Latest news with #AntonioSilva
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Kuwait Times
Spain suffers third wildfire death as Greece beats back flames
Spain suffers third wildfire death as Greece beats back flames Some 600 ground crews and nearly 30 water bombing aircraft deployed in all locations MADRID: Spain on Thursday mourned its third wildfire death this week and Greece began beating back a blaze threatening its third-largest city Patras as an unrelenting heatwave stoked tinderbox conditions in southern Europe. The extreme summer heat, which scientists say human-driven climate change is lengthening and intensifying, has fuelled blazes and strained firefighters across the region, including Portugal and the Balkans. The fires have particularly scorched Spain, devouring almost 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) this year—more than double the area burned during the same period in 2024. Spanish authorities said one person battling flames in the northwestern Castile and Leon region had died, taking the toll to three after earlier reporting fatalities there and near Madrid this week. France announced it would send two water bombers to Spain, which had appealed to the European Union for aircraft to reinforce hard-pressed firefighting teams battling on several fronts, notably in the northwest. Regional authorities in Castile and Leon have said almost 6,000 people from 26 localities have been evacuated from their homes. Greece fire receding Greece, which has also requested EU assistance against wildfires, gained ground against a major blaze that had closed in on the western port city of Patras. Firefighters there faced 'scattered' pockets of flames, but the fire was 'still active' in the eastern outskirts of the city of 250,000 people, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. Some 600 ground crews and nearly 30 water bombing aircraft deployed from dawn in all locations, he said, but gentler winds were aiding the firefighting effort. Major outbreaks also stretched emergency services on the tourist island of Zante, the Aegean island of Chios and near the western town of Preveza. Citing data from the EU's Copernicus satellite monitoring program, the National Observatory of Athens said those fires and the Patras blaze had burned more than 10,000 hectares. State TV ERT said three men aged 19 to 27 had been detained on suspicion of starting separate fires near Patras on Tuesday. Police confirmed one of the arrests. 'It was frightening' Portugal mobilized more than 1,900 firefighters against four major blazes, with one in the central area of Trancoso having razed an estimated 14,000 hectares since Saturday. Another front that broke out on Wednesday in the mountainous central Arganil area occupied more than 800 firefighters. 'The flames were enormous... it was frightening,' a woman in the village of Mourisia told Sic Noticias television as she gazed at a slope enveloped in thick smoke. Although vulnerable and elderly people had been evacuated as a precaution, Antonio Silva refused to leave the village overnight. 'I wanted to be here to help,' said the man in his 70s, his face shielded with a mask. The Balkans appeared to have overcome the worst of an exceptionally strong heatwave that worsened its traditional fire season, destroying homes and prompting the evacuation of thousands. Albanian firefighters continued to struggle against blazes around the country, with reports of more homes lost overnight. In neighboring Montenegro, easing conditions and water-bombing aircraft helped gain the upper hand against wildfires. Tourist hotspots Rome and Venice were among 16 Italian cities placed on red alert for extreme heat, with peaks of 39C predicted for Florence on the eve of a busy holiday weekend. — AFP
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Enzo Maresca reveals the one signing Chelsea still ‘need' to make
Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a centre-back to replace the injured Levi Colwill. England international Colwill is set to miss most of the new season after suffering an ACL injury in training. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence against Crystal Palace in the Premier League opener on Sunday. But Blues boss Maresca is not convinced he can replace key man Colwill, 22, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica. 'You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play,' said Maresca. 'We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out. 'We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens. 'I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. 'We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen.' Liverpool manager Arne Slot has tipped Chelsea as title contenders, having also said he expected the west Londoners to beat his side to the crown last season. Maresca, though, is not falling for any so-called mind games from his rival bosses. 'I don't pay attention to what the other people say about us,' the Italian added. 'Also because it's easy to say that more clubs are involved. I don't like to play this kind of game. 'I like to be focused on players, try to improve and then what they say, they can say what they want.' Chelsea face a step into the unknown this season having only just returned to pre-season training following their successful World Club Cup campaign. 'We guess we are ready,' said Maresca. 'It has been quite a short break, but we will try to be ready. 'For sure, it's something new. Unfortunately we don't have the answer, because it's something new.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chelsea boss Maresca eager to sign new defender as Colwill cover
Enzo Maresca is keen for Chelsea to a sign a centre-back to cover the absence of the injured Levi Colwill. England international Colwill is set to miss most of the new season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence at home to London rivals Crystal Palace in the Blues' Premier League opener on Sunday. Chelsea manager Maresca, however, has doubts over whether he can replace the 22-year-old Colwill, a key figure at Stamford Bridge, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica. "You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play," Maresca told reporters on Friday. "We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out. "We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens." The Italian boss added: "I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. "We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen." Liverpool manager Arne Slot has tipped Chelsea as title contenders, having also said he expected the west Londoners to beat his side to the Premier League trophy last season. Chelsea finished fourth last term, 15 points behind champions Liverpool, and Maresca was adamant he had no interest in any so-called 'mind games' from rival managers. "I don't pay attention to what the other people say about us," he said. "Also because it's easy to say that more clubs are involved. I don't like to play this kind of game. "I like to be focused on players, try to improve and then what they say, they can say what they want." Chelsea have just returned to pre-season training following their triumphant World Club Cup campaign. "We guess we are ready," said Maresca. "It has been quite a short break, but we will try to be ready. "Unfortunately we don't have the answer, because it's something new." jdg/pb
