Emergency

People urged not to light barbecues, campfires or anything else that could spark fire during period of extreme heatMillions of people across England and Wales have received an emergency alert to their phones as the government warns against activities that could start fires.The deputy prime minister, Louise Haigh, said it was the most extensive use to date of the emergency alert system, with phones beaming a siren noise about 7pm, with the warning “there is a serious risk of wildfires nationally”. Continue reading...

• NASA astronaut Mike Fincke is leaving the agency several months after a medical emergency forced an early end to his most recent mission. • Fincke returned from the International Space Station in mid-January alongside crewmates Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov. • The SpaceX Crew-11 mission concluded weeks earlier than originally scheduled due to the health issue encountered during the flight.

Parts of country face fifth heatwave of the summer with highs of 38C forecast this week Parts of the UK will face the fifth heatwave of the summer this week with temperatures forecast to reach highs of 38C, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for extreme heat.The record-shattering heatwave has caused wildfires and drought in many parts of the country, with this summer on course to be the UK’s hottest since records began, according to the Met Office. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said firefighters have responded to 966 wildfires across England and Wales this year, including 185 in the first 10 days of August alone. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, Steve Wright, told Times Radio the country faces a national emergency “right now”, with wildfires seen “all across” the UK. Continue reading...

High temperatures continue with forecasts reaching 38C on Thursday and wildfires stretching emergency servicesThe prime minister will chair a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday in response to extreme heat, which has caused wildfires and plunged many parts of Britain into drought.Andy Burnham will meet with ministers, officials and agencies as high temperatures continue across the UK on Wednesday afternoon, with temperatures of 33C forecast, and up to 38C on Thursday. Continue reading...

Grid operator Neso can now respond with rolling blackouts as last resort without need for government powersBusiness live – latest updatesMillions of households could face power cuts at short notice under new rules to help the electricity system operator avoid widespread blackouts when energy supplies run low.The changes, which come into effect this week, will make it easier for the national electricity system operator to call for rotating blackouts at short notice if power supplies are running short. Continue reading...

• Central European governments are implementing emergency measures as the Danube River reaches record-low water levels. • The crisis is driven by soaring temperatures and a persistent heatwave currently affecting the European continent. • These low water levels threaten critical shipping lanes and regional logistics, potentially disrupting trade and transport.

Israeli takeover of al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock compound in Jerusalem said to be ‘imminent’ threatMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesJordan is convening an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Arab and Islamic world over what it says is an “imminent” threat of an Israeli takeover of the most important religious site in Jerusalem, with the potential to “trigger a religious conflict”.The meeting on Wednesday – and the Jordanian warning – follow an escalating pattern of government-backed incursions by Jewish religious extremists on the compound around the al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock, in violation of a status quo treaty overseen by Jordan’s Hashemite monarchy, by which only Muslims can pray at the site. Continue reading...