Top UN court calls climate change an ‘existential threat'
The court said that governments could be violating international law by failing to act on climate change, which it called an 'urgent and existential threat'.
The action, initiated by Vanuatu and supported by over 100 countries, establishes that states have stringent obligations to reduce emissions and that inaction could constitute an internationally wrongful act.
Although not legally binding, the ICJ's opinion is considered a "turning point" and a "seismic win" for climate justice, expected to significantly influence future climate litigation and international negotiations.
This landmark opinion is anticipated to shape nearly 3,000 climate-related lawsuits filed globally.
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Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Trump says US, India still negotiating after 25% US tariff threat
WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI, July 30 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States is still negotiating with India on trade after announcing earlier in the day the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from the country starting on Friday. The 25% tariff, as well as an unspecified penalty announced by Trump in a morning social media post, would strain relations with the world's most populous democracy. Later at the White House, the Republican president indicated there was wiggle room. "They have one of the highest tariffs in the world now, they're willing to cut it very substantially," Trump told reporters. "We're talking to India now - we'll see what happens ... You'll know by the end of this week." The 25% figure would single out India more severely than other major trading partners, and threatens to unravel months of talks between the two countries, undermining a strategic partner of Washington's and a counterbalance to China. The White House had previously warned India about its high average applied tariffs - nearly 39% on agricultural products - with rates climbing to 45% on vegetable oils and around 50% on apples and corn. "While India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!" In response, the Indian government said in a statement that it was studying the implications of Trump's announcements and remained dedicated to securing a fair trade deal with the U.S. "India and the U.S. have been engaged in negotiations on concluding a fair, balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement over the last few months. We remain committed to that objective," it said. Russia continued to be the top oil supplier to India during the first six months of 2025, making up 35% of overall supplies. The United States, the world's largest economy, currently has a $45.7-billion trade deficit with India, the fifth largest. White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said Trump has been frustrated with the progress of trade talks with India and believed the 25% tariff announcement would help the situation. Hassett said more information on an additional penalty would be made "shortly." The new U.S. tax on imports from India would be higher than on many other countries that struck deals with the Trump administration recently. Vietnam's tariff is set at 20% and Indonesia's at 19%, while the levy for Japan and the European Union is 15%. "This is a major setback for Indian exporters, especially in sectors like textiles, footwear, and furniture, as the 25% tariff will render them uncompetitive against rivals from Vietnam and China," said S.C. Ralhan, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisation. U.S. and Indian negotiators have held multiple rounds of discussions to resolve contentious issues, particularly over market access into India for U.S. agricultural and dairy products. In its latest statement, India said it attached the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of its farmers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. "The government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements," it said. The setback comes despite earlier commitments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump to conclude the first phase of a trade deal by autumn and expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, from $191 billion in 2024. Since India's short but deadly conflict with arch South Asian rival Pakistan, New Delhi has been unhappy about Trump's closeness with Islamabad and has protested, which cast a shadow over trade talks. "Politically, the relationship is in its toughest spot since the mid-1990s," said Ashok Malik, partner at advisory firm The Asia Group. "Trust has diminished. President Trump's messaging has damaged many years of careful, bipartisan nurturing of the U.S.-India partnership in both capitals." Besides farm products access, the U.S. had flagged concerns over India's increasingly burdensome import-quality requirements, among its many non-tariff barriers to foreign trade, in a report released in March. The new tariffs will impact Indian goods exports to the U.S., estimated at around $87 billion in 2024, including labour-intensive products such as garments, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelry, and petrochemicals.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
Essex politicians call for meeting with Home Secretary over asylum-seeker hotel
Your support helps us to tell the story Read more Support Now From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Five local political leaders have urged the Home Secretary to make a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex a 'priority for urgent closure', citing community tensions that have put a strain on policing. The signatories have requested a meeting with Yvette Cooper to discuss the continued use of The Bell Hotel in Epping to house migrants. Essex Police said 14 people have been charged in connection with protests at the site and there have been 23 arrests. Multiple demonstrations have been held outside The Bell Hotel since July 13 after an asylum-seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who was charged with sexual assault, denies the charges. He is due to stand trial in August. Concerns about the use of The Bell Hotel to house asylum-seekers have been expressed in an open letter sent to the Home Secretary on Wednesday. The signatories are: Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex; Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Epping Forest; Alex Burghart, MP for Brentwood and Ongar; Cllr Christopher Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council and Cllr Kevin Bentley, Leader of Essex County Council. In the letter, the politicians argue that housing migrants at the site is 'proving to be entirely unsuitable and… placing an unsustainable strain on police resources'. They added that this is 'creating significant community tension, and leading to public disorder that is unacceptable to our residents and deeply concerning for the safety of all involved'. The letter continued that 'large-scale protests and counter-protests' on several days saw 'more than 2,000 people attending across all dates'. 'During these events, eight Essex Police officers have been injured — one requiring hospitalisation after being struck in the face with a bottle,' the letter said. 'Officers from neighbouring forces have been brought in to support our local resources. 'This simply cannot continue. 'While we respect the public's right to peaceful protest, the level of violence now seen on Epping's streets is alarming.' They say that the police deployments at the hotel are 'putting our ability to maintain public safety at risk'. 'We support the Home Office's wider objective of reducing reliance on hotels and are keen to work with you,' the letter said. 'However, we urge you to accelerate this process and make The Bell Hotel in Epping a priority for urgent closure. 'It is vital that this location be reconsidered considering the operational realities on the ground. 'We urge that The Bell Hotel be made a priority for urgent decommissioning.'
Reuters
7 hours ago
- Reuters
UniCredit presence in Russia poses sanctions risk, Italy FinMin says
ROME, July 30 (Reuters) - UniCredit's ( opens new tab investments in Russian sovereign bonds through its local unit expose the group to the risk of possible international sanctions, Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said on Wednesday. He added that the Italian government had acted to defend the national interest by imposing tough conditions on UniCredit's failed bid for Banco BPM ( opens new tab through so-called "golden powers" aimed at shielding key assets. "UniCredit's Russian unit has made substantial investments in Russian sovereign debt that expose it to the risk of international sanctions," Giorgetti said during a Q&A session in parliament. Earlier this month, UniCredit withdrew its takeover bid for smaller rival Banco BPM, blaming government intervention for scuppering the 15 billion-euro ($17 billion) deal. Among several conditions, Italy told UniCredit it had to halt activities in Russia, except for payments to Western companies, by early 2026, to prevent savings collected by Banco BPM from benefiting Moscow's economy as it continues its war against Ukraine. Following supervisory demands, UniCredit has sharply cut its exposure to Russia, but it needs approval from Russian authorities to leave the country. Giorgetti mentioned sanctions adopted in stages by the European Union against Moscow since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The sanctions have targeted Russia's energy revenues, banks, and military industry, and frozen hundreds of billions of its central bank's reserves. Italy also backed a stance agreed by the G7 major democracies stating that firms that have helped Russia fund its war on Ukraine by doing business with the country should be excluded from profiting from Ukraine's reconstruction.
