Europe: severe heatwave, record temperatures, wildfires
A severe early-summer heatwave is scorching much of Europe, triggering wildfires, evacuations, and health alerts across multiple countries. In Turkey, over 50,000 people have been evacuated due to wildfires, especially near Izmir. France…
Spain / Portugal: cause of massive power cut still not known
A widespread power cut on 28 April disrupted millions across Spain and Portugal, prompting investigations and huge public concern. Portugal’s national grid operator, REN, attributed the blackout to a rare atmospheric phenomenon which…
Spain: new emphasis on caring for geriatric animals
At Barcelona Zoo, African elephants Susi (52) and Bully (40), and other older animals at the zoo, including a 15-year-old wolf and two 17-year-old big cats, are receiving specialised geriatric care designed to…
Spain: mud thrown at king, fury directed at politicians
Following Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in recent memory, a visit by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Valencia became the target of public outrage, with protesters hurling mud at them. The recent…
Spain: at least 95 dead after flash floods
At least 95 people have lost their lives in south-eastern Spain after relentless rains triggered flash floods. In one town an unprecedented year’s worth of rainfall (491 mm) occurred within just eight hours.…
Spain: plans to transform La Rambla
It is one of the most iconic boulevards in Europe, but in recent years Barcelona’s La Rambla has been plagued by souvenir shops, pickpockets, and prostitutes. The city plans to transform the street,…
Three European countries recognise Palestine
The leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that their countries will recognise Palestine as a state on 28 May to promote peace in the Middle East, Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr…
Europe: wildfires rage in heatwave
All week Europe has been battling wildfires fuelled by soaring temperatures in Portugal, France, Turkey and Spain. Pray for 3,500 Portuguese firefighters battling dozens of blazes in record-breaking temperatures. Pray for the 600…
Global: Probes into migrant deaths
Five human rights organisations want Spain and Morocco to investigate the deaths of 18 migrants, the injuries of 76 others, and the actions of 140 Moroccan security officers when migrants attempted to scale…
Canary Islands: a month of volcanic activity
Unfortunately, there has been no change in activity in the Canary Islands volcano; the eruption continues to feed the growing lava flow field at high effusion rates. Its northern margins continue to be…
