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Deadly daytime heat turns Japanese farmers nocturnal

Japan's farmers are opting for more nocturnal schedules as daytime summer heat makes working conditions dangerous. North of Tokyo, Motoaki Iijima harvests flowers in his illuminated greenhouse long after sunset. The farmer was pushed to make a dramatic

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This year's El Nino set to be strongest in more than a century, UK forecasters say

Britain's Met Office has predicted sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific will reach an "unheard-of" level of potentially more than three degrees above average, triggering severe droughts across South America and the West Pacific. Such an event

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Yesterday

Extreme heat: 'We're really starting now to understand how global climate is impacting our health'

Annette Young is pleased to welcome Dr. Simon Williams, Behavioural Scientist, WHO Consultant, Lecturer in psychology and a public health researcher at Swansea University. What concerns Dr. Williams most is that the health consequences of extreme heat, p

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Germany records 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer as heatwaves scorch Europe

Berlin has recorded roughly 14,000 heat-related deaths this summer, official data showed Thursday. Europe has experienced a spike in heat-related mortality as the worst-hit countries grapple with historically high temperatures exacerbated by human-driven

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Wednesday, august 19, 2026

France measures more than 7,300 excess deaths – and counting – during historic heatwaves

More than 7,300 excess deaths have been recorded in France over the historically hot summer as Europe grapples with worsening heatwaves, wildfires and droughts, public health authorities said Wednesday. France has suffered a record-breaking 52 days of he

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Reforestation and sustainable land & water management can help combat desertification

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Serena Ferrari, Economist and Researcher at CIRAD. Desertification is driven by climate change, explains Ferrari, but economic and political choices, including intensive water use, chemical-dependent agriculture and the

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Tuesday, august 18, 2026

Europe’s seas reach record heat as climate change threatens marine life

Human-caused climate change was the main driver of record-breaking sea temperatures around Europe this summer, scientists said on Wednesday, warning of severe risks to marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The Mediterranean averaged a record 27 degr

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French PM announces support for fire-damaged villages after jeers from residents

The French government has approved a special budget worth 12 million euros to help towns affected by the recent wildfires in the country's south. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a raft of other support measures including tax breaks for compani

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Trump pauses controversial border construction in Texas national park

The Trump administration on Monday paused construction of a contentious border project in Texas' Big Bend National Park, as the head of Customs and Border Protection travelled to the area to assess the plans amid fierce bipartisan opposition over their p

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Monday, august 17, 2026

French PM Lecornu unveils 'substantial' aid for fire-hit regions after being jeered by angry locals

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Monday announced €12 million in aid and fast-track rebuilding measures for communities in southwest France devastated by wildfires, adding that the cost of relief measures including tax breaks could eventually e

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Sunday, august 16, 2026

US : Hawaii narrowly avoids direct hit as Hurricane Lala brings strong weather

Hawaii has narrowly avoided a historic direct hit from Hurricane Lala, but torrential rain and hurricane-force winds are still causing widespread flooding, mudslides and power outages across the islands. Authorities are urging residents to shelter in pla

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Belgium wildfire scorches 3,000 hectares as villagers evacuate, EU sends aircraft

Firefighters in Belgium battled one of the country's worst-ever wildfires late on Saturday as a rapidly growing blaze scorched more than 3,000 hectares of land. The EU scrambled helicopters and water bombers as hundreds of villagers were under evacuation

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Flood in rural northwestern Spain kills two, injures two babies

Two women were killed and two babies were injured when torrential rain sparked a flood and a landslide in rural northwestern Spain on Saturday, authorities said. The flood comes after weeks of heatwaves and wildfires in the country.

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Saturday, august 15, 2026

Hundreds of villagers evacuate as Belgium battles record wildfire

Hundreds of residents were evacuated and more than 2,700 hectares were scorched as Belgium continued to battle one of the worst wildfires in its history on Saturday.

