Disaster preparedness

,,We are in a decisive period, we hardly have time to see how we will deal with the EU negotiations. We look forward to the crucial vote in parliament, our MPs will have the last opportunity to do the best for the UK.'' This is what Emma Hopkins, Ambassador of Great Britain to Bulgaria, commented in the morning block of the Bulgarian National Television.

Michel Barnier has warned Theresa May that the withdrawal agreement is not open for renegotiation despite hints from the EU's most senior civil servant suggesting otherwise, writes express.co.uk

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila met on Friday with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, context in which she underscored the special contribution of the Romanian community within the British society.

The European Commission on Thursday took Britain to the bloc's top court for allegedly breaching rules on tax breaks in commodities trading, just two months before Brexit day, reports AFP. 

The commission, the EU's executive arm, said it acted because Britain has improperly broadened a Value Added Tax exemption to commodities that were not originally covered under decades-old rules.

Scientists have raised objections to a new earthquake hazard map updated by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency of Turkey (AFAD) over concerns that the map did not revise risk areas accurately.

Tropical animals at the İzmir Natural Life Park are protected from extreme cold weather with high-energy special winter menus and a natural gas system in their shelters. Officials say they don't leave the animals outside for a long time, sheltering them in closed areas.

The economic cost of climate-related disasters hit $2.25 trillion over the last two decades, an increase of more than 150 percent compared to the previous 20 years, the UN said Wednesday, reports AFP. 

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) noted that "climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events" such as floods and storms.

40 people have passed out because of the heat in Sofia since the morning, said Emergency Aid. There are no reports of fatal cases so far. In the words of Emergency Response Speaker Katya Sungarska, high temperatures are not so bad as the sharp change of weather. Emergency teams urge everyone, especially people with chronic illnesses, not to go outdoors during the warmest hours of the day.

The large number of victims resulting from the deadly blaze that devastated Attica's eastern coast this week "may indicate gaps prevention and preparedness," European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides told Kathimerini in an interview published on Sunday.

Greece's conservative opposition party has called an emergency meeting in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, east of Athens, which have so far claimed 80 lives.

The meeting will be held at 2.30 on Wednesday.