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.

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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.

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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

Trump says US will ‘completely decimate’ Iran if he is assassinated

Published

23 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Trends Admin

Trump says US will ‘completely decimate’ Iran if he is assassinated

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States would launch an overwhelming military response against Iran if the Islamic Republic attempted or succeeded in assassinating him, declaring that the country would be “completely decimated” under plans he said had already been approved.

The warning, issued on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, marked one of his strongest public statements against Iran since tensions between Washington and Tehran resurfaced following renewed disputes over a fragile ceasefire agreement and ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

In the post, Trump claimed the US military had already prepared extensive contingency plans to respond to any assassination attempt against a sitting American president.

“1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” Trump wrote.

The President added that the military had standing orders to carry out a devastating response if such an attack occurred.

“Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one-year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran,” he stated.

Although Trump did not present new evidence to support his claim, US officials have previously disclosed concerns about alleged Iranian threats against current and former American officials following the 2020 US drone strike that killed senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran has consistently denied plotting to assassinate American leaders.

Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump revealed that Washington had agreed to continue diplomatic engagement after Iran requested another round of negotiations.

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“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the ceasefire is over,” Trump said.

His comments came just one day after he reiterated during the NATO Summit that the ceasefire arrangement reached between both countries had effectively collapsed following recent military exchanges.

The renewed diplomatic contacts suggest that while both sides remain sharply divided, neither Washington nor Tehran has completely abandoned efforts to resolve their differences through negotiations.

Iran swiftly rejected Trump’s claims, insisting it had complied with the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the agreement, particularly provisions relating to sanctions and military deployments.

According to Araghchi, Tehran has continued to fulfil its obligations under the interim arrangement while the United States has failed to fully implement its own commitments.

“There can only be mutual compliance,” the Iranian foreign minister said, arguing that lasting progress can only be achieved if both countries honour every aspect of the agreement.

The memorandum of understanding was designed to reduce tensions by maintaining the status quo on Iran’s nuclear activities while creating a framework for broader negotiations on sanctions, regional security and confidence-building measures.

Although no fresh direct negotiations have been announced since the latest exchange of threats, diplomatic contacts remain active.

Regional mediators, particularly Qatar, continue to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran in an effort to prevent the situation from escalating into a wider regional conflict.

Officials familiar with the negotiations say discussions remain focused on preserving diplomatic channels while reducing the risk of military confrontation across the Middle East.

Relations between the United States and Iran have remained strained for years over Iran’s nuclear programme, US economic sanctions, regional proxy conflicts and military activities in the Gulf.

The latest exchange of warnings comes against the backdrop of heightened instability across the Middle East, where conflicts involving Iran, Israel and armed groups aligned with Tehran continue to fuel international concern.

Security analysts say Trump’s latest remarks underscore the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence that continues to define US-Iran relations.

While negotiations remain on the table, experts warn that continued hostile rhetoric or further military incidents could undermine diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of another regional confrontation.

For now, both Washington and Tehran appear determined to maintain dialogue while simultaneously projecting military strength, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain.

The international community continues to monitor developments closely, with global powers urging both countries to exercise restraint, honour existing commitments and pursue peaceful solutions through sustained diplomacy.

Trump says US will ‘completely decimate’ Iran if he is assassinated

International

Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump

Published

2 days ago

July 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump

Israeli intelligence authorities have reportedly alerted the United States to a fresh and specific Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Thursday that Israel provided new intelligence revealing that Iran had recently developed a detailed plan to kill the American president. The warning, delivered earlier this week, was described by sources as more concrete than previous threat assessments, marking a significant escalation in intelligence-sharing between the two allies amid growing regional instability.

While the exact details of the alleged plot remain classified, officials familiar with the briefing confirmed that the Israeli intelligence pointed to a coordinated operation aimed at the US leader. According to CNN, US authorities had been tracking a “steady drumbeat” of general threats against Trump in recent weeks, but the Israeli warning was considered new and operationally specific. However, US intelligence agencies have not yet independently verified the plot, and officials admitted they were not actively tracking this particular scheme before receiving the Israeli alert, leaving some room for caution within Washington’s national security apparatus.

President Trump addressed the threats publicly during a visit to Ankara, Turkey, following the NATO summit on Wednesday. He told reporters: “They want to take out the US leader – me. I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists. So far, I guess I’ve been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long. These are evil, sick people.” He added that Iran had recently updated a ranking list of assassination targets, placing him at the top – though it remains unclear whether he was directly referring to the Israeli intelligence report or to separate threat assessments circulating within US security circles.

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The reported plot comes amid years of open threats from Iranian authorities vowing retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani – a top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – during Trump’s first term. Although Iranian officials have publicly pledged revenge on multiple occasions, the latest intelligence suggests a new and active operational phase, rather than a continuation of rhetorical threats. This shift has heightened concerns among US counter-terrorism officials, who now view the Iranian threat as more immediate and actionable than previously assessed.

