Europe's early summer heatwave linked to over 1,300 excess deaths
via The Namibian1 min read
Europe's unprecedented early summer heatwave may be responsible for hundreds of excess deaths, according to the head of the World Health Organization WHO. WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus stated on X that more than 1,300 excess deaths have been recorded since June 21, linked to high temperatures across Europe. He noted that "heat stress is often called the 'silent killer'" and that European infrastructure was not built for such temperatures. France's national health ministry reported approximately 1,000 more deaths than expected in the country since Wednesday, with many fatalities among those aged 65 and over, and a 40% rise in deaths at home. Tedros warned that Europe is the fastest-warming continent, heating at twice the global average, and that "once-in-a-generation" heatwaves are now occurring nearly annually due to climate change. He urged European countries to implement heat health action plans. The extreme weather has prompted authorities to take measures such as the cancellation of the Dutch music festival Defqon.1, and in Paris, officials banned takeaway alcohol in public and cancelled the city鈥檚 pride march to assist emergency services.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
The Namibian government generated N$68.4 million from the auction of horse mackerel and hake fish quotas. The Ministry of Finance announced the results of auctions conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform on May 22. Executive director of finance Oscar Capelao stated that N$68.4 million was raised from the sale of 11,037 tonnes of horse mackerel and 1,719 tonnes of hake. This total includes N$22,000 from application fees. Capelao noted a significant improvement in prices and no remaining metric tonnes. The auction received nine bids for horse mackerel and seven for hake, with demand exceeding the available tonnage for both freezer and wet catch. The fisheries ministry had previously reserved 35% of the total allowable catch of horse mackerel for the government. The horse mackerel fishing season will continue until the end of December, while the hake season concludes at the end of September.
Northern Graphite, a Canadian company, has finished moving its processing plant to the Okanjande mine near Otjiwarongo, Namibia. This move is in preparation to restart mining operations by the end of 2027. The plant was previously located 85km away at Okorusu, and the relocation, decided in 2023, aims to reduce transport logistics and costs. Okanjande, situated 20km south of Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region, holds a significant graphite resource. According to Northern Graphite chief executive Hugues Jacquemin, Namibia offers a politically stable environment and access to a deep-water port, providing competitive advantages. The company plans to reassemble the plant at Okanjande and secure capital to fund the restart of mining operations. Northern Graphite is pursuing an integrated mine-to-battery graphite business, which includes developing a battery anode material facility in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with a Saudi company. This strategy aims to establish a fully integrated supply chain and position the company as a global leader in secure, non-China battery materials, with the Namibian operations being a key part of this broader strategy.
Clinical psychologist Tony de Gouveia, practicing at Netcare Akeso Alberton, highlights that poor sleep is a significant factor in anxiety, depression, and decreased productivity. He emphasizes that sleep's impact on mental well-being is often underestimated, noting that it is crucial for cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, not just physical energy. De Gouveia states that between a third and half of people regularly fail to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep per night. He identifies modern lifestyle habits, such as late-night "doomscrolling" and blue light exposure from screens, as growing threats to sleep quality. Stress is also a major disruptor, with racing thoughts delaying sleep onset. Women are statistically more prone to sleep difficulties due to physiological and social factors, including childcare responsibilities. De Gouveia advises against using alcohol or cannabis as sleep aids due to their disruptive effects on natural sleep cycles. He recommends establishing a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding devices and dimming lights 20 minutes before bed, limiting caffeine after lunch and fluids before bedtime, maintaining a cool and comfortable sleeping environment, ensuring a quiet space, and avoiding oversleeping or long daytime naps. He urges individuals with persistent sleep problems to seek professional help to rule out underlying physical causes or address stress and anxiety with a mental health professional.