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As wildfires continue to rage uncontrollably for a fourth consecutive day near Alexandroupolis in north-eastern Greece, a hospital in the area has been evacuated, with dozens of patients being relocated.

The flames encroached upon the university hospital grounds, prompting the evacuation of patients, including newborns and those in intensive care. The evacuation involved transporting patients to a ferry docked at a nearby port. The ferry was converted into a makeshift hospital ward where patients, some connected to oxygen tanks, were placed on mattresses.

Additional tents were set up along the shoreline. The city of Alexandroupolis, near Greece’s northeastern border with Turkey, is grappling with severe wildfires, exacerbated by strong winds and temperatures expected to reach 39°C (102°F). The fires have also affected other areas in Greece, such as Evia Island and Boeotia in central Greece, leading to village evacuations.

Tragically, at least one fatality has occurred due to the fires near Alexandroupolis. The hospital evacuation was hindered by the flames entering the hospital grounds, causing smoke and ash to envelop the area. The explosion of oxygen bottles added to the chaos. Throughout the night, the outskirts of Alexandroupolis were illuminated by a fiery red glow, and satellite imagery revealed extensive smoke cover over multiple Greek regions.

While some patients were transferred to other local hospitals, around 90 patients were relocated to the Adamantios Korais ferry, which was repurposed to care for newborns and intensive care cases. Additionally, residents from neighboring villages were advised to evacuate to Alexandroupolis for safety. Fires have also affected areas northwest of the city, including Rhodope and Kavala. In a different region, warehouses near Athens were engulfed in flames, accompanied by dark smoke clouds.

Firefighting efforts have been bolstered by assistance from France, Cyprus, and Romania. This situation is emblematic of the intensified wildfire risk currently faced by Greece and other European countries due to climate change, as extreme weather events become more frequent and intense.

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Russia’s unmanned Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed onto the Moon’s surface after losing control, marking the country’s initial lunar endeavor in nearly half a century. The spacecraft, intended to achieve the first-ever landing at the Moon’s southern pole, encountered complications while transitioning into its pre-landing orbit. This particular area of the Moon holds potential for frozen water and valuable elements, prompting anticipation.

Russia’s state space corporation, Roscosmos, reported the loss of contact with Luna-25 around 14:57 pm on Saturday. A preliminary investigation revealed that the 800kg lander was obliterated upon impact with the Moon’s surface. A dedicated committee will investigate the causes behind the mission’s failure.

The incident signifies a setback for Roscosmos, as Russia’s non-military space program has experienced a decline due to shifting funding priorities. Concurrently, India was in a race to reach the Moon’s southern pole with its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, scheduled for imminent landing, aiming to explore and send back data and images of the region’s hidden areas.

Parts of the Moon’s southern pole remain enshrouded in permanent shadow, boosting the possibility of locating water. An official from the Indian space agency, Isro, expressed regret about the Luna-25 mishap, acknowledging the risks and technical challenges inherent in space missions.

Roscosmos had acknowledged the risky nature of the Luna-25 mission, which launched from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome on August 11. The spacecraft had successfully entered the Moon’s orbit earlier in the week and was poised for a historic soft landing attempt just before India’s own scheduled touchdown.

While the US and China have soft-landed on the Moon’s surface, no country had previously achieved a successful landing at the Moon’s southern pole. Luna-25 marked Russia’s return to lunar exploration since 1976 when the successful Luna-24 mission took place during the Soviet era.

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Italy’s government has taken a remarkable diplomatic step by covering the restaurant expenses of four Italian tourists who engaged in a dine and dash episode in Albania. This incident, which gained attention in both nations, led Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama to discuss the matter with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, during her visit to Albania. In response, Meloni instructed her ambassador to personally settle the bill for these tourists, as recounted by Edi Rama in an interview with La Stampa.

Confirming the action, Italy’s embassy in Albania issued a statement, acknowledging the payment of the bill, estimated to be around €80 (£68), on behalf of its citizens. The embassy emphasized Italy’s adherence to regulations and the expectation that such incidents would not recur.

Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s agriculture minister and Giorgia Meloni’s brother-in-law, was also part of the Albanian trip. He expressed that taking responsibility for the bill was a matter of national pride, asserting that the actions of a few dishonest individuals should not tarnish the reputation of a nation of honorable people.

The exact date of the dine and dash event remains unclear, but surveillance footage depicting the group exiting the restaurant and disappearing into the night has gained substantial traction on social media platforms. The owner of the restaurant conveyed to Albania’s Report TV that this was the first instance of customers departing without settling their bill. Interestingly, the four Italian tourists had even expressed their appreciation for the quality of the food before leaving the establishment.

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Amidst the devastating impact of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, cats and dogs have stepped up to aid in various ways, from detecting explosives to offering emotional support and practical advice. One remarkable example is Patron, a mine-sniffing dog serving in Ukraine’s state emergency service. His exceptional skills and charming demeanor have garnered him a substantial online following.

Patron, alongside other animals, both real and animated, has been utilizing social media to provide comfort and share valuable guidance. This ranges from assisting individuals in managing the emotional toll of war to offering insights on handling explosive devices. Patron’s popularity has enabled him to interact with prominent figures such as Orlando Bloom, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Patron’s impact extends beyond his online presence. His appearances have facilitated donations of critical mine-clearing equipment for Ukraine’s emergency services. This Jack Russell terrier has not only raised funds for war-affected people but also contributed to animal welfare initiatives.

Stepan, a cat from the beleaguered district of Saltivka in Kharkiv, has also become a symbol of resilience. Originally known for his internet cuteness, Stepan’s Instagram account has transformed into a platform addressing the war’s realities. The account now communicates in Ukrainian, reflecting a shift away from Russian due to the invasion.

Stepan’s online influence isn’t just about monetary contributions; it’s about offering solace to people, especially children, amid the conflict. With a substantial following, he has raised funds for animal welfare and assisted in post-disaster relief efforts, like aiding animals affected by the Kakhovka Dam’s destruction.

While humor is woven into Stepan’s posts, he doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the harsh realities of war. He articulates his desire for a victorious and peaceful Ukraine, where sacrifices made on the front lines lead to lasting tranquility for both humans and animals.

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Queen Letizia of Spain is set to travel to Australia to witness the World Cup final between England and Spain in Sydney on Sunday. Notably, no British royals will be present at the event.

The match marks the first-ever final appearance for both England’s Lionesses and the Spanish team in the women’s tournament. Although Prince William, the President of the Football Association, will support the England team from the UK, he has opted out of making the long-distance journey to Australia due to his focus on climate change concerns.

In contrast, Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter, Infanta Sofia, will be attending the final, while King Felipe will be engaged in official obligations and won’t accompany them. The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed the queen’s participation, mentioning her prior visit to the team during training where she delivered a speech to the players and coaching staff.

Similarly, Prince William interacted with the Lionesses during training and awarded manager Sarina Wiegman an honorary CBE. Despite his absence from the event, Prince William is expected to watch the final on television. Both Prince William and King Charles conveyed their congratulations to the teams on their achievements and extended their best wishes for the upcoming final match.

Notably, England’s women had previously been awarded their medals by Prince William after winning the European championship, while Queen Elizabeth II had attended England’s men’s team’s World Cup final victory in 1966.

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A significant wildfire on the Spanish island of Tenerife has resulted in the mandatory evacuation of five villages. The fire, which originated in a nature reserve on the island’s northeastern coast, has expanded to cover approximately 800 hectares since it ignited on Tuesday night. Access to the forest encompassing Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak, has been restricted by local authorities. Additional outbreaks of secondary fires have also been reported. Helicopters equipped with water have been deployed to the area, and the main blaze is proving challenging to combat due to its spread through wooded areas and ravines in Candelaria and Arafo. Rosa Davila, the head of Tenerife Council, emphasized the necessity of aircraft in navigating the steep terrain and acknowledged the blaze’s significant potential.

