Croatia wildfire near Omiš injures 14 and disrupts holiday travel
A wildfire near the coastal town of Omiš in southern Croatia injured 14 people and forced evacuations as it spread close to homes and the town centre. Seven of those taken to hospital were reported to be in a life-threatening condition early on Friday. The blaze also damaged or destroyed homes, cars and boats, while parts of the town lost power.Evacuees spent the night in a sports hall, sleeping on beds and floors after leaving their homes as flames advanced. Residents described chaotic scenes as they fled the fire, which prompted a large emergency response. The local fire brigade commander... [Continue Reading]
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Record rainfall in Japan's Chiba region kills six as flooding and power cuts continue
At least six people have died and five others have been wounded in eastern Japan after record rainfall hit Chiba prefecture near Tokyo. The downpours caused flooding, power cuts and transport disruption, leaving thousands of travellers stranded overnight at Narita airport. Authorities said the rain was easing on Friday morning, but warnings remained in place because landslide and flooding risks were still elevated.Officials said more than 20,000 households lost power, while local authorities issued a level five emergency warning on Thursday before downgrading it to level four by Friday morning. Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai said the situation was extremely unusual,... [Continue Reading]
Wildfire forces evacuation of about 1,000 people on Croatia's coast
A wildfire on Croatia's coast has forced the evacuation of about 1,000 people, according to the supplied report. Flames were reported sweeping along the shoreline as emergency crews responded to the fast-moving fire. The incident is described as an active wildfire emergency on 14 August.The confirmed figure in the report is the evacuation of about 1,000 people. The material does not provide a precise town name, the cause of the fire, or details on how many firefighters or aircraft were deployed. It does, however, make clear that the blaze was serious enough to trigger a large-scale evacuation response.The evacuation suggests... [Continue Reading]
France imposes water restrictions as record heat and drought worsen
France has placed nearly 70% of its territory under water-use restrictions as successive heatwaves and severe drought continue to strain supplies. The measures were confirmed on Monday, with 67 of the country's 101 departments at the highest crisis alert. The restrictions cover much of mainland France, including Paris, as authorities respond to worsening conditions.The Ministry for Ecological Transition said the country is facing a particularly severe drought and that climate change is increasing pressure on water resources. It said nearly 70% of French territory is subject to restrictions on water use. At the highest alert level, water is reserved for... [Continue Reading]
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Indonesia closes Mount Bromo national park as wildfire expands in East Java
Indonesian authorities have closed access to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java after a fast-moving wildfire spread across land near Mount Bromo. The closure was announced on Saturday and will remain in place until further notice. The park sits near an active volcano and is a major tourist destination, making the disruption significant for visitors and local operations.Officials said the blaze began on Monday and had grown to about 176 hectares by Sunday, up from roughly 60 hectares on Thursday. The park chief, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, said the closure was intended to protect visitors, staff and people in... [Continue Reading]
Israel tenders 627 settler units in Kochav Yaakov in occupied West Bank
Israeli authorities have issued a tender for 627 new housing units in the Kochav Yaakov settlement in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian officials. The project is in the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorate, north of Jerusalem, and is now moving from planning toward construction. The deadline for construction companies to submit bids has been set for November 30.The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission said the Israel Land Authority published the tender on Thursday. The commission said the project was first approved on April 27, 2025, meaning the latest step comes about 15 months later. It said the tender... [Continue Reading]

