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☆ Palermo airport closed, two killed in north as fires and storms batter Italy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Federico Maccioni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Firefighters work to extinguish a wildfire burning near the Sicilian village of Curcuraci near Messina, Italy, July 25, 2023. Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via REUTERSMILAN, July 25 (Reuters) - Wildfires forced the closure of Palermo airport in Sicily on Tuesday as extreme weather continued to batter Italy, with severe storms causing damage and at least two deaths in the north of the country. The island's main airport of Catania, Italy's fifth-biggest, was closed last week due to a fire in a terminal building and has reopened only for a few flights. On Tuesday, Italy put 16 cities on red alert because of the high temperatures. Italy is one of the European countries most affected by climate change, and suffered deadly floods in May.

Persons: Italy's, Federico Maccioni, Alvise, Keith Weir Organizations: REUTERS, Twitter, Catania, Thomson Locations: Curcuraci, Messina, Italy, Handout, REUTERS MILAN, Palermo, Sicily, Catania, Europe, Milan, Monza, Brescia, New York, Milan's Malpensa, Rome

☆ Extreme heat in the Mediterranean could dent tourist bookings in future
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“This can be attributed to travelers seeking out less crowded destinations, and milder temperatures,” the association said. This summer’s extreme temperatures follow blistering heat last year. Meanwhile, online searches for northern European destinations increased by 3 percentage points to hit 10%. Southern Europe still popular with BritsDespite rocketing temperatures, countries in southern Europe are still the go-to spots for many vacationers. Spain, Greece and Turkey are still “by far the most popular [destinations],” he said, which hasn’t “changed at all.”— Barbie Latza Nadeau and Chris Liakos contributed reporting.

Persons: Angelos Tzortzinis, Olivier Ponti, ”, —, Johan Lundgren, Giuseppe Napolitano, Thomas Cook, Sean Tipton, hasn’t “, ” — Barbie Latza Nadeau, Chris Liakos Organizations: London CNN —, European Travel Commission, Tourism Council, Tourists, CNN, European Space Agency, ESA, British, Med Locations: London CNN — Spain, Italy, Europe, Brussels, Spain, France, Croatia, Greece, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, Denmark, Athens, United Kingdom, Rome, Nicosia, Cyprus, Catania, Sicily, Southern Europe, Turkey

☆ Italy warns ‘peak of the heat is coming,’ issues red alert for 16 cities as temperatures soar
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Meteorologists in Italy on Monday warned that a period of fierce heat is expected to peak in the coming days, shortly after policymakers issued hot weather red alerts for 16 cities nationwide. The capital of Rome, Florence and Bologna are among some of the areas affected by an intense and prolonged heatwave. It comes as temperatures approach record-breaking levels in countries across southern Europe, with forecasters warning the highest level ever recorded in European history could be topped. "The African anticyclone continues to dominate the weather scenario, with a heat wave destined to persist for many more days," Italian weather news service Meteo.it said on Monday. Scientists at the European Space Agency, which monitors land and sea temperatures, believe the record could be broken again in the coming days.

Persons: wets, Meteo.it Organizations: Monday, European Space Agency Locations: Piazza Duomo, Catania, Italy, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Europe, Syracuse, Sicily

☆ Italy shuts main Sicily airport until Wednesday due to fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, July 17 (Reuters) - The airport in the Sicilian city of Catania, close to some of the main tourist hot spots in eastern Sicily, has been shut down until Wednesday due to a fire, its management company wrote on Twitter. The fire broke out late on Sunday and there were no injuries, the airport said. Firefighters said they managed to contain the blaze about 90 minutes after it was called in, but provided no details on possible causes or any link to current high temperatures in the region. Flights at the Sicilian airport, which according to the Assoaeroporti sector group, ranked fifth for traffic in Italy last year and first on the island, have been suspended until 1200 GMT on Wednesday, the company said. The Catania airport is regularly used by tourists heading to places like Mount Etna and Taormina, which is about 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) away, and Siracusa, with its Greek Theatre and the historical centre on the Ortigia island.

