Extreme heatwave sees ‘crisis’ task force activated in France as prolonged dry spell in the UK causes ‘alarming’ prognosis for British farmers. The French government has activated a crisis task force to coordinate efforts to alleviate the effects of an “historic” drought exacerbated by an extreme summer heatwave. Authorities have already ordered water restrictions in … Read more
Officials say 150 emergency responders and one aerial unit are working at the scene in the town of Estahban in Fars province. Flooding in southern Iran has killed at least 22 people and left one person missing following heavy rainfall in the largely arid country, an official site has said. Officials of the local Red … Read more
At least 22 countries have recorded maximum temperatures of 50C (122F) or more. Al Jazeera looks at the hottest places on the Earth. Extreme heat has struck Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, with temperatures climbing above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in many places causing wildfires and heat-related deaths. On Friday, … Read more
Pacific island nations, courted by China and the United States, put the superpowers on notice, telling the world’s two biggest carbon emitters to take more action on climate change while pledging unity in the face of a growing geopolitical contest. Leaders at the four-day summit of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), meeting in Fiji’s capital … Read more
Sydney, Australia – The 51st Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders meeting, which takes place this week in Fiji, is shaping up to be the most significant regional summit in years. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and the US-China rivalry have rattled the strategic region in the years since its leaders last convened in person in … Read more
Portuguese authorities announced a ‘state of contingency’ as at least 29 people have reported minor injuries from fires. Wildfires are sweeping across northern and central Portugal, where an estimated 3,000 firefighters and more than 60 aircraft are battling to quell the flames amid scorching temperatures. Authorities said 12 firefighters and 17 civilians required medical assistance … Read more
The northern agricultural Po valley has been hit by its worst drought in decades. Italy has declared a state of emergency over a worsening drought that has plagued five northern regions in recent weeks, Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s office has announced. The cabinet approved a state of emergency in Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and … Read more
The five-day United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal is focused on restoring the health of the oceans. The world is facing an “ocean emergency”, United Nations chief Antonio Guterres has warned, as thousands of activists, scientists and leaders gathered at the UN Ocean Conference in Portugal’s capital to call for strengthening sea-protection measures. “We … Read more
Flood situation likely to deteriorate over the next 24 hours in worst-hit areas of north and northeast, officials said. Heavy monsoon downpours in Bangladesh’s northeastern and northern regions have stranded hundreds of thousands of people, forcing authorities to deploy the military to conduct evacuation and relief work, according to local media and official statements. The … Read more
Sweltering temperatures in Spain and France have shone a spotlight on the increasing frequency of heatwaves in Europe. In just more than two decades, the continent has experienced its five hottest summers since 1500. 2021: Hottest ever Last year was Europe’s hottest summer on record, according to the European climate change monitoring service Copernicus. Between … Read more