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Friday, august 14, 2026

Europe: Raging wildfires scorch large swaths of the continent

Firefighters across Europe battled multiple fires August 14 as a new wave of record-breaking heat baked a swath of the continent. The historic temperatures are linked to human-caused climate change, and are hitting countries better suited for long cold s

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France wildfire forces 520 to evacuate

Around 520 residents in France’s southwestern Landes region have been evacuated as a raging wildfire has burned through more than 1,000 hectares since Thursday. Significant reinforcements have been mobilised, while authorities warn that the fire’s trajec

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Europe swelters under fifth heatwave of summer

A large part of Europe is in the grip of its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures in parts of France soaring to 40 degrees Celsius. And the extreme weather is also taking a toll on the world’s oceans: last month, average global sea temperature

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Global sea temperature reach 21 degrees amid heatwaves

A large part of Europe is in the grip of its fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures in parts of France soaring to 40 degrees Celsius. And the extreme weather is also taking a toll on the world’s oceans: last month, average global sea temperature

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Europe swelters under new heatwave

A large part of Europe is in the grip of its fifth heatwave of the summer. That includes France, where temperatures in parts of the country have soared to 40 degrees Celsius, triggering a wildfire in the southwest. Monte Francis has the details.

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Earthquake in Colombia: Nearly 300 people trapped in rubbles

In Colombia, hopes are fading of finding survivors after Monday’s powerful earthquake. Rescue teams are now turning their focus to recovering bodies, but families are still holding out hope of finding their loved ones alive beneath the rubble. Many have

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In Nepal, residents learn how to live alongside wild animals

Over the past five decades, Nepal has established itself as a model for wildlife conservation. Nearly 20 percent of the country’s territory has been designated as protected areas. An effective anti-poaching policy has helped save iconic species such as t

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France evacuates hundreds as new wildfire threatens southwestern Landes region

Authorities evacuated 525 people from the village of Luglon Friday as a new wildfire tore through southwestern France, burning 1,100 hectares and advancing to within a few kilometres of the village centre amid an unprecedented wildfire season.

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Thursday, august 13, 2026

European drought shrivels crops despite farmers’ best efforts to adapt

The drought roasting much of Europe this summer is taking a heavy toll on crops across the continent, from potatoes in the Netherlands to corn in Bosnia. Triodos, a Dutch bank with a focus on sustainability, has warned that this could reduce gross domest

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Heatwave: European rivers face historic drought

From the Loire to the Danube, via the Rhine and the Po, European rivers are facing exceptionally low water levels. After a start to the summer marked by record temperatures, the drought is threatening river transport, energy production, ecosystems and

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Wednesday, august 12, 2026

Oil spill from grounded tanker reaches Oman’s mainland beaches

Oman’s Environment Authority said Wednesday that oil leaking from a tanker grounded off the country’s coast had reached mainland beaches. The spill threatened marine habitats and a nearby protected area as strong winds and monsoon currents spread the oil

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Colombia: Bogota's search for survivors continues

The search for survivors continues in Colombia, more than 48 hours after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country. More than 200 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 2,000 are reported missing. The new president, Abelardo de la Espriella

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Death toll rises after Colombia earthquake

The death toll is rising in Colombia following the country’s worst earthquake in decades. At least 240 people have been confirmed killed in the west of the country, many of them found beneath the rubble of their homes. But the painstaking search for surv

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Europe braces for another heatwave

Repeated heatwaves this summer have had severe consequences across Europe, scorching grasslands and causing rivers to fall so low that they’ve revealed secrets dating back to the Second World War. July was the hottest month on record for nearly 120 milli

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Colombia quake death toll surpasses 240

The death toll from Monday’s 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia has risen to more than 200, as rescuers race against time to find survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. On Tuesday, a 32-year-old woman was pulled alive from the rubble, b

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Tuesday, august 11, 2026

Jellyfish force shutdown of three reactors at France's largest nuclear plant

Three reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France were shut down late on Monday due to a massive swarm of ‌jellyfish, triggering preventative measures put in place last year after the entire ⁠plant went offline, operator EDF said.

