MADRID: Spain and Portugal on Saturday braced for another storm heading for the Iberian peninsula, just days after the floods caused by Storm Leonardo killed at least one person in each country.
The latest depression, christened Storm Marta, has prompted the deployment of more than 26,500 rescuers in Portugal, where the foul weather has led three municipalities to postpone Sunday’s presidential vote till next week.
Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods, after inundations blocked hundreds of roads, disrupted trains and forced thousands to evacuate from the rising waters.
Mario Silvestre, commander in Portugal’s civil protection agency, warned that the forecast was “extremely worrying,” as quoted by the Lusa press agency.
His organization fears gusts of wind reaching 110 kilometers per hour after Marta reaches the Portuguese coastline, along with landslides and flash floods.
“All the furniture is completely destroyed, the water broke the window, forced the doors open and then burst through the window from the other side,” Francisco Marques, a municipal employee in the central village of Constancia, said.
After flying over flood-hit areas in southern Spain near Cadiz on Friday, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned that “difficult days” lay ahead for the region as a result of the “very dangerous” weather forecast.
The Socialist premier is due to visit rescuers in Madrid on Saturday.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who paid a visit to the afflicted regions on Friday, warned that the damage exceeded €4 billion ($4.7 billion), according to a still-provisional toll.
Portugal was already reeling from the effects of Storm Kristin, which led to the deaths of five people, injured hundreds and left tens of thousands without power, when Leonardo hit earlier this week.
Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as the floods and heatwaves that have struck both countries in recent years.
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Spain, Portugal brace for fresh storm after flood deaths
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Spain, Portugal brace for fresh storm after flood deaths
- Both countries have issued warnings over the potential fresh floods after inundations blocked hundreds of roads
- Scientists say human-driven climate change is increasing the length, intensity and frequency of extreme weather events
Beijing vows ‘measures’ after CIA Chinese-language recruitment ad
- Chinese-language video appears to target disaffected officers and appeals for information on China’s leaders and armed forces
- China’s foreign ministry condemns what it called ‘anti-China forces’ and vows action to protect national security
BEIJING: Beijing will take “all necessary measures” against foreign espionage activities, the foreign ministry said Friday, after the US spy agency issued a recruitment video targeting Chinese military personnel.
The CIA’s Chinese-language video, published on the agency’s YouTube channel on Thursday, appears to target disaffected officers and appeals for information on China’s leaders and armed forces.
China’s foreign ministry condemned what it called “anti-China forces” and vowed action to protect national security.
“China will take all necessary measures to resolutely combat infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference when asked about the CIA video.
He did not provide any details on the measures Beijing could take.
The video depicts a fictional Chinese officer deciding to contact the US intelligence agency after concluding that “the only thing leaders are protecting is their own interest” and that “their power is based on countless lies.”
It shows the officer at home with his family, then driving past a checkpoint in pouring rain before taking out a laptop in the car and typing on it as he says: “Picking this path is my way of fighting for my family and my country.”
Chinese text accompanying the clip appeals for leaks on Beijing’s leaders and military as well as other areas.
“Do you have information about high-ranking Chinese leaders? Are you a military officer or have dealings with the military? Do you work in intelligence, diplomacy, economics, science, or advanced technology fields, or deal with people working in these fields?”
“Please contact us. We want to understand the truth,” the text says, adding that the CIA can be contacted “securely through our Tor hidden service.”
The latest appeal came after the agency released a number of videos last year that its Director John Ratcliffe said were aimed at recruiting Chinese officials.
They are “just one of many ways that we’re adjusting our tradecraft,” Ratcliffe said.
Beijing condemned the posts at the time as “naked political provocation,” saying Washington “not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also openly deceives and lures Chinese personnel to surrender.”
The CIA’s Chinese-language video, published on the agency’s YouTube channel on Thursday, appears to target disaffected officers and appeals for information on China’s leaders and armed forces.
China’s foreign ministry condemned what it called “anti-China forces” and vowed action to protect national security.
“China will take all necessary measures to resolutely combat infiltration and sabotage activities of foreign anti-China forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference when asked about the CIA video.
He did not provide any details on the measures Beijing could take.
The video depicts a fictional Chinese officer deciding to contact the US intelligence agency after concluding that “the only thing leaders are protecting is their own interest” and that “their power is based on countless lies.”
It shows the officer at home with his family, then driving past a checkpoint in pouring rain before taking out a laptop in the car and typing on it as he says: “Picking this path is my way of fighting for my family and my country.”
Chinese text accompanying the clip appeals for leaks on Beijing’s leaders and military as well as other areas.
“Do you have information about high-ranking Chinese leaders? Are you a military officer or have dealings with the military? Do you work in intelligence, diplomacy, economics, science, or advanced technology fields, or deal with people working in these fields?”
“Please contact us. We want to understand the truth,” the text says, adding that the CIA can be contacted “securely through our Tor hidden service.”
The latest appeal came after the agency released a number of videos last year that its Director John Ratcliffe said were aimed at recruiting Chinese officials.
They are “just one of many ways that we’re adjusting our tradecraft,” Ratcliffe said.
Beijing condemned the posts at the time as “naked political provocation,” saying Washington “not only maliciously smears and attacks China, but also openly deceives and lures Chinese personnel to surrender.”
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