Politics

Portugal issues red alert as severe heatwave pushes temperatures to 44C

Portugal is bracing for another intense heatwave, with authorities issuing red alerts in several regions as temperatures are expected to climb as high as 44C. According to Channels Television, parts of Portugal, including the Lisbon region, will move to red alert as the country faces worsening heat conditions after initially escaping the worst of Europe’s ongoing heatwave. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) said Lisbon and Setubal will be placed on red alert on Thursday, with the warning extending to Leiria and Coimbra on Friday. Temperatures in some areas could reach 44C. An orange alert was already in effect on Wednesday across four inland regions, including Evora, where temperatures were forecast to hit 41C. Residents say the unusual heat has arrived earlier than expected. Jose Bonifacio, a busker in Evora, noted that such temperatures are typically experienced in August rather than early July. The intense afternoon heat has emptied streets in the historic city, with many residents and tourists seeking shelter in cafés and shaded areas. Construction worker Carlos Guedes described the conditions as especially difficult for those working outdoors. IPMA warned that the current heatwave’s most significant concern is its expected duration, with extreme temperatures likely to persist for at least a week. Coastal regions may also experience hotter conditions due to reduced sea breeze, while nighttime temperatures are expected to remain unusually high at between 24C and 28C. The Portuguese government has urged residents to follow health advice and has instructed municipalities to prepare cooling shelters for vulnerable people. These may include public buildings, churches, shopping centres and hotels. Secretary of State for Health Ana Povo said the measures are aimed at protecting those most at risk during the prolonged heat. The heatwave comes as Europe continues to experience record-breaking temperatures. Scientists from the World Weather Attribution said the recent European heatwave was the most severe ever recorded and would have been virtually impossible in June without climate change. Temperature records have recently been broken across several European countries, including Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The United Kingdom and Switzerland also recorded their hottest June temperatures. Source: AFP via Channels Television Tags: Portugal heatwave, Europe heatwave, extreme temperatures, climate change, Portugal weather warning, red alert Alternative Headlines: 1. Portugal issues red alert as severe heatwave pushes temperatures to 44C 2. Portugal Faces Severe Heatwave With Temperatures Set to Soar ALT TEXT: A woman uses an umbrella to shield herself from intense heat during a heatwave in Evora, Portugal.

Harry Kane celebrates with England teammates after scoring during England’s 2-1 comeback victory over DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 in Atlanta.

Harry Kane brace rescues England against DR Congo in World Cup thriller

Harry Kane delivered when it mattered most, scoring twice to help England overturn an early deficit and beat DR Congo 2-1 in a tense FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash. The dramatic comeback in Atlanta secured England’s place in the last 16, where they will face Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca. According to AFP via Channels Television, England were pushed to the brink of a shocking elimination after DR Congo struck first through Brian Cipenga in the opening stages. Cipenga capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire home a low shot that slipped past Jordan Pickford, silencing the largely England-supporting crowd. The early goal unsettled England, with Jude Bellingham visibly frustrated and booked during a heated first half. Lionel Mpasi also produced a string of impressive saves to deny England repeatedly before the break. DR Congo nearly doubled their lead before half-time, but Yoane Wissa struck the outside of the post from close range. England manager Thomas Tuchel responded in the second half with attacking substitutions, introducing Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze to spark a comeback. The changes paid off in the 75th minute when Gordon delivered a pinpoint cross for Kane, who powered in a header to level the score. Kane completed the turnaround in the 86th minute, latching onto another Gordon assist before smashing a powerful effort into the roof of the net. The brace took Kane’s World Cup tally to 13 goals and five in the 2026 tournament, strengthening his push for the Golden Boot. While England advanced, their performance raised concerns ahead of a much tougher test against Mexico in the last 16. For DR Congo, the defeat brought an emotional end to a remarkable World Cup journey. The Leopards exceeded expectations on their first appearance at the tournament in 52 years, producing one of the competition’s most memorable underdog stories.

Security personnel at the entrance of the Federal Capital Territory Administration headquarters in Abuja as FCTA begins promotion exercise for civil servants.

Over 13,000 FCTA Civil Servants begin 10-day promotion exercise

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced its promotion exercise for more than 13,000 civil servants across the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). The 10-day exercise, which began on Wednesday, will involve eligible officers across 150 cadres and grade levels as part of efforts to strengthen career progression within the FCT civil service. According to Channels Television, Chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh, said the exercise was approved by Nyesom Wike. Ezeh said the promotion exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is designed to ensure eligible officers are given opportunities for career advancement. He disclosed that Wike also directed the commission to ensure the 2026 promotion exercise is completed before the end of the year to prevent delays and improve staff progression. According to him, the minister instructed the commission to work closely with relevant agencies within the FCTA to ensure a smooth process and avoid challenges experienced during previous exercises. Ezeh assured candidates that adequate arrangements had been made for a seamless exercise and urged participants to remain patient throughout the Computer-Based Test (CBT) process. The commission noted that it became the first civil service commission in Nigeria to conduct promotion examinations using CBT in 2024, just six months after its inauguration in March of that year. The latest exercise is expected to further reinforce efforts to modernise the FCT civil service promotion system and improve administrative efficiency.

Oba Rashidi Ladoja during the inauguration of a committee on integrating traditional and orthodox medicine at the Olubadan Palace in Ibadan.

Olubadan launches committee to integrate traditional medicine in healthcare

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has inaugurated a committee to drive the integration of traditional and orthodox medicine as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The committee was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to Punch Newspapers, the monarch, represented by the Director-General of the Olubadan Palace, Basiru Olanrewaju, said the initiative is aimed at ensuring both healthcare systems complement each other for better medical outcomes. Ladoja said traditional medicine remains effective and should work alongside orthodox medicine to serve the healthcare needs of Nigerians. He noted that integrating both systems would benefit not only residents of Ibadanland but also the wider Nigerian population. “I believe in the efficacy of traditional medicine because I use it and it works. Therefore, there is a need for both systems to complement each other in the delivery of healthcare,” the monarch said. The committee includes representatives from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, the Olubadan Palace, and researchers in traditional medicine. Members were urged to work diligently towards achieving the objective of the initiative, with periodic meetings scheduled to ensure effective implementation. The move follows an earlier call by Ladoja on May 14, 2026, when he advocated stronger collaboration between traditional and modern medicine while receiving executives of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Oyo State branch. At the time, the monarch stressed that traditional medicine remains accessible and affordable for many Nigerians and warned that indigenous medical knowledge should not be lost.