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Officials say that around 30 people were killed in an incident at a copper mine in Congo.
The artisanal mining agency of the Congo said that around 30 people died at a semi industrial copper mine in the southeast after a collapsed bridge. A spokesperson for the agency said that 49 people died and 20 were in critical condition after the incident on Saturday, at the Kalando mine site in Lualaba Province. In Congo, artisanal mining supports between 1.5 and 2 million people directly. According to SAEMAPE, the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Support and Guidance Service of Congo, the collapse was caused by "panic, which was reportedly triggered" by gunfire by military personnel guarding site. SAEMAPE said in a Sunday statement that the miners "piled up on each other, causing injury and death". The Initiative for the Protection of Human Rights demanded an independent investigation of the military's involvement in the deaths citing reports of clashes involving miners and soldiers. A military spokesperson didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. Roy Kaumba said that in a television statement, 32 deaths had been confirmed. Unregulated artisanal mining is a common cause of accidents, and dozens die every year in sites where diggers often dig deep underground with inadequate equipment. Reporting by Ange A. Kasongo, Congo Newsroom; Writing and editing by Robbie Corey Boulet
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Sources say that Turkey offered to take joint leadership of COP31 in order to resolve the host-host dispute with Australia.
Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed that Turkey proposed to co-host the U.N. Climate Summit with Australia next year, even though the two parties have yet to reach an agreement. The discussions regarding the hosting dispute are still unresolved. Australia and Turkey submitted bids to host COP31 in 2022, and neither country has withdrawn their bid. This impasse, which is a distraction, must be resolved at the COP30 conference, currently being held in Belem in Brazil. Conference of the Parties (COP) is the main global forum for climate action. The host is important because they set agendas and are the diplomats who lead negotiations to achieve global agreements. Turkish sources claimed that Turkey and Australia discussed a joint presidential model in the margins U.N. General Assembly talks held in September. This included sharing hosting duties for meetings at high levels and jointly steering the negotiations. They said that the conversations had created "a base of mutual understanding", but the proposal was not furthered. Later exchanges revealed, according to sources, differing views about how a joint presidency could operate within U.N. procedure. Chris Bowen, Australian Energy Minister, travelled to Brazil for the COP30 on Saturday. He said a decision will be made there and Australia has "overwhelming" support for its candidature. Canberra wants to host the event with Pacific Island nations in order to bring to light the climate challenges they face. The Pacific Islands Forum has backed Australia's bid. Turkey's candidacy, on the other hand, emphasizes inclusion and cooperation. It also aims to focus more on financing for developing nations while showing its progress toward a net-zero emission goal by 2053. Turkish sources claim that President Tayyip Erdoan expressed this opinion in a recent correspondence with Australia's Prime Minister. They also said that Turkey believes "flexible formulations" can be developed by continuing consultations. Sources said that Turkey was also prepared to host the Summit alone, and take over the presidency in the event of a failure to reach an agreement. The COP31 host must be agreed by all 28 members of "Western Europe and Others Group", which includes Australia and Turkey. Tuvan Gumrukcu, Ece Toksabay and Alex Richardson are responsible for reporting; Ece Toksabay is writing; Alex Richardson is editing.
