Europe faced its most widespread flooding last year since 2013, with 30% of the continent's river network hit by significant floods, scientists said, as fossil fuel-driven climate change continued to prompt torrential rain and other extreme weather.

Brussels

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently amid rising sea-levels and increasing temperatures.

Climate Crisis

Europe experienced its most extensive floods in over a decade, according to a report by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization. Scientists attribute this to climate change, as extreme weather events become more frequent globally. In 2024, these floods affected over 410,000 people and caused more than $20 billion in damages across the continent.

Western Europe was particularly hard hit, with the year ranking among the region's ten wettest since 1950. About 30% of Europe's river network exceeded high flood thresholds, while 12% reached severe levels. 2024 also turned out to be the warmest year on record globally, with Europe warming the fastest, rising 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels due to human-induced climate change.

Southeastern Europe experienced a record-breaking 13-day heatwave, while Scandinavia's glaciers shrank rapidly. Eastern Europe dealt with droughts and a lack of rain, contrasting sharply with the floods in Western Europe. However, there were positive developments; renewable energy sources accounted for 45% of Europe's energy in 2024, and most cities have climate adaptation plans in place.



Europe had most widespread floods for over a decade in 2024

Europe faced its most widespread flooding in over a decade last year, scientists said on Tuesday, as climate change continues to prompt extreme weather globally. Deadly floods and storms in 2024 affected over 410,000 people in Europe, causing over 20 billion dollars in damage. Western Europe was hit hardest, with last year ranking among the region's 10 wettest years since 1950. That's according to a joint report by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization. Nearly a third of Europe's overall river network exceeded a high flood threshold, while 12% breached severe flood levels in 2024. Globally, 2024 was the warmest year on record, with Europe being the fastest warming continent. The planet is now about 1.3 degrees Celsius, or 34 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than pre-industrial times, mostly due to human-caused climate change. Southeastern Europe experienced its longest heatwave on record, totaling 13 days, while Scandinavia's glaciers also shrank at record rates. Much of Eastern Europe was hit by a lack of rain and drought, while floods ravaged Western Europe. The report noted some bright spots, though. Renewable energy sources hit a record 45% of Europe's energy in 2024, and most European cities now have climate adaptation plans in place.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday after ripping through Jamaica. CBS News' Jarred Hill has more details.

Havana

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after slamming Jamaica

U.S. President Donald Trump landed in South Korea on Wednesday (October 29) for the final leg of his Asia trip, optimistic about striking a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping after summit talks with South Korea's Lee Jae Myung.

Busan

Trump lands in South Korea, hopes to strike deal with China's Xi

The U.S. Embassy in Mali is urging all American citizens to leave the country immediately, warning of rising terror threats and a worsening fuel crisis caused by a jihadi blockade.

Bamako

U.S. Embassy urges Americans to leave Mali immediately

Israeli planes launched strikes in Gaza on Tuesday (October 28) after Israel accused the militant group Hamas of violating a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory, marking the latest test of a fragile deal brokered earlier this month by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Jerusalem

Israel strikes Gaza after accusing Hamas of violating ceasefire

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said on Tuesday (October 28) that the artificial intelligence chip leader will build seven new supercomputers for the U.S. Department of Energy, and said the company has $500 billion in bookings for its AI chips.

Washington

Nvidia will build AI supercomputers for U.S. Energy Department

25 states are suing the Trump administration to stop federal food aid from being suspended amid the government shutdown. All but two of those states, Nevada and Vermont, have a democratic governor.

25 states sue Trump administration over SNAP food stamp funding freeze

A federal judge is ordering a top Border Patrol official in charge of operations in Chicago to give nightly reports to the court after agents were accused of potentially violating limits on their arrest and crowd control tactics.

Chicago

Judge admonishes ICE leader in Chicago after violations

The U.S. military struck four more alleged drug vessels on Monday, killing at least 14 people and leaving one survivor. It marks the 11th time in under two months the U.S. has carried out strikes on vessels allegedly trafficking narcotics.

Caracas

Latest U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats kill at least 14 people

Major League Baseball says it's weighing a ban on all prop betting, which is a wager on an individual player or event that isn't necessarily tied to the outcome.

Los Angeles

MLB weighing ban on all prop betting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to carry out powerful strikes on the Gaza Strip. This comes after Israel accused Hamas of violating their fragile peace deal by returning the wrong remains of a hostage.

