Latest news with #SofiaHortaeCosta
Mint
04-07-2025
- Climate
- Mint
Searing Heat Burns Greece, Turkey as Torrid Weather Shifts East
(Bloomberg) -- An intense heat wave continued to scorch Europe on Friday as firefighters scrambled to control wildfires in Greece and neighboring Turkey. Fire crews battled a new blaze on Crete, shortly after containing a separate fire that forced evacuations of residents and tourists from the island earlier this week. More than 40 fires broke out in Greece the past two days, and the area around Athens is seen at very high risk this weekend. Further east in Turkey, more than 600 fires have ignited during the past week, killing two people and closing major roads. Fire crews have now brought most under control, though their efforts have been hampered by strong winds, which have spread the flames and kept firefighting planes on the ground. The blistering heat that's smothered western Europe in recent weeks — sparking fires in countries including the UK, France and Spain — is shifting east. Red alerts are in place in Croatia and Serbia, where daytime highs may reach 38C (100F), threatening public health, straining power systems and disrupting travel. In Turkey, the biggest fires — in Izmir and the southern city of Hatay — resemble the 2021 blazes that ravaged the country's Aegean coasts and led to protests over the government's response. Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said Thursday that the authorities are tackling the 2025 fires with 'the best ground and air fleets in the history of the Turkish Republic.' While much of western Europe is starting to see some respite from the scorching conditions, parts of some countries remain at high fire risk, and another round of extreme heat is forecast to return next week, peaking around mid-July. --With assistance from Sofia Horta e Costa. More stories like this are available on
Mint
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Mint
Heat Wave Shuts Top of Eiffel Tower as Europe Put on Red Alert
(Bloomberg) -- Europe's heat wave is set to peak over the coming days, with a blast of Saharan air triggering red alerts from France to the Swiss Alps. The top of the Eiffel Tower will be shut to visitors over the next two days, as temperatures in Paris climb as high as 41C (105.8F) on Tuesday. Red alerts have been issued for the French capital and 15 other departments due to the heat wave that's been baking the country since June 19. Temperatures across the Iberian peninsula could climb even higher, with 43C forecast for parts of Spain. Similar highs could be reached in Beja in Portugal, where a June record of 46.6C was recorded in Evora on Sunday. London could hit 34C, before cooling from Wednesday. Climate change is boosting the intensity and frequency of heat waves, stressing power systems and threatening the health of millions of people. The soaring temperatures are also triggering extreme weather events from violent storms to wildfires across Europe, the fastest-warming continent. About 1,350 French schools are partially or fully closed on Tuesday due to extreme heat conditions, while more than 5,000 homes suffered electricity cuts in the Ardèche and Drôme regions, according to France Info. Trains between Paris and several cities, including Toulouse and Limousin, have been disrupted due to the heat wave, Ici radio reported. In the city of Bourges in central France, local authorities offered citizens free access to air-conditioned spaces in libraries, conservatories and public halls including in the airport. In Italy, regional emergency orders have also been issued to ban outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day until mid-September. Temperatures in the tourist mecca of Florence are forecast to climb as high as 40C on Wednesday. Germany has issued red heat alerts for five districts west of Cologne and three other areas in the south. There are red warnings for violent thunderstorms in the Swiss Alps. --With assistance from Chiara Albanese and Sofia Horta e Costa. More stories like this are available on
Bloomberg
03-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mystery Grows Over What Caused Crippling Spain Blackout
Spain and Portugal were returning to some semblance of normality early Tuesday, with many questions remaining about what caused one of Europe's worst blackouts in years across the Iberian peninsula the previous day. Spanish power supplies were back to nearly 100% capacity at around 7 a.m. in Madrid, and urban trains were slowly returning to regular service, according to operators. Portugal said power has been restored for all users, and grid operator REN said the network is "perfectly stabilized." Service had already returned to homes across large parts of greater Lisbon by Monday night. Bloomberg Portugal Bureau Chief Sofia Horta e Costa joins Stephen Carroll and Lizzy Burden on Bloomberg Radio with the details. (Source: Bloomberg)