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France: Drought conditions worsen amid successive heatwaves

Amid the extreme heat this summer, France is also grappling with an exceptional drought. Two thirds of ground water levels are currently below normal and around 70% of the country has been placed under 'water restrictions' to help preserve supplies.

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Monday, august 10, 2026

Nearly 70 percent of France under water restrictions amid record heat

Nearly 70 percent of France is now under water-use restrictions as successive heatwaves and severe drought intensify pressure on the country’s water supplies. Authorities said Monday that 67 of 101 departments had reached the highest crisis alert, while

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China: Tropical storm Dolphin causes floodings

Typhoon Dolphin is the 13th typhoon recorded in China this year, after sweeping through Japan’s Okinawa and intensifying monsoon rains in the Philippines. Scientists warn that a warming planet is making extreme weather events, including powerful typho

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Western Europe sets new temperature record as heat waves pummel the region

The heat waves roiling Western Europe this summer toppled an average temperature record for the June-July period set in 2022, according to the European climate agency Copernicus. The extreme heat began in May and has contributed to major wildfires, prolo

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Western Europe lived through hottest June and July ever recorded

Climate change across Western Europe has brought a summer of heat, drought and wildfires to the region and put the combined average temperature from June through July at 21.62C – beating the 2022 record for the same period, the EU's global warming monito

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Sunday, august 9, 2026

Libreville grapples with water shortage

Gabon’s capital, Libreville, has been facing severe water shortages for several months, driven by low rainfall, ageing infrastructure and rising demand from a growing population. The government declared a state of emergency earlier this month and called

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Wildfires: British Columbia declares state of emergency, thousands forced to flee homes

Canada’s British Columbia has declared a state of emergency as a fast-moving wildfire forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate overnight. Officials say strong winds helped the flames spread rapidly, with significant challenges still remaining to bring

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Saturday, august 8, 2026

Vietnam's indigenous Hmong people forced to adapt to climate crisis

The indigenous Hmong people have lived in a mountainous region of northern Vietnam for centuries. But today, these farming communities are on the front line of the climate crisis. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall and landslides are now part of

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Crocodiles attacks increase in Kenya

In recent years, Lake Baringo in Kenya’s Rift Valley has risen to levels not seen in decades. Scientists say extreme rainfall linked to climate change is behind the surge, submerging communities and bringing dangerous wildlife closer to people, with atta

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Friday, august 7, 2026

Ebola cases surpasses 4000 cases

In tonight's program, a grim new milestone in the fast-growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as cases surpass 4,000. Also low rainfall and failing pipes leave taps dry in the Gabon capital. Finally rising water levels at Lake Baringo

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Winemakers across Europe face the challenges of climate change

Winegrowers in France are harvesting their grapes unusually early this season because of the effects of climate change. While the rising global temperatures offer a new chance for winemakers in northern and Scandinavian countries, experts say it’s too ea

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In pictures: Drought exposes World War II ships, strands boats as Europe’s river levels plunge

Water levels on the Danube River, the second longest in Europe, have dropped so low due to drought and extreme heat over the summer that the hulls of dozens of German warships from World War II are emerging into view and the remains of an ancient mammoth

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French farmers 'heavily impacted' by climate crisis, both psychologically and economically.

Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Jean-Mathieu Thévenot, farmer in the French Basque Country, a member of the Confédération Paysanne farmers' union in France, and part of the international movement La Via Campesina. According to Thévenot, 2026 marks a

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Heatwaves bring an early wine harvest in France

Some French winegrowers, including in the Bordeaux region, began harvesting their grapes on Thursday, historically early after a summer marked by successive heatwaves, drought and devastating wildfires. As one grape-picker told the newspaper Sud Ouest, “

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Italy places all major cities on red alert as heatwave grips Europe

Italy's health ministry placed 27 cities, from Trieste in the country's northeast to Palermo in Sicily, on red alert ahead of the weekend as a blistering heatwave across much of Europe toppled temperature records and disrupted energy and transportation s

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Thursday, august 6, 2026

Oman nature reserve threatened by oil spill

A #nature reserve off the coast of #Oman is under threat after #oil from a suspected Russian ghost ship spilled into the sea. The source of the #explosions that caused the leak remains unknown.