Persons: Firefighters, Angelo Amante, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Twitter, Greek Theatre, Thomson Locations: Sicilian, Catania, Sicily, Palermo, Messina, Italy, Mount Etna, Taormina

☆ Europe weather: Second heat wave in a week brings soaring temperatures and raging fires
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In Italy, which has been particularly hard hit, temperatures in many cities are expected to soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). In Spain, temperatures in the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada have reached 40 degrees Celsius. Even the normally cooler region of Navarra in the north of the country is experiencing up to 40 degrees Celsius. Firefighters have controlled the fire and it’s not yet clear if the region’s high temperatures played any role. While in the US, California’s Death Valley reached nearly 52 degrees Celsius (125.6) on Sunday.

Persons: Gregorio Borgia, Tiziana Fabi, Andres Gutierrez, EIRIF Handout, Catania, Niño, ” Christopher Hewitt Organizations: CNN, European Space Agency, ESA, Getty, La Palma, Anadolu Agency, Reuters, Firefighters, World Meteorological, WMO Locations: Europe, Italy, Spain, Greece, North Africa, Rome, Florence, Popolo, AFP, Athens, Seville, Cordoba, Granada, Navarra, La, Spain’s Canary, La Palma, Canary Islands, Tijarafe, Tenerife, Peloponnese, Catania, Sicily, China

☆ The first battery-powered trains have arrived in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Enter Europe’s first battery-powered trains. In Calabria, the trains are running on the Ionian Coast, while Sicilian routes include Messina to Palermo and Messina-Catania-Syracuse. “It is the first time that batteries are used as the main energy source on a fleet of trains for commercial use in Europe,” Trenitalia said in a statement. The fleet – made with 93% recyclable materials – will cut carbon emissions and fuel consumption by 50% versus diesel trains, Hitachi said in a statement. A battery-powered futureThe trains are running in several regions of Italy.

Persons: ”, ” Trenitalia Organizations: CNN, Hitachi, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Catania, Hitachi Rail Locations: Italy, Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany, Sicily, Sardinia, Messina, Palermo, Syracuse, Europe

CNN —Flights from Catania airport in Sicily were grounded on Sunday after volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount Etna covered the runways. Volcanic ash in Nicolosi, near Catania Orietta Scardino/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockPictures and video footage show black volcanic ash covering planes at the airport, and blanketing roads in the area. In 2010, a volcanic eruption in Iceland sent a huge plume of ash moving across the Atlantic, causing massive disruption to air traffic across Western Europe. In the aftermath of the crisis, international aviation regulators introduced new risk management guidance on flight safety and volcanic ash. Mount Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, and also the highest, at about 3,350 meters (almost 11,000 feet) tall.

☆ Mount Etna eruption halts flights to Sicily's Catania airport
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ROME, May 21 (Reuters) - Flights serving the eastern Sicilian city of Catania were halted on Sunday after an eruption from nearby Mount Etna spewed volcanic ash onto its runways, airport authorities said. The 3,330 metre (10,925 ft) high volcano can burst into spectacular action several times a year, firing lava and ash high over the Mediterranean island. Flights to and from Catania, a popular tourist destination, would be suspended until normal safety conditions could be guaranteed, the airport said on Twitter. Cars in the city were covered in a layer of dark gritty dust, images in the Italian media showed. Writing by Keith Weir; editing by Barbara LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Best rice dishes: 20 delicious specialties from around the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

And while famous rice dishes such as sushi, fried rice and paella are among the most prominent in the global spotlight, there are so many more rice recipes out there to put on your radar – and seek out on your travels. Wali wa kukaanga, KenyaWali wa kukaanga is Kenya’s answer to fried rice, and translates to just that in Swahili. So it’s no surprise that the Polynesian island country’s most popular rice dish, alaisa fa’apopo, has ties to the coconut, too. Thai fried rice (Khao Pad), ThailandThai fried rice uses the layering of flavors that's characteristic of the country's cuisine. ArenaCreative/Adobe StockWhen it comes to fried rice, the Chinese version tends to steal the spotlight.

☆ Vacation destinations like Finland and Sicily are giving away free trips, flights, and hotels to revive tourism — see the full list
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sicily is offering discounted airfare and hotel stays, and Finland is giving away 10 free trips. Taiwan said it will pay international visitors $165 and Hong Kong is giving out 500,000 free flights. Sicily, Finland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are giving away free flights, hotel stays, excursions, and even straight cash. Hong KongThe central district of Hong Kong. Starting March 1, the tickets will be distributed by airlines Hong Kong Express, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines, Time Out reported.