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Saudi Arabia reduces salary premiums for foreign talents, recruiters claim
Saudi companies are reducing the generous salaries that used to attract top foreign talent in sectors like construction and manufacturing, as the Kingdom reins in its spending and reorders its economic priorities. Four recruiters said. Saudi Arabia is the top oil exporter in the world. Its Vision 2030 economic transformation plan, which aims to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon income and create jobs while expanding industries like tourism, real estate and mining, has already reached more than half of its goal. The Kingdom has been investing in megaprojects worth billions of dollars as part of its long-term plan. This has led to a huge increase in the demand for highly-skilled workers from abroad, but execution has suffered. Two sources say that foreign recruits shouldn't expect to negotiate 40% premiums or more and sometimes even double the salary they were earning earlier in this decade. The offers are much more conservative now. Magdy al Zein, the managing director of Boyden, said: "On one hand, the largest economy in the region is rationalising, and on the flip side, there are a lot of candidates that want to come to the region." What you'll get are employers who rethink their packages. It is true. KINGDOM PIVOTING Towards AI, LOGISTICS This change reflects a broader shift by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund of $925 billion, which has taken a significant hit on its mega-projects in infrastructure and real estate, to sectors like AI, logistics, and mining. These are seen as providing better returns. Examples of this include NEOM, a $500-billion futuristic city planned in the desert and Trojena mountain tourism hub, which will host the Asian Winter Games 2029. PIF and NEOM didn't immediately respond to a comment request. Saudi Arabia targeted international talent for megaprojects because local workers lacked the necessary skills. Hasan Babat of Tuscan Middle East in Dubai, the CEO of a recruitment agency, says that project managers from the United Arab Emirates could receive offers in Saudi Arabia of up to $100,000 for jobs that pay $60,000 in UAE. NEOM, and other PIF-backed projects are now facing delays due to the kingdom's rationalisation drive. According to Kamco Invest, Saudi Arabia's project activity remained sluggish for 2025. Awards nearly halved in the first nine-month period. Saudi Arabia's oil production has been curtailed to maintain the market, but lower oil prices are weighing on the public finances. IMF: The IMF states that the kingdom requires oil prices to be close to $100 in order to balance its budget. "The pace of the development has slowed, and this has resulted in a slowdown on recruitment." Babat explained that employers now negotiate salaries more than they did before when there was a labor shortage. Tuscan's October Salary Report said that Saudi companies may allocate limited budgets to "hot jobs" such as AI and digital. Many high-skilled employees have found the UAE, with its 90% expatriate populace, to be a more appealing choice, not only because of their high salaries and tax-free status, but also for the more established international school and healthcare network. The country has also introduced social reforms that allow for a more liberal way of life. According to Trefor Murphy of Dubai's Cooper Fitch, there is only a small difference between the average salaries in Saudi Arabia compared with those in the UAE. The average salary has increased by just 5 to 8 percent. Al Zein, Boyden's Al Zein, said that convincing people to leave the UAE was a difficult task. They expect a premium. SAUDI JOBS COMPETITION GROWING Saudi Arabia, which is expected to grow by 4.4% this year, is still attractive for people outside of the region where job markets are tighter and growth slower. Saudi Arabia has also intensified labour market reforms, and taken initiatives to increase the number of Saudi citizens working in the private sector. This will boost competition and expand the pool of candidates. The unemployment rate among Saudi nationals is at an all-time low, and the number Saudis working in the private sector has increased by 31% from 2016 to the second quarter of 2018. "Packages have become more measured and are anchored on data, performance and real market benchmarks. Some people may feel that this is a contraction. "It signals maturity to me," said Louise Knutsson CEO of Matches Talent, Dubai. Knutsson said that to attract the best talent in Saudi Arabia, companies must offer packages that reflect the living costs and provide a balanced family lifestyle. They should also have a purpose related to the size of the project.
