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Vatican authorities began on Monday to turn off some 100 fountains, including two Baroque masterpieces in St. Peter's Square, due to a prolonged drought affecting the tiny city state and the city of Rome which surrounds it, according to Reuters.
Suffocating summer heat has followed two years of lower-than-average rainfall in Rome, forcing the Italian capital to close drinking fountains and consider the prospect of water rationing.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said it was the first time authorities in the spiritual home of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics could remember being forced to turn off the fountains.
Standing in St. Peter's Square, where two fountains by 17th-century sculptors Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini stood dry, Burke said the Vatican wanted to help.
Rome is gasping after 72 percent less rain than normal fell in July, according to Sky Italia's weather TV channel. There was 74 percent less than normal in June, and a 56 percent reduction from the long-term average across March, April and May.
As Pope Francis' passing on April 21 has prompted speculation over who will succeed him, media outlets are highlighting potential candidates for the papal conclave
Pope Francis passed away on the morning of April 21 following a stroke, as confirmed by the Vatican's press service
Bulgaria is set to receive 10.9 million euros from the European Union to support corn and sunflower producers impacted by drought conditions
Bulgaria has formally requested the activation of funds from the European Union’s agricultural reserve due to extensive damage caused by the ongoing drought,
The ongoing drought in Bulgaria is attributed to record-high temperatures and outdated infrastructure
Due to an extended period of drought and high temperatures, sunflower and corn yields in Bulgaria are expected to be half of what is typical this year
The European Union has moved to review Article 2 of its Association Agreement with Israel, signed in 2000
On May 20, the European Union officially adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia, intensifying pressure over the war in Ukraine
The center-right AD-PSD/CDS coalition emerged victorious in Sunday’s legislative elections in Portugal, securing 86 parliamentary seats
Poland’s presidential race is heading to a runoff on June 1st, as liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski and conservative Karol Nawrocki emerged as the top contenders in the first round of voting
The European Union’s General Court has delivered a significant blow to the European Commission
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has accused a Russian fighter jet of violating NATO territory after the Estonian Navy attempted to intercept a tanker believed to be
Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update
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