International

Floods ravage Spain, death toll soars past 150

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2024

The force of the floods swept cars away - residents are having to deal with the clean up

Floods ravage Spain, death toll soars past 150

At least 158 people have died in Spain’s worst flooding disaster in generations as rescuers battle odds to find survivors.

On Thursday more than 1,200 workers, aided by drones, were deployed to the rescue mission as rains continued to threaten parts of the country.

“Right now the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told victims in a visit to affected communities.

But in some of the towns worst- hit in Tuesday night’s floods, people were left to the task of recovering bodies from the mud and wreckage.

A least 155 deaths were recorded in Valencia, while another two have been recorded in Castilla-La Mancha to the province’s west, and another, a British man, in Andalusia.

In the town of Paiporta, Valencia where a river burst its banks, at least 40 deaths have been recorded so far.

“We all know someone who has died,” said pharmacist Miguel Guerrilla, standing outside his chemist shop which has been covered in thick mud.

“It’s a nightmare.”

On Thursday, the BBC saw undertakers and funeral vans retrieving bodies from the street, while on nearby roads, cars swept away by the storm surge were piled on top of each other.

READ ALSO:

Motorists have recounted the horror of being trapped by the surging tides on Tuesday which turned highways and streets into rivers – many who survived climbed trees or bridges to escape.

Officials haven’t disclosed the number of people still missing but said there are “many”, as the toll rose by about another 60 deaths on Thursday.

More than 90 deaths were recorded on Wednesday alone in the immediate aftermath of the torrential rains and flash floods, which largely affected Valencia, as well as Castilla-La Mancha and as far south as Malaga.

The town of Chiva near Valencia received the equivalent of one year’s rainfall in just eight hours according to the Spanish meteorological agency Aemet.

As further rain warnings were issued for the south and east of the country on Thursday, King Felipe VI warned the emergency was “still not over” and PM Sánchez warned citizens to take shelter where necessary.

Meanwhile in flood-affected areas, hundreds are sheltering in temporary accommodation and beginning the slow, arduous task of clearing streets and recovering homes and businesses.

Many roads and the rail network connecting Valencia to the rest of Spain remain cut off.

Spain began an official three-day national mourning period on Thursday with flags at half-mast on government buildings and minutes of silence held.

READ ALSO:

Public anger is growing over how a developed European country appeared to fail to warn many communities of the flood danger in time.

Questions have been asked over whether disaster management services issued warnings too late.

The civil protection agency, deployed during national disasters, did not issue an alert until 20:15 on Tuesday evening local time, by which time several places in Valencia had been flooded for hours.

Authorities have called the downpours and flooding “unprecedented”.

Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.

Weather researchers have identified the likely main cause of the intense rainfall as a “gota fria” – a natural weather event that hits Spain in autumn and winter when cold air descends on warmer waters over the Mediterranean.

However, the increase in global temperatures had led to the clouds carrying more rain, scientists told the BBC.

The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions.

“No doubt about it, these explosive downpours were intensified by climate change,” said Dr Friederike Otto, from Imperial College London, who leads an international group of scientists who try to understand the role that warming plays in these type of events.

The death toll is the worst from floods in Spain since 1973, when at least 150 people were estimated to have died in the southeastern provinces of Granada, Murcia and Almeria.

Floods ravage Spain, death toll soars past 150

BBC

International

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

Published

4 days ago

May 24, 2026

Trends Admin

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

At least 82 people have been confirmed dead and two others remain missing following a devastating coal mine explosion in China, officials said, after rescue authorities revised an earlier higher death toll in the chaotic aftermath of the disaster.

The blast occurred on Friday at the Liushenyu Coal Mine in Shanxi province, one of China’s major coal-producing regions, and is now being described as the country’s worst mining disaster since 2009.

According to state media reports and officials, about 247 workers were on duty at the time of the explosion, which struck at around 19:29 local time (11:29 GMT). More than 100 workers were rescued from the site as hundreds of emergency responders were deployed to the scene.

Authorities initially reported a higher death toll of around 90 before later revising the figure down to 82, citing confusion in the early stages of the rescue operation.

Officials explained that the situation at the mine was chaotic immediately after the explosion, which led to an unclear headcount and inconsistent reporting of casualties.

A total of 128 injured miners are currently receiving hospital treatment, with at least two reported to be in critical condition. Many of the victims are believed to have suffered from inhaling toxic gases released during the explosion, though the exact substance has not yet been officially confirmed.