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France's timber industry rushes to process trees charred by wildfires

Fires across France have left behind mountains of cut and burned wood. More than 35,000 metric tons of trees were chopped down to urgently create firebreaks and slow the spread of the flames. But what will become of all these trees? The timber industry i

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Cape Verde: Illegal sand extractions for construction industry erodes coastline

In Cape Verde, almost nothing remains of the postcard-perfect image of certain beaches on the island of Santiago. For decades, the illegal extraction of sea sand for the construction industry has been eroding the coastline. This illegal trade now threate

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French winemakers worry about 'smoky taste' after wildfires

French winemakers affected by this summer’s wildfires are in limbo as the grape harvest approaches, fearing their 2026 vintage could have burnt flavours that would compromise sales.

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Tuesday, august 4, 2026

Pasta of the future: Italy tests climate-resistant wheat

Pasta may be one of the world's most beloved staples, but technology is being used to improve the iconic Italian dish. In the Emilia-Romagna region, Italy's "Food Valley", researchers are creating the pasta of the future by focusing on its main ingredien

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Romania, Hungary, France... Europe's nuclear power plants tested by heatwave

Record low water levels in Europe's major rivers have reduced electricity output and shrunk company earnings, stoking fears about the economic impact of searing heat and erratic rainfall. Governments across Central and Eastern Europe are taking steps

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Wildfire prevention requires 'nature-based solutions': Land 'treating us' the way we treat the land

Carys Garland is pleased to welcome Alexander Held, Senior Expert of the Resilience Programme for Integrated Fire Management. Held explains how Europe's escalating wildfire crisis is exposing the limits of a response model built around emergency suppress

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US wildfires force 65,000 to flee as hundreds of buildings burn in Spokane

Firefighters made progress against several blazes Monday after wildfires driven by drought, extreme heat and strong winds tore through Washington state's second-largest city, destroying up to 1,100 structures and prompting what officials called the worst

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Monday, august 3, 2026

"The situation is out of control": Greek firefighters battle wildfire for fourth day

Greek firefighters are battling a wildfire northwest of Athens for the fourth day, as strong and erratic winds continue to fan the blaze. Fires throughout the country have killed five firefighters since last week.

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Fast-moving wildfires raze neighbourhoods in northwestern US city of Spokane

Wildfires in eastern Washington state forced about 60,000 people to evacuate the Spokane area and destroyed at least 600 homes, businesses and other structures, authorities said on Sunday. Three separate fires erupted in and around the city as strong win

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Sunday, august 2, 2026

Gironde megafire contained: Nearly 3,000 firefighters remain deployed

Meanwhile, France’s vast wildfire near Bordeaux remains contained. Most of the 200,000 people who were told to evacuate have now returned home, although parts of the fire are still burning. The blaze has scorched an area four times the size of Paris. Jam

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Two killed after firefighting helicopters in Greece collide near Athens

Two Greek firefighting helicopters collided in midair on Sunday as they were fighting a wind-driven wildfire west of Athens, sending one aircraft plummeting to the ground. Two crew members, a Greek and a Danish national, died in the crash.

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Hungary: Successive heatwaves drain Danube river used to cool nuclear plant

Prolonged drought and extreme heat across Europe have also triggered an energy crisis. For the first time ever, Hungary announced the shutdown of the country’s only nuclear power plant, after water levels in the Danube fell to a record low. Peter O’Brien

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France: Most of 224,000 evacuees allowed to return home after devastating fires

Here in France, a wildfire in the mountainous southeastern Var department, which had been brought under control three days ago, flared up again on Friday, forcing authorities to evacuate nearly 2,500 people overnight. Meanwhile, our reporter James Andre

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Greece: Blazes continue to spread across the country

The effects of human-made climate change are being felt across Europe during this sweltering summer, from record heat-related deaths in Austria, Britain, France and Germany, to tinderbox conditions fuelling historic wildfires in Spain, France and elsewhe

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