Flooding in Spain and diplomatic efforts in the Gulf dominated headlines on Thursday, while international attention focused on a child custody dispute in Italy and significant geological discoveries. Storm Leonardo caused widespread flooding in Andalusia, Spain, forcing the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people, according to Euronews. Simultaneously, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Qatar as part of a diplomatic push amid rising regional tensions.
In Spain, the village of Grazalema in Cadiz experienced severe flooding as rivers burst their banks after Storm Leonardo dumped over 600 liters of rain per square meter in just 36 hours, Euronews reported. Schools were closed, and rail and road links were suspended in several areas. Police in Cadiz were seen wading through waist-deep water to rescue people. Civil Guard officers were also searching for a missing woman near Malaga, believed to have fallen into a swollen river.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Merz's visit to Qatar was part of a broader effort to strengthen diplomatic ties in the Gulf region. According to Euronews, Merz stated that fears of a wider regional escalation linked to Iran had shaped his talks with Gulf leaders. He called on Tehran to halt what he described as aggressive behavior and to enter talks aimed at easing tensions. Germany is seeking energy security, defense partners, and stability in the region.
In Italy, a child custody dispute involving an Anglo-Australian family drew international attention. Health experts urged that three children taken from their parents be swiftly returned home, with monitoring in place, Euronews reported. Psychiatrists from the Lanciano-Vasto-Chieti Local Health Authority recommended restoring stable family ties for the children.
In other news, geologists discovered evidence of two ancient, continent-sized structures deep within the Earth that have shaped the planet's magnetic field for the past 265 million years, according to Wired. These structures, known as large low-shear-velocity provinces (LLSVPs), are estimated to be comparable in size to the African continent and are buried at a depth of 2,900 kilometers.
Finally, the tech industry continues to see significant shifts in talent. Wired reported that several major AI acqui-hires have occurred in Silicon Valley, with companies like Meta, Google, and Nvidia investing billions to acquire talent and technology. The frontier AI labs are also experiencing a "high stakes and seemingly never-ending game of talent musical chairs."
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