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Spain returns wildfire evacuees as France braces for worsening weather

Thousands of Spaniards evacuated from the path of huge wildfires were returning home on Wednesday while in France firefighters braced for worsening conditions in their own battle with raging flames.

Japan coral protectors race to save reefs from heat 'bomb'

From "heatwave simulators" to ecological bootcamps, scientists and conservationists are trying ways to revive and reinforce the famous coral reefs off Japan's Okinawa, decimated by climate-driven bleaching two summers ago.

Spain allows wildfire evacuees to return but France fears flames spreading

Spain on Tuesday lifted evacuation orders for more than a dozen areas but France ordered thousands more people to leave their homes, as firefighters battled to contain the worst wildfires in living memory.

'Not out of danger': Residents return to scorched French village

The scent of cinder lingered in the air as Michael Elicegui sipped a coffee on a cafe terrasse after returning to his French village following a wildfire.

Flooding forces residents to flee homes by boat in Pakistan

Flooding from heavy monsoon rains inundated villages in eastern Pakistan, pushing residents to flee their homes by boat over fields turned into vast swathes of water on Monday.

Heat, overcrowding, pushes Italian prison guard union to sue

A prison guard union in Italy's southern Puglia region will ask prosecutors to investigate widespread workplace safety abuses, with temperatures inside overcrowded prisons rising above 50C, in a case the union says is a first, AFP has learned.

France, Spain race to contain 'monster' fires ahead of new heatwave

Shelters in France and Spain on Monday overflowed with exhausted locals and holidaymakers forced to flee blazes so massive some were forming their own mini weather systems, as authorities warned a new heatwave was set to descend on parts of the region.

'Monster' wildfires force 350,000 from homes in France, Spain

Forests burned and villages emptied as more than 325,000 people fled blazes tearing through France and Spain on Sunday, with firefighters struggling to contain flames stretching kilometres.

French firefighters face 'pyrocumulonimbus' for first time

The gigantic wildfire ravaging southwest France has created an extremely dangerous "pyrocumulonimbus" -- a phenomenon never before seen in the country -- the spokesman for the country's National Firefighters Federation of France (FNSPF) told AFP.

France and Spain battle 'unpredictable' wildfires as 300,000 evacuated

France fought an "unpredictable" wildfire close to Bordeaux on Sunday while Spain warned of "difficult hours" in its own fiery battle, with evacuations from danger zones in both countries mounting to well over 300,000 people.

D-Day beaches inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

The iconic D-Day landing beaches in Normandy were on Sunday inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, marking the culmination of a project launched nearly two decades ago.

Thousands crowd shelters as wildfires force exodus in France, Spain

Thousands crowded into emergency shelters in France and Spain on Sunday after wildfires drove more than 300,000 people to flee their homes and holiday accommodation.

'Difficult night' as France, Spain fires intensify again

Powerful wildfires that have whipped up whirlwinds were scorching parts of France Saturday, with Spain also battling an inferno as more than 300,000 people across both countries fled and authorities warned of a "difficult night" ahead.

China evacuates 340,000 people as Typhoon Noul approaches

Authorities have evacuated more than 340,000 people and suspended work and rail services as Typhoon Noul approaches southern China, with flight cancellations announced in the financial hub of Hong Kong.

As wildfires grip France and Spain, what are the risks from the smoke?

What dangers does smoke from wildfires pose? Who is most at risk? Here are some answers to health questions often asked, especially now with the fires in France and Spain.

Devastating wildfires send 267,000 fleeing in France and Spain

Unchecked wildfires raging Saturday in France's southwest and near Spain's capital Madrid have forced 267,000 people to flee and prompted Paris to deploy its military.

Thousands sheltered in Bordeaux as France wildfires trigger exodus

Amid rows of camp beds and stacks of food supplies at a makeshift shelter in Bordeaux, thousands of tourists and locals try to regain their composure after fleeing wildfires sweeping through southwest France.

China evacuates 20,000 people as Typhoon Noul nears

Authorities have evacuated more than 20,000 people and suspended rail services as Typhoon Noul approaches southern China, with flight cancellations announced in the financial hub of Hong Kong.

Tens of thousands flee forest infernos in France and Spain

Authorities ordered new mass evacuations Friday -- with some tourists escaping on boats -- as wildfires raced through forests in southwest France and central Spain, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee or hole up indoors.

Many thousands flee burning France holiday haven by road and sea

Famous as a summer getaway for the likes of actors Marion Cotillard and Jean Dujardin, the Cap Ferret peninsula in southwestern France has been emptied of its usual summer crowds by the wildfires, with more than 40,000 people moved by road and sea.

Worst wildfire in Madrid's history forces thousands to flee homes

The worst wildfire in the Madrid region's history raged west of the Spanish capital on Friday, forcing authorities to evacuate or order around 26,000 people to remain indoors.

Thousands flee wildfires in southern Europe

Luggage-clad residents and tourists fled a French peninsula by boat and the smell of smoke drifted into parts of Madrid on Friday as wildfires swept through parts of western Europe, triggering states of emergencies and calls for EU help.

Coal-fired power generation rising globally on Mideast war: IEA

Coal-fired power generation is set to increase in 2026, driven by supply difficulties and soaring natural gas prices linked to the war in the Middle East, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

Hundreds hospitalised in Japan heatwave 'disaster'

More than 450 people received hospital treatment for heat-related issues in a single day in Tokyo -- the highest number since records began 16 years ago, emergency services said Thursday.

Wildfires ravage parts of southern France, Italy and Spain

Wildfires raged on Wednesday in Sicily, southwestern France and central Spain, sparking thousands of evacuations and claiming the life of an Italian firefighter.

Japan suffers heat 'disaster as cities hit by 'cruelly hot' days

Japanese cities are experiencing "cruelly hot days", a new meteorological term devised this year to warn people of intense heat above 40C, with emergency officials describing the soaring temperatures on Wednesday as "a disaster".

France reintroduces 'bee-harming pesticides', environment minister to quit

France on Tuesday backed a controversial bill reintroducing two pesticides critics say harm bees, as the environment minister said she would resign.

Tropical Storm Bertha spreads across northwestern Florida

Tropical Storm Bertha spread across northwestern Florida Tuesday, where it was predicted to bring coastal flooding and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said.

Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens, threatening Gulf coast of US

Tropical Storm Bertha -- the second named storm of the Atlantic season -- strengthened Tuesday, threatening states from Florida to Louisiana, the National Hurricane Center said.

Heavy rain dampens search for dozens missing in Afghanistan flood

Heavy rain and warnings of further flooding dampened the search Tuesday for dozens of residents missing in eastern Afghanistan, after a major deluge smashed through one province killing at least 23 people.

Afghans search for dozens missing after devastating flood

Rescuers were struggling to reach residents trapped under mud and boulders in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, after a major flood smashed through one province killing at least 23 people.

Great Barrier Reef at risk of 'collapse', scientists warn

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is at a very high risk of extreme and widespread bleaching and "ecosystem collapse" linked to this year's El Nino weather phenomenon, top scientists warned Tuesday.

The Japan Times - Weather (English)

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Drought dries major European rivers to record lows

Drought drys major European rivers to record lows

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