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Climate protesters swelter in Brazilian sun outside COP30 summit
On Saturday, thousands of climate activists marched peacefully through the Brazilian city Belem to call for more action in order to protect the fate and future of the planet. They also vented their anger towards governments and fossil-fuel industries. Negotiators have reached the halfway mark of the marathon COP30 Climate Summit, which aims to put years of promises to action in order to stop global warming and provide support for those who are most affected. Indigenous people, youth activists, and civil society groups sang, played musical instruments, and waved banners in the sweltering heat. Marina Silva, Brazil's Environment Minister, addressed the crowds. She said: "This is the place where we can march and create a roadmap of what needs to happen at this COP - a transition from deforestation to the use fossil fuels." Cristiane Puyanawa is an indigenous protester who joined the march in order to demand greater land rights. "Our forest and land are not commodities." "Respect nature and the people who live in forests," she said. COP30 already saw a number of protests. The most notable was an Indigenous attempt to force their way into the venue, which resulted in clashes between security and Indigenous people on Tuesday. Another peaceful sit-in on Friday morning blocked the venue. Even though the march did not pass directly by the venue on Saturday, the day designated for protests in the two-week COP Summit, there was a large security presence at the venue. This included military police wearing riot gear. The COP30 talks will move into a political phase In the negotiations, the negotiators, who spent the past week trying to make progress, reported back what they had accomplished, before handing over their work to the ministers, who will try to overcome any remaining obstacles. As negotiators prepare for week two, it is important to keep in mind that climate action doesn't just involve abstract numbers or distant goals. "It's all about people," Katharine Hayhoe said, chief scientist of environmental non-profit The Nature Conservancy. Every choice we make today will determine the future we share tomorrow. The summit's agenda is extensive and covers many issues. It aims to build on the progress that was made in previous years. This process has been going on for over 30 years, with some progress, but not enough. The shape of the outcome of the summit is still unclear. Some of the most controversial topics are being discussed outside of the formal process, such as climate finance, moving from fossil fuels and how to deal with a collective deficit in emission-cutting plans. The Brazilian COP30 Presidency, which is leading those sideline talks, must decide if they want to try a high-stakes balancing and come up a political accord on those issues, known in COP terms as a cover decision'. Andre Correa do Lago, COP30 president, was asked about this deal at a press briefing. "I've said for a long time that we do not plan a cover-up decision. But I also said that the presidency would take into account if there was a move from the countries that wanted to propose such a decision. Let's wait and see what happens. Reporting by Sebastian Rocandio and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Richard Valdmanis, Andrea Ricci and Richard Valdmanis
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Congo and M23 sign peace framework in Qatar. More steps are needed
On Saturday, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and M23 rebels signed a framework deal for a peace agreement aimed at ending the fighting in eastern Congo which has claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes this year. Representatives from both sides signed the agreement at a Doha, Qatar ceremony. The document was one of many signed in the last few months to support efforts by the United States of America and Qatar to end the decades long conflict in Congo, which has threatened to escalate to a full-blown war in the region. Officials from the United States and Qatar described the framework as an important step towards peace, but only one of many to come. Many details still need to be worked out Massad Boulos, the top U.S. ambassador to the region said that the framework included eight protocols and that there was still work to be done on how to implement the six of them. Boulos acknowledged, too, that the implementation of the two first protocols, concerning the exchange and monitoring of prisoners, which were agreed on in the last few months, was slow. After the signing, he said to reporters: "Yes they were a bit slow in their first few weeks." "Yes, there were people who expected to see immediate results, but it is a long process." It's not like a light switch you can turn on and off. M23, the latest in a series of actions supported and backed by Rwanda, captured Goma in eastern Congo in January. It then made gains in North Kivu, South Kivu, and other provinces. Rwanda has denied for years that it helped M23 seize more territory in Congo. CONFLICT CONTINUES TO BREAKOUT IN CONGO AS TALKS GO FORWARD The violence in Congo has continued despite the diplomatic efforts of Washington and Doha. Local officials in the eastern North Kivu Province reported that at least 28 people were killed on Friday by militants affiliated with Islamic State. Qatar has hosted several rounds of direct negotiations between the Congolese government and rebels dating back to April. However, they were mainly focused on preconditions and building confidence. In July, the two sides reached an agreement on a statement of principles which left unresolved many of the key issues that are at the heart of the conflict. They also agreed to monitor a ceasefire in October. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatar's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the agreement reached on Saturday put the parties back on the road to peace. He said that "peace cannot be enforced through force but can only be built by mutual respect, confidence and sincere commitment."
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Australian Energy Minister pushes for COP31 to be hosted at Brazil Climate Summit
Chris Bowen, Australia's energy minister, said he will travel to Brazil on Saturday for the COP30 summit to press Australia to host the summit next year. This is despite a dispute with Turkey over hosting rights. Since then, both Australia and Turkey have refused to compromise on the issue. This month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to Turkish President Tayyip Erdoan in an effort to resolve the longstanding tussle. Bowen told reporters at Sydney Airport that a decision would be taken at COP30. He also asserted "Australia has the overwhelming backing of the world" to host the conference next year. Bowen, in a press release, said that he would be promoting Australia's clean energy sector at the summit to be held in the Amazonian city of Belem. Bowen stated that Australia was keen to host the summit next year with Pacific Island nations and demonstrate how they can work together to combat the "existential danger" of climate changes. He added, "Our nation faces a number of challenges when it comes climate change. But every effort we make will help us avert the worst effects." The Pacific Islands Forum is a regional diplomatic bloc made up of 18 countries that supports Australia's bid. The rising seas are a threat to several Pacific island nations. Australia is aiming to be a "superpower of renewable energy" and has shifted away from coal, gas and nuclear power. It is now seeking investment for critical minerals, green-steel and transition technologies, such as batteries. The Turkish government wants a COP – or Conference of the Parties – that focuses more on financing climate initiatives in developing countries, while showcasing the progress Turkey has made towards its 2053 target of net-zero emission. Over the years, the annual COP has evolved from a diplomatic gathering into a vast trade show where the host countries can showcase their economic prospects.
