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Searing Heat Burns Greece, Turkey as Torrid Weather Shifts East

Searing Heat Burns Greece, Turkey as Torrid Weather Shifts East

Bloomberg5 hours ago
By , Paul Tugwell, and Tugce Ozsoy
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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.

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Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction
Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction

Newsweek

time13 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Japan Flights Cancelled Amid Impact of Manga Doomsday Prediction

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rumors about an impending natural disaster, sparked by an old comic book, have hit Japan's tourism boom, leading some airlines to suspend flights to the country. Hong Kong's Greater Bay Airlines is one of them, announcing an indefinite suspension of flights to Tokushima on Wednesday. This follows the viral spread of predictions linked to a manga depicting a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami, reportedly foreseen for July 2025, according to Japan Today. Why It Matters The downturn underscores how digital-era rumors can disrupt real-world economies by influencing consumer behavior—here, curbing a significant boom in Japan's tourism sector. Japan logged an all-time monthly high of 3.9 million travelers in April 2025 before arrivals fell in May, particularly from Hong Kong, where superstition over the manga's forecast drove an 11 percent year-on-year drop, according to the most recent data cited by Japan Today. What To Know Steve Huen of Hong Kong-based EGL Tours said the warnings circulating on social media "had a significant impact," halving his agency's Japan bookings. With tourism central to many regions' economies, persistent fears threaten both travel patterns and business revenues, despite reassurances from scientists and even the manga's creator. Where the Trend Came From The trend originated from a manga titled The Future I Saw by Ryo Tatsuki. First published in 1999 and re-released in 2021, the comic's initial edition referenced a major natural disaster in March 2011—the month Japan endured a deadly earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster at Fukushima in Japan's northeast. Some readers now claim the latest edition predicts a new catastrophe specifically on July 5, 2025, sparking waves of alarm on social media in Hong Kong and neighboring Asian territories, Reuters reports. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. A nearly empty terminal at Tokyo's Haneda airport is during the Golden Week holiday amid the coronavirus pandemic on May 2, 2020. AP How Superstition and Social Media Amplified the Impact In Hong Kong, where fears about the prediction gained the most traction, some agencies reported dramatic reductions in Japan-bound travel. Steve Huen of EGL Tours stated that bookings had halved, only sustained by steep discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance. "The rumors have had a significant impact," Huen said. Effect on Travel and Flight Cancellations Greater Bay Airlines announced that it would suspend its service to Tokushima, western Japan, from September, citing insufficient demand. Other carriers signaled similar moves. The trend was especially pronounced among travelers from Hong Kong, with Japanese government statistics confirming an 11 percent decrease in arrivals from the region in May compared with the previous year, according to Reuters. Creator and Scientific Reaction Ryo Tatsuki, the manga's creator, issued a statement through her publisher denying she was a prophet and downplaying interpretations of her work. "I am not a prophet," Tatsuki said. Seismologist Robert Geller from the University of Tokyo told Reuters that even scientifically-based earthquake prediction was "impossible." "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all," Geller said. He emphasized accurate earthquake prediction remains scientifically impossible. Japan's Earthquake Risk in Context Japan, positioned on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," faces frequent seismic activity. Over 900 minor earthquakes have hit islands off Kyushu's southern tip in recent days. However, scientific authorities stressed there is no credible basis for the July 2025 disaster forecast, according to Reuters. Continued Demand and Adjustments Despite the anxiety, some travelers continue to visit. Serena Peng, a Seattle resident visiting Tokyo, described having initial doubts after seeing online speculation but ultimately continuing with her trip. "I'm not super worried right now, but I was before," Peng said outside Tokyo's Senso-ji temple. What People Are Saying Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours, said: "The rumors have had a significant impact…Japan-related business halve[d]. Discounts and the introduction of earthquake insurance…prevented Japan-bound travel from dropping to zero." Branden Choi, a traveler from Hong Kong, said: "If possible, I might delay my trip and go after September." University of Tokyo seismologist Robert Geller said: "None of the predictions I've experienced in my scientific career have come close at all." What Happens Next Airlines and tour companies are expected to continue monitoring booking trends and adjust schedules as traveler sentiment evolves. Japanese tourism officials and industry stakeholders have ramped up efforts to reassure visitors of their safety, emphasizing reassurances by scientists.

Madre Fire Update: Blaze Explodes To Become California's Largest This Year
Madre Fire Update: Blaze Explodes To Become California's Largest This Year

Newsweek

time18 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Madre Fire Update: Blaze Explodes To Become California's Largest This Year

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Madre fire burning in San Luis Obispo County has grown to become the largest wildfire California has seen this year. Why It Matters It comes after Southern California was ravaged by wildfires in January, which resulted in the widespread destruction of homes and the deaths of at least 29 people. Earlier this week, the Wolf fire also burned over 2,000 acres in Riverside County. What To Know According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the blaze broke out on Wednesday shortly after 1 p.m. local time. This Watch Duty map shows the approximate location and size of the Madre fire, as well as where evacuation orders and warnings have been issued. This Watch Duty map shows the approximate location and size of the Madre fire, as well as where evacuation orders and warnings have been issued. Watch Duty On Thursday, Newsweek reported that at least 35,530 acres had been burned, and just five percent of the fire had been contained as of 1:23 p.m. local time. As of Cal Fire's most recent updates, the agency said the blaze had spread to 52,592 acres and was at 10 percent containment. By comparison, the Palisades and Eaton fires had consumed 23,448 and 14,021 acres, respectively, by the time they were contained. Cal Fire said that almost 600 personnel had been assigned to respond to the fire, including four helicopters and 41 engines. Smoke from the Madre fire prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD)—the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and large portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties—to issue a wildfire smoke advisory for Santa Clarita and the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. Fine particle pollution in these areas could reach levels considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, it cautioned. What People Are Saying California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said on X, Thursday: "The #MadreFire — which began on federally managed land — has now burned 52,952 acres and is 5% contained. "The state remains in lockstep with our federal partners as we deploy significant air support and surge ground crews to protect nearby communities." The National Weather Service forecast office, Los Angeles, said on X, Thursday: "Visible satellite shows the #MadreFire affecting interior San Luis Obispo County, with a smoke plume spreading SE of the fire over Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. In the latest update, the fire is over 8300 acres." The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said on X, Wednesday: "As we enter July, California is heating up — and so is the wildfire risk. "In the past 24 hours, CAL FIRE has responded to over 65 wildfires statewide, which have burned more than 150 acres, prompted evacuations in some areas, created smoky conditions, and impacted both infrastructure and habitats. "With hotter, drier conditions ahead, it's more important than ever to practice fire safety at home and outdoors." What Happens Next Cal Fire says the cause of the Madre fire remains under investigation.

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