International News
Over 40 People Killed By Deadly Mediterranean Wildfires
In the Mediterranean wildfires threatening villages and vacation destinations, more than 40 people have died, the most of them in Algeria, and hundreds have been evacuated.
Since fires are also raging on the islands of Corfu and Evia, Greece is planning for additional evacuation planes from Rhodes.
Temperatures are predicted to reach over 44C (111F) in several parts of Greece as the current prolonged heatwave shows no signs of abating.
Firefighters are having difficulty putting out the flames and building firebreaks in several areas due to high winds and foliage that is tinder dry.
The heaviest death toll so far is in Algeria, where the 34 victims included 10 soldiers surrounded by flames during an evacuation in the coastal province of Bejaia, east of Algiers. Bejaia is the worst-hit area, accounting for 23 of the deaths, local media report.
The Algerian authorities said 80% of the blazes had been put out since Sunday, but a massive firefighting effort continues, involving about 8,000 personnel, hundreds of fire trucks and some aircraft.
Fires have also raged in neighbouring Tunisia, where 300 people had to be evacuated from the coastal village of Melloula.
In Greece, the Civil Protection Ministry warned of an “extreme danger” of fire in six of the country’s 13 regions on Wednesday.
A team of climate scientists – the World Weather Attribution group – said this month’s intense heatwave in Southern Europe, North America and China would have been virtually impossible without human-induced climate change.
On the island of Rhodes more than 20,000 people have been evacuated from homes and resorts in the south in recent days. An airport official told AFP news agency that more than 5,000 had flown home on more than 40 emergency flights between Sunday and Tuesday.
Tourism accounts for one in five jobs in Greece, and the industry is vital for Rhodes and many other islands. The UK Foreign Office has not advised against travel to the affected parts of Greece, but has urged tourists to check with tour operators for updates.
On the island of Evia, just north of Athens, two pilots died when their Canadair firefighting plane crashed into a ravine. Elsewhere on the island a man’s charred body was found in a remote rural shack.
Thousands of people have also been evacuated on Evia and Corfu, while Crete – another major holiday destination – is on high alert.
Italy has been hit by contrasting extreme weather events – with storms in the north and wildfires in Sicily and several more southern regions.
In the vicinity of Palermo, a couple in their 70s were discovered dead in a fire-gutted house. A woman in her 88s also perished nearby, and a fourth fire victim, a 98-year-old male, was discovered in Calabria, to the east of Sicily.
2,000 people were evacuated from three hotels due to a wildfire in the Foggia region of Italy’s Adriatic coast, according to the Rai news network. The fire originated from a nearby national park and moved into Vieste.
Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci said: “We are experiencing in Italy one of the most complicated days in recent decades – rainstorms, tornadoes and giant hail in the north, and scorching heat and devastating fires in the centre and south.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain has officially announced that he will not be resigning, bringing an end to a period of intense political speculation.
His declaration, made during a public address on Monday, follows days of uncertainty surrounding his tenure.
Earlier reports had hinted at Sanchez’s potential resignation amidst ongoing investigations into his wife, Begona Gomez’s alleged involvement in influence peddling and corruption.
However, Sanchez clarified that his contemplation of resignation was not driven by political strategy but rather by concerns over growing polarization and the dissemination of deliberate misinformation within the political landscape.
Sanchez passionately addressed the need to combat the degradation of public discourse, stating, “For too long, we’ve allowed toxic methods to corrupt our political and public life, methods that were unthinkable just a few years ago… Do we truly desire this for Spain?”
He emphasized his conviction, declaring, “I have acted with a clear determination: either we declare ‘enough is enough’ or allow this deterioration of public life to shape our future and condemn our nation.”
Sanchez’s choice to remain in office was significantly influenced by a strong demonstration of support at the Socialist Party’s headquarters in Madrid, where enthusiastic supporters passionately chanted, “Pedro, stay!” This outpouring of solidarity occurred shortly after the public prosecutor’s office recommended closing the investigation into Gomez.
Sanchez’s reaffirmation of his leadership role comes at a pivotal juncture as he gears up to guide his party through the upcoming regional elections in Catalonia on May 12.
The Socialists are poised to contest against the pro-independence factions currently holding sway, underscoring the significance of his continued leadership.
Britain has taken a decisive stance against the escalating conflict in Sudan by announcing sanctions targeting businesses associated with the warring factions.
Since the outbreak of fighting between rival generals on April 15 last year, the situation has deteriorated drastically, resulting in thousands of casualties and forcing approximately 1.8 million people to seek refuge in neighboring countries.
Aid workers on the ground have painted a grim picture of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the country, with civilians enduring starvation, sexual violence, ethnic killings, and executions.
The UK’s Foreign Office has underscored the severity of the situation, emphasizing that “strict measures” will be implemented, including asset freezes on companies with ties to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
British foreign minister David CameronCameron said “We continue to see appalling atrocities against civilians, unacceptable restrictions on humanitarian access and an utter disregard for civilian life.
“The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses. The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence.
The sanctions target specific entities, including Alkhaleej Bank, implicated in financing the RSF, and Al-Fakher Advanced Works, a holding company facilitating gold exports for the organization, with proceeds funnelled into weapons acquisition.
Additionally, Red Rock Mining, known for providing funds to the SAF, faces sanctions. The company’s close ties to Defence Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the SAF, further solidify its inclusion in the sanctions, as stated by the Foreign Office.
France, currently hosting an international conference on Sudan, is urging for aid contributions and heightened global attention to address what officials describe as a crisis overshadowed by ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Will Carter, Sudan country director for the Norwegian Refugee Council, emphasized the dire conditions faced by civilians in the region, including starvation, widespread sexual violence, ethnic massacres, and executions.
According to the UN, over 8.5 million people have been displaced since the onset of the conflict.
The World Health Organization has issued warnings about the country’s collapsing health system, citing acute shortages of medical staff and essential medicines as pressing concerns.
In response to what it perceives as undue criticism from officials in France, Britain, and Germany, Iran summoned their respective ambassadors to Tehran on Sunday.
The move comes in the wake of Iran’s recent missile and drone strike on Israel.
According to the official IRNA news agency, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited “irresponsible positions” from certain officials in these countries regarding Iran’s retaliation against perceived Israeli provocations impacting Iranian citizens and interests.
The Agency said, “The British, French, and German ambassadors to Tehran were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the irresponsible positions of certain officials of these countries regarding Iran’s response to the actions of the Zionist regime (Israel) against the nationals and interests of our country.”
More to follow…….
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