Extreme heat and wildfires ravage Europe

Published

11 months ago

July 19, 2022

Europe swelters as a heatwave causes wildfires, leading to evacuations, extreme heat warnings and fatalities

Wildfires are causing damage to much of southern Europe.

France, Spain and the UK have issued red alerts and extreme health warnings because of the soaring temperatures.

Hundreds of firefighters in Portugal, Spain, Italy and France were tackling multiple blazes on Monday.

The heatwave is pushing temperatures well above 40 degrees celsius, with Spain recording a high of 46 degrees.

According to Maroš Šefčovič, the European Commission’s vice-president for inter-institutional relations, the droughts and prolonged heatwave on the continent “could become the worst ever.”

Water bombing aircraft criss cross the skies above southwestern France, Spain and Portugal, with the EU taking other measures to assist fires in other countries.

Fires in the southwestern region of France have now spread over 14,800 hectares.

In southern Europe there were some signs conditions were starting to ease following hundreds of heat realated deaths across multiple countries.

But the heatwave is sweeping northwards, leaving even the traditionally colder countries of northern Europe dangerously exposed.

In the UK, train companies have urged people not to travel, as the heat causes overhead wires to sag and railway tracks to buckle.

🌞 Our extreme weather action teams are ready to respond to problems caused by the heat

🌡️ High temperatures can cause different issues for the railway – find out more 👉 https://t.co/BWNgIzeqpS

📲 Check your journey if you're travelling by train @nationalrailenq pic.twitter.com/7IZOyLaj8y
— Chiltern Main Line (@NetworkRailCML) July 18, 2022

Train company LNER went as far as to cancel services between York and London on Tuesday because of the heat.

While no UK-wide heat record has been set, Wales broke its own highest ever recorded temperature.

Hawarden in Wales reached 37.1 degrees celsius.

A very hot day across the whole country with temperatures widely into the thirties, with Wales having is hottest days on record.#Heatwave2022 #heatwave pic.twitter.com/JtbjfZUNUi
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 18, 2022

Luton Airport, north of London, was temporarily closed to flights as faults were detected in the runway because of the extreme heat.

But a spokesperson for the airport later confirmed all flights had resumed.

Tuesday is set to bring even higher temperatures to the United Kingdom.

The Met Office – the UK’s national weather service – predicts temperates that could reach 40 degrees celsius.

If that occurs, it will be the highest temperature in the United Kingdom since records began.

Interest addictions

Published

1 month ago

April 27, 2023

With rising rates, people should be encouraged to put away money, so they can see their savings grow

With interest rates all over the world being very low, people have been receiving almost nothing in return for keeping their money in the bank.

However, this has all changed due to inflation rising, and saving accounts now starting to pay something.

Now, the buffer has started to get bigger and bigger, to the point where savers are becoming addicted to the earned interest.

The Presidential rematch may be on

Published

1 month ago

April 26, 2023

ticker NEWS

Joe Biden has announced he will contest the 2024 U.S. election

The 2024 U.S Presidential election may be 500 days away…

And Americans are digesting Joe Biden’s announcement that he’s running for a second term.

What sort of reasons are Republicans telling Americans to not vote for him, and how are Democrats preparing their campaign to ensure Biden can stay in office for another four years?

Bruce Wolpe from the U.S. Studies Centre joined to discuss.

Why Elon Musk was booed on stage

Published

6 months ago

December 13, 2022

Holly Stearnes

New Twitter boss Elon Musk did not receive the warmest welcome at Dave Chappelle’s recent comedy show

Elon Musk appeared embarrassed at Dave Chappelle’s recent San Francisco comedy show, when the audience began booing him.

A mixed reaction from audience members at the show. Some cheered as Chappelle welcome Musk onto the stage, but it was impossible to notice many booing him.

It’s no surprise though, given San Francisco is the home of Twitter HQ, and the place where Musk just fired thousands of staff.

It comes as the controversial new boss makes drastic changes to the social media platform.

“Sounds like some of those people you fired are in the audience….

Don’t say nothing. You hear that sound, Elon? That’s the sound of pending civil unrest.”
dave chappelle, comedian

After trying to joke his way around the awkwardness for Musk, Chappelle finished the show with some words of wisdom and a prayer.

“Booing is not the best thing you can do. I wish everybody in this auditorium the joy of feeling free and may your pursuit of happiness set you free. Amen.”

However, Musk has since responded to the booing from the crowd insisting it “was 90% cheers & 10% boos (except during quiet periods), but, still, that’s a lot of boos, which is a first for me in real life (frequent on Twitter).”