Flood rescue efforts intensify in Asia

Severe flooding in Sri Lanka, exacerbated by Cyclone Ditwah, has led to a humanitarian crisis, with community kitchens and fishing boats mobilizing to deliver food and relief supplies to affected areas. The cyclone has resulted in significant loss of life, with the death toll nearing 200 and many individuals reported missing.

High-level negotiations took place in Moscow between U.S. negotiators, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on a peace plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. This meeting comes amid Russia's continued military advances and follows previous discussions with Ukrainian officials.

Severe flooding and landslides across Asia, particularly in Indonesia, have resulted in over 1,200 fatalities and forced approximately one million people to evacuate their homes. The relentless monsoon rains and cyclones have devastated infrastructure and left many families stranded, highlighting the increasing lethality of such natural disasters exacerbated by global heating.

Sri Lanka is grappling with severe flooding and mudslides following Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in a rising death toll nearing 200 and significant destruction in Colombo and surrounding areas. Asiri, a resident on the outskirts of the capital, is among many trying to salvage their homes amidst this humanitarian crisis.

The Sri Lanka Air Force has initiated airlift operations to deliver essential supplies to communities severely impacted by extensive flooding and mudslides. This response comes as many areas remain isolated due to the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has led to significant loss of life and property.

Two British women, Melanie Watters and Janine Reid, have been stranded in Pussellawa, Sri Lanka, since Thursday due to landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, and are reported to be running out of food and water. The cyclone has led to severe flooding and landslides across the region, with a rising death toll now reported at 465.

The death toll from severe flooding and landslides on Indonesia's Sumatra island has risen to 708, with 504 individuals reported missing and approximately 3.2 million people affected. The disaster has resulted in 2,600 injuries and prompted the evacuation of over 1 million residents as authorities respond to the escalating crisis.

The Eurovision Song Contest faces potential survival challenges due to calls for a boycott over Israel, reflecting a growing divide in public opinion regarding the event's association with the country. This situation has emerged amid various global tensions, including political and humanitarian issues in regions like Sri Lanka and Myanmar.