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The Independent
22-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Greece shuts Acropolis and tells outdoor workers to down tools as country scorches in extreme heatwave
The Greek government has urged outdoor labourers to down tools and closed the Acropolis as the country faces its third heatwave of the summer. The country's Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection warned that temperatures will peak between Tuesday and Friday, with highs of 43C in some regions. The mercury will hit 42C in Central Macedonia, while temperatures of 40C are expected in Athens. On the eastern Aegean Islands, temperatures are also expected to hit 40C. Fire services and authorities have been placed on high alert, with labourers told to pause outdoor work during the peak of the afternoon heat. The government has advised tourists and residents to stay cool by avoiding heat and crowds, use fans or air conditioning, wear light breathable clothing, eat light meals, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol. The Acropolis, Greece's most visited ancient site, will be closed for five hours from midday on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tourists were spotted sheltering in air-conditioned restaurants and stores on Tuesday, while the labour ministry advised employees with underlying health issues to work remotely. The ministry also ordered couriers, food delivery riders and builders in Athens to pause work from midday until 5pm. The heatwave is part of a wider trend across southern Europe, where soaring temperatures have fuelled wildfires in France, Albania and Spain. Greece, a country that attracts millions of tourists every year and is known for its hot, dry summers, has been increasingly affected by climate change. In recent years, it has suffered from longer and more severe heatwaves, as well as destructive floods and wildfires. Last month, Western Europe sweltered in another severe heatwave that left many dead and triggered forest fires and health alerts across the region. Thousands were evacuated and dozens injured in wildfires across France, Spain, and Greece. In June, a massive wildfire scorched forests and olive groves on the Greek island of Crete, while a large fire also started south of Athens due to extreme heat. Last year was the warmest year on record globally, with temperatures exceeding 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. Research published last week showed that the soil surface temperature around Athens rose in some places by as much as 10°C since July 2024 after fires destroyed vegetation. The heat is expected to ease from Sunday, according to the Greek meteorological service.
Associated Press
19-07-2025
- Associated Press
19 injured after fireworks show goes awry at fair in western Germany
BERLIN (AP) — German authorities say at least 19 people were injured, four seriously after a fireworks show went awry at a fair in the western city of Düsseldorf. Fire squad and emergency services deployed after the incident late Friday at the Rheinkirmes event along the Rhine river, where images from the scene showed fireworks going off nearly at ground level along its banks. A child was among the injured, the DPA news agency reported. Düsseldorf fire services said police were investigating the cause of the accident. The 10-day fair features amusement park rides, drone and fireworks shows, and other entertainment by hundreds of staff along the left bank of the Rhine opposite the city's historic district.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
East Midlands mayor could get police and fire service powers
East Midlands mayor Claire Ward could be given responsibility to oversee police and fire services in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire under proposed new devolution government introduced its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in parliament on the slated changes is the transfer of responsibility for policing priorities, currently in the hands of elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs), to regional service policy-making in the two counties currently comes under the remit of authorities, made up largely of appointed local councillors, but could also be handed to the mayor. Derbyshire's current Labour police and crime commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: "Obviously, this is all subject to the bill receiving Royal Assent. "However, having seen what has happened in other mayoral areas, any change in the governance structure is most likely to come into effect at, or after, the next PCC elections in 2028."The only difference between the East Midlands and other areas is that the role would cover two separate police forces."Importantly, there is already a close working relationship with the mayor, and that will develop further as we work together in the coming months to deliver safer and stronger communities." New powers Under the changes, the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) would become a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA), giving Ward greater powers to issue new Mayoral Development said: "The new Mayoral Development Orders and streamlined planning powers will help us move faster, cutting through delays, unlocking new housing, and delivering critical infrastructure in the places that need it most."The bill recognises my vision for inclusive growth in every corner of the region, focusing on community spaces, thriving high streets, and support for local businesses."Crucially, it also puts more power in the hands of local people, something I've championed from day one."Among the proposed new regional powers are a Community Right to Buy to give communities the first opportunity to buy closure-threatened pubs, shops and sports government said the bill also proposed controls on "unfair" rent rises on small businesses in high new devolution legislation also sets out a route to establishing new strategic authorities in areas currently not led by regional mayors, such as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Analysis By Peter Saull, BBC East Midlands political editor Ever since she was elected last May, Claire Ward has made no secret of the fact she wanted more first-ever East Midlands mayor was handed responsibility in areas such as housing, skills and argued Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were missing out because mayors in other parts of the country had a bigger seems the government has listened, giving Ward new planning powers, for most eye-catching of all is the idea that the East Midlands mayor could oversee two police forces and two fire move would spell the end of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire's police and crime commissioners, roles that have existed for well over a voters expressed cynicism about the job of mayor before it was created, but like it or not, Claire Ward's influence is growing.