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Director Raizen says that the company has locked in prices for half its production for 2026/27.
Phillipe Casale, director of investor relations at Raizen and one of the top sugar producers in the world, said on Friday that the company has already locked in prices for half the volume of sugar it expects to make in the 2026/27 harvest. Casale, a Brazilian company, said that the Brazilian firm had so far achieved prices of 114 cents real ($0.2110) per kilogram. He added that the price of sugar for the crop year 2025/26 is set at 111 cents real per pound. According to Raizen, weather problems will cause his sugarcane crushing to be lower than the 72-75 million tons he had forecasted for 2025/26. * The director of the company said that the company expects to see potential productivity gains in next crop year. This is due to replanting areas damaged by wildfires and better weather conditions. * The executives also stated that the firm's divestment program is not yet complete, and further developments will be expected to reduce the net debt. * Raizen reported a net loss in the second quarter for the 2025/26 harvest of 2.3 billion reals ($425.6 millions). ($1 = 5.4039 Reais) (Reporting and Writing by Roberto Samora, Editing and Proofreading by Natalia Siniawski).
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Australian Energy Minister pushes for COP31 to be hosted at Brazil Climate Summit
Chris Bowen, Australia's energy minister, said he will travel to Brazil on Saturday for the COP30 summit to press Australia to host the summit next year. This is despite a dispute with Turkey over hosting rights. Both Australia and Turkey bid in 2022 for the United Nations Climate Conference and have refused to give up their positions ever since. This month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to Turkish president Tayyip Erdoan in an effort to resolve the longstanding dispute. Bowen stated in a press release that he will advocate strongly for Australia at the summit to be held in the Amazonian city of Belem and would highlight the clean energy industry. Bowen stated that Australia wished to host the summit of Pacific Island Nations next year and demonstrate how they can fight together against the "existential danger" of climate changes. He added, "Our nation faces a number of challenges when it comes climate change. But every effort we make will help us avert the worst effects." The Pacific Islands Forum is a regional diplomatic bloc made up of 18 countries that supports Australia's bid. The rising seas are a threat to several Pacific island nations. Australia is aiming to be a "superpower of renewable energy" and has shifted away from coal, gas and nuclear power. It is now seeking investment for critical minerals, green-steel and transition technologies, such as batteries. The Turkish government wants a COP – or Conference of the Parties – that focuses more on financing climate initiatives in developing countries, while showcasing the progress Turkey has made towards its 2053 target of net-zero emission. Over the years, the annual COP has evolved from diplomatic gatherings to vast trade shows, where host countries are able to promote their economic prospects.
Spain's flood disaster was its worst in current history. Here's what failed.
The water was currently kneehigh on the ground flooring of the hotel where Aitana Puchal had actually taken refugee when she got a text alert from the regional federal government of Valencia at 8 pm on Oct. 29 warning individuals to shelter in location from severe flash floods.
We could have done with (the warning) about six hours earlier, said the 23-year-old, who had actually fled with other regional citizens and visitors to the very first flooring of the hotel near the town of Paiporta. We were all relaxing down a little from the panic and drying our feet.
Others were not so fortunate.
Carlos Martinez, another Paiporta local, told local television the flood alert came when he was stranded in a tree seeing bodies floating past.
Dozens of residents of flooded communities told Reuters that by the time they got the regional federal government's alert, muddy water was already surrounding their automobiles, submerging streets of their towns and pouring into their homes.
