List of All Articles with Tag 'mat'

Greek authorities have warned of an “extreme” wildfire risk around capital Athens as strong winds have renewed burning infernos and prompted evacuations in five northern villages. The alert was issued for areas around Athens and other parts of southern Greece on Monday as the large summer wildfire, which has already destroyed several homes over the weekend, was feared to have come dangerously close to residential areas. A wildfire, which ignited near the town of Alexandroupolis over the weekend, led to evacuations in eight villages that were emptied on Saturday due to the advancing flames. Some 200 firefighters, assisted by 16 water-dropping aircraft, volunteers and police, were battling the blaze near Alexandroupolis. Local authorities said about half a dozen outlying houses and outbuildings were badly damaged in two of the evacuated villages, as well as a church. Sections of a major highway were closed for a second day as smoke reduced visibility, while Alexandroupolis residents were advised to keep their windows shut. Greece’s minister for civil protection, Vassilis Kikilias, said on Sunday that firefighters, police, army personnel and volunteers were “waging an intense battle” in the Alexandroupolis area, and called for extreme public vigilance throughout the country on Monday. “No outdoors work that could trigger a fire will be permitted,” he said. “We must all protect our country.” Across the border in Turkey, the governor of Erdine province declared Sunday that the border crossing at Ipsala had been closed until further notice due to the fires. The fresh alert comes as the Meteo weather service forecasts another round of high temperatures in Greece this week, with mercury expected to reach or even exceed 40 degrees Celsius in certain areas. Warm air masses hovering over the Eastern Mediterranean are expected to raise temperatures by 2-5C above the usual for this time of year. Greece has been suffering from wildfires for weeks now as record-shattering temperatures driven by the climate crisis led to a massive surge in wildfires this year in several countries. While Greece suffers destructive wildfires every summer, scientists said increasing temperatures are making them more frequent and prolonged. Last month, a large wildfire on the resort island of Rhodes forced the evacuation of some 20,000 tourists. Days later, two air force pilots were killed when their water-dropping plane crashed while diving low to tackle a blaze on the island of Evia. Another three wildfire-related deaths have been recorded this summer. Apart from Greece and other European countries, Canada is also witnessing its worst wildfire season on record this year with fires raging for months now. Meanwhile, wildfires in Hawaii’s Maui have killed 114 people. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Mapped: Where are the wildfires in Tenerife as blaze forces thousands to flee Why campaigners say Europe has given up on saving lives in the Mediterranean Heat and wildfires put southern Europe's vital tourism earnings at risk World’s largest carbon-sucking factory starts operation in Iceland ‘The climate crisis is a reality’: Africa’s summer of extremes Against the odds: The fight to save sea turtles in Ras Baridi

Russia’s Luna-25 crashed before reaching the Moon’s south pole, but India’s Chandrayaan-3 is due to land soon.

The world’s largest agricultural trader hauls 225 million tons of cargo around the globe each year on hundreds

Matt LaFleur’s club hosted the New England Patriots on Saturday night. What Green Bay Packers players made an impression one way or another?The Green Bay Packers were coming off an encouraging 36-19 win over the Bengals in Cincinnati and hosted the New England Patriots on Saturday night. T...

The people of Ecuador are heading to the polls -- but they're voting for more than just a new president. For the first time in history, the people will decide the fate of oil extraction in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

The Yurok Tribe's annual salmon festival in Klamath, California, is a little different this year. Yes, there's a noisy parade, yes there are dozens of stalls selling T-shirts and jewelry, yes there are kids wrestling it out in a traditional stick game and yes there is plenty of food.

When flames ripped through the drought-parched town of Paradise in 2018, destroying homes and killing 85 in California’s

At practice this week, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wanted to make sure he and quarterback Mac Jones were on the same page.After reaching the playoffs in 2021, the team took a step backwards this past season – especially on the offensive side of the ball. Some are questio...

Officials in Miami, New Orleans and Houston are now grappling with how to handle two potentially deadly disasters set to compound: a hurricane and extreme heat.

There is a crisis brewing in the olive oil industry.

Record-breaking wildfires in Canada are heading toward key population centers in the country’s west, prompting the province of

Made In Heaven, a show about wedding planners, explores deep-rooted prejudices plaguing Indian marriages.