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Survey Reveals Major Gaps in Disaster Preparedness Across Europe

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A new Eurobarometer survey has uncovered alarming gaps in disaster preparedness across Europe, with Southern European countries particularly lagging in awareness and readiness. Despite the increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, fewer than four in ten Europeans feel well-prepared for emergencies, and even fewer—just 9%—know about their city or region’s disaster response plans.

Lack of Awareness and Communication Gaps

The survey, conducted in early 2024 with over 26,000 participants across the EU, found that public knowledge of emergency procedures varies widely. Only 2% of respondents in Malta and Greece reported being informed about their local disaster response plans, compared to 20% in Sweden and 19% in Finland.

The disparity is stark but not surprising. In Sweden and Finland, at least one in five people have participated in emergency preparedness training. In contrast, many Southern European nations report low levels of confidence in their ability to handle disasters, despite being highly exposed to climate-related hazards like wildfires, heatwaves, and floods.

“The event was neither unexpected nor adequately prepared for,” said Professor David Alexander, an expert in emergency management at University College London, referring to the Valencia floods of October 2023, which claimed over 200 lives. He noted that while meteorological warnings were issued, poor administrative response and public awareness led to devastating consequences.

Who Feels Most—and Least—Prepared?

The survey also assessed how prepared Europeans feel on a personal level. Only 37% of EU citizens consider themselves well-prepared for disasters, while 58% do not.

Confidence levels vary significantly by country:

  • Slovenia ranks the highest, with 65% of respondents feeling prepared. The country has a strong culture of community resilience, with 31% of Slovenians engaging in volunteer work related to disaster preparedness.
  • Southern Europe lags behind, with Portugal (27%), Greece (28%), Spain (29%), and Italy (34%) reporting the lowest confidence levels.
  • Western and Central European nations such as France (30%) and the Netherlands (31%) also scored below 40%.
  • Only five EU countries have a majority of citizens who feel well-prepared, with Slovenia being the only one above 60%.

A Disconnect Between Perception and Reality

Despite these low confidence levels, the survey suggests that self-reported preparedness does not always reflect actual capability.

“People commonly overestimate their own resilience,” said Professor Alexander, pointing to studies where individuals assumed they could manage floods simply by waiting upstairs—without considering the loss of electricity, heating, or water supply.

In terms of knowledge, only 46% of Europeans say they know what to do in an emergency, while 48% admit they do not. Once again, Northern and Central European countries (Slovenia, Sweden, Finland, Austria, and the Netherlands) rank highest in awareness, while Mediterranean nations (Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Malta) score the lowest.

A Growing Demand for Information

The survey highlights a growing demand for better access to disaster preparedness information. 65% of Europeans say they need more guidance, with this figure reaching 84% in Greece. Nearly half (49%) would turn to national media to learn about disaster risks.

Experts stress that clearer communication, public education, and community engagement are essential.

“They need better access to good, hard information on what the risks are and how to respond,” said Professor Alexander, calling for higher standards in emergency planning.

With climate change driving more frequent and severe weather events, the urgency for better disaster preparedness has never been greater. Italy, Greece, and Spain are among the European countries facing the most severe human and economic impacts from extreme weather—yet their citizens feel among the least prepared.

As policymakers assess these findings, one message is clear: improving public awareness and emergency response planning must become a top priority in the face of escalating climate risks.

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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

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What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.

Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.

The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.

According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”

Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.

The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.

The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.

PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.

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Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

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Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.

According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”

The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.

Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.

The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.

The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.

There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.

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German Chancellor Merz to Meet President Trump in Washington Amid Global Tensions

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to make his first official visit to Washington next week for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, the German government confirmed Saturday. The high-level meeting comes as global concerns mount over Russia’s war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East, and a looming trade dispute between the United States and the European Union.

Chancellor Merz, who assumed office on May 6, will hold bilateral talks with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference and a working lunch, according to U.S. and German officials. Merz is scheduled to depart Berlin late Wednesday evening after hosting a dinner with German state premiers.

Key topics on the agenda include the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which remains a central concern for both Washington and Berlin. The leaders are also expected to address trade relations, particularly in light of President Trump’s recent threat to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports. The U.S. administration has delayed implementation until July 9, but the potential tariffs have raised alarms in European capitals.

The upcoming visit will mark the first in-person meeting between Merz and Trump, although the two leaders have maintained regular communication in recent weeks. They have held several phone calls, including one-on-one discussions and multilateral talks with other European leaders focused on efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Chancellor Merz has taken an active diplomatic role since taking office, pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine and seeking to reinforce Western unity in support of Kyiv. Just days before his U.S. trip, Merz hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, reaffirming Germany’s military and humanitarian assistance.

Trade will be another crucial point of discussion, with Germany keen to prevent a transatlantic escalation that could damage both economies. Merz is expected to press for a negotiated solution to avoid further tariffs and protect German exports, which are heavily reliant on access to U.S. markets.

The visit is seen as a pivotal moment for Merz as he works to establish his international profile and strengthen Germany’s transatlantic ties. With global security and economic stability hanging in the balance, the meeting is expected to send key signals about the future direction of U.S.-German relations.

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