Europe's heatwave moves east as row erupts in France over air conditioning
The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen seized a canvassing opportunity before the 2027 presidential election, announcing she would launch a 'grand plan for air conditioning' for the nation if she won power.
In parliament, Le Pen, an MP for the Pas-de-Calais in northern France, said 'air conditioning saves lives'. She said there was a problem in France if public services 'are unable to function because of a lack of air conditioning, unlike dozens of countries across the world'.
Éric Ciotti, a Le Pen ally, put down a bill in parliament this week calling for 'obligatory air conditioning' for key public spaces.
France has a low number of public spaces and private homes with air conditioning compared with neighbouring countries such as Italy. In 2020, 25% of French homes had air conditioning, compared with 14% in 2016, according to the national environment agency, Ademe.
Tourists pose for a photo while feeding pigeons on a hot day in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
The government attacked the far right as ignorant and 'incompetent' for suggesting air conditioning was a solution to the climate crisis. The environment minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, said air-conditioned spaces in care homes for elderly people had been obligatory in France for 20 years. She said that, although vulnerable people should be protected from the heat, air conditioning 'must not be installed everywhere' because it generated a rise in temperatures outside and was 'the wrong answer'.
The Green leader, Marine Tondelier, attacked Le Pen for an environmental policy limited to 'buying air conditioning units'. Tondelier said there had to be progress made on green spaces in cities and proper insulation of buildings.
Meanwhile, Europe continued to grapple with a deadly heatwave that has resulted in record temperatures and several deaths.
In Spain, officers from Catalonia's regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, were investigating the deaths of two farm workers whose bodies were found on Tuesday by firefighters tackling a wildfire near the town of Coscó in Lleida province. The wildfire burned through 6,500 hectares (16,000 acres) of land in the north-eastern Spanish region and authorities ordered 18,000 people in the area to remain at home.
A bear enjoys iced fruit at Rome's zoo, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, as temperatures soar to around 40 degrees Celsius. Picture: AP Photo/Paolo Santalucia
The regional president, Salvador Illa, urged people to take extra care, warning them not to underestimate the speed and ferocity of wildfires.
'These fires aren't like the ones we used to have,' he said on Wednesday. 'When you find out how they evolve, you get goose bumps. There are really dangerous fires.' The two men died on the same day that a young boy died, apparently from heatstroke, after being left in a car in the Catalan province of Tarragona on Tuesday.
France's energy minister reported two deaths with a direct link to the heatwave, with 300 people taken to hospital this week.
A 70-year-old lorry driver was found dead inside his vehicle in northern Italy, in what may be the country's third death linked to the heatwave.
The man was discovered shortly after 6.30am on Wednesday, parked at a motorway rest area between Sirmione and Peschiera del Garda, in the province of Brescia.
Elsewhere in Italy, traffic lights stopped working, people got stuck in lifts, and shops closed early after power cuts in parts of the country on Tuesday afternoon, partly due to a surge in the non-stop use of air conditioning and fans putting a strain on electricity grids.
A pharmacy sign displays a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius in Thionville, north-eastern France, on July 2, 2025, as a heatwave hits Europe. Picture: Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN/AFP
The blackouts in Italy were also caused by underground electrical cables overheating, according to the energy provider Enel. In Florence, the power cut affected the city's historic centre, with the La Rinascente department store evacuated as a precautionary measure. A sign reading: 'Black out, see you tomorrow morning at 10am,' appeared on a shop window opposite Florence's cathedral. Homes were without electricity for hours in several neighbourhoods in Rome, Milan, Genoa and Bergamo.
Italy's health ministry issued a maximum red alert for heat in 18 cities on Wednesday, meaning the heat is so intense that it poses a risk for young and healthy people too. The extreme temperatures are forecast to last at least until the weekend.
The heat is also beginning to take a serious toll on the country's agriculture, scorching fruit and vegetables, straining livestock, and deepening a growing drought crisis in the south.
According to Coldiretti, Italy's largest farmers' association, early signs of damage are already being reported from north to south: from blistered melons in Tuscany to milk shortages in Lombardy and water rationing in Sicily.
Men jump into the water on a hot day in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Picture: AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti
As the heatwave rolled eastwards on Wednesday, Germany was expected to record some of its hottest temperatures of the year so far. Temperatures were expected to surge close to 40C across much of the country on Wednesday, and could break the all-time record for Germany of 41.2C, set in July 2019.
