Afghanistan is reeling from devastating flash floods that have killed nearly 315 people and injured over 1,600. The floods have also caused widespread damage to homes, livestock, and infrastructure. The northern Baghlan province was one of the hardest hit, with over 300 people killed there alone. Aid agencies have warned of a widening humanitarian crisis as people struggle to cope with the aftermath of the floods.
Unprecedented rainfall has triggered devastating flash floods in Afghanistan, leading to the tragic loss of over 300 lives. The floodwaters have decimated homes and infrastructure, leaving thousands in need of urgent assistance. Northern provinces, particularly Baghlan, have suffered the brunt of the disaster.
Israel has ordered further evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands more residents to flee as the military prepares to intensify its military operation. The order follows heavy international criticism, including from the US, and warnings from aid agencies of a humanitarian crisis. Israel has already displaced over 1.4 million Palestinians, half of Gaza’s population, with many seeking refuge in Rafah. The latest evacuations will force them to move again to areas already devastated by previous Israeli attacks. The military is also moving into northern Gaza, where Hamas is believed to have regrouped.
Israel has agreed to consider US concerns prior to any military operation in Rafah, Gaza. The US expressed concerns about the potential humanitarian impact of such an operation. Secretary of State Blinken is scheduled to visit the region next week to advocate for a temporary ceasefire of at least six weeks. Hamas is also holding talks in Cairo to secure a ceasefire. The US has urged Israel to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza, with President Biden warning of potential consequences if Israel fails to do so.
Otaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist featured in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, discussed the importance of raising awareness about the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the need to protect journalists. He spoke about his visits to university campuses where students have established Gaza solidarity encampments, highlighting the importance of education and understanding. Azaiza emphasized the suffering and loss of life in Gaza, including the deaths of over 100 journalists, and urged people to recognize the humanity of the Palestinian people and their struggle for freedom.
Hamas has released a video of captured Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the first sign of life since his capture on October 7th. In the video, Goldberg-Polin accuses the Israeli government of abandoning hostages and alleges that 70 captives have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. His claims have not been independently verified. Goldberg-Polin’s family has released a statement urging action to secure his and other hostages’ release.
Captive for seven months, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli dual citizen, appeared in a video released by Hamas on Wednesday. The heavily edited clip showed the 23-year-old missing his left hand and part of his arm, injuries sustained during the Nova music festival attack on October 7th. Goldberg-Polin urged Israeli officials to secure his release and addressed his family directly. His parents, seeing their son alive for the first time since his capture, expressed relief but voiced concerns over his well-being.
Students at Harvard University joined a wave of protests across the US, setting up an encampment to condemn the ongoing conflict in Gaza and demand divestment from Israel. Despite threats of police action, the encampment was erected near Harvard Yard, joining similar demonstrations at other universities. Over 100 protesters were arrested at Columbia University on Thursday, while arrests occurred at New York University, the University of Minnesota, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas at Austin. These protests highlight growing opposition to the Israeli military assault on Gaza, which has resulted in widespread casualties and displacement.
Despite corrections and debates, evidence suggests that famine in Gaza has likely begun. This ongoing process, characterized by widespread hunger, malnutrition, and impending mass mortality, demands urgent attention. However, the arbitrary threshold for declaring famine and the semantic disputes surrounding the term can obscure the severity of the situation.
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed annually on April 26th to commemorate the victims of the catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986. Approximately 8.4 million people were exposed to harmful nuclear radiations due to the explosion, resulting in widespread damage to the environment and human health. The day raises awareness about the long-lasting consequences of the disaster and the ongoing need for support and recovery in affected communities