Volunteers from across Brazil are helping to bring tens of thousands of people to safety following storms and flooding in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. At least 85 people have been killed. And water levels in Porto Alegre, one of the country's main cities, are still rising.

Porto Alegre

Record Flooding Submerges Entire Cities in Southern Brazil

Volunteers from across Brazil are rushing to aid in relocating tens of thousands of people to safety after severe storms and flooding have impacted the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, resulting in at least 85 fatalities. The floods have notably affected Porto Alegre, one of Brazil's major urban centers, where water levels continue to rise, posing ongoing challenges to rescue and relief operations.

According to reports, the number of people missing amidst the devastation remains uncertain, indicating a crisis of significant magnitude. The expansive damage to both life and property as a result of the flooding, described by some as the worst in memory, is yet to be fully assessed. In one of the many evacuation efforts, buses have been documented transporting thousands of individuals who have found themselves homeless due to the relentless waters.

The situation paints a grim picture of despair and destruction, as one flood victim poignantly noted, attributing the cataclysmic event to human-induced imbalances in nature. Rescue operations are finding it tough to keep pace with the needs of those affected, and law enforcement officers leading the rescue missions are operating under extreme exhaustion. The predicament is further complicated by logistical challenges, with critical infrastructure like roads leading to Porto Alegre becoming impassable, severely hindering movement and the delivery of essential services.

With the flood impacts extending to 900,000 residents and the inundation of most of the city's water treatment facilities, Porto Alegre is now grappling with stringent water rationing measures. Moreover, the local airport's flooding and resultant transportation gridlocks are impeding both ingress and egress from the city, critically delaying the deployment of emergency and relief services. In the aftermath of the storms, reports of looting have emerged, adding to the law enforcement challenges.

As Brazil faces this unfolding catastrophe, the spirit of unity and collective effort is shining through, with Brazilians from across the nation contributing to the rescue and recovery efforts. This display of solidarity underscores the early stages of grappling with a disaster that continues to unfold.



Record flooding submerges entire cities in southern Brazil

No one knows how many people are still missing in this flood-ridden landscape. The cost in life and property impossible to calculate right now. On this highway, buses collect thousands of people who've been left homeless by the floods. The worst in memory. The water overtook us. I've nothing left, except my dogs. I think mankind caused this by destroying the balance of nature. The police officer in charge hasn't slept for days. All these people here were rescued today. They have no homes and almost drowned. This is just one place, but there are 20 more like it nearby. But it's dark and dangerous to search for more people now. We're by the main road that leads to Porto Alegre. It's only about 20 kilometers from here, but it's impossible to actually get in. The streets are flooded. They are packed also with people trying to also get in who've become stuck. And you see here people everywhere on the road waiting for help to arrive. 900,000 people have been directly impacted by the floods. And the city is now under strict water rationing because the majority of its treatment plants are underwater. The airport is flooded. Getting in and out of Porto Alegre, which is a city of around 4.5 million people, has become almost impossible. This makes moving emergency services to where they are desperately needed painfully slow. Police and army units are overwhelmed. Now that the rain has stopped, looting has begun. Let's go! Let's go! Brazilians from all over this vast country are sending aid and pitching in to help the rescue effort. Only the first stage of a catastrophe that is still unfolding. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas across the Gaza Strip, residents said, as White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid U.S. calls for a more focused military campaign.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel-Gaza War

U.S. envoy visits Israel as troops push deeper into Gaza

A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed as it was crossing mountain terrain in heavy fog on the way back from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan, an Iranian official told Reuters.

Tehran

Iran’s President Raisi in helicopter crash, condition unknown

A prominent member of Israel's war cabinet, Benny Gantz, has threatened to quit if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't outline a post-war plan for Gaza by early next month. There's also pressure from protesters who are calling on the government to do more to secure the release of captives.

Key ally of Netanyahu threatens to quit over Gaza

Sunday is the final day of the Premier League season, with both Manchester City and Arsenal in contention to win the title. A victory against visitors West Ham will guarantee a fourth championship in a row for City.

Manchester

Man City know ‘it’s win or Arsenal will be champions’

New York police have beaten and arrested several protesters at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Brooklyn, according to witnesses. The New York Post said at least 12 people were arrested.

New York

Pro-Palestine protesters beaten, arrested in New York

There were ugly scenes in Melbourne city as hundreds of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protest groups clashed with each other. With tensions flaring, a significant police presence blocked off streets and separated the rival demonstrators.

Melbourne

Palestinian and Israeli protestors clash in Melbourne

A police officer has been stabbed in the back of the head in an unprovoked attack near Hyde Park in Sydney city. The injured constable then chased his attacker, who was eventually tasered by a patrolling riot squad officer.

Council of the City of Sydney

Police officer stabbed in Sydney CBD

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

The Hague

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Manhattan

Trump's lawyer accuses Cohen of lying at hush money trial

Authorities have charged an alleged gunman with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following emergency surgery, Fico's condition is now listed as stable but serious.

Banská Bystrica

Alleged gunman charged with Slovak PM's attempted murder

Peter Dutton has announced if the Opposition wins Government it will cut permanent migration numbers in half in an effort to ease the housing supply crisis.

Canberra

Opposition plans to slash foreign arrivals

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, banned TikTok and imposed a state of emergency after three nights of clashes that have left four dead and hundreds wounded.