Severe heat across southern Europe triggered wildfires, evacuations, and widespread heat advisories. Southern France recorded 109.4°F, and last week a blaze burned 16,000 hectares amid a red alert in the country’s wine region. Bulgaria reported 200 fires, with hundreds of firefighters deployed. Hungary set a national record high of 104°F on August 10.
As of July 21, 18 people have been killed and 9 remain missing due to flooding and landslides across South Korea. The southern and western provinces were hardest hit by the heavy rain, experiencing widespread power and water shortages. More than 14,000 people were evacuated. Although rain has eased, rescue workers continue to search for survivors and help victims.
On June 24, gunmen opened fire on a celebration of St. John the Baptist in the city of Irapuato. The state of Guanajuato experiences high rates of violent crime, largely due to an ongoing turf war between rival cartels. Additional federal and state security forces have been deployed throughout Guanajuato. Retaliatory attacks are possible in the coming weeks.
Anti-American sentiment is expected to increase following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22. The US embassy advised staff to keep a low profile and avoid travel to the US Consulate Adana district, which covers Turkiye’s 22 southeastern provinces. Rising anti-American sentiment could result in protests, anti-US rhetoric, and violence against Americans.
The US Embassy in Qatar advises all Americans to shelter in place as of June 23. Authorities expect retaliation against American facilities in Qatar and the Middle East following the June 22 airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. The United Kingdom and China released similar warnings. Qatar closed its airspace in response to a potentially imminent attack.
On June 10 at 10:00 AM, a 21-year-old suspect opened fire at the BORG Dreierschützengasse school in Graz, Austria. The shooting left at least 9 dead and 28 injured. The suspected shooter was a former student who died at the scene. Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the motive remains unclear. A heightened emergency service presence is expected in the area as the investigation continues.
On June 3, authorities in Cologne, Germany, ordered the evacuation of 20,000 residents to safely remove several World War II-era bombs uncovered during construction. The American bombs, uncovered at Deutz shipyard, prompted a 0.6-mile evacuation zone. The devices are set to be diffused on June 4.