Villages including Arrate, Chivisaya, Media Montaña, Ajafoña, and Las Lagunetas were evacuated on Wednesday morning. Tenerife’s emergency services leader, Pedro Martinez, reported multiple secondary fires breaking out. Images reveal substantial flames consuming parts of the forest, accompanied by thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Despite the wildfire’s impact, Tenerife’s South and North airports appeared to be operating without disruptions as of Wednesday evening.

This wildfire incident follows a recent heatwave in the Canary Islands, leaving numerous areas parched and elevating the wildfire risk. In the preceding month, La Palma, an adjacent island within the Canary Islands archipelago, witnessed evacuations due to a wildfire during a period of extreme heat. This summer, wildfires have surged across various regions worldwide, including Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Canada, and Hawaii.

The heightened frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves are attributed to human-induced climate change. Global temperatures have already risen by around 1.1°C since the commencement of the industrial era, and further increases are anticipated unless concerted emissions reductions are enacted by governments across the globe.

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Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s lengthiest rail tunnel, has been forced to halt passenger services following a derailment that has inflicted substantial damage and will necessitate months of repair work.

The Swiss authorities have stated that there is currently no clear timeline for the reopening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, which was shut down after a derailment incident on August 10. Sixteen carriages remain derailed and trapped inside the tunnel a week after the incident.

The Gotthard rail connection, which took two decades to construct and incurred a cost exceeding $12 billion, commenced operations in 2016. The CEO of Swiss national rail operator SBB, Vincent Ducrot, conveyed that the Gotthard Tunnel is among the most secure tunnels globally, and the occurrence of such an accident has had a profound impact. He noted that while there were no injuries, substantial material damage occurred.

The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) and the public prosecutor’s office of the Canton of Ticino are conducting an investigation into the incident.

SBB revealed that approximately 8 kilometers (4.9 miles) of track and 20,000 concrete sleepers need replacement. While one side of the tunnel remains unaffected and could potentially resume freight operations by August 23, passenger trains won’t utilize the unaffected side due to safety concerns. This diversion will lead to longer travel times for passengers.

The Gotthard Base Tunnel traverses the Alps, serving as a vital high-speed connection between northern and southern Europe. It plays a crucial role in both passenger and cargo transport, particularly for freight moving between Germany and Italy. Last year, over two-thirds of rail freight traffic in the Alps utilized this tunnel.

As a result of this disruption, journeys will now take at least an extra 60 minutes, and international passengers will need to switch trains in Chiasso. Only trains traveling to and from Genoa and Venice will have a direct route, according to SBB’s statement.

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A Hong Kong-flagged merchant ship named Joseph Schulte, which had been stuck in the Ukrainian port of Odesa due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has departed the port. Despite concerns that Russia might target vessels in the Black Sea, the ship left after Kyiv announced a “humanitarian corridor” for ships in the Black Sea. This corridor was established following the collapse of a previous deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain. The ship’s departure comes after Russian air strikes reportedly damaged grain storage facilities in Reni, a port on the Danube river.

Ukrainian officials released images showing the destruction of storage facilities and crops in Reni. Despite the attacks, the port is said to be operational. Russia has not commented on these latest developments. Previously, Russia withdrew from an agreement that guaranteed safe passage for ships in the Black Sea, suggesting that ships heading to Ukrainian ports could be considered military targets.

Ukraine, a significant exporter of grain and oilseeds, has faced challenges due to the blockade, leading to global increases in food prices. In response to these threats, Ukraine established a humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea to facilitate the departure of ships from its ports. The Joseph Schulte was carrying over 30,000 tonnes of cargo, including food, and was headed to Istanbul, Turkey. The corridor is intended to help evacuate ships that have been trapped in Black Sea ports since the start of Russia’s invasion.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have been conducting a counter-offensive to retake territory from Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. Despite receiving military equipment from Western countries, their advances have been limited. Recent clashes have led to the evacuation of many residents in the country’s east. Russia has also reported downing drones near Moscow in a series of attacks on Russian cities.

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