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‘The current could kill an elephant’: Asia flood survivors describe escaping with their lives

‘The current could kill an elephant’: Asia flood survivors describe escaping with their lives

From Thailand to Indonesia, torrential flooding has carried away people’s possessions, homes and lives How cyclones and monsoon rains converged to devastate parts of Asia – visual guide Aminah Ali, 63, was at home in the Pidie Jaya district of Indonesia’s Aceh province when the rains started at midnight on Wednesday. The waters rose gradually. It seemed like the usual flooding that happens during monsoon season, but then came a loud roar of water: her village was suddenly inundated. With help from her son, she managed to clamber on to her rooftop, where she waited for 24 hours. Flood waters, 3 meters high, stretched into the distance. “I saw many houses being swept away,” she said. Continue reading...

'We depend too much on US' - Locals react to Trump 'interference' as presidential race narrows, counting continues

'We depend too much on US' - Locals react to Trump 'interference' as presidential race narrows, counting continues

"Honduran citizens expressed their opinions after the elections in Tegugalpa on Monday, while questioning the support that National Party candidate Nasry Asfura has received from the president of the United States, Donald Trump. Although there is still no official winner, many of the voters claimed the victory of Nasry Asfura, also known as 'Papi a la orden' ('Daddy at your service', in spanish). "'Papi a la orden' is the new leader and the new president of Honduras," stated Ricardo, a journalist who stressed the United States' influence during the elections, after Donald Trump openly expressed his support for Asfura. Last Friday, Trump posted on his social network Truth Social that: "If [Asfura] does not win, the United States will not be wasting money," warning that he would not invest resources in Honduras. "If Donald Trump takes away the aid from us, then yes it will affect us in every way, even us workers," commented Margarita, a cook who also hopes that Asfura "does his job very well and cleanly." Based on the preliminary count by the National Electoral Council (CNE) on Monday, Nasry Asfura leads the tally with 40% of the votes, while Salvador Nasralla, of the Liberal Party, has 39.78%. In the remaining positions are Rixi Moncada, from the Liberty and Refoundation Party, with 19.18%, and Nelson Avila, from the Innovation and Social Democratic Unity Party, with 0.84%. Preemptive accusations of election fraud, made both by the ruling party and opposition, have sparked fears of unrest. "

‘We will not finance Ukraine’s war machine’ — Fico rejects use of EU funds, seized Russian assets for Kiev’s military

‘We will not finance Ukraine’s war machine’ — Fico rejects use of EU funds, seized Russian assets for Kiev’s military

"Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in Brussels that while Slovakia remains ready to provide relief for Ukraine, his government will not support measures that, in his view, indirectly fund Kiev’s military operations, speaking on Monday after meetings at the European Council. "We are prepared to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but we will not finance Ukraine's war machine from our financial resources," he said. “The question of where to get money for Ukraine is central,” he said, referring to discussions on potential use of frozen Russian assets and EU financing mechanisms. Fico described the proposals under consideration as either illegal seizure of sovereign assets, or schemes that would effectively finance war, both of which he said Slovakia cannot accept. “We cannot just sit back and agree to the confiscation of 140 billion in frozen Russian assets and thus supply Ukraine with weapons. We reject that. We will not do it,” he said. “The peace plan should take precedence over the continuation of the war. Giving 140 billion to Ukraine for weapons means more killing, more war. We cannot agree. We are prepared to provide humanitarian aid, but we will not finance Ukraine’s war machine from our financial resources,” he added. Fico also outlined Slovakia’s broader approach to EU policy, emphasising the need for realistic measures to address high energy prices and protect key domestic industries. He welcomed the European Council’s recent conclusions, saying the Union is showing leadership and reaffirming the need for a coordinated approach across member states. The Slovak Prime Minister, who returned to office in late 2023, has taken a more cautious stance on EU sanctions against Russia and military support to Ukraine. He has repeatedly stressed that Slovakia will prioritise humanitarian assistance over financing arms shipments."