World News for Students of English

20-08-2026 07:00

Europe’s severe drought and heatwaves have caused the Danube River to fall to record lows. Due to a lack of cooling water, Romana has been forced to shut down both reactors at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant.

Neighboring Hungary faced a similar crisis at its nuclear facility, which provides 40 percent of the nation’s power. Extreme summer temperatures have shifted peak electricity demand from winter to summer as households rely heavily on air conditioning. Fortunately, Hungary avoided major power shortages because of a massive sixfold increase in solar energy production over the last five years, which covered up to 90 percent of daytime power needs. However, meeting evening electricity demand remains a significant challenge.

Environmental experts warn that growing electricity needs from air conditioning, data centers, and electric vehicles are putting immense strain on energy systems. They emphasize that European policymakers must quickly adapt critical infrastructure to handle unprecedented climate extremes that threaten energy, water, and food security.

Difficult words: shortage (a situation in which there is not enough of something people need), sixfold (six times as much or as many), strain (severe pressure or worry placed on a system, person, or object).

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