Cyclone Harry has unleashed extreme weather across the Mediterranean, leaving a trail of destruction along Italy’s coastlines and beyond. Powerful winds, relentless rainfall, and massive waves overwhelmed towns, transport links, and critical infrastructure in multiple regions. In southern Italy, flooding inundated homes and tourist areas, while entire sections of seafronts, promenades, and beaches were destroyed. Wave heights reached extraordinary levels, tearing through coastal defences and washing roads into the sea. Emergency services and military units were deployed as authorities worked to manage evacuations and assess damage.

China has reported a sharp surge in its trade surplus, reaching a record nearly $1.2 trillion, even as exports to the United States declined under President Donald Trump’s higher tariffs. Official data shows Chinese exports rose 5.5 percent last year to $3.77 trillion, while imports remained largely flat. The result pushed China’s trade surplus well beyond previous records, highlighting how exporters shifted away from the US market.