Storm Leonardo Triggers Floods and Evacuations in Portugal
Portugal faced widespread flooding and evacuations as Storm Leonardo swept across the country on February 5, 2026, causing rivers to burst their banks and inundating streets. The storm, which had already claimed a life in Spain, followed weeks of severe weather across the Iberian Peninsula, according to Euronews.
Alcacer do Sal was particularly affected, with emergency crews using boats to rescue residents after the Sado river overflowed, cutting off parts of the town. Shops were forced to close, and the main avenue disappeared under water. Portuguese civil protection reported thousands of incidents, including flooded homes and fallen trees, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of people. Soldiers were deployed to assist rescue teams.
The storm's impact extended beyond Portugal. Euronews reported that it caused significant disruption and damage across Iberia.
While Portugal grappled with the immediate aftermath of Storm Leonardo, other significant events unfolded across Europe and the Middle East. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed his desire to avoid an "all-out war" in the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. Salam welcomed renewed US-Iran talks scheduled for Friday, emphasizing that the decision of "war and peace is in the hands of the government and solely of the government," according to Euronews.
In the financial sector, Mundi Ventures announced the first closing of its Kembara Fund I, securing €750 million. The fund, focused on deep tech and climate startups, aims to address the gap in funding for early-stage European companies. According to TechCrunch, Mundi Ventures secured a €350 million commitment from the European Investment Fund under the European Tech Champions Initiative in 2024. Kembara co-founder and general partner Yann de Vries noted that reaching €750 million in two years as a first fund in the current environment was "not easy."
Additionally, business identity verification startup Duna, co-founded by Stripe alumni Duco van Lanschot and David Schreiber, raised a €30 million Series A round led by Alphabet's growth fund CapitalG, reported TechCrunch. The funding aims to support Duna's mission to help fintech companies with identity verification.
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