Tuesday, August 18

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Why flooding in Spain has been so deadly – and why it could happen again | Science, Climate & Tech News
Business

Why flooding in Spain has been so deadly – and why it could happen again | Science, Climate & Tech News

More than 200 people have died in Spain after nearly a year's worth of rain fell in a matter of hours.On Friday, there were at least 205 confirmed deaths in Valencia, two in Castilla La Mancha, and one in Andalusia. Local authorities issued warnings late on Tuesday, but many say this gave them next-to-no time to prepare for the conditions that had killed dozens by Wednesday.Follow Spain flooding latestHere we look at what caused the flooding - and why they could happen again. How quickly did the floods hit?Heavy rain had already begun in parts of southern Spain on Monday.In contrast to areas like Malaga, where residents told Sky News it had been "chucking it down for two days", the rain did not start in the worst-hit region of Valencia until around 7pm on Tuesday.At 8pm, people in Valencia...
Where to donate an old coat this season: the London charity schemes that need your help
Life Style

Where to donate an old coat this season: the London charity schemes that need your help

If you've unearthed your winter wardrobe after putting it in hibernation for the warm months and found a coat you will no longer wear, then it's time to pass it on. But instead of listing it on a resale site, why not give it to someone who really needs one?Soon temperatures will take a nose dive. So, for those without a permanent home, or unable to afford a coat this season, being given one really could make a huge difference.WrapUp London is now in its 14th year of donating coats via a fleet of over 75 charities in London and further afield. Recipients include women and young children in shelters, young adults, the homeless, the elderly and refugees. Over the years the charity has donated over 165,000 winter warmers. There are WrapUp London drop-off points across the city and in Greater L...
At least 57 people killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza – as Lebanon’s Beirut also hit | World News
Business

At least 57 people killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza – as Lebanon’s Beirut also hit | World News

At least 57 people have been killed in Israeli strikes in central Gaza, the Palestinian news agency WAFA has reported.The attacks took place in three different locations in the central Gaza Strip, the agency reported, with 47 people said to have been killed. Medics also told the news agency Reuters that at least 10 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli strike targeting the entrance of a school sheltering displaced people.The Israeli military said its troops had identified and eliminated "several armed terrorists" in central Gaza and had eliminated "dozens of terrorists" in raids in northern Gaza's Jabalia area - home to one of the enclave's refugee camps.Palestinian officials said among those killed in the series of strikes were five children and seven women. The Israel Defence Forces (ID...
Spain flood death toll hits 205 as Valencia opens temporary morgue
World News

Spain flood death toll hits 205 as Valencia opens temporary morgue

By David Latona and Charlie Devereux, Reuters Locals struggle to clean up after flooding in the town of Massanassa, in Valencia, eastern Spain. Photo: AFP / Jose Jordan Dozens still missing, minister says Convention centre in Valencia used to store bodies Some areas still cut off by floodwaters and mud Firefighters battle to get power supplies back on Spanish rescuers opened a temporary morgue in a convention centre and battled to reach areas still cut off on Friday as the death toll from catastrophic floods rose to 205 people in Europe's worst weather disaster in five decades. In Valencia, the eastern region that bore the brunt of the devastation, at least 202 people have died, regional authorities said. Three have died in Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia. The number of dead is...
New Zealand volcano island owners convicted over eruption that killed 22 people await miscarriage of justice ruling | World News
Business

New Zealand volcano island owners convicted over eruption that killed 22 people await miscarriage of justice ruling | World News

The owners of an island volcano in New Zealand convicted over an eruption that killed 22 people are awaiting a ruling on whether they suffered a miscarriage of justice.A judge is considering an appeal from Whakaari Management, which is run by three brothers who own the active volcano Whakaari, also known as White Island. The company was convicted of failing to keep visitors safe following an eruption that killed 22 tourists and local guides in 2019.In March, it was ordered to pay millions of dollars in fines and reparations to the victims of the eruption, who were mostly US and Australian cruise ship passengers on a walking tour.Whakaari Management's case, laid out in a three-day appeal at the High Court in Auckland which ended on Thursday, was that responsibility for the safety of visitor...
US election: Trump suggests Liz Cheney should face firing squad for her foreign policy stance
World News

