- Scientists say world's largest coral found near Solomon Islands
- Sculptor Gormley hopes art can be bridge to China despite curbs
- UN nuclear chief in Iran to 'reach diplomatic solutions'
- Israel face France in Paris football match under tight security
- Beijing's fears after Trump fills key posts with China hawks
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil's Supreme Court
- South Korea exam sees record number of re-takes after medical reforms
- Asian markets mixed as traders weigh Fed; bitcoin above $90,000
- Pumas seek historic win over 'hurt' Irish
- Advantage Martin as MotoGP reaches gripping climax in Barcelona
- Man with explosives dies trying to enter Brazil Supreme Court
- Mike Tyson, 58, back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight
- Biden, Xi arrive in Peru ahead of face-to-face at Asia-Pacific summit
- Mysterious diamond-laden necklace fetches $4.8 mn in Geneva auction
- Lawmakers clash, protesters arrested in wake of Amsterdam violence
- Global diabetes rate has doubled in last 30 years: study
- Six Israeli troops killed, deadly strikes in Lebanon
- US envoy says Mexico's 'hugs not bullets' strategy failed
- Lyon and Chelsea stay perfect in Women's Champions League
- Alcaraz beats Rublev to open ATP Finals account, Ruud misses last four chance
- Another clean sheet for Onana as E. Guinea, I. Coast qualify
- From 'Little Marco' to 'Mr Secretary': Rubio shows Trump China push
- Sri Lanka president eyes parliament win in snap election
- Spain flood epicentre braces for fresh deluge
- New York drought conditions fan flames, spur water saving
- Football 'world order' is changing, says Brazil coach
- Maiden century by Varma gives India unbeatable series lead
- Buy now, pay later: Latin America pressured by Chinese online shops
- Republicans complete power takeover with House majority
- Kane disappointed by England Nations League withdrawals
- Trump victory signals golden era for crypto industry
- 'First Buddy': Musk takes unusual star role with Trump
- Workers stage walkout at US maker of Fallout video game
- England will not change 'DNA' against South Africa, says Slade
- Sri Lanka beat New Zealand to go 1-0 up in ODI series
- Biden, Xi to meet in Peru on Saturday: US official
- Spurs coach Popovich suffered 'mild stroke', says NBA team
- Spain flood epicentre under highest alert for fresh rain
- Turkey scrubs up its baths to keep hammam tradition alive
- 'Very humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus seethes over climate cash fight
- 'Welcome back': Trump, Biden shake hands in White House
- Tech's green wave hits choppy waters
- Fernandes hopes Amorim can 'change the energy' at Man Utd
- Trump, Biden shake hands in White House, vow smooth transfer
- Gatland battling 'pain' during tough Wales rebuild
- COP29 fight for climate money 'humiliating': Bangladesh's Yunus
- McIlroy aims for glory on happy hunting ground in Dubai
- Spain evacuates thousands in fresh flood alarm
- US death row inmate stages jazz protest for release in London court
Brazil mounts frantic rescue effort as flooding kills 75
Authorities in southern Brazil scrambled Sunday to rescue people from raging floods and mudslides that have killed at least 75 and forced more than 88,000 to flee their homes.
All over Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state, people stood on rooftops hoping to be rescued as others in canoes or small boats navigated streets that have become rivers.
Viewed from the air, Porto Alegre was completely flooded, with streets under water and the roofs of some houses barely visible.
Civil defense officials said at least 103 people were missing in the latest of a string of catastrophic weather events to hit the South American giant.
More than 3,000 soldiers, firefighters and other crews worked frantically to save people stranded by the floods over the past few days, in many cases without basics like running water or electricity.
"It looks like a scene out of a war, and after it is over it will require a post-war approach," Rio Grande do Sul governor Eduardo Leite said, flanked by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and several government ministers.
Lula promised the government would provide all necessary resources for reconstruction.
Besides Porto Alegre, another 334 towns and villages have been hit by the flooding, caused by torrential rain.
Soldiers are setting up field hospitals after hundreds of patients had to be evacuated from regular hospitals.
Seventy percent of Porto Alegre is without running water and much of the metropolitan area is under water, officials said.
The Guaiba River, which flows through the city of 1.4 million people, reached a record high level of 5.3 meters (17.4 feet), according to the local municipality, well above the historic peak of 4.76 meters that had stood as a record since devastating 1941 floods.
Rosana Custodio, a 37-year-old nurse, fled her flooded Porto Alegre home with her husband and three children.
"During the night on Thursday the waters began to rise very quickly," she told AFP via a WhatsApp message.
"In a hurry, we went out to look for a safer place. But we couldn't walk... My husband put our two little ones in a kayak and rowed with a bamboo. My son and I swam to the end of the street," she said.
Her family was safe but "we've lost everything we had."
- 'It's terrifying' -
Authorities scrambled to evacuate swamped neighborhoods as rescue workers used four-wheel-drive vehicles -- and even jet skis -- to maneuver through waist-deep water in search of the stranded.
Governor Leite said his state, normally one of Brazil's most prosperous, would need a Marshall Plan of heavy investment to rebuild.
Sunday will be a key day for the rescue effort, said Paulo Pimenta, a senior communications official under Lula.
Long lines formed as people tried to board buses in many places, although bus services to and from the city center were canceled.
The Porto Alegre international airport suspended all flights on Friday for an undetermined period. Its runways are under water.
Lula posted a video of a helicopter depositing a soldier atop a house, who then used a brick to pound a hole in the roof and rescue a baby wrapped in a blanket.
The speed of the rising waters unnerved many.
"It's terrifying because we saw the water rise in an absurd way, it rose at a very high speed," said Greta Bittencourt, a 32-year-old professional poker player.
- 'Disastrous cocktail' -
Leite said this was the worst natural disaster in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, which is home to agroindustrial production of soy, rice, wheat and corn.
Rescuers faced a colossal task, with entire towns inaccessible.
Lula, who visited the state twice in a matter of days, has blamed the disaster on climate change.
The devastating storms were the result of a "disastrous cocktail" of global warming and the El Nino weather phenomenon, climatologist Francisco Eliseu Aquino told AFP on Friday.
South America's largest country has recently experienced a string of extreme weather events, including a cyclone in September that killed at least 31 people.
M.Odermatt--BTB