Stock Markets
Death toll from rains in southern Brazil climbs to 57, some 70 still missing
SAO PAULO (Reuters) -The death toll from rains in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul rose to 57, local authorities said on Saturday afternoon, while dozens still have not been accounted for.
Rio Grande do Sul’s civil defense authority said 67 people were still missing and more than 32,000 had been displaced as storms have affected nearly two thirds of the 497 cities in the state, which borders Uruguay and Argentina.
Floods destroyed roads and bridges in several regions of the state. The storm also triggered landslides and the partial collapse of a dam at a small hydroelectric power plant. A second dam in the city of Bento Goncalves is also at risk of collapsing, authorities said.
In Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, the Guaiba lake broke its banks, flooding streets.
Porto Alegre’s international airport has suspended all flights for an indefinite period.
Rains are expected in the northern and northeastern regions of the state in the next 36 hours, but the volume of precipitation has been declining, and should be well below the peak seen earlier in the week, according to the state meteorology authority.
Still, “rivers water levels should stay high for some days”, Governor Eduardo Leite said on Saturday in a live video on his social media, adding it is difficult to determine for how long.
Rio Grande do Sul is at a geographical meeting point between tropical and polar atmospheres, which has created a weather pattern with periods of intense rains and others of drought.
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Local scientists believe the pattern has been intensifying due to climate change.
Heavy rains had already hit Rio Grande do Sul last September, as an extratropical cyclone caused floods that killed more than 50 people.
That came after more than two years of a persistent drought due to the La Nina phenomenon, with only scarce showers.
Stock Markets
US anti-missile system in Israel used to intercept projectile from Yemen
(Reuters) – An advanced U.S. military anti-missile system was used in Israel to try to intercept a projectile for the first time since President Joe Biden placed the system in Israel in October, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.
The THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, was used to try to intercept a projectile from Yemen sometime during the last 24 hours, and an analysis would determine its success, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.
Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what they describe as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In October, Biden placed the THAAD system, built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:), in Israel along with about 100 U.S. soldiers to help defend the country.
THAAD is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered air defense systems and added to Israel’s already formidable anti-missile defenses.
Stock Markets
Senate intelligence panel criticizes CIA response to Havana syndrome
(Reuters) – A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report published on Friday criticized the CIA’s response to so-called Havana syndrome health problems among its workforce, saying many individuals “faced obstacles to timely and sufficient care.”
A declassified summary of the panel’s classified report also said the spy agency’s response “negatively affected” those who reported symptoms, leading to a “trust deficit” among some personnel.
While the CIA provided benefits and compensation to many of those reporting symptoms, the report said, the ease of accessing those programs has been inconsistent, affecting how the agency has been organized to deal with the matter.
Stock Markets
Saba capital management buys $826,865 in Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund stock
Following these transactions, Saba Capital now holds 4,057,625 shares of Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, reflecting its continued confidence in the fund’s performance. The fund currently offers a 4.53% dividend yield and maintains a conservative beta of 0.67, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. This move underscores Saba Capital’s strategy to enhance its position in the municipal bond market through this investment. InvestingPro analysis reveals several additional key metrics and insights about MHI’s financial health and market position.
Following these transactions, Saba Capital now holds 4,057,625 shares of Pioneer Municipal High Income Fund, reflecting its continued confidence in the fund’s performance. The fund currently offers a 4.53% dividend yield and maintains a conservative beta of 0.67, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market. This move underscores Saba Capital’s strategy to enhance its position in the municipal bond market through this investment. InvestingPro analysis reveals several additional key metrics and insights about MHI’s financial health and market position.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
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