Connect with us

Published

on

This weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been called off amid deadly flooding in the northeast of Italy.

It comes after Italy’s transport minister called for this Sunday’s race at Imola to be postponed to allow focus on rescue efforts in the region.

Officials say five people have died and as many as 5,000 people have been evacuated after rivers swollen by days of flooding burst their banks, flooding nearby towns and cities.

An F1 statement read: “The Formula 1 community wants to send its thoughts to the people and communities affected by the recent events in the Emilia-Romagna region.

“We also want to pay tribute to the work of the emergency services who are doing everything they can to help those in need.

“Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities including the relevant ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of Emilia-Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola.

“The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region.

“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, officials in Venice have activated a mobile sea barrier in the lagoon, in a bid to spare the city, a popular tourist destination, from a rare May high-tide flooding.

It is the first time the barrier system, known by its acronym MOSES, has been lifted in May.

Flooded houses in Cesena, in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna
Pic:Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Image:
Pic: Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Flooded houses in Cesena, in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna
Pic:Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Image:
Pic: Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Flooded houses in Cesena, in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna
Pic:Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Image:
Pic: Vigili del Fuoco/AP

With rescue operations and evacuations in full swing – and with warnings of the potential of more bad weather on the way – Italy’s deputy minister has called for this weekend’s race to be postponed.

Matteo Salvini said it was “imperative to concentrate all efforts on coping with the emergency”, including avoiding a traffic overload in the area.

Italian F1 team, Scuderia Ferrari, commented on the flooding.

The team, based in Modena, a city which has also been hit by the flooding, wrote in a Tweet: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Emilia-Romagna and Marche as they deal with the destruction caused by the heavy rain and flooding currently affecting the area.”

The AlphaTauri team, which is based in nearby Faenza and is the closest team to the circuit, issued an appeal for donations to help local people Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, our town of Faenza has once again experienced significant rainfall and subsequent flooding,” the team said on Twitter.

It is the second race on the 2023 F1 calendar to be called off, after the Chinese Grand Prix, which was due to take place in April but was cancelled amid concerns about the country’s continued Covid restrictions.

Cesena, in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna region, has been one of the worst-hit areas, with pictures showing homes flooded along the banks of the River Savio.

One elderly man living in the countryside outside the city died after his home was flooded, according to local radio reports.

Cesena’s mayor Enzo Lattuca also warned of further flooding with forecasters suggesting the country’s spell of bad weather could last “until the end of May”.

“The situation could again become critical. We cannot in any way lower our guard,” he said.

Yellow mobile barriers are seen above the surface of the water during tests of flood barrier project Experimental Electromechanical Module (Mose) in Venice, Italy, July 10, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo
Image:
Library pic of Venice’s Experimental Electromechanical Module (MOSES) water barrier. Pictured in June 2020

Read more:
Cyclone Mocha: Before-and-after images show devastation
Italian police find cocaine under banana shipment

In one rescue in the city, neighbours swam across the fast-moving waters of a flooded street to take a young girl from her mother’s arms.

One rescuer held the child above the floodwaters until she could be passed into the arms of other rescuers. Other residents helped the mother to safety.

Mayor Lattuca urged caution from residents. He told state television: “Use prudence, don’t be curious, so disaster doesn’t turn into tragedy.”

In the Pesaro-Urbino region, firefighters rescued a family with a four-month-old baby and a disabled man from flooding, while authorities in Ravenna, a popular tourist town, urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground.

Firefighters rescuing a person from a flooded house in Riccione, in the northern Italian region of Emilia Romagna
Pic:Vigili del Fuoco/AP
Image:
Firefighters rescue a person from a flooded house in Riccione.
Pic:Vigili del Fuoco/AP

Sandbags are lined up along a flooded street in Bologna, Italy,
Pic:LaPresse /AP
Image:
Sandbags are lined up along a flooded street in Bologna, Italy,
Pic:LaPresse /AP

Flooding in Cesena
Pic:AP
Image:
Pic:AP
Flooding in Cesena
Pic:AP
Image:
Flooding in Cesena Pic:AP

Firefighters in Rimini, a city and province on the Adriatic coast, carried out 40 rescues, while in the nearby beach town of Riccione, residents took to the streets in rubber dinghies.

In the city of Modena, authorities closed local bridges to traffic on Tuesday evening as a precaution against rising river levels.

Italy’s civil protection minister Nello Musumeci said as many as 5,000 people had been evacuated as a result of the floods.

Northeast Italy has suffered a shortfall of rain in recent weeks. However, meteorologists have warned of several days of heavy rain still to come.

