Russia strikes Turkish-owned bulk vessel off Ukraine’s southern coast
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incide...
Storm Claudia, which brought violent weather to Portugal, has resulted in the deaths of three people and left dozens injured, authorities reported on Saturday. Meanwhile, in Britain, rescue teams were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England.
Portugal and parts of neighbouring Spain have experienced several days of extreme weather caused by Storm Claudia, which had also reached Britain and Ireland by Saturday.
Rescue teams discovered the bodies of an elderly couple in their flooded home in Fernao Ferro, just across the River Tagus from Lisbon, on Thursday. It appears they were sleeping when the floodwaters rose overnight, leaving them unable to escape.
On Saturday, a tornado hit Albufeira in southern Portugal, emergency services confirmed. Online footage showed the tornado destroying caravans at a camping site, with regional civil protection commander Vitor Vaz Pinto stating that an 85-year-old British woman was killed.
Twenty-eight people were injured at a nearby hotel, two of whom were hospitalised with serious injuries.
In a statement, Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his condolences to the victim's family and wished those injured a swift recovery.
Portugal's weather service, IPMA, issued an amber alert—its second-highest level—for the entire Algarve region, as well as the districts of Beja and Setubal. Storm Claudia causes flooding in Wales and England
In the UK, severe flooding affected the town of Monmouth and surrounding areas in southeastern Wales on Saturday.
The South Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that it was conducting rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks in the area.
"Storm Claudia has caused extensive flooding in parts of Wales overnight, impacting homes, businesses, and transport and energy infrastructure," said a spokesperson for the Welsh government.
Aerial footage revealed widespread flooding in Monmouth, with water inundating the town centre and residential areas after a nearby river burst its banks.
Natural Resources Wales issued 11 flood warnings, four of which were severe, and 17 flood alerts.
In England, the Environment Agency reported 49 active flood warnings and 134 flood alerts.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a multi-nation diplomatic tour of the Middle East, showing Beijing’s deepening engagement in a region undergoing conflicts, shifting alliances and major geopolitical realignments.
Pakistan and China are conducting a joint counterterrorism exercise, Warrior IX, to strengthen military cooperation. The drill comes at a time of renewed regional instability, with analysts saying it underscores both countries’ determination to deepen security ties.
A former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar, now a wildlife park in Colombia, has marked Christmas by setting animals festive feeding challenges designed to boost their mental and physical health.
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