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Air Transat Faces Flight Suspensions Amid Pilot Strike Notice

  Air Transat has announced it will gradually suspend flights starting Monday following a 72-hour strike notice issued by its pilots’ union. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), representing roughly 700 pilots, delivered the notice after nearly a year of unsuccessful negotiations with the airline’s parent company, Transat A.T. Inc. Background The union filed the strike notice on Sunday, giving pilots the legal right to walk off the job as early as Wednesday. Last week, pilots voted 99% in favor of strike action , underscoring their frustration over stalled contract talks. ALPA leaders emphasized that pilots do not want to strike but feel compelled to act after management failed to meet demands for a modernized agreement. Airline Response Air Transat confirmed it will begin suspending flights gradually between December 8 and 9 to prepare for a possible full shutdown. The company stated it is working “around the clock” to reach a deal and minimize disruption for trave...
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Inferno in the South: France Battles Its Largest Wildfire of 2025

                                           Trees burn during a wildfire near Narbonne, southern France, August 6, 2025. 

France Faces Devastating Wildfire in Aude Region

Southern France is grappling with its most destructive wildfire of the year, which erupted on August 5 in the village of Ribaute, located in the Aude department near the Spanish border. The blaze has scorched over 13,000 hectares—an area larger than Paris—and continues to spread rapidly due to strong winds, high temperatures, and dry vegetation.

Casualties and Damage

  • One woman was killed after refusing evacuation orders in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse.
  • Nine others were injured, including seven firefighters; one civilian is in critical condition.
  • At least 25 homes and 30 vehicles have been destroyed across 15 communes.
  • Over 2,500 households are without electricity due to damaged transmission lines.

Massive Emergency Response

  • More than 1,800 firefighters are deployed.
  • Aerial support includes nine Canadair planes, five Dash water bombers, and two helicopters.
  • Roads including parts of the A9 and A61 autoroutes have been closed to aid emergency operations.

Climate and Conditions The fire is fueled by tramontane winds gusting up to 70 km/h, temperatures exceeding 32°C, and humidity below 25%. The Corbières massif, where the fire originated, is among the driest areas in the region.

National Mobilization President Emmanuel Macron stated that “all the nation’s resources are mobilized,” while Prime Minister François Bayrou is expected to visit the affected area.

This wildfire marks a grim milestone in a summer already plagued by extreme heat and drought across southern Europe. Scientists warn that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such disasters.



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