'France faces most severe crisis since the Second World War'
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Nordea.fi Nordea.fi This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.
How severe are the wildfires in southwest France and why did Macron call it the worst crisis since WWII?
I'm Nick Miles and in the early hours of Tuesday the 28th of July, these are our main stories. Fires are burning out of control in parts of southwest France. Others are bearing down on the Spanish capital. We hear how the fires are so big they're creating their own weather systems. The UN body which fights AIDS says the world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after funding cuts. And could India's youth protesters return to the streets after accusing the government of breaching a deal to end the weeks-long dispute? also in this podcast. The question is, do Africans, do Kenyans deserve a clean and healthy environment and clean food as Europeans do, as Americans do? And our answer is to the affirmative, yes.
We find out why Kenyan activists are taking multinational chemical companies to court and is a battlefield an appropriate place to award World Heritage Site status? MUSIC The fires raging in parts of France and Spain are some of the most intense in decades. They've caused commentators and politicians to issue stark warnings and make dark comparisons. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain called on all citizens to exercise extreme caution in the difficult, complex hours ahead. President Emmanuel Macron of France went even further. As he visited the worst affected area near Bordeaux in the southwest, he said it was his country's most severe crisis since the Second World War. Both men know their administrations will be judged on how they react to the crisis.
What is happening with wildfires near Madrid and how could upcoming heatwaves make things worse?
Meanwhile, with temperatures expected to soar again in the coming days, there are fears that Bordeaux could be at risk. Gwyn Loder is nearby and sent this report. For days, wildfires have raged in the southwest of France. For weary firefighters here, Canadian aircraft provide welcome relief. Most towns and villages in this area are almost deserted. The blaze now burns within 10 miles of the city of Bordeaux. The fires are raging in this rural area, flames occasionally leaping several feet into the air, thick black smoke rising as well, sticking in the back of your throat. Wildfires aren't uncommon in this area near Bordeaux, where Marerid has lived for the past 16 years.
Then we're going to take the kids and move further north out of reach of the smoke and the polluted air, or as far as we can. We're lucky enough to have somewhere where we can go so that we just get, especially the kids, get them away and get them to some cleanery.
French President Emmanuel Macron has today been meeting the teams fighting the flames, which could take months to put out. We must understand we are facing a completely unprecedented wildfire. The situation we are dealing with today is the most severe we have ever recorded, the toughest since the Second World War. Across the border, in Spain too, the situation is dire. What's been called the biggest wildfire in the region's history burns near Madrid. There's no shortage of dry vegetation for it to consume, thanks to successive heatwaves after a wet winter.
How do ‘pyrocumulus’ clouds form over large fires and why do they make firefighting harder?
The pace of the flames have slowed in Valencia, but the fires are still very much active and the government says the next two days will be crucial on whether they can be brought under control.
This is the new reality. Summers are becoming increasingly difficult, destructive and therefore deadly.
In Spain, as in France, hot, dry weather is forecast for the coming days. The fear here is that an already difficult situation could become catastrophic. Gwyn Loder near Bordeaux. Well, Stav Danes from the BBC Weather Centre told me how the arrival of more hot weather will affect the fires. Well, it's likely temperatures will reach again the 40 Celsius mark, maybe even more than that across central northern Spain, southern France, in the areas where we have the fires blazing. So this is probably the worst outlook they could have expected with the dry air and extreme heat with very little in the way of rain.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:03
2
How severe are the wildfires in southwest France and why did Macron call it the worst crisis since WWII?
1:03–2:45
3
What is happening with wildfires near Madrid and how could upcoming heatwaves make things worse?
2:45–4:21
4
How do ‘pyrocumulus’ clouds form over large fires and why do they make firefighting harder?
4:21–8:05
5
What does the UNAIDS report warn about cuts to global HIV funding and rising infections?
8:05–10:15
6
Why is the US concerned about munitions stockpiles during talks with Iran and what are the global implications?
10:15–13:36
7
Will India’s youth movement resume protests after alleged broken promises over detainees?
13:36–18:24
8
What evidence are Kenyan activists presenting against multinational pesticide makers in court?
18:24–29:46
Speakers
6 identifiedMore from Global News Podcast
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