READ ALSO:

One injured miner, identified as Wang Yong, recounted the terrifying moment the blast occurred, describing a sudden plume of smoke and a strong sulphur-like smell spreading through the mine.

“I smelled sulphur, the same smell you get from blasting. I shouted at people to run. As we were running I could see people collapsing from the fumes. Then I blacked out too,” he said, adding that he later regained consciousness and helped another worker escape.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered that “no effort must be spared” in rescue and treatment operations, while also calling for urgent medical care for the injured.

China’s State Council has also announced a full investigation into the incident, promising that those found responsible for any safety violations or negligence will face strict punishment.

The Liushenyu explosion has renewed concerns over coal mine safety in China, where industrial accidents have historically been linked to safety lapses despite repeated government crackdowns.

Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue searching for the missing workers and assess the full extent of the disaster.

China Coal Mine Explosion Leaves at Least 82 Dead

International

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

Published

4 days ago

May 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

A White House security shooting on Saturday evening left a 21-year-old armed suspect dead after he allegedly opened fire at a Secret Service security checkpoint just outside the presidential complex in Washington, D.C.

The suspect, identified as Nasire Best, reportedly approached the checkpoint near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest shortly after 6 p.m. local time before pulling a firearm from a bag and firing at officers.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, officers immediately returned fire, striking the suspect during the exchange. He was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The incident triggered an immediate White House lockdown, forcing journalists and staff members on the North Lawn to shelter in place as armed agents secured the area.

Witnesses described hearing between 15 and 30 gunshots during the brief but intense confrontation, which caused panic around the heavily guarded perimeter of the White House.

READ ALSO:

Authorities also confirmed that one bystander was injured during the shooting and taken to hospital for treatment. However, investigators have yet to determine whether the person was struck by bullets fired by the suspect or by return fire from Secret Service officers.

Importantly, no Secret Service personnel were injured in the attack.

At the time of the shooting, President Donald Trump was inside the White House but was not harmed or directly affected, according to officials.

The lockdown was lifted less than an hour later after law enforcement confirmed that the threat had been neutralised.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting the Secret Service with the ongoing investigation.

Preliminary reports from U.S. media indicate that the suspect may have had previous encounters with law enforcement and the Secret Service. Some reports suggest he had attempted to access restricted areas around the White House in the past.

Investigators are currently working to determine the motive behind the attack, while federal authorities continue to examine the suspect’s background and possible intentions.

The Washington shooting near the White House has renewed concerns about security threats targeting high-profile U.S. political institutions, despite the extensive protective measures already in place around the presidential residence.

Secret Service Shoots Dead Armed Suspect After Gunfire Near White House

International

US Ends 60-Year Policy, Orders Nigerians, Others Home for Green Card Processing

Published

5 days ago

May 23, 2026

Trends Admin

US Ends 60-Year Policy, Orders Nigerians, Others Home for Green Card Processing

United States President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration policy requiring Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking green cards to return to their countries of origin to complete the application process, except under extraordinary circumstances. The directive was announced on Friday through a statement released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) , effectively ending a longstanding practice that had allowed legal immigrants to apply for and obtain permanent residency from within the United States for over 60 years . According to the agency, the policy is intended to restore what it described as the “original intent” of American immigration laws .

USCIS explained that individuals seeking permanent residency through adjustment of status would now process their applications at US consular offices outside the country under the supervision of the Department of State. The agency stated, “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances” . A spokesperson for USCIS, Zach Kahler , said the measure would help reduce the number of immigrants who remain in the United States unlawfully after their residency requests are denied .

“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes. When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency,” Kahler said . The immigration agency noted that the new policy would mainly affect temporary visa holders , including tourists, students, and foreign workers residing in the United States on nonimmigrant visas . “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” the statement added.

READ ALSO:

USCIS further argued that handling green card applications through overseas consular offices would allow the agency to redirect resources to other immigration-related responsibilities. According to the statement, greater attention would now be given to applications involving victims of violent crimes, cases linked to human trafficking, naturalisation requests, and related immigration services. “The law was written this way for a reason, and despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient,” the agency stated .