☆ I took a cruise around the Mediterranean. Here are 5 things that surprised me — from the coffee to the navigation.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Christian Mayer | Nathan Rennolds | Business Insider Deutschland | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Insider's Christian Mayer took a trip around the Mediterranean on the AIDAblu cruise ship. I recently booked a spontaneous weeklong cruise with the German cruise line Aida Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and PLC, one of the largest cruise companies in the world. The cruise sailed around Italy and Malta, starting off in Civitavecchia, a town on the west coast of Italy near Rome. A tiny ship approached the outer wall of our huge cruise ship, and, in whipping winds, the pilot climbed an outer ladder onto our ship. The ship served Starbucks coffeeThe price of the cruise included filter coffee with breakfast.

☆ More than 1,000 migrants brought ashore in Italy after multiple rescues
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, March 11 (Reuters) - More than 1,000 migrants were brought ashore to southern Italy on Saturday after coastguards launched major rescue operations for three boats struggling in rough seas off Calabria. Local officials said a further 200 migrants had been picked up off the coast of Sicily and would be ferried to Catania later in the day. Prosecutors are investigating whether Italian authorities should have done more to prevent the disaster. Late last year, it cracked down on charity rescue boats, accusing them of acting as a taxi service for migrants. However, departures have nonetheless picked up dramatically, with roughly 17,000 migrants reaching Italy by boat so far this year against some 6,000 in the same period of 2022.

☆ These 3 destinations in Europe and Asia will give you free hotel stays, flights, and cash to take your next vacation there
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Hannah Towey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Taiwan said it will pay international visitors $165 and Hong Kong is giving away 500,000 free flights. The governments of Sicily, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are pumping billions into the programs, which range from free flights, hotel stays, and excursions — to straight cash. Gary Yeowell/Getty ImagesSicily, a historic island in the South of Italy, first launched its "See Sicily" travel promotion two years ago and recently announced its revival for 2023. Hong KongThe central district of Hong Kong. Starting March 1, the tickets will be distributed by airlines Hong Kong Express, Cathay Pacific, and Hong Kong Airlines, Time Out reported.

So far the practical help for a project that will create around 1,000 jobs, has come from the Europe Union. It also says its panels are better and that 3Sun will be the European Union's largest producer of high performance bifacial solar panels by 2024. Eurostat figures show around three quarters of Europe's solar panels are sourced from China. The European Union as a whole aims to reach almost 600 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy by 2030 and the number of installations is increasing. Enel is not limiting its ambitions to Europe, although it says at least 50% of its Sicilian production will be for the continent.

The letter, seen by Reuters, is signed by the head of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Treasury, and mentions a loan provided by some Italian banks and state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP). The Italian government adopted on Thursday a scheme allowing ISAB to be placed under trusteeship, while Lukoil continues talks on selling the asset. A similar move was taken by Germany when in September it took control of a refinery owned by Rosneft (ROSN.MM). The government could call on "an oil company that operates in the sector, and it is obvious to everyone that this (company) could be Eni, and this will ensure continuity of production," he said. Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte and Alvise Armellini, Editing by Christina Fincher and Louise HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Italy's biggest TV piracy network dismantled - police
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Italy's police said on Friday they had dismantled the country's largest network for online TV piracy, one that accounted for 70% of illegal streaming across the nation. The network had more than 900,000 users and yielded "millions of euros" in monthly profits, a police statement said. As part of the operation, premises were searched and material seized in more than 20 cities up and down the country, including Rome, Naples and Catania, the statement added. The raids were ordered by prosecutors in Catania, Sicily, who were due to give more details in a press conference later on Friday. Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Bradley PerrettOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Migrant rescue ship refuses to leave Italy port in standoff with Meloni
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

The captain of a charity-run migrant rescue ship refused Italian orders to leave a Sicilian port Sunday after authorities refused to let 35 of the migrants on his ship disembark — part of directives by Italy’s new far-right-led government targeting foreign-flagged rescue ships. On Sunday, Italy ordered the Humanity 1 to vacate the port of Catania after disembarking 144 rescued migrants, including with children, more than 100 unaccompanied minors and people with medical emergencies. “Free all the people, free them,″ Italian lawmaker Aboubakar Soumahoro said in an emotional appeal directed at Meloni from the Humanity 1 rescue ship. Aboard the Humanity 1, doctors in Italy identified people needing urgent medical care after the ship’s doctor refused to make a selection, said SOS Humanity spokesman Wasil Schauseil. SOS Humanity said it plans to file a civil case in Catania to ensure that all 35 survivors on board have access to formal asylum procedures on land.

