‘Like a blowtorch’: Mediterranean gripped by wildfires as blazes spread in Croatia and Portugal
‘There is no magical defence mechanism,’ says Greek prime minister as fires burn in northern Africa and southern Europe
Wildfires were burning in at least nine countries across the Mediterranean as blazes spread in Croatia, Italy and Portugal, with thousands of firefighters in Europe and north Africa working to contain flames stoked by high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds.
At least 34 people were killed in Algeria, where 8,000 firefighters on Tuesday battled blazes across the tinder-dry north. Fires burned in a total of 15 provinces, leading to the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from their properties.
Niger president’s own guards detain him in ‘coup’ bid
President Mohamed Bazoum said his own guards were detaining him in the presidential palace in Niamey, but that the army remained loyal and had told the rebelling soldiers to stand down.
Soldiers blocked off the presidential palace in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, on Wednesday.
Based on first comments officially and unofficially from President Mohamed Bazoum’s office, a contingent of the presidential guard was trying to detain Bazoum inside the residence.
What’s happening?
Security sources in the president’s office spoke to several news agencies, with one telling AFP that elite troops had suffered a “fit of temper” and that “talks” were underway looking to defuse the situation.
Soon after, Niger’s presidency issued a pair of tweets, the first of which it soon deleted.
The second said that elements of the presidential guard were in effective revolt but that the bulk of the armed forces remained loyal.
“The president of the republic and his family are doing well,” the publication that remained online said. “The army and the national guard are ready to attack the elements of the GP [presidential guard] involved in this fit of temper if they do not return to better feelings.”
Spain’s exiled former king makes third visit home
Spain’s scandal-tinted former king Juan Carlos arrived in Spain on Wednesday for his third visit home since moving to Abu Dhabi in 2020 amid fraud investigations.
The 85-year-old slowly descended the stairs of the private jet which took him to the northwestern city of Vigo, holding on to the railing with both hands, images broadcast on Spanish television showed.
Wearing a navy blue jacket, he then headed by car to the seaside town of Sanxenxo where he also stayed during his two previous visits.
Spanish media reports said the former head of state, who served as monarch between 1975 and 2014, would attend a regatta in which his yacht, “El Bribon” — Spanish for “The Rascal” — is competing.
Cancer patients head for Turkey after border closure protests in NW Syria
Referrals had temporarily stopped earlier in July after UN failed to agree on extension to cross-border aid mechanism.
Cancer patients are once again being allowed to cross the border from northwest Syria to Turkey to access essential medical care, after a vital crossing reopened.
The United Nations had said that the cross-border referral of cancer patients from the opposition-controlled area of Syria to Turkey would resume through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing on Wednesday.
The referral system had stopped after the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February, but resumed again on June 5.
Colonisation by British ‘luckiest thing’ to happen to Australia – John Howard
Colonisation was “the luckiest thing that happened” to Australia, the nation’s second-longest serving Prime Minister John Howard has said.
His remarks were made in relation to a historic referendum due to take place this year on Indigenous recognition.
If successful, the vote will change Australia’s constitution to give First Nations peoples a greater say over the laws and policies that affect them.
But the debate has seen a surge of divisive commentary.
Speaking to the Australian Newspaper about the upcoming vote, Mr Howard described colonisation as “inevitable”.
Taiwan’s main airport becomes battleground for simulated Chinese invasion
Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport became the scene of a simulated Chinese invasion on Wednesday for the first time ever as the island’s military conducted an anti-takeover drill to fend off any possible attack from Beijing.
The drill was designed to test the Taiwanese military’s cross-branch coordination and emergency response capabilities during a simulated Chinese invasion, the Ministry of National Defense previously said.
With military helicopters in the sky and soldiers on the tarmac, the drill at Taiwan’s busiest international gateway reflects how Taipei is preparing for multiple scenarios in the face of fears over China’s increased military intimidation – concerns which have amplified since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last year.
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