at least 40 dead in flash floods

Today’s news: The death toll in Afghanistan due to flooding in the north of the country increases to more than 300. New tensions due to some arrests in the Indian state of Manipur. Myanmar’s military junta bombs a monastery where civilians had gathered. The number of Chinese cities that have joined the program to visit Hong Kong individually increases to 51.

INDONESIA

At least 40 people died in flash floods: Two days ago heavy rains caused torrents of ash and rocks around Mount Marapi, Sumatra’s most active volcano. Cold lava mud flows flooded two districts, damaging more than 100 structures. According to experts, this type of catastrophe occurs more frequently every year.

INDIA

In the northeastern state of Manipur, The police arrested two people accused of attacking and kidnapping four police officers in Imphal district. According to the first reconstructions, it seems that the agents were later released still blindfolded. This is the third attack against security forces in recent weeks: according to the police, militants of the Kuki ethnic group could be behind it.

AFGHANISTAN

The death toll has risen to more than 300 and more than 1,600 were injured after the floods that devastated the northern districts of Afghanistan. “We have no food, no drinking water, no shelter, no blankets, nothing, the floods have destroyed everything,” said Muhammad Yahqoob, a local resident who lost 13 members of his family. The population harshly criticized the Taliban for neglecting the situation and not carrying out the rescues.

MYANMAR

In recent days, the Burmese military junta bombed the monastery of Akyi Pan Malun village, Saw township, Magwe region, killing at least 14 people and injuring 30. According to residents, civilians had gathered at the monastery to “establish transportation links within the municipality.” The area had been without an Internet connection for several days, a fact that usually precedes air strikes.

CHINA – HONG KONG

Eight more Chinese cities have joined a scheme allowing mainland Chinese residents to travel to Hong Kong on their own and not in a group, an attempt by the Chinese authorities to reactivate the economy of the former colony. The Individual Visit Program (IVS) was created in 2003 within the framework of a cooperation agreement between mainland China and Hong Kong: 51 Chinese cities are members so far.

NAGORNO – KARABAKH

The first refugees from the 2020 40-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia, a group of 20 families with 88 people, returned to the city of Susa in Nagorno-Karabakh, and another 20 families with 75 people returned to the village of Sus, in the Lachin area, where last year’s clashes ended the total Azerbaijani occupation.

RUSSIA

In 2023, Russia exported its vodka worth almost 60 million dollars, and slightly less than half, 29.7 million, was acquired by Kazakhstan, which already led the consumption of the Russian national liquor in 2022, when the figures were still higher in general for trade in Europe, while in Kazakhstan the increases depended on the large number of Russian emigrants.