Tuesday briefing: The latest from Greece, as wildfires rage and thousands are evacuated

In today's newsletter: At least ten hospitalised, and nearly 20,000 relocated from Rhodes - how Greece is tackling its climate crisis

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Good morning.

Wildfires in Greece were never uncommon but, in recent years, they have become an increasingly catastrophic problem. This year, they look set to be some of the worst the country has ever seen: firefighters have been trying to control 82 wildfires that have been burning for the last week, 64 of which started on Sunday during the hottest July weekend in 50 years in Greece (the mercury reached 45C in the central region of Thessaly). Recent analysis by scientists has shown that the human-caused climate crisis is undeniably to blame for the fatal heatwave that has hit Europe and many parts of the world, causing wildfires like the ones we have seen in Greece. And if nothing is done, the problem will only become more acute, with scientists predicting that if the world heats by 2C, these brutal heatwaves will happen every two to five years.

BBC | One of the BBC's best-known journalists and newsreaders, George Alagiah, has died at the age of 67 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer nine years ago, his agent has said. Alagiah presented the News at Six for two decades after a lengthy career as a foreign correspondent.

Israel | Doctors are set to strike on Tuesday in protest against the passing of a key part of Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul, after thousands of protesters took to the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Monday night.

Fire service | Female firefighters are being forced to strip down to their underwear in full view of their male colleagues and the wider public, in an unnecessary, degrading practice" being enforced by an English brigade, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has said.

Water industry | Thames Water has admitted it has failed to install a single smart water meter under a flagship 70m programme to fit hundreds of thousands of the devices to support the UK's green economic recovery" from Covid-19.

Strikes | Thousands of radiographers in England will strike today amid a row with the government over pay, recruitment and retention. Members of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) have voted to reject the 5% pay award offered by ministers and called for talks to reopen after other public sector workers, including junior doctors, were offered more.