Weather experts say the rain is due to the disappearance of a weather system known as an anticyclone – a large wind system that rotates anticlockwise around a centre of high atmospheric pressure.

One meteorologist, Mattia Gussoni from the weather site Ilmeteo, said the weather pattern could persist “at least until the end of the month”.

Continue Reading

World

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney named prime minister of Canada – succeeding Justin Trudeau

Published

on

By

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney named prime minister of Canada - succeeding Justin Trudeau

Former Bank of England governor Mark Carney has been named Canadian prime minister after winning the Liberal Party leadership race in a landslide victory.

Mr Carney, who also used to be the head of Canada’s central bank, emerged as the frontrunner in the contest as the country deals with the impact of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

He ended up winning 85.9% of the vote.

During his victory speech, he told the crowd: “Donald Trump, as we know, has put unjustified tariffs on what we build, on what we sell and how we make a living.

“He’s attacking Canadian families, workers and businesses and we cannot let him succeed and we won’t.”

Mr Carney said Canada would keep retaliatory tariffs in place until “the Americans show us respect”.

Mr Trump’s tariffs against Canada and his talk of making the country America’s 51st state have infuriated Canadians.

More on Canada

The American national anthem has been repeatedly booed at NHL and NBA games.

“Think about it. If they succeeded, they would destroy our way of life… America is a melting pot. Canada is a mosaic,” Mr Carney added.

“America is not Canada. Canada will never ever be part of America in any way, shape or form.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘You can’t take our country or our game’

The 59-year-old will replace Justin Trudeau, who has served as prime minister since 2015.

Mr Trudeau announced he was stepping down in January after facing calls to quit from a chorus of his own MPs.

The 53-year-old’s popularity had declined as food and house prices rose.

Mr Carney will now have to decide when to call a general election in Canada – which must take place on or before 20 October.

In 2013, he became the first non-UK citizen to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694.

His appointment was popular in Britain after Canada recovered from the 2008 financial crisis faster than many other countries.

Read more:
Trudeau steps down with his popularity in shreds
Canadian PM criticises Trump over tariffs

During leadership debates, Mr Carney argued he was the only person prepared to handle Trump.

“I know how to manage crises,” he said.

“In a situation like this, you need experience in terms of crisis management, you need negotiating skills.”

The surge in Canadian nationalism has bolstered the Liberal Party’s chances in a parliamentary election.

Continue Reading

World

Donald Trump says Ukraine ‘may not survive’ war against Russia even if US support continues

Published

on

By

Donald Trump says Ukraine 'may not survive' war against Russia even if US support continues

US President Donald Trump has suggested Ukraine “may not survive” the war against Russia even if American support continued.

In an interview with Fox News channel’s ‘Sunday Morning Futures’, Mr Trump was asked about his controversial decision to pause support for Kyiv as it fends off Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Mr Trump, who had a disastrous meeting with Mr Zelenskyy at the White House last week, was asked about a warning from Polish President Andrzej Duda “that without American support, Ukraine will not survive”.

Asked if he was “comfortable” with that outcome, the US president said: “Well, it may not survive anyway.

“But we have some weaknesses with Russia. You know, it takes two,” Mr Trump added.

Pic: Reuters
Image:
Donald Trump. File Pic: Reuters

Follow the latest updates on Donald Trump

It comes as Mr Zelenskyy will visit Saudi Arabia for a Monday meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Ukrainian diplomatic and military representatives will meet with a US delegation on Tuesday.

More on Donald Trump

Mr Trump’s latest remarks come amid global concern over the souring relationship between Ukraine and the US, which alongside the EU has been Kyiv’s main backer in its defence against Russia’s three-year land, air and sea invasion.

The US paused military aid and the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine this month after a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy on 28 February descended into acrimony in front of the world’s media.

👉 Follow Trump 100 on your podcast app 👈

Mr Trump ordered the pause as he attempts to put pressure on Mr Zelenskyy to negotiate a ceasefire deal with Russia.

Mr Trump has privately made it clear to aides that a signed minerals deal between Washington and Kyiv will not be enough to restart aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, Sky News’ US partner network NBC reported earlier on Sunday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

How are Americans feeling after nearly 50 days of Trump?

Read more:
Rating Donald Trump’s second term so far

‘Trump bump’ turns to a Trump slump

The 78-year-old president is said to want the deal signed, but also wants to see a change in Mr Zelenskyy’s attitude towards peace talks.

Officials have told NBC News that Mr Trump also wants Mr Zelenskyy to make some movement towards holding elections in Ukraine and possibly stepping down as his country’s leader.

