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Heavy snowfalls cause deaths across Europe

Heavy snowfalls cause deaths across Europe Unusually heavy snow and high winds have been lashing Europe, causing the deaths of at least 17 people. The worst of the weather was in Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland. Thousands of people in France and southern Germany spent a night trapped in their cars, trains or emergency shelters because of the heavy snow. Most of the deaths happened in road accidents, but two more people died in avalanches in what looks like being one of the worst seasons on record. The southern German city of Munich received a snow dump of more than 40 centimetres. A passenger plane

Turkey’s Bird-Flu Deaths Bring Virus Nearer to Europe

Turkey's Bird-Flu Deaths Bring Virus Nearer to Europe Turkey said a second teenager infected with avian flu died, indicating the virus that's killed at least 74 people since 2003 has moved outside East Asia to the threshold of Europe. A 15-year-old girl who died earlier today and her 14-year- old brother who died on Jan. 1 both had avian flu, said Huseyin Avni Sahin, chief physician at the hospital where the children died. The hospital, in the eastern city of Van, is treating nine others suspected of having the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus. The deaths come less than two

Severe Weather Ravages Europe

Severe Weather Ravages Europe Severe weather conditions are sweeping across Europe. In Italy, civil defense officials are monitoring swelling rivers and nearby homes are being evacuated. Sudden snowstorms caused several cold-related deaths and disruption in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The severe weather conditions are expected to ease up Monday for a few hours in central Italy. But then more rain is expected until Thursday. Authorities have been forced to close roads and evacuate dozens of families from homes near rivers. Swelling rivers are being carefully monitored. Around 200 people living near the mouth of the River Tiber spent Sunday night in

Europe heatwaves claims more lives

Europe heatwaves claims more lives FRANCE and Italy today reported new victims of a lethal heatwave that has engulfed Europe for the last two weeks, bringing the total death toll to more than 80 people. High temperatures persisted in northern Italy, Germany and southeast Europe, but forecasters predicted that spreading storms and rain would bring respite to many areas of the baking continent. Rain would come as welcome relief to farmers, who in many countries have reported withering crops, and would also help boost perilously low water levels. The French health-monitoring authority InVS updated the death toll in France to 64, from a

Irish health service is bottom of Europe

Irish health service is bottom of Europe A new survey has placed Ireland 25th out of 26 European countries examined for the quality of their health services. The annual study was carried out by the European think-tank Health Consumer Powerhouse, and surveyed the 25 EU member states and Switzerland. The report found that France has the most consumer-friendly healthcare system around Europe, followed closely by the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Luxembourg. In five categories, covering 28 performance indicators, Ireland scores 359 points out of a potential 750. The survey points out that Irish waiting times are long, medical outcomes are bleak, that