Summary:
- Tragic wildfire in Greece claims the lives of two pilots in a tanker plane crash.
- Heat wave and suspected arson fuel the devastating fires across southern Greece.
- Wildfires threaten thousands of hectares in the north of Corfu, leading to evacuations.
- Algeria reports 34 fatalities due to the heat wave, including 10 soldiers involved in rescue efforts.
- Italy faces challenges with Palermo Airport closing temporarily and fires near a major hospital.
- EU discusses how to handle the disruption of the Black Sea grain deal caused by Russia's actions against Ukraine.
- China removes foreign minister Qin Gong without explanation.
- Protests and strikes in Israel over a vote to weaken the Supreme Court.
- Harvard's legacy emissions policy under investigation for potential bias.
- UPS reaches a tentative deal with the Teamsters Union, averting a strike.
- Biden administration proposes measures to expand mental health care insurance coverage.
- Stocks make modest gains ahead of the Federal Reserve's action on interest rates.
Tragedy struck in Greece as wildfires continued to spread, and two pilots lost their lives when a tanker plane crashed while fighting the inferno. The fires, fueled by scorching temperatures exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit, have engulfed vast areas in the southern region of the country, leaving lives, homes, and livelihoods in peril.
Efforts to combat the wildfires on the Greek island of Corfu took a unique turn as authorities used seawater to douse the flames encroaching on the land. The ongoing heat wave, combined with arid conditions and suspected arson, has resulted in thousands of hectares being threatened by the relentless fires. Villages have been evacuated, and even animals were rescued to safety in nearby towns.
The impact of the heat wave has been felt beyond Greece, with devastating effects in other parts of Europe and North Africa. Algeria reported 34 fatalities, including 10 soldiers involved in rescue efforts. Italy faced its share of challenges, with Palermo Airport temporarily closing due to the approaching fires. Firefighters have been battling a blaze perilously close to one of the largest hospitals in Palermo.
The situation has become a matter of global concern, prompting discussions in the European Union about how to handle the disruption of the Black Sea grain deal caused by Russia's actions against Ukraine. Meanwhile, China removed its foreign minister, Qin Gong, without providing any explanation. In Israel, backlash over parliament's vote to weaken the Supreme Court led to protests, strikes, and military reservists seeking excuses from duty as a form of protest.
The news isn't entirely bleak, as UPS and the Teamsters Union reached a tentative deal, potentially avoiding a strike. However, Harvard's legacy emissions policy is facing scrutiny for potential bias in favor of whites after the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action. In a separate development, the Biden administration proposed new measures to expand insurance coverage for mental health care, focusing on equal access to mental and physical health benefits.
On Wall Street, stocks made modest gains as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates. The news hour also covers President Biden's designation of a national monument to Emmett Till, an interview with presidential candidate Vivek Rameswamy, Steph Curry's reflections on his basketball career, and more.
Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth coverage on these developing stories.