Mr Zelenskyy said in a recent interview he would be ready to step down as Ukraine’s president if it meant his country would become a NATO member and find peace.

That came after he was branded a “dictator” by Mr Trump as Ukraine had not held fresh elections – despite laws prohibiting it during wartime.

Continue Reading

World

Russian forces creep through disused gas pipeline in attempt to launch surprise attack on Ukrainian soldiers

Published

on

By

Russian forces creep through disused gas pipeline in attempt to launch surprise attack on Ukrainian soldiers

Russian special forces crept through a disused gas pipeline for several miles to launch a surprise attack on Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region, Ukraine’s military and pro-Moscow war bloggers have said.

Footage circulating on the Telegram app claims to show the elite soldiers crouching as they make their way through the darkness of the pipe to the town of Sudzha.

Some can be heard cursing in Russian and complaining about the commanders who sent them on the mission.

One of the soldiers is heard saying: “F*****g hell, where the f*** are we, boys?”

Another says: “Where does the pipe go? To Sudzha, for f**** sake, that’s f***ing crazy.”

Later in the clip a soldier is heard saying: “We’ll get there of course, but indignantly, because we’re f*****g sick of the f*****g command.”

He later adds: “They took our f*****g assault rifles too.”

Two of the soldiers are seen smoking cigarettes while a separate image shared on Telegram shows an operative wearing a gas mask.

Ukraine war live updates

The footage shows soldiers creeping through the pipeline
Image:
The footage shows soldiers creeping through the pipeline

Soldiers are seen smoking cigarettes in the pipeline
Image:
Soldiers are seen smoking cigarettes

The special forces soldiers walked around nine miles (15km) through the pipeline which Moscow had until recently used to send gas to Europe, according to Telegram posts by Ukrainian-born pro-Kremlin blogger Yuri Podolyaka.

In the footage, the soldiers suggest the mission requires them to walk seven miles through the pipe.

Mr Podolyaka says some of them spent several days in the pipeline before striking Ukrainian units from the rear near Sudzha.

The operation formed part of efforts by Russia to recapture areas of Kursk which were seized by thousands of Ukrainian soldiers in a shock offensive in August last year.

Another pro-Russian war blogger, who uses the alias Two Majors, said a major battle is under way in Sudzha after Moscow’s special forces crept through the pipe.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s general staff confirmed on Saturday that Russian soldiers had used the pipeline in an attempt to gain a foothold, but airborne assault forces promptly detected them, and they responded with rocket, artillery and drone attacks that destroyed Moscow’s units.

“The enemy’s losses in Sudzha are very high,” the general staff reported.

Read more:
US pausing military aid is ‘betrayal’, Ukrainian soldier tells Sky News
Russia ‘appears to have ignored Trump warning’ after deadly strike

A close up of one of the soldiers in the pipeline
Image:
A close-up image of one of the soldiers in the pipeline

The soldiers crept through the tunnel for several miles
Image:
The soldiers crept through the tunnel for several miles

It comes as Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces shared a video on Telegram on Saturday which it claims shows Kyiv’s forces repelling Russian forces in Kursk with airstrikes.

Sky News has not independently verified the footage.

Months after Kyiv’s forces seized parts of Kursk, Ukrainian soldiers are weary and bloodied by relentless assaults of more than 50,000 Russian troops, including some from Moscow’s ally North Korea.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers run the risk of being encircled, open-source maps of the battlefield showed on Friday.

Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry said this morning that it had captured a settlement in Kursk and another in Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Russia also launched heavy aerial attacks overnight on Ukraine into Saturday – with at least 22 people killed, including 11 in the frontline town of Dobropilla in Ukraine’s embattled eastern Donetsk region.

caption

Ukrainian president Voldymyr Zelenskyy described the attacks as a “vile and inhumane intimidation tactic” by Russia.

The attacks come after the US paused military aid and the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine this month after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Mr Zelenskyy descended into a confrontation in front of the world’s media.

The Trump administration’s stance on Ukraine and apparent favouring of Moscow has sparked concern among European leaders.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told Sky News on Sunday that European countries should “absolutely” introduce conscription as he conceded the continent was “quite weak” militarily in the face of the Russia threat.

Meanwhile, Russian officials have been criticised after presenting mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine with gifts of meat grinders on International Women’s Day.

Russia is often accused of throwing its troops into a “meat grinder” with little regard for their lives.

The local branch of government in the northwestern Russian town of Polyarniye Zori defended itself against the backlash, saying critics were making “callous and provocative interpretations” of the gifts.

Continue Reading

Trending