Jasper national park in Canada evacuated amid multiple blazes
Alberta officials order 4,700 residents to flee as fires and smoke descend on Rocky Mountain community
Wildfires near Jasper have forced thousands to flee one of Canada’s largest national parks as multiple blazes and thick smoke descended on the Rocky Mountain community.
Officials in the province of Alberta ordered the 4,700 residents of the Jasper townsite to leave immediately on Monday night, and soon after, they called for the park, more than 4,200 sq miles in size, to be fully cleared out.
The orders came around 10pm and took many by surprise. On social media, visitors recounted a slow-motion escape from the mountains, hampered by congested highways, confusion and miscommunication.
Large-scale and intense wildfires carrying smoke across northern hemisphere
Late spring and early summer blazes in Canada, Alaska and eastern Russia add to carbon emissions
The northern hemisphere has had a large number of intense wildfires in the first half of summer, carrying vast amounts of smoke across Eurasia and North America.
Research by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (Cams) showed large-scale and intense wildfires had been developing throughout the late spring and summer, with numerous fires burning in Canada, Alaska and eastern Russia.
These wildfires are generally caused by long periods of hot and dry conditions in areas of high vegetation, and have resulted in increased carbon and smoke emissions. Smoke has also begun to extend much farther north, reaching across the Arctic Ocean to the high Arctic.
Israeli government allocates millions to unauthorised West Bank settler outposts
The Israeli government has allocated $20.5 million to protect small, unauthorised Jewish farms in the occupied West Bank, aiming to develop them into settlements. Documents uncovered by Peace Now reveal that Israel's pro-settler government has discreetly funneled money into unauthorised outposts, separate from its over 100 officially recognised settlements.
The Israeli government has budgeted millions of dollars to protect small, unauthorised Jewish farms in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, underwriting tiny outposts meant to grow into full-fledged settlements, according to an anti-settlement monitoring group.
Documents uncovered by Peace Now illustrate how Israel's pro-settler government has quietly poured money into the unauthorised outposts, which are separate from its more than 100 officially recognised settlements.
Some of those outposts have been linked to settler violence against Palestinians and are sanctioned by the US.
Top executives resign over Kobayashi Pharma scandal
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
July 23, 2024 at 16:31 JST
The top two executives of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co. are stepping down to take responsibility for the numerous health problems and deaths caused by the company's benikoji red yeast supplements.
The board of directors on July 23 approved 84-year-old Kazumasa Kobayashi's resignation as chairman and decided that Satoshi Yamane, 64, senior executive director, will replace President Akihiro Kobayashi, 53, on Aug. 8.
The younger Kobayashi will also voluntarily return half of his monthly salary for six months.
At least 229 people killed in Ethiopia landslides
Residents seen using bare hands to dig through dirt in search of survivors in remote, mountainous area.
More than 200 people have been killed in two landslides in southern Ethiopia, authorities said.
The first landslide, triggered by heavy rains in a remote region of Gofa zone, occurred on Monday and was followed by a second one that buried people who had gathered to help, state officials said on Tuesday.
At least 148 men and 81 women were killed after the disaster struck in the Kencho-Shacha locality in the Gofa Zone on Monday, the local Communications Affairs Department said in a statement.
The Greek islands are grappling with a water crisis as tourist season kicks into gear
The Greek Islands, known for their idyllic towns, rugged landscapes and sun-baked beaches, are in the grip of a serious crisis. Many are running alarmingly low on water — a problem set to get worse as the tourist season hits full flow and hot dry weather continues.
Several islands, including Leros, Sifnos and parts of Crete and Kefalonia, have declared states of emergency over water shortages, as years of very low rainfall and an abnormally hot winter have taken a toll on reservoirs and underground water sources.
Authorities are scrambling to find solutions, including turning seawater into drinking water, as the islands prepare for millions of tourists to arrive in the weeks ahead.
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