kazakhstan Relations' was published on the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper ahead of his state visit to Kazakhstan, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The article noted that at the China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Base in the eastern Chinese port of Lianyungang, products from Kazakhstan set sail for the Pacific Ocean. The China-Europe freight trains are running through Kazakhstan via more routes, making an important contribution to the stability of global industrial and supply chains. Small port to global hub Yin Deming, captain of the electric tugboat who has worked at the port for 18 years, has taken a front seat to witness the transformation of Lianyungang from a small port to a global hub. Compared with traditional fuel-powered tugboats, the electric tugs feature higher automation and simpler operation, Yin told the Global Times as he skillfully adjusted the tug's angle with a simple control stick in the wheelhouse, smoothly guiding it toward an incoming cargo ship. 'In the past, starting the tug required multiple steps and coordination across departments, making it time-consuming and complex. Now, a single command from the bridge starts everything, eliminating the need for on-site manual operations and improving efficiency,' Yin said, adding that the time from receiving the operation notice to the tug leaving the dock has been cut from 8-10 minutes to less than 2 minutes. The electric tugboat is just one example of the changes at Lianyungang. Xue Xilei, executive deputy general manager of LYG-PSA Container Terminal Co.,Ltd, is well placed to illustrate the transformation of the port. Over the past decades, he has seen it evolve. 'About 30 years ago, the port had only about three companies and an annual throughput of 10 million tons... Today it handles more than 300 million tons of cargo per year, with a vibrant cluster of enterprises, and has become a hub of international trade.' The BRI has given Lianyungang a new launching pad. In 2017, President Xi pointed out in his speech during his state visit to Kazakhstan that the opening of the freight train of China-Kazakhstan cross-border transportation not only brings benefits to China and Kazakhstan but also provides more convenience for transportation and cooperation opportunities for the countries along the 'Belt and Road,' showcasing the organic integration of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xinhua reported. On the large screen at the dispatch center of the China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) Logistics Cooperation Base, information on destinations, origins, and cargo of China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains between China and Kazakhstan was displayed and updated in real time. And, it provides live video footage of the Horgos Dry Port, known as the 'Eastern Gateway.' 'Now, transport capacity, train frequency, and operational efficiency have all improved a lot compared to 10 years ago,' said Kong Xiangwei, vice general manager of Lianyungang China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Co., Ltd, noting that what once took four hours to load a freight train, can now be done in only two hours, with a maximum daily throughput of seven trains. The China-Kazakhstan (Lianyungang) Logistics Cooperation Base, which is part of Lianyungang's free trade zone, is only one key aspect of city's broader integration into the BRI. Since the approval in August 2019, the city's free trade zone has focused on building an Asia-Europe transport hub and promoting cooperation with BRI partner countries, Wang Yunlong, director of the Institutional Innovation Bureau of the Lianyungang Free Trade Zone, told the Global Times. Although occupying only 0.27 percent of the city's total area, the free trade zone contributes nearly one-third of the city's actual foreign investment utilization, one-fifth of its import and export trade, and one-eighth of newly established enterprises. Greater connectivity Besides its role in the BRI, Lianyungang is also strengthening cooperation with many developing countries, helping to promote their high-quality and sustainable development. Located about 13 kilometers from the port in the Lianyungang Economic Development Zone, a local factory was buzzing with activity. It is producing massive wind power blades over 100 meters long for both domestic and overseas market. The factory now operates seven such blade production lines. Some steps in the firm's operations are now automated, Qiao Xiaoliang, general manager of Zhongfu Lianzhong Wind Power Blade (Lianyungang) Co., Ltd, told the Global Times, adding that automated processes include trimming, grinding, painting, and transportation. In recent years, with the promotion of high-quality development of the BRI, the company's wind power blades have gained popularity in overseas market. Taking advantage of its close proximity to Lianyungang Port, the company's export business is expanding quickly. Its products reach countries from Bolivia in South America, to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Europe. There are currently two factories in Lianyungang producing around 240 blades per month. If production runs smoothly, the capacity could rise to 280 blades, Qiao said. Another factory also showcases the industrial muscle of this bustling trade city. At Lianyungang Feiyan Blanket Co., Ltd, which produces everything from warp- and weft-knitted blankets to delicate thin velvet throws, only a handful of workers dot the vast factory floor. 'Our level of automation is very high — from the equipment to the production lines, almost everything is developed and manufactured in-house. The current automation rate has reached 70-80 percent,' Xu Yingxi, general manager of Lianyungang Feiyan Blanket Co, told Global Times. The company's products have gained a reputation for high quality in many parts of the world, including BRI partner countries, with business presence in regions such as South Africa and several in South America. Lianyungang maintains very close ties with many BRI partner countries. Kong told the Global Times that Lianyungang's advantage lies in its dual role as both a port and a freight train hub, making it a key international logistics hub connecting Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, said Kong. Transported cargo includes used cars, auto parts, and other high value-added products. Resilient trade From Lianyungang's sea port and freight-train logistics hub to its manufacturing facilities, the city is promoting global cooperation with an open and forward-looking mindset. The efforts underscore Lianyungang's rising prominence as a promising freight trade hub. In the first half of 2025, Lianyungang's foreign trade reached 119.22 billion yuan, with exports totaling 26.27 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 17.9 percent, according to data from China's General Administration of Customs. Lianyungang has made strides in propelling foreign trade growth, while continuously expanding a network of international partners. Trade with the BRI partner countries has grown by over 20 percent annually for four consecutive years, surpassing 100 billion yuan for the first time in 2024 and setting a historic high, according to Lianyungang Municipal Government. This year, Lianyungang has witnessed many 'firsts.' In July, the Xin Xin Hai 1, a cargo ship, set sail from Lianyungang, marking the first voyage of the China-Russia Arctic 'Ice Silk Road' to Arkhangelsk. In May, the Anji Ansheng, the world's largest car carrier built by China, left Lianyungang on its maiden trip to Europe, showcasing China's automotive sector strength. 'While China is opening more and more shipping routes and our network of foreign trade partners is expanding, our port is leveraging the momentum to continue building, transforming, and upgrading,' Xue said. Although unilateralism and protectionism have brought short-term pressures to global trade, Xue expressed confidence in the resilience and strength of Chinese manufacturing and trade. He noted that exports to ASEAN and other markets have continued to grow, with trade becoming more active under the RCEP framework. For example, cold-chain imports at Lianyungang are on the rise, driven by growing demand for fruit and frozen products from Southeast Asian countries. Looking into the future, Xue noted that the port is embracing automation, which will unleash greater potentials. 'The automated terminal area has already broken ground, though full automation has yet to be achieved, and work is progressing steadily,' Xue said. Pointing to a 90,000-square-meter space now under construction, he described the tall quay cranes and blue yard cranes in view, noting that they will eventually operate without human intervention, consolidating Lianyungang's position as a major trade hub. View original content: SOURCE Global Times