The policy change has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights advocates, legal experts, and humanitarian organisations , who warn that it could separate families, create new barriers for applicants, and expose some individuals to long waits or dangers in their countries of origin. World Relief , a humanitarian and refugee resettlement organization, warned in a statement: “If families are told that the non-citizen family member must return to his or her country of origin to process their immigrant visa, but immigrant visas are not being processed there, it’s a Catch-22. These policies will effectively create an indefinite separation of families” .

Jamaican immigration attorney Dahlia Walker-Huntington told The Gleaner that the move is likely headed for a major legal challenge. “I can bet my last dollar that there will be a lawsuit in short order to stop this. As far as immigration lawyers are concerned, this is against existing law. Adjustment of status is not a policy… a discretionary policy, it is factored into law,” she said. She pointed to section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act , which allows certain qualifying immigrants to obtain a green card from within the US . Attorney Oliver J. Langstadt added that this policy memo is going to result in “heavy litigation,” and that his “colleagues are already brewing for a fight” .

The immigration agency noted that officers are now directed to consider all relevant factors and information on a case-by-case basis when determining whether an alien warrants this “extraordinary form of relief” . The memo doesn’t create new law but could influence officers to treat applicants more skeptically, said Rachel Girod , a partner at Eldridge Crandell. “They’re implying that it’s a negative factor to even just be applying for adjustment of status,” Girod said, arguing USCIS selectively cited decades-old case law to justify a more restrictive approach. Legal challenges could emerge if USCIS begins denying applications based heavily on the memo’s discretionary framework, Girod said .

USCIS did not specify when the change would take effect , whether individuals would be required to remain outside the United States throughout the entire processing period, or whether the policy would affect applications already pending. According to an analyst with the Cato Institute, more than 1 million immigrants in the US are waiting on their green cards . The announcement has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities across the United States, including thousands of Nigerians who are currently in the country legally on various visa categories and were pursuing the path to permanent residency .

READ ALSO:

The policy also raises serious concerns for individuals from countries where US consular operations are limited or suspended. Attorney Langstadt noted that with the current pause on immigrant visa processing in 75 countries, insisting that people go overseas means they are “basically walking into a serious problem.” He further stated that there are people who are trying to get their green cards but have overstayed their legal stay in the US, and if they leave and go overseas, they would be subjected to a three or a 10-year bar and will have to file an additional waiver abroad which may or may not be granted .

HIAS , an aid group that provides services to refugees, among other groups of immigrants, said USCIS was forcing survivors of trafficking and abused and neglected children to return to the dangerous countries they fled in order to process their applications for green cards granting them permanent residency in the US . The group argued that this policy could put the most vulnerable migrants at serious risk by forcing them back into harm’s way. The USCIS memo does provide for “extraordinary circumstances” to be considered, but it remains unclear what criteria would qualify for such an exemption .

The latest directive comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration. In December 2025, the administration temporarily suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians and nationals of several other countries that were added to a US travel ban, according to reports by CBS News . The suspension affected legal immigration applications handled by USCIS and largely targeted applicants from selected African and Asian countries. Many of those impacted were already residing legally in the United States and were seeking permanent residency or US citizenship . The administration also instructed USCIS to halt immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and naturalisation, from nationals of 19 countries covered by a travel ban announced in June, with Nigeria listed under “partial suspension” alongside Angola, Benin, Senegal, Tanzania, and others .

Friday’s policy change is the latest in a series of steps taken by Donald Trump over the last year to tighten immigration to the United States. Last year, the Trump administration moved to shorten the duration of visas for students, cultural exchange visitors, and members of the media. In January 2026, the state department announced that it had revoked more than 100,000 visas in the second Trump administration . The administration has also attacked other immigrants with legal status in the US, like refugees and other protected immigrants .

The move followed a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., during Thanksgiving week in which two National Guard soldiers were injured. US authorities alleged that the attack was carried out by an Afghan national . The administration has cited security concerns as justification for many of its recent immigration restrictions. The December 2025 suspension of green card processing for nationals of travel ban countries was reportedly linked to this incident .

Immigration attorneys are advising clients to seek legal counsel to understand how the new policy might affect their specific circumstances and to explore whether they might qualify for the “extraordinary circumstances” exemption. Walker-Huntington offered advice to those affected: “It’s rough. And I feel for my people today who are getting word of this, and I really just want to tell them, if you have a lawyer, reach out to your lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, reach out to a lawyer” . As legal challenges are expected to be filed in short order, the fate of this policy may ultimately be decided by the federal courts.