Day: August 13, 2025

Heatwave Devastates Southern Europe as Wildfires Rage On

A severe heatwave is sweeping through Southern Europe, with national meteorological institutes in both France and Spain indicating that the sweltering conditions will persist at least through this week and possibly beyond, reports 24brussels.

The ongoing heatwave has raised alarm across the region, where rising temperatures exacerbate the risk of wildfires. “Heatwaves have always happened, there will always be heatwaves, but all of the temperatures are just getting higher, so the chances of reaching these potentially dangerous temperatures are just ratcheting up as the world warms,” stated climate expert Barnes.

Southern European nations, including Portugal, Spain, Greece, the Balkans, and Turkey, are grappling with devastating wildfires fanned by the extreme heat. The situation has turned dire; in Spain, two fatalities have been reported, including that of a firefighter, while thousands of individuals have been evacuated across the country.

In Greece, wildfires have claimed the lives of three individuals, with flames threatening Patras, the country’s third-largest city, resulting in mass evacuations. Emergency services are stretched thin as they attempt to combat the ferocious blazes.

Albania is also suffering, with around 50 fires recorded recently, particularly affecting the southern region of Gramsh, where an elderly man has died. In Turkey, wildfires have resulted in at least 17 fatalities in the past month, showcasing the scale of the crisis. Last week, France experienced its worst wildfire since 1949, underscoring the increasing severity of climate-related disasters in the region.

Ukrainian Criticism of Hungary’s Animal Symbolism Raises Political Questions

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for his controversial use of animals in political symbolism, questioning whether zebras are considered “traditional farm animals” in Hungary, reports 24brussels.

This commentary from Poland comes amidst a broader trend among authoritarian leaders who utilize exotic animals as symbols of power and affluence. The juxtaposition of Orbán with such imagery has prompted scrutiny, highlighting the political implications of these choices.

Georgian Oligarch’s Wild Collection

In a parallel example, Georgian oligarch and former ruler Bidzina Ivanishvili resides in a stunning steel-and-glass castle overlooking Tbilisi, which includes a shark tank as part of his private zoo. His political maneuvers have shifted from a pro-European stance to one more aligned with Russia over recent years.

Ivanishvili, an aficionado of exotic animals, boasts an eclectic collection that includes zebras, lemurs, and even a shark. In a 2014 interview, he downplayed the size of his shark, referring to it as just “a meter and a half” long.

“Lemurs roamed free in my yard like cats,” he noted, reflecting the eccentric nature of his lifestyle.

Yanukovych’s Mammoth Legacy

Similarly, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych maintained a lavish collection of animals at his mansion, which included peacocks, deer, and at one time, three kangaroos. However, the fate of the kangaroos was tragic; one perished in the cold, another escaped, while the third was released in the hope of its return, which never occurred.

The contrast between such gilded excess and the realities faced by ordinary citizens in these countries underscores the disconnect prevalent among political elites.