After days of storm cautions from the national weather condition service considering that Oct 25, some towns and regional organizations had raised the alarm much previously. Valencia University had actually informed its personnel the day before not to come to work. Numerous town halls throughout the area of eastern Spain had actually suspended activities, closed down public facilities and told people to stay at home. But the combined messages and confusion cost lives, lots of regional locals and experts told Reuters. More than 220 individuals passed away and nearly 80 are still missing in what is the most deadly deluge in a single European nation considering that 1967, when floods in Portugal killed around 500. The national weather service AEMET had actually raised its hazard level for heavy rains to a red alert at 7.36 am on Oct 29, following heavy rains in mountainous locations west of the city of Valencia from the morning. In the 12 hours it considered the regional government's shelter-in-place order to come through, waters running through the usually dry Poyo gorge - the epicentre of the flooding - had risen to more than three times the circulation of Spain's biggest river.
As climate change worsens weather condition patterns along Spain's. Mediterranean coast, floods are becoming prevalent and some. previous incidents have actually been deadly. But after a minimum of five. decades without a significant catastrophe, lots of people in Valencia. were unaware of the grave risks postured by flash flooding or how. to react.
Puchal, the 23-year old who sought haven in the hotel, stated. she had actually never ever gotten much info about the dangers of. floods.
At school, they offered talks about fires, she said. However not. floods.. That, integrated with poor coordination amongst regional and. nationwide authorities as well as political decisions taken years. ago not to buy waterways infrastructure, intensified the. calamitous loss of life, 7 specialists sought advice from . stated.
It was foreseeable that we would have disastrous flooding. here, stated Felix Frances, professor of hydraulic engineering. and environment at Valencia Polytechnic University. Deaths were taped in 14 of the 24 towns that had currently been. recognized in environment ministry reports as at high risk of. flooding, a Reuters review discovered.
Specialists including hydraulic and civil engineers, geologists,. urban organizers and disaster relief specialists said succeeding. failures - to carry out flood mitigation deal with close-by rivers,. better protect homes constructed on flood plains, educate people and. warn locals quickly - added to the deaths.
With much better facilities, those deaths would have been. definitely less, said Luis Bañon, an engineer and teacher of. Transport Engineering and Facilities at the University. of Alicante.
One main federal government source stated they expect numerous. judicial queries to take a look at choices made and to attribute. responsibility for the high death toll.
As more of the world's population settles on flood plains,. environment occasions end up being more extreme and Europe warms faster than. the international average, what occurred in Valencia highlights the. need for strategic, coordinated procedures to safeguard individuals in. European cities, stated Sergio Palencia, teacher of urbanization. in Valencia Polytechnic University. Frances said he had assisted prepare a strategy 17 years ago to develop. flood works for the Poyo ravine at a cost then of 150 million. euros ($ 162 million). On Nov. 5, a week after the floods, the. nationwide federal government earmarked 10.6 billion euros to assist. victims.
The plan Frances dealt with ended in 2017 since no work. had been started, Spain's State Secretary for the Environment. Hugo Moran told Reuters. The federal government had to start from. scratch and some works are underway, he stated.
Frances said some people were so unaware of the danger they. didn't know, for example, that it would be ill-advised to decrease to. a basement to save the automobile.
SEVERAL ALERTS
AEMET
had actually currently alerted
of a storm understood locally as DANA-- a high-altitude. separated anxiety-- on Oct. 25. In following days, its. cautions ended up being more specific till Oct. 29, when the alert was. upgraded to red-- the highest level, meaning high threats for the. population.
At 8.45 am, the local branch of AEMET posted video on. the social media platform X showing cars and trucks being swept down roads. by a tide of brown water.
Simply after noon, the public body managing the area's river. basins, the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) emailed. regional authorities saying the flow of water through the Poyo. ravine had reached 264 cubic meters per second. That's stronger. than the average flow of the Guadalquivir river, one of Spain's. biggest.