☆ Pope says EU states should share responsibility for migrants
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A migrant on board NGO rescue ship 'Humanity 1' looks at dock in Catania, Italy, November 6, 2022. Camilla Kranzusch/SOS Humanity/Handout via REUTERSABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday European Union member states should share responsibility for taking in migrants and not just leave it to the countries where people arrive. He spoke as migration triggered fresh political tensions in Italy, where there has been a stand-off between the government and charity ships trying to disembark migrants. "The European Union has to take up a policy of collaboration and help. "Each government of the European Union should agree on how many migrants it can take," Francis said.

☆ German-flagged charity vessel refuses to leave Italian port
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Francesca Landini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A German-flagged charity vessel refused to leave the Sicilian port of Catania on Sunday, after Italian authorities said not all the migrants it was carrying could disembark, the NGO responsible for the vessel said. Migrants wait to be rescued by crew members of NGO rescue ship 'Ocean Viking' in the Mediterranean Sea, October 26, 2022. Camille Martin Juan/Sos Mediterranee/Handout via REUTERSThe German NGO said that 35 migrants left onboard were in poor health and had fled "inhuman conditions" in Libya. A second charity vessel that had asked Rome for a safe port to disembark 572 migrants has just docked in Catania, the press officer for the Geo Barents ship told Reuters. "Selective and partial disembark, as proposed by the Italian authorities, is not to be considered legal under maritime law conventions," said international NGO Medicins sans Frontieres, which runs Geo Barents ship.

☆ O nouă erupţie a vulcanului Etna în urma închiderii temporare a aeroportului din Catania
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-07 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Aeroportul din Catania a fost închis miercuri după erupţia vulcanului Etna, care a acoperit pista cu cenuşă, au informat reprezentanţii aeroportului, potrivit DPA. Niciun avion nu poate decola sau ateriza în această dimineaţă, a precizat aeroportul. Etna a erupt în mod repetat în ultimele săptămâni, însă relatările despre pagube majore sau persoane rănite sunt rare. Cu o înălţime de 3.300 de metri, Etna a expulzat lavă şi cenuşă în ultimele zile, în principal din craterul său sud-estic, potrivit Institutului Naţional de Geofizică şi Vulcanologie (INGV) din Italia. Norii de cenuşă s-au ridicat la 5-10 kilometri înălţime, măsurând de la nivelul mării, potrivit institutului citat.

Organizations: Etna Locations: Catania, Etna, Italia

☆ FOTO // Și Europa poate lua foc din cauza temperaturilor arzătoare; Care sunt țările cu cel mai mare risc la incendii
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-06 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +7 min

Țările europene expuse riscului de incendii forestiereÎn ultimii ani, impactul incendiilor forestiere asupra oamenilor și a naturii a crescut în toată Europa. Președintele Nicos Anastasiades a declarat că a fost o zi foarte dificilă pentru țară și a promis că guvernul va oferi ajutor imediat victimelor. După 10 zile de temperaturi extreme și secetă, insula Kefalonia a fost cuprinsă sâmbătă de incendii de proporții. Deși cauza incendiilor nu a fost încă stabilită, în Sicilia există o istorie a incendiilor provocate de disputele funciare. EPA/KATIA CHRISTODOULOUepa09321433 A view of the smoke emitted by a fire in the mountains, in Larnaca region, Cyprus, 03 July 2021.

