19 h. ago Deadly heatwaves are the new reality – we need to transform the UK's cities and towns to survive them | Hannah Martin

While we work towards net zero, we also need to adapt. And we can pay for cooling measures like splash pads and trees by taxing the worst pollutersThere’s a lot to be anxious about as a new parent, let alone in a heatwave when the thermometer in your one-year-old daughter’s room is reading 26C. That’s six degrees higher than the upper limit of the recommended temperature for a child’s room. After scrolling my phone for advice on how to cool her room, I couldn’t help waking up every few hours to check she was OK on the baby monitor.In the UK, we are unprepared at every level for the extreme weather caused by climate breakdown. Whether it’s unbearably hot buildings in the summer, our damp and cold homes (some of the leakiest in Europe) filled with mould in the winter, our unprotected towns built on flood plains, or our unfit-for-purpose train tracks that get shut down at the slightest weather warning, the climate crisis is already wreaking havoc on public and private infrastructure – ...

Events

39 h. ago How YOU can profit from Europe's sweltering summer. As our environment heats up, these funds could deliver sizzling returns: MIDAS SHARE TIPS

As Britain sweltered in the hottest June on record, businesses and homeowners invested in technology to make our living spaces and offices more comfortable.

Economics

40 h. ago ‘Like working in a volcano’: stories from six countries in Europe on a day of extreme heat

How chefs, street performers and cheesemongers struggled to get their jobs done in record-busting temperaturesHundreds of millions of people across Europe suffered an extreme heatwave this week, with temperatures smashing records as the continent sweltered.With the human-caused climate emergency pushing the mercury ever higher, early in the summer Europe is experiencing troubling temperatures. Continue reading...

Politics

58 h. ago Ships forced to leave cargo behind as heatwave hits one of Europe’s longest rivers

Temperatures peaked at 35 degrees in Budapest this week as much of Europe baked in an early summer heatwave

Events

59 h. ago ‘A war of the truth’: Europe’s heatwaves are failing to spur support for climate action

Voters may feel hotter summers are ‘too much’ but they appear to tolerate roll-back of policies to stop global heating“It’s just too much, isn’t it?” says Julie, a retiree in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, about the 42C (107.6F) heat that her brother had seen scorch Spain last week. The former local government worker has felt summers get hotter over her lifetime and says she “couldn’t stand” such high heat herself.But like many who experienced Europe’s first heatwave of the summer, Julie does not sound overly alarmed. She worries about climate breakdown for young people, but is not concerned about herself. She thinks more climate action would be nice, but does not know what can be done about it. She does not have much faith in the government. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Crete wildfire forces 5,000 to evacuate as Europe heatwave continues

Fire on island being fanned by gale-force winds, with blazes also raging on mainland Greece and in other parts of EuropeA wildfire fanned by gale-force winds has forced the evacuation of about 5,000 people on the Greek island of Crete, authorities and hotel association officials have said, as large swathes of continental Europe baked in a punishing early summer heatwave linked to at least nine deaths.About 230 firefighters, along with 46 fire service vehicles and helicopters, were battling the blaze on Thursday after it broke out 24 hours earlier near Ierapetra, on the south-east coast of the island – the country’s largest – threatening to engulf houses and hotels. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Deadly 'early summer’ heatwave moves across Europe as climate scientists ring alarm bells

Fire evacuations in Greece and Turkey while temperatures in Spain and Portugal hit 46C

Events

3 d. ago How to talk like a Lioness as squad prepare to defend Euros crown

England fans will be willing the Lionesses on to glory once again this summer, as they aim to successfully defend their European Championship crown in Switzerland

Politics

3 d. ago Crete wildfire forces 1,500 to evacuate as Europe heatwave continues

Fire on island being fanned by gale-force winds as blazes also rage on mainland Greece and in GermanyA wildfire fanned by gale-force winds has forced the evacuation of more than 1,500 people on the Greek island of Crete, officials have said, as large swathes of continental Europe baked in a punishing early summer heatwave linked to at least nine deaths.About 230 firefighters, along with 46 vehicles and helicopters, were battling the blaze on Thursday after it broke out 24 hours earlier near Ierapetra on the south-east coast of the country’s largest island, threatening to engulf houses and hotels. Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Ditch the crowds and visit this Spanish beauty with flights for only £27

British tourists have been urged to skip some of Europe's top destinations this summer in favour of underrated hidden gems.