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu orders strikes on Gaza over wrong hostage remains

Hurricane Melissa, a massive Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica, barreling in from the Atlantic with 185 mph sustained winds, the National Hurricane Center said. CBS News meteorologist Jessica Burch has more.

Kingston

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica

The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

Kuala Lumpur

Global Tariffs

China and ASEAN, hit by U.S. tariffs, sign upgraded free trade pact

President Trump met with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday and signed a trade agreement that the countries made over the summer. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Tokyo

Trump touts trade deals with Japan, heaps praise on new prime minister

Argentina's president, Javier Milei's party, has won a decisive victory in Sunday's mid-term elections. The vote is seen as a support for his economic reforms and drastic austerity measures. In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump had pledged a 40-billion-dollar bailout to bolster Argentina's failing economy and had endorsed Milei publicly.

Buenos Aires

Argentine markets jump after Milei party victory

Venezuela is accusing the U.S. of preparing a false flag attack as the U.S. continues to escalate its military presence in the Caribbean after carrying out multiple deadly strikes on boats the Trump administration said were carrying drugs.

Venezuela accuses U.S. of preparing false flag attack

U.S. President Donald Trump declined to meet with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney as trade tensions linger, while China and the United States moved toward easing tariffs.

China urges free trade amid U.S. tariff talks at ASEAN summit

Ten people are on trial in Paris for spreading false rumors about French first lady Brigitte Macron’s gender and personal life. The case, involving influencers and online figures, comes as the Macrons also pursue legal action in the U.S. over similar attacks spread by far-right media.

Paris

Brigitte Macron harassment trial opens in Paris

Millions of Americans are set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and federal food aid starting Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues, according to a post on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website.

Millions of Americans set to lose SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1

The USS Gravely docked in Trinidad and Tobago as the Trump administration signals possible land strikes against Venezuela. CBS News national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Trump admin alludes to Venezuelan land strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump stopped in Japan on his Asia trip, meeting with the country's emperor. Also planned during the trip is a meeting with China's Xi Jinping. Trump said he thinks "we're going to have a good deal with China" after months of trade tensions.

Trump lands in Japan with U.S.-China deal in sight

Two suspects were arrested over the weekend in connection to the Louvre museum heist in Paris, a week after the brazen daylight robbery at the world's most-visited museum.

Arrests made in heist at Paris' Louvre museum

Hurricane Melissa was upgraded to a Category 5 storm and is expected to make landfall in Jamaica Monday night or early Tuesday. CBS News correspondent Jason Allen has more from Kingston, while CBS News New York meteorologist Tony Sadiku has the latest forecast.

Jamaica braces for landfall as Hurricane Melissa becomes Category 5

U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Japan Monday, disembarking from Air Force One after flying from Malaysia. Trump will meet new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi amid the prospect of completing a joint deal to promote shipbuilding capacity.

Trump arrives in Japan, due to meet emperor and new prime minister

Venezuela on Sunday (October 26) condemned what it said was a military provocation by neighboring Trinidad and Tobago in coordination with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, aimed at spurring a full military confrontation with the Latin American nation.

Venezuela condemns 'provocation' by CIA and Trinidad and Tobago

The party of Argentinian President Javier Milei has won midterm elections clinching a crucial vote of confidence in his free-market reforms and deep austerity measures. Early results show Milei's Libertarian Party secured more than 40 percent of votes.

Argentina's midterms deliver huge win for Milei's libertarian agenda

Argentines are voting in legislative elections that will test support for President Javier Milei's free-market reforms and deep austerity measures and determine whether he has the backing to continue his economic overhaul

Argentines vote in high-stakes test of Milei's vision

Beijing decided to implement tighter restrictions on rare earths exports that are needed for advanced technologies. In response, Trump threatened additional tariffs on Chinese imports.

U.S.-China trade deal closing in ahead of meeting between Trump and Xi

U.S President Donald Trump has presided over the signing of a peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia. Trump helped broker a ceasefire between the two after a deadly dispute on the border in July.

Trump signs Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire pact

French authorities have made arrests in connection with the recent theft of jewellery from the Louvre Museum in Paris, however it's uncertain whether any jewels have been recovered. One of the men taken into custody was preparing to leave the country at a Paris Airport.

Arrests made in Louvre jewellery heist by French police: Paris prosecutor

Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed in military fatigues, met army chief Valery Gerasimov for an update on Ukraine’s front lines. Putin also praised the successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered missile, which reportedly flew 14,000 kilometres in 15 hours.

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