Drought-like conditions led more than 40 German districts to restrict water use, including for farmers and gardeners, in addition to dozens of municipalities calling on citizens to conserve water.
In Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin, two forest fires broke out on Tuesday, with high temperatures and munitions in the soil complicating the work of firefighters, who by the evening had the situation under control.
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Heatwaves hit Europe but Ireland set for spell of 'unsettled' weather
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Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE's Joe Duffy breaks silence on Presidential speculation
Former Liveline host Joe Duffy has ruled himself out of the Irish presidential election race following months of speculation. Mr Duffy, who retired from RTÉ just last week after over three decades, had been linked to a run and had been tipped as a contender for either a Fianna Fáil or unity candidate for the left. However, taking to social media on Saturday afternoon, Mr Duffy put the rumours to bed and insisted that he would not run to replace President Michael D Higgins. He wrote: 'Thanks , but to be absolutely clear I am NOT seeking a nomination from any politicians , local or national, for the office of President. I will not be adding anything further.' In response to one X user who asked if Mr Duffy was 'categorically saying you will not be running for the role of President of Ireland', the Dublin man responded, 'Yes'. The confirmation comes a week after Mr Duffy refused to give a definitive answer on entering the presidential election campaign during a round of retirement interviews. He said: "I will not lose the run of myself. I can see the Aras from Claddagh Green [in Ballyfermot], I'd say that's the closest I'll ever get to it." In Leinster House earlier this week, People Before Profit's Paul Murphy refused to give a definitive answer on whether Mr Duffy could be a candidate for the joint left. He had also been linked to a run for Fianna Fáil. Fine Gael will become the first political party out of the presidential election traps as it opens its nomination process tomorrow on Monday. It is widely expected that current MEP and former GAA President Sean Kelly and former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness will fight a two-way battle to secure the party's backing. President Michael D Higgins will depart Áras an Uachtaran on November 11 following a 14-year stint. The election must take place 60 days before his departure, with polling day most likely to be in October. Fine Gael will open its nomination process on Monday just over a week until Tuesday July 15 at 4pm. John Carroll, Fine Gael General Secretary, recently told the party that a candidate needs the nomination of 20 members of the Parliamentary Party, 25 Fine Gael Councillors and five members of the Executive Council. In the event of a contest, Fine Gael will apply the 'electoral college' voting system it uses in other votes, such as to elect a party leader or to ratify programmes for government. Anyone who has been a member of Fine Gael for two years has a vote. The membership vote is worth 30% of the overall vote, the Councillors' votes are worth 15% and the Parliamentary Party votes account for 55%. Mr Carroll explained: 'There will be a number of hustings held in late July with a postal ballot of members to take place across August. 'The Parliamentary Party will vote in one location, and a decision is to be taken as to how councillors will vote (whether in person or by postal ballot). 'The result will be announced, and the candidate ratified at an event in early September. 'Whilst most members do not have a role in the nomination process, the Executive Council has agreed that when a person sets out that they are seeking the Party nomination, they will be given the opportunity to send an email to all members setting out their case.' Mr Carroll noted that the Fine Gael Executive Council will write to each Fine Gael council group to 'get their views on how we, as a Party, should approach the issue of independents or individuals from other parties seeking nominations to contest this election'. Independent candidates can run for election if they receive support from either 20 Oireachtas members or four county councils. However, the Irish Mirror understands that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will not allow their councillors to back non-party candidates. This could narrow the electoral field. Out of 949 elected councillors across the country. Some 248 are Fianna Fáil, while another 245 are in Fine Gael. Between them, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have the majority on 21 of 31 councils. On the councils where they do not have a majority, there tends to be a high number of Sinn Féin, Labour or Social Democrats councillors elected. Ms McGuiness is seen by many in Fine Gael to be the front runner to secure the party's presidential nomination. Mr Kelly told the Irish Times this weekend that he is '50-50' on whether he will contest, but most in Fine Gael believe he will enter the race. There is also a desire amongst some in the party that there is a competition for the position following Simon Harris' uncontested bid to become party leader in April 2024. Fine Gael is the only party not holding their cards to their chest as the presidential election draws ever closer. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Fianna Fáil will decide on its strategy after the summer to save candidates from a deluge of headlines during the quiet summer period. Former minister Mary Hanafin stated last week that she would be interested in contesting the presidential election. However, this was met with raised eyebrows from her Fianna Fáil colleagues, with several members of the parliamentary party telling the Irish Mirror that 'nobody wants her to run'. One TD remarked that Ms Hanafin had failed to get elected to the Dáil in the Dun Laoghaire constituency in the 2011, 2016 and 2020 elections. They added: 'The only hope Fianna Fáil has of winning the presidential election is if Micheál [Martin] himself runs.' Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner reported on Saturday that Riverdance star Michael Flatley is considering an Áras bid. Other names in the frame include Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy. MMA fighter Conor McGregor, former candidate and Dragon Dens star Peter Casey and lawyer and failed general election candidate Nick Delahanty have all expressed interest in contesting the election. However, the likelihood of any receiving enough support to secure a nomination is slim.