US election: Trump suggests Liz Cheney should face firing squad for her foreign policy stance

Former Republican senator Liz Cheney. Photo: AFP Cheney says Trump remark shows he would lead as 'tyrant' Trump evokes image of 'nine barrels shooting at her' Cheney has endorsed Trump's rival Kamala Harris Former U.S. lawmaker Liz Cheney says Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump's violent comment suggesting she should face a firing squad for her foreign policy stance shows he cannot be entrusted with the White House and would target his enemies in office. Former President Trump, who faces Democratic U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday's election, called Cheney "a very dumb individual" and a "war hawk," noting that she and her father, former Republican vice president Dick Cheney, refused to back his third presidential run. "She's a radical war hawk. Let's put...
Heidi Klum’s E.T. Halloween costume out of this world – National
Entertainment, Movies

Heidi Klum’s E.T. Halloween costume out of this world – National

Descrease article font size Increase article font size Heidi Klum and Janelle Monáe opted for out-of-this-world Halloween costumes this year — both choosing to dress as the stubby alien E.T. for their parties on opposite coasts. While the similar costumes will likely spark “who wore it best” debates that are popular in celebrity magazines, the stars chose different interpretations of the creature from Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.(Celebrities didn’t hold back this year — see what others wore for Halloween.)Klum’s husband Tom Kaulitz dressed as E.T., while the model and television personality came as Mrs. E.T. with animatronic eyes, a long neck and a blonde wig. Monáe opted for a stubbier version of the diminutive...
North Korea vows to back Russia until ‘victory’ over Ukraine – as thousands of its troops ‘set to enter combat’ | World News
Business

North Korea vows to back Russia until ‘victory’ over Ukraine – as thousands of its troops ‘set to enter combat’ | World News

North Korea says it will support Russia in its war with Ukraine "until the day of victory" - after the US warned thousands of Pyongyang's troops are set to enter combat in the coming days.North Korea's foreign minister Choe Son Hui hailed Vladimir Putin's "wise leadership" ahead of talks in Moscow on Friday, and insisted that Russia will "achieve a great victory". "We also assure that until the day of victory we will firmly stand alongside our Russian comrades," she added.US secretary of state Antony Blinken has said thousands of North Korean troops are stationed near Ukraine's border and are set to enter combat in the coming days.Mr Blinken said 10,000 soldiers have been deployed to Russia, with up to 8,000 in the Kursk border region, and indicated they would be used on the frontline. He ...
Nova Scotia woman fighting chronic illness says health-care system is failing her
Politics

Nova Scotia woman fighting chronic illness says health-care system is failing her

A Nova Scotia woman fighting a chronic health condition that was caused by her cancer treatment says the next leader of the provincial government needs to help people who require specialized care. Jennifer Brady has lymphedema and has been locked in a battle with the province over her care.Brady, 46, received surgery to treat her cervical cancer in 2020. The surgery was successful, but it left her with the chronic condition that causes painful tissue swelling.The mother of two says her everyday life is impacted — from the time she can spend with her kids to the hobbies she once loved.“I used to be a runner. I would run every day religiously. I loved it. I can’t do that anymore,” she explained.“Walking my dogs, I really can’t do that anymore. And just everything else I love, including my jo...
Botswana election: BDP leader Mokgweetsi Masisi admits ‘massive’ defeat as voters change government after 58 years | World News
Business

Botswana election: BDP leader Mokgweetsi Masisi admits ‘massive’ defeat as voters change government after 58 years | World News

Botswana is set for its first change of governing party in 58 years after president Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the general election.Mr Masisi's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which had held power in the southern African country since independence from Britain in 1966, was in fourth place in the parliamentary elections, after winning three of the 61 seats available. He conceded defeat on Friday morning, before final results were announced, signalling a victory for the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), which had taken 25 seats to that point, needing 31 seats to clinch a majority. Image: Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) presidential candidate Duma Boko voting in the capital, Gaborone. Pic: AP Min...