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca keen to replace injured Levi Colwill with new signing
Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a centre-back to replace the injured Levi Colwill. England international Colwill is set to miss most of the new season after suffering an ACL injury in training. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence against Crystal Palace in the Premier League opener on Sunday. But Blues boss Maresca is not convinced he can replace key man Colwill, 22, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica. 'You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play,' said Maresca. 'We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out. 'We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens. 'I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. 'We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen.' Liverpool manager Arne Slot has tipped Chelsea as title contenders, having also said he expected the west Londoners to beat his side to the crown last season. Maresca, though, is not falling for any so-called mind games from his rival bosses. 'I don't pay attention to what the other people say about us,' the Italian added. 'Also because it's easy to say that more clubs are involved. I don't like to play this kind of game. 'I like to be focused on players, try to improve and then what they say, they can say what they want.' Chelsea face a step into the unknown this season having only just returned to pre-season training following their successful World Club Cup campaign. 'We guess we are ready,' said Maresca. 'It has been quite a short break, but we will try to be ready. 'For sure, it's something new. Unfortunately we don't have the answer, because it's something new.'
Int'l Business Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Int'l Business Times
Spain Suffers Third Wildfire Death, Greece Beats Back Flames
Spain on Thursday mourned its third wildfire death this week and Greece began beating back a blaze threatening its third-largest city Patras as an unrelenting heatwave stoked tinderbox conditions in southern Europe. The extreme summer heat, which scientists say human-driven climate change is lengthening and intensifying, has fuelled blazes and strained firefighters across the region, including Portugal and the Balkans. The fires have particularly scorched Spain, devouring almost 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) this year -- more than double the area burned during the same period in 2024. Spanish authorities said one person battling flames in the northwestern Castile and Leon region had died, taking the toll to three after earlier reporting fatalities there and near Madrid this week. France announced it would send two water bombers to Spain, which had appealed to the European Union for aircraft to reinforce hard-pressed firefighting teams battling on several fronts, notably in the northwest. Regional authorities in Castile and Leon have said almost 6,000 people from 26 localities have been evacuated from their homes. Greece, which has also requested EU assistance against wildfires, gained ground against a major blaze that had closed in on the western port city of Patras. Firefighters there faced "scattered" pockets of flames, but the fire was "still active" in the eastern outskirts of the city of 250,000 people, fire brigade spokesman Vassilis Vathrakogiannis said. Some 600 ground crews and nearly 30 water bombing aircraft deployed from dawn in all locations, he said, but gentler winds were aiding the firefighting effort. Major outbreaks also stretched emergency services on the tourist island of Zante, the Aegean island of Chios and near the western town of Preveza. Citing data from the EU's Copernicus satellite monitoring programme, the National Observatory of Athens said those fires and the Patras blaze had burned more than 10,000 hectares. State TV ERT said three men aged 19 to 27 had been detained on suspicion of starting separate fires near Patras on Tuesday. Police confirmed one of the arrests. Portugal mobilised more than 1,900 firefighters against four major blazes, with one in the central area of Trancoso having razed an estimated 14,000 hectares since Saturday. Another front that broke out on Wednesday in the mountainous central Arganil area occupied more than 800 firefighters. "The flames were enormous... it was frightening," a woman in the village of Mourisia told Sic Noticias television as she gazed at a slope enveloped in thick smoke. Although vulnerable and elderly people had been evacuated as a precaution, Antonio Silva refused to leave the village overnight. "I wanted to be here to help," said the man in his 70s, his face shielded with a mask. The Balkans appeared to have overcome the worst of an exceptionally strong heatwave that worsened its traditional fire season, destroying homes and prompting the evacuation of thousands. Albanian firefighters continued to struggle against blazes around the country, with reports of more homes lost overnight. In neighbouring Montenegro, easing conditions and water-bombing aircraft helped gain the upper hand against wildfires. Tourist hotspots Rome and Venice were among 16 Italian cities placed on red alert for extreme heat, with peaks of 39C predicted for Florence on the eve of a busy holiday weekend. A firefighter airplane flies over a wildfire near the village of Abejera, Spain on August 13, 2025 AFP Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire near the city of Patras, western Greece, on August 13, 2025 AFP Firefighters try to extinguish a wildfire at Casal do Monte village in Trancoso, Portugal on August 13, 2025 AFP
