Charlie Alford

Big Oil must foot the bill for urgent heat protection as Europe swelters

Post author:The Canary
Post published:13 July 2026
Post last modified:13 July 2026

As deadly heat covers Europe, governments must act quickly to protect lives and force fossil fuel companies to foot the bill. That’s the view of campaign group 350.org. There were more than 10,000 excess deaths across Europe during record-breaking heatwaves in June. Deadly wildfires are still raging in France and Spain. And even in the normally less extreme UK, the death toll has topped 2,700 and multiple fires have taken hold. Climate campaigners urge European governments to take urgent measures to protect the public, especially vulnerable populations, from heat impacts. This includes measures such as upgrading hospitals, care facilities, schools and…

Palantir is feeling heat from the NHS, but will lobbied politicians listen?

Post author:Nandita Lal
Post published:7 July 2026
Post last modified:8 July 2026

Lib Dem MP Martin Wrigley told the Canary last week that the NHS will consider whether to exit its contract with Palantir at the end of this year. Wrigley added that he would be helping to create an “off-ramp” to help the NHS detach from Palantir. In 2023, Palantir was awarded the £330 million NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) contract, covering up to 240 NHS bodies over seven years. The initial term ends in February 2027 and promises to deliver an integrated system where NHS organisations, up to 240 health bodies, can share operational data. Palantir’s NHS sales pitch Palantir clients…

Dog lockdown only way dogs can beat the heat, says RSPCA

Post author:The Canary
Post published:6 July 2026
Post last modified:7 July 2026

The RSPCA is calling on dog owners to implement an urgent routine change, with more extreme hot weather forecast across England and Wales. The charity is urging dog owners to prepare for another spell of high temperatures. It says that even without the extreme 35°C highs seen in June, upcoming conditions could still be hazardous for pets. ‘Dog lockdown’ Pet experts are recommending a ‘dog lockdown’ for the hottest coming days. They’re highlighting that temperatures in the high 20s still pose a serious threat to pets and owners should treat the conditions with caution. The call comes as the Met Office…

2026 World Cup breaks attendance record as fans defy heat and travel disruptions

Post author:Alaa Shamali
Post published:26 June 2026
Post last modified:26 June 2026

The 2026 World Cup has made history in a big way, with FIFA announcing the highest spectator turnout in the tournament’s history, surpassing the record that stood since the 1994 World Cup in the United States. 2026 World Cup breaks old record Total attendance at this year’s tournament reached 3,605,357 spectators on 25 June, after 56 matches. This surpassed the previous record of 3,587,538 spectators, which was set over 52 matches at the 1994 edition. Without a doubt, the world came together for this cup in record numbers. FIFA officially announced the milestone during the match between Germany and Ecuador. This…

Trade Unions and climate groups call national Heat Strike

Post author:The Canary
Post published:24 June 2026
Post last modified:24 June 2026

A coalition of trade unions and climate groups announced on 23 June that they’re calling a national Heat Strike at the peak of the heatwave this week. This is after the UK Health Security Agency issued a rare red heat health alert, followed by the Met Office’s Red Extreme Heat Warning for parts of England. Temperatures were forecast to reach as high as 39°C, smashing previous records for June. Along with members of the public around the UK, the organisations taking part in the Heat Strike include: Trades Union Congress (TUC). Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU). Fire Brigades Union…

This week’s sweltering heat is financed by our banks

Post author:Abi Perrin
Post published:23 June 2026
Post last modified:23 June 2026

As the UK braces itself for the impacts of yet more extreme heat, major banks continue to plough money – nearly $1 trillion in the past year alone – into fossil fuels. This makes a mockery of their pledges to act on the climate crisis, and makes big oil even more profitable whilst communities roast, crops die, infrastructure fails, wars rage and the cost-of-living crisis bites harder. Still banking on climate chaos The UK’s second ever extreme heat warning has been issued this week, with temperatures as high as 40℃ anticipated. Around the time of the first extreme heat warning in…

US revenge strikes leave 20k Iranians without water in deadly heat

Post author:Joe Glenton
Post published:10 June 2026
Post last modified:10 June 2026

The US launched revenge-strikes after an Iranian drone knocked out an Apache helicopter on 9 June. The US hit two reservoirs in southern Iran, leaving tens of thousands without drinking water in 40-degree heat. The Geneva Convention insists military forces must distinguish between civilian and military infrastructure. The attack was reported as a footnote by legacy media. NBC said: Around 20,000 Iranians have lost access to drinking water after two reservoirs were reportedly struck in U.S. strikes, according to the Iranian judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan. The news agency reported the development after Abdolhamid Hamzehpour, CEO of Hormozgan Province Water and…