Economics

5 d. ago Mediterranean Sea hits record 30C as marine heatwave puts species at risk

Sea surface more than 5C above average, says Copernicus – endangering marine life as Europe swelters under record early summer temperatures

Events

5 d. ago The Guardian view on Europe’s heatwave: leaders should remind the public why ambitious targets matter | Editorial

With net zero targets under attack from the populist right, dangerously high temperatures should refocus mindsAt times like now, with dangerously high temperatures in several European countries, the urgent need for adaptation to an increasingly unstable climate is clearer than ever. From the French government’s decision to close schools to the bans in most of Italy on outdoor work at the hottest time of day, the immediate priority is to protect people from extreme heat – and to recognise that a heatwave can take a higher toll than a violent storm.People who are already vulnerable, due to age or illness or poor housing, face the greatest risks from heatwaves. As well as changes to rules and routines, public health warnings are vital, especially where records are being broken and people are unfamiliar with the conditions. In the scorching European summer of 2022, an estimated 68,000 people died due to heat. Health, welfare and emergency systems must respond to those nee...

Politics

6 d. ago Spain records highs of 46C and France under alert as Europe swelters in heatwave

Extreme heat ‘the new normal’, says UN chief, as authorities across the continent issue health warningsEurope live – latest updatesA vicious heatwave has engulfed southern Europe, with punishing temperatures that have reached highs of 46C (114.8F) in Spain and placed almost the entirety of mainland France under alert.Extreme heat, made stronger by fossil fuel pollution, has for several days scorched Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece as southern Europe endures its first major heatwave of the summer. Continue reading...

Events

6 d. ago Brits heading to Spain, France and Greece this summer issued '24

Brits heading on summer holidays to Spain, France, Greece, Portugal and more European destinations have been warned of one essential task to complete now

Politics

7 d. ago US holidaymakers descend on Europe as overtourism fears mount

The continent could be poised for a record summer as Americans pour in and Europeans holiday close to home

Politics

8 d. ago Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C

Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Greece and France issue extreme heat, wildfires and health warnings Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C (107.6F), as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency.Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days.Agence France-Presse and Associated Press contributed to this report Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Extreme heatwave hits Europe as temperatures set to soar above 40C in holiday hotspots

The Met Office warns temperatures could be 10C above average across swathes of Europe as the summer holidays get underway

Events

9 d. ago RB Leipzig to rival Premier League duo in Harvey Elliott transfer race

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott is attracting plenty of transfer interest after starring for the England U21s at the European Championship and could move this summer

Sport

9 d. ago Football transfer rumours: Arsenal and Spurs to battle for Eberechi Eze?

Today’s rumours are juicing orangesEveryone t’up north (London) wants Eberechi Eze. Fierce rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are ready to battle it out for the winger, eager to procure his dazzling dribbling and finishing. Crystal Palace know their position in this and are willing to sell, but he will set any suitors back around £68m. Last season the England international scored and created eight goals in 34 league appearances to make him one of the most sought-after attackers in the country.Spurs do not plan to fund any of their summer business by selling Europa League winner Cristian Romero on the cheap. Atlético Madrid are flirting with the idea of signing him but the £60m sale demands will almost certainly put them off. Continue reading...

Sport

1 week ago Holidaymakers increasingly alarmed about summer heatwaves in southern Europe

Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Italy all seen as at risk of being too hot to bear within the next five years

Events