Irish Independent
19 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry is ideal location for EU presidency meetings – ‘Where else would you bring them?'
Kerry TD Michael Cahill has said that the county with Killarney as the 'centrepiece' is the most suitable to host international Government ministers given the the provision of accommodation, food and conference facilities, that is available in the town and in the county as a whole. 'Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here. Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage? said Deputy Cahill. The TD said that they could visit the wonderful sights of the county on their 'downtime'. 'During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney's Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane. "Kerry's golf courses are second to none, with so many to choose from. On to Listowel Writers Week and the Rose of Tralee and to top it all off three days at Puck Fair,' said the Rossbeigh TD. He said he has raised his plans with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, the Tanáiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, and the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs Thomas Byrne. "If Killarney's bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county. 'Kerry and Killarney have the experience and the facilities to provide the ultimate experience for these very important visitors, who will bring tales of their travels home with them, initiating a fabulous marketing campaign on our behalf.' The Kerry TD said he will continue to fight for Killarney to host these meetings. "I will continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1st to December 31, 2026.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Beware this new race to the bottom of the ocean
Space, as Captain Kirk used to remind us, is the 'final frontier'. But the environment that might concern us most in the next 50 years is the ocean. As a country that has a long coastline, more than 7,500km of it, and extensive claims to the seabeds that surround us, we must pay close attention to what is happening on the seas, beneath them, and above the ocean waves. For those who value our native birdlife — and that is all of us, surely — Ireland's belated efforts to recognise and protect the breeding and feeding grounds which create a diversity of species are a welcome, if overdue, move. Birdwatch Ireland wants the Government to catch up with European colleagues in designating key locations — 73 in our case, 24 of them out at sea — as protected areas. These include marine locations where birds gather in numbers to eat, preen, and socialise. There are increasing threats, including intensive offshore developments, such as wind farms. Greedy eyes are being cast over myriad opportunities to colonise the seas, which go way beyond the current human depredations of intensive fishing, plastic pollution, and climate change. Last month's UN conference on the oceans in Nice — non-participants included the US, of course — spent much time focusing on the potential impact of deep-sea mining. This is an activity that has only been undertaken on a small exploratory scale so far, but runs the risk of expanding exponentially as the pursuit of the world's rare minerals — the ones needed to power technology and energy transition — rapidly gathers pace. Deep-sea mining involves extracting resources from ocean floors rich in cobalt, manganese, nickel, and copper, often at depths of between 4,000-6,000m. US president Donald Trump has already issued an executive order entitled 'Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources'. This observes that the US has a 'core national security and economic interest' in developing seabed minerals. UN restrictions, it says, would be 'inconsistent' with its sovereignty. But the US is far from alone in its ambitions. Norway, with its huge experience in oil and gas exploration, is in the vanguard of countries jockeying for position. Canada and South Korea are also prime movers. China and Russia, in the Arctic, view deep-sea mining as a vital element of longer-term geopolitical strategies. Some analysts believe that there is a $17 trillion profit to be gained, mainly for private mining companies. But in the enthusiasm to stake a claim in the new Klondike, little thought has been given to the net costs and environmental and economic impacts. Some scientists worry that entire ecosystems could be destroyed by devastating the sea floor and that marine life would be smothered by plumes of sediment. We are one of the 37 countries that have backed a precautionary moratorium and called for more research. Anyone who has watched David Attenborough's most recent National Geographic documentary, Ocean, on Disney+ — some critics say it is his greatest and most challenging work — will appreciate the scale of threat to marine life. But mineral exploitation is a topic which is barely on the radar of the general public at this time. This will change as consequences become apparent. Humankind may remember what happened to the Ancient Mariner in the poem by Samuel Coleridge, when he had the temerity to interfere recklessly in the natural order of life. In that case, the unfortunate seaman was lucky enough to find redemption and salvation by changing his ways. Based on current evidence, we may not be so fortunate. 