Extreme heat

Parliament’s president Roberta Metsola opened the plenary session by commenting on the summer’s record-breaking heatwaves, and the wildfires that endangered communities, damaged ecosystems and cost EU economies billions. She also remembered the terrible human cost, with thousands of lives lost. To a lengthy round of applause from MEPs, she thanked the brave firefighters and emergency workers who had crossed borders and risked their lives to help others this summer. “Now, it is up to us in this House to work together so that when the next natural disaster hits, we are better prepared” she said.

Iran

Once again, the president spoke about the brutal regime in Iran and the cruelty being endured by its people. She referred in particular to the case of twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi. They were just teenagers when they were dragged from their beds by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in January. They have suffered horrific torture since then. Tareneh…