The intelligence warning surfaces against a backdrop of renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The US resumed large-scale airstrikes on Iranian positions on 8 July, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump declared the ceasefire agreement “over” on Wednesday, though diplomatic backchannels reportedly remain open. Meanwhile, the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February, saw mass gatherings where mourners chanted anti-Trump slogans and displayed banners reading “We Will Kill Trump,” underscoring the depth of anti-American sentiment within the Iranian establishment.

Despite the seriousness of the Israeli warning, some US officials have expressed caution. According to insiders, there is a degree of scepticism within the American intelligence community about the timing and intent of the Israeli report. Some analysts suggest that Israel may be seeking to influence President Trump’s decision-making as he weighs whether to intensify military action against Iran. The intelligence, they argue, could serve as a strategic lever to push the US toward a harder line, rather than representing an immediate and verifiable threat. This scepticism reflects broader tensions in US-Israeli intelligence relations, where shared information is sometimes viewed through the lens of各自 national interests.

As of now, US security agencies have increased protective measures around the president, though specifics remain undisclosed for operational security reasons. Diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, even as military strikes resume, suggesting that both Washington and Tehran are hedging their bets. Iran has not formally responded to the Israeli intelligence claims, and its UN mission declined to comment when approached by reporters. The situation remains fluid, and the coming days are likely to bring further developments as Washington and Tehran navigate one of the most volatile chapters in their long-standing conflict, with global attention fixed on whether the alleged plot will materialise or remain another layer in the ongoing shadow war between the two nations.

Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump

International

CENTCOM confirms US hit 170 Iranian military targets in 48-hour offensive

Published

3 days ago

July 9, 2026

Trends Admin

CENTCOM confirms US hit 170 Iranian military targets in 48-hour offensive

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) says American forces have struck more than 170 Iranian military targets over two consecutive nights, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East after a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed.

According to CENTCOM, the operation was launched in retaliation for Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor through which about one-fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil passes. The U.S. military described the attacks as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a threat to global maritime security.

CENTCOM said the first wave of strikes, conducted on Tuesday night, targeted more than 80 Iranian military sites, including air defence systems, command and control networks, coastal radar installations, anti-ship missile systems, and more than 60 boats belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

The military command said a second wave of attacks followed on Wednesday night, with U.S. forces striking approximately 90 additional military targets along Iran’s southern coastline. The latest operation focused on degrading Iran’s ability to threaten international shipping by targeting coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage facilities, naval capabilities, air defence positions, and military logistics infrastructure.

In a statement posted on its official X account, CENTCOM said U.S. forces remained ready to respond to any further violations of the ceasefire.

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“U.S. forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed,” the command said.

Iranian state media reported explosions in several southern cities, including Bandar Abbas, Chabahar and Konarak, with parts of the affected areas experiencing electricity outages following the bombardments.

Iranian authorities said the initial U.S. strikes killed at least eight military personnel, while the country’s Health Ministry later reported that the overall casualty toll from the two-day operation had risen to 14 people killed and 78 injured. Those figures have not been independently verified.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, triggering air raid sirens and prompting air defence systems across the Gulf to intercept incoming projectiles. U.S. and Gulf officials reported no immediate casualties, although military bases remained on high alert.

The latest confrontation followed Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers identified by CENTCOM as the Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, the Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and the Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity.

The U.S. military described the attacks on the vessels as “unwarranted aggression” that endangered freedom of navigation and disrupted one of the world’s busiest energy shipping lanes. CENTCOM also said commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had dropped sharply following the attacks.

Speaking during the NATO Summit in Türkiye, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran on June 17 was effectively over, warning that the American military campaign would intensify if Tehran continued to threaten commercial shipping.

Trump said Washington remained open to limited diplomatic contacts but expressed little confidence that negotiations would produce a lasting agreement. He also warned that further disruptions to maritime trade could trigger a stronger U.S. military response.

The U.S. administration also reinstated sweeping sanctions on Iranian oil exports by revoking a temporary waiver that had allowed Tehran to continue limited crude sales during ceasefire negotiations, further increasing economic pressure on the Iranian government.

The renewed military confrontation sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with international benchmark Brent crude surging to nearly $80 per barrel as investors reacted to fears of possible supply disruptions.

Analysts warned that any prolonged conflict around the Strait of Hormuz could push global crude oil prices even higher, increase fuel costs, worsen inflation and disrupt international supply chains, given the strategic importance of the waterway to global energy exports.

Security analysts say the latest exchange of attacks represents one of the most serious military confrontations between Washington and Tehran in recent years, raising concerns that the conflict could spread beyond the Gulf if diplomatic efforts fail to restore calm.

Although both countries have kept limited diplomatic channels open, the collapse of the ceasefire has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict involving additional state and non-state actors across the Middle East.