Indonesia: at least 40 dead from flash floods

Today's news: The death toll in Afghanistan has risen to over 300 from floods in the north; New tensions over some arrests in the Indian state of Manipur; The Myanmar military junta bombs a monastery where civilians had gathered; The number of Chinese cities that have joined the programme to visit Hong Kong individually has risen to 51.

INDONESIA

At least 40 people have been killed due to flash floods: two days ago heavy rains created torrents of ash and rocks around Mount Marapi, Sumatra's most active volcano. Cold lava mud flows inundated two districts, damaging more than 100 structures. According to experts, this type of disaster repeats itself every year with increasing frequency.

INDIA

In the north-eastern state of Manipur, police arrested two people accused of attacking and kidnapping four police officers in the Imphal district. Based on initial reconstructions, it seems that the officers were then released still blindfolded. This is the third attack on security forces in recent weeks: according to police officials, some ethnic Kuki militants may be behind it.

AFGHANISTAN

The death toll has risen to more than 300 people with more than 1,600 injured after the floods that hit the northern districts of Afghanistan. “We have no food, no drinking water, no shelter, no blankets, no 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 rescues.

MYANMAR

In recent days, the Burmese military junta bombed the monastery in the village of Akyi Pan Malun, in the municipality of Saw, in the Magwe region, killing at least 14 people and wounding 30. According to residents, civilians had gathered in the monastery to “establish transport links within the municipality”. For a few days the area had been deprived of internet connections, an event that usually precedes air force bombings.

CHINA – HONG KONG

Eight more Chinese cities have joined a program that allows mainland Chinese residents to travel to Hong Kong alone and not as part of a group, an attempt by Chinese authorities to boost the former colony's economy. The Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) was created in 2003 as part of a cooperation agreement between mainland China and Hong Kong: so far 51 Chinese cities are part of it.

NAGORNO - KARABAKH

The first refugees caused by the 40-day war in 2020 between Azerbaijan and Armenia were returned to the city of Šuša in Nagorno Karabakh, a group of 20 families for 88 people, and another 20 families with 75 people returned to the village of Sus of Lachin area, where last year's clashes ended with total Azeri occupation.

RUSSIA

In 2023, Russia exported its vodka for almost 60 million dollars, and just under half, 29.7 million, was purchased by Kazakhstan, already a leader in the consumption of the Russian national liqueur in 2022, when the numbers were even higher high in general for trade in Europe, while in Kazakhstan the increases depend on the large number of Russian emigrants.

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