The CHJ said it can only feed the info to regional. emergency situation services, which are responsible for issuing signals to. residents. 3 experts informed Reuters that when water started. increasing, it would take less than nine hours to reach the towns. Over the next eight hours, authorities from the regional and. nationwide federal governments, environmental authorities and emergency. services exchanged call, emails and held emergency situation. meetings.
For some time that afternoon, the information from the CHJ. suggested the flow was decreasing. Carlos Mazon, the region's president and the primary individual. responsible for issuing a shelter-in-place alert, has become a. focus for anger over authorities' response to the storm. Regardless of. indications of serious flooding, he did not change his schedule.
At a news conference at lunchtime, he mentioned a national. weather report saying the storm's strength would reduce. around 6pm, according to a tweet he later deleted.
As the day went on Mazon, a member of the conservative. Individuals's Celebration that beings in opposition to the Socialist-run. nationwide government, appeared in photos tweeted by his personnel. getting a sustainable tourist certification, and discussing. budgetary matters.
His office did not react to ask for discuss his. handling of the disaster. Mazon told press reporters on Thursday that. he had a work lunch on Oct 29 and was constantly in touch with. his team handling the situation.
At 5pm, as the authorities met again, the CHJ gave spoken. notice of a generalised boost in water streams running. through or near the towns, according to a statement.
At 6.43 pm, CHJ sent out another email warning that the flow of. water through the ravine had reached 1,686 cubic metres per. 2nd-- more than triple the pace of the Ebro, Spain's biggest. river.
Twelve minutes later on, the CHJ stated the Poyo circulation had increased. to 2,282 cubic meters per 2nd before ruining the sensor. that determined it.
That could fill an Olympic pool every second, said Nahum. Mendez, a geologist at Valencia University.
By 7pm, many towns were without power, making it difficult. to send out alerts right away to phones or radio stations,. authorities stated.
Maria Isabel Albalat, the mayor of Paiporta, which lies in. the outskirts of the city of Valencia, said she called the. nationwide federal government delegate in the area to tell her that my. town was flooding and individuals were currently passing away. Police drove. through the town with sirens, lights and speakers informing. people to stay off the bridge and leave the streets.
At 8 pm, Spain's environment secretary Moran, who was. taking a trip in Colombia, called the local authorities in charge. of the emergency services Salomé Pradas to say there was a danger. a dam would fail.
Pradas told local television on Thursday that a technical. consultant then recommended the services send a text alert.
How is it possible that with all the details that was. readily available ... the firms accountable for activating the alarms. not did anything? Moran stated.
Mazon, the local head, later on said the CHJ data revealing. water streams decreasing had actually contributed to the confusion and hold-ups. Moran, whose department supervises the CHJ, told Reuters its task. was just to provide real time details to emergency groups,. not to make decisions on their response.
Paiporta mayor Albalat stated that by the time the alert came,. we had actually depended on our necks in water for more than an hour and. a half.
FLOOD PROTECTIONS. Political choices to not invest earlier in better flood. defences to protect a broader location have actually multiplied the financial. expense by 200, said Bañon, the Alicante professor.
This type of works aren't hot, do not provide political. profitability till something occurs, he stated.
Now they have no option but to undertake the works.
In other nations such as the United States and Japan,. natural disasters are more commonplace so people have a much better. sense of how to respond, stated María Jesus Romero, 50, Teacher. of Urban Preparation Law at the Polytechnical University of. Valencia. Some Valencia residents remembered previous floods, consisting of a. major one in 1957. After that, the city of Valencia was. secured by hydraulic works finished under dictator General. Francisco Franco in 1973.
Paiporta citizens Rosario Masia, 84, and her other half. Cristóbal Martínez, 87, said past floods were nothing compared. with this one.
We had a hard time, but not like now, stated Masia. We are. in pieces.
Lots of homes struck by the floods were constructed before 2003. when modified assistance on building in flood zones was provided,. experts said. The new assistance either bans construction or. includes stringent pre-requisites consisting of that properties constructed. in flood zones ought to not have basements.
In the mainly working-class suburban areas of Valencia, the car is. important to get to work. Many of those talked to in. the flood zone said their first move when it rains is to move. their cars out of underground parking lot of their home. blocks so the engines aren't damaged by flooding.
(source: Reuters)