Persons: Frans Timmermans, Anastasiades Organizations: Comisia Europeană, Mediului, Pădurilor, farm, July, EPA Locations: Europa, Mediterane, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Laponia, Europa Cipru, Cipru, Nicosia, Regiunea, Israel, UE, Ciprului, Grecia, Greciei, de Sud, Tesalia, Attica, Kefalonia, Spania, Casabermeja, Malaga, Andaluzia, Italia, Siciliei, Siracuza, Catania, Sicilia, epa09322099, Larnaca, Cyprus, Limassol, and spreading, Larnaca region

☆ Vulcanul Etna a erupt din nou. Aeroportul din Catania a fost închis
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-20 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: 1 min

Lava a fost aruncată la zeci de metri în aer, ca o veritabilă fântână arteziană de foc. A apărut și un nor mare de fum și cenușă, scrie digi24. Potrivit specialiștilor, emisiile de lavă și cenușă nu au depășit cotele normale. Aeroportul din Catania a fost închis temporar, ca pista să fie curățată de pietre si cenușă. Erupția de aseară a fost cea cu numărul 40 de anul acesta.

Organizations: Aeroportul Locations: Etna, Catania, Europei

Există politici care, de fapt, protejează țigările obișnuite și țin produsele mai puțin dăunătoare în afara spațiului public. Oamenii trebuie să primească informații corecte și adevărate”, a declarat Kgosi Letlape, fost președinte al Consiliului Profesiilor din Sănătate din Africa de Sud. Specialiștii și-au exprimat opinia privind sursele preconcepțiilor existente în jurul țigărilor electronice și produselor de încălzire a tutunului. „Există percepția că multe din aceste produse sunt la fel de nocive sau chiar mai nocive decât țigările. Această idee provine din pseudoștiință, precum și din comunicarea guvernamentală proastă, ceea ce a contribuit la crearea unei percepții publice.

Persons: Mark, Karl Fagerstrom, Riccardo Polosa Organizations: Universitatea din, Global Tobacco Locations: Africa de Sud, AMV, SUA, Britanie, Japonia, Noua Zeelandă, Coreea de Sud, Coreea, Universitatea din Catania, Rio de Janeiro

Profesorul Polosa a adus drept exemplu un studiu care a analizat evoluția pacienților care suferă de boala pulmonară obstructivă cronică (BPOC). Potrivit acestuia, timp de trei ani, o parte din participanți a utilizat dispozitive de încălzire a tutunului, în timp ce cealaltă parte a continuat să fumeze. Totodată, profesorul afirmă că, potrivit rapoartelor toxicologice, dispozitivele de încălzire a tutunului sunt cu 80-90% mai puțin toxice decât țigările convenționale. „Am constatat o scădere dramatică a agenților cancerigeni, care este semnificativă din punct de vedere statistic și clinic”, a declarat Jasjit S Ahluwalia, profesor de medicină al Universității Brown. Potrivit Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății, fumatul provoacă anual circa 8 milioane de decese în toată lumea.

Persons: Leonardo, Vinci, Riccardo Polosa, Polosa Organizations: Universitatea din, Universității Brown, Organizației Mondiale a Sănătății Locations: Universitatea din Catania

☆ Sicilia: Spaţiul aerian din jurul vulcanului Etna, închis temporar după o nouă erupţie (VIDEO)
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-01 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

O nouă erupţie a vulcanului Etna, care a expulzat o coloană de cenuşă la o înălţime de 9 km, a determinat închiderea temporară a spaţiului aerian din jurul vulcanului, astfel încât zborurile au fost deviate spre aeroportul din Palermo, capitala Siciliei (sudul Italiei), au informat joi autorităţile citate de EFE și agerpres.ro. "Compania care gestionează aeroportul din Catania a informat ca în urma activităţii eruptive a Etna, spaţiul aerian este deocamdată închis traficului. Institutul Naţional de Geofizică şi Vulcanologie (INGV) a emis un avertisment pentru traficul aerian după ce Etna a intrat joi într-o nouă erupţie, cea de-a 17-a de la reluarea activităţii celui mai înalt vulcan din Europa la jumătatea lunii februarie. Activitatea vulcanică în craterul de sud-est, care a început joi dimineaţă, a produs mici explozii care au format o limbă de lavă care se scurge pe valea Bove, din insula Sicilia precum şi o coloană înaltă de cenuşă. Potrivit INGV, astfel de episoade eruptive sunt un fenomen obişnuit al recentei reluări a activităţii vulcanului Etna.

Organizations: Etna Locations: Etna, Palermo, Siciliei, Italiei, Catania, Europa, Sicilia

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