1 week ago Zelensky declares state of emergency for Ukraine’s energy sector as temperatures drop

Some 200,000 people in Kyiv have been left without power as temperatures drop to -20C

Politics

1 week ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy declares energy emergency as cities shiver

Night-time temperatures dip close to -20C; minister outlines major problems with desertion and conscription evasion. What we know on day 1,422Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to declare a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector to tackle disrupted power supplies after heavy Russian attacks. Energy imports would also be increased, the Ukrainian president said. Emergency crews in Ukraine have proceeded with round-the-clock efforts to restore power and heating supplies at a time when night-time temperatures are dipping close to -20C (-4F). Zelenskyy said the state of emergency would allow authorities “more options and flexibility”. He called for the establishment of more centres where residents can stay warm and charge electronic devices, and said nightly curfews could be lifted in areas where the security situation permitted it.The president said Kyiv – whose mayor he regularly clashes with – had done considerably less than other major centres, notably Ukraine’s second-largest city, Khark...

Events

1 week ago Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy declares energy state of emergency as cities shiver

Night-time temperatures dip close to -20C; minister outlines major problems with desertion and conscription evasion. What we know on day 1,422Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to declare a state of emergency in Ukraine’s energy sector to tackle disrupted power supplies after heavy Russian attacks. Energy imports would also be increased, the Ukrainian president said. Emergency crews in Ukraine have proceeded with round-the-clock efforts to restore power and heating supplies at a time when night-time temperatures are dipping close to -20C (-4F). Zelenskyy said the state of emergency would allow authorities “more options and flexibility”. He called for the establishment of more centres where residents can stay warm and charge electronic devices, and said nightly curfews could be lifted in areas where the security situation permitted it.The president said Kyiv – whose mayor he regularly clashes with – had done considerably less than other major centres, notably Ukraine’s second-largest city, Khark...

Events

1 week ago People feel like the 'Russians are trying to freeze them': Guardian reporter in Kyiv – video

The Guardian's Peter Beaumont is in Kyiv where temperatures are expected to fall to -20C during the night. Many residents are forced to use emergency shelters to warm up and use electricity after a large-scale Russian attack on the capital on 9 January damaged energy facilities. Hundreds of homes have been left without power or heating after the strikes Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Freedom from China? The mine at the centre of Europe’s push for rare earth metals

Swedish producer is trying to to accelerate the process of extracting the elements vital for hi-tech productsIt is deep winter with temperatures dropping to -20C. The sun never rises above the horizon, instead bathing Sweden’s most northerly town of Kiruna in a blue crepuscular light, or “civil twilight” as it is known, for two or three hours a day stretching visibility a few metres, notwithstanding heavy snow.But 900 metres below the arctic conditions, a team of 20 gather every day, forgoing the brief glimpse of natural light and spearheading the EU’s race to mine its own rare earths. Despite identification of several deposits around the continent, and some rare earth refineries including Solvay in France, there are no operational rare earth mines in Europe. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Gorgeous island dubbed 'Hawaii of Europe' is 23C in January with £17 flights

This island offers the perfect winter escape with average temperatures of 20C in January - and it's just a four-hour flight from London

Economics

3 w. ago Seven cheap winter sun escapes to book now with minimum 20C January temperatures

Already sick of the cold weather? Luckily, there are options for inexpensive holidays in January from the Canary Islands to Africa and beyond which offer warm weather without a huge price tag

Politics

3 w. ago Iceland records hottest Christmas Eve on record as temperatures near 20C

Average December temperatures in Iceland typically range between -1C and 4C

Politics

3 w. ago Iceland has hottest Christmas Eve ever with temperature of 19.8C recorded

Meteorological office reports high temperatures across country and record measured at Seyðisfjörður in eastRecord temperatures of almost 20C were reached in Iceland on Christmas Eve, the local meteorological office has confirmed.Seyðisfjörður, a small town in the east of Iceland, hit 19.8C on 24 December. Average December temperatures in Iceland are between -1C and 4C. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago Weather tracker: Polar wind set to end warmth in US south and midwest

Spring-like weather experienced by many Americans to end, while heavy snow in Japan brings deadly conditionsA week of extremes in the US as Arctic air plunges southwards across many states, sweeping away record-breaking warmth from last weekend. With low pressure in the west drawing up warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, much of the south and midwest basked in spring-like weather this weekend with temperatures widely an extraordinary 15-20C above normal for late December.This week, however, most people will ditch their summer clothes for hats and scarves as a ridge pressure builds across the west, allowing for a polar air mass to dive southward, bringing freezing temperatures and the risk of snow. Continue reading...

Events