'Beat the Lotto' a reminder of simpler times Because there is plenty to make us grimace in 2025, anything which leavens the mixture, or transports us back to more innocent, less frenetic, times is welcome. Into that category should be placed Ross Whitaker's enjoyable account of a syndicate's 1992 attempt to game the national lottery, ensure the jackpot prize for themselves, beat the system, and earn the admiration of many, if not quite all, fellow citizens for their cheek and enterprise. Stefan Klincewicz speaking with Pat Kenny on his TV chat show in the 1990s in the new documentary, 'Beat the Lotto'. Beat the Lotto, which reaches cinemas this weekend, recreates the caper where a group, headed by Cork mathematician and accountant Stefan Klincewicz, devised a cunning plan to buy every possible lottery combination requiring some two million number squares to be filled in by hand. The story of what happened is an irresistible tribute to ingenuity and the concept that hope springs eternal in the human breast. And our collective love for some good-tempered roguish humour. Ocean's Eleven it's not, but its portrayal of Ireland in the late 1980s/early '90s, the dog days before the arrival of the Celtic Tiger and the era when booms were getting boomier, is unmissable. It's a shame, but perhaps understandable that the National Lottery didn't take the chance to contribute but, as the director says, they 'didn't remember the episode all that fondly'. Like another foundation story of 21st-century Ireland, the movie Saipan, which retells the story of the schism between Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy before the 2002 World Cup, it's an episode which could, perhaps, only have been created here. And it's none the worse for that. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Long-awaited reforms to defamation law Long-awaited reforms to Ireland's restrictive and punitive libel laws were finally passed by the Dáil this week, but not without some grudging commentary from TDs, which will fuel opinions that the bill doesn't go nearly far enough. It is unfortunate that the requirement for complainants to pass a 'serious harm' threshold was placed in the 'too difficult' tray by those who drafted the legislation, as it affects retail and hospitality businesses. Challenging a suspected shoplifter or someone exhibiting excessively lairy behaviour at a nightclub remains a gamble, and there remains no meaningful deterrent to frivolous or vexatious defamation claims. Hard-pressed shopkeepers and managers — and there are plenty of those in Ireland's villages, towns, and cities — will still have to decide whether to defend actions and incur costs which can rise to €20,000 or turn to their insurance and incur higher premiums. Even a victory may offer scant chance of recovery if the complainant has no means to pay. This aspect of the new law will fail to change behaviour despite justice minister Jim O'Callaghan's exhortation that businesses should 'not take the easy route' and pay out. Many of the headlines have already been generated by the legal changes which have removed jury trial from the equation, and the 83-61 vote in favour now sends the proposals forward to the Seanad. Ireland's defamation laws have remained unaltered since 2009, since then we have seen the explosive growth of social media and the creation of a Wild West of opinion and commentary which is instant, and often egregious and untrue. Simultaneously, much of what is often categorised as 'old mainstream media' has seen revenues migrate to online competitors. Public understanding of the changed financial circumstances lags the actual reality. Thousands of newspapers around the globe have closed, and many thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. While this produces a tune on the world's smallest violin from some politicians, those losses are a worry for democracy and a threat to the common wealth. Even as the bill has been progressing it has been marked by litigation which proved again that defending an action by a libel claimant is a precarious pastime. This week, Ryan Casey, the partner of murdered schoolteacher Ashling Murphy, won substantial damages from the BBC after it broadcast a discussion about the content of his victim impact statement in its Northern Ireland political programme The View. It was the second court defeat in Ireland in recent weeks for the corporation after Gerry Adams won damages of €100,000 in a case which incurred costs of between €3m-€5m. These eye-watering sums would drive many publishers out of business. Ireland's new bill includes a public interest defence provided statements are published in good faith and reasonable enquiries and checks have been made prior to publication. Such an argument has never been successfully run in the Republic. Whether there is a queue of editors lining up to be the first to test its efficacy is questionable, but there must be protections for honest journalism and enquiry, particularly at a local level where resources are stretched to the thinnest. Read More Irish Examiner view: Free bets escalate gambling problems
