Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Scorching US heatwave to hit 70 million people with third ‘heat dome’ in month

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 18:34:53 +0000

Temperatures of 95-105F (35-40C) are expected, spanning Gulf of Mexico coast to the Great Plains and the midwest

About 70 million people in the US are set to face excessive heat advisories as dangerously hot temperatures scorch much of the country’s southern and central states.

The third major “heat dome” event to hit the US in the past month is gathering strength over the weekend, spanning a vast swathe of the country, from the Gulf of Mexico coast to the Great Plains and the midwest.

New North Sea oil drilling faces delay after gear accidentally dropped in sea

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:00:46 +0000

Exclusive: Blunder at Rosebank, UK’s biggest undeveloped oilfield, comes as government considers granting licence

Production at Britain’s biggest undeveloped oil and gasfield could be delayed for months after equipment from a rig was accidentally dropped in the North Sea, the Guardian can reveal.

Firefighters in Spain and France battle raging wildfires – video

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:11:56 +0000

Footage shows the extent of the devastation caused by wildfires in Cenicientos, in the Madrid region of Spain, on Friday. Members of Spain's military emergency unit sought to contain the blazes in the Madrid region and in Cuevas de Cañart in the country's north-east. In France, dozens of firefighters battled flames threatening homes around the towns of Saumos and Sainte-Hélène in the south-west as a wildfire swept the nearby forest.

France and Spain race to control wildfires as more than 250,000 evacuated – as it happened

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:24:59 +0000

Meanwhile, in the UK, a blaze in the Cairngorms national park has been described as ‘very serious’ by Scotland’s first minister

Tell us: have you been affected by wildfires in Europe?

The French prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, has requested the armed forces to deploy an Airbus A400M military transport aircraft earlier than originally planned to help tackle the major wildfires in Gironde, according to Le Monde.

Almost 75% of England’s riverbanks ‘off limits’ to public, figures show

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:00:37 +0000

Campaigners urge government to introduce right of access to water, particularly as heatwaves become more common

Almost three-quarters of riverbanks in England have no public access, according to data released by the Right to Roam campaign.

Across the country, the public cannot use riverbanks or gain access to the rivers themselves in most of the river catchments from the west of Cornwall up to the Tweed, which flows through northern England and Scotland.

Herbicide banned in 70 countries to be pulled from sale in Australia by chemical maker

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:59:49 +0000

Syngenta says it will stop selling paraquat in Australia after new regulations on chemical linked to Parkinson’s disease

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‘No time to waste’: Greece bids for Mount Olympus to be included on Unesco list of world heritage sites

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:00:32 +0000

Officials have long lobbied for peak that rises 2,918 metres above sea level to be given coveted designation

More than four decades have elapsed since Evangelos Geroliolios made his first ascent to the home of the ancient gods. At the top of Mount Olympus, on the rocky peak of Greece’s highest mountain, he felt unalloyed awe.

“I’ve never forgotten that unique moment, that unique feeling up there on the throne of Zeus,” recalled Geroliolios, who as mayor of Dion-Olympus now spends a great deal of his time administering the area around the site.

Parts of England under heat alert with 30C temperatures possible

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:52:31 +0000

Warning in place until Sunday morning in southern and central regions after drought declared in parts of Wales

Heat alerts are in place across parts of England, with possible highs of 30C (86F) and officials saying temperatures are likely to have an impact on health and wellbeing.

The yellow heat health alerts issued for the East Midlands, east of England, London, south-east, south-west and West Midlands are in place until 9am on Sunday.

The Guardian view on ponds: these freshwater havens need a law of their own | Editorial

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:48:12 +0000

Small pools don’t get the same attention as polluted rivers or seas. But they have a vital role to play in boosting nature

How dangerous are wildfires and how can we stop them from getting worse?

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:47:43 +0000

The conditions for ferocious fires are expected to worsen as the planet heats up, putting more people at risk

Fierce wildfires after back-to-back heatwaves have forced tens of thousands of people across southern Europe to flee their homes, while powerful infernos across Canada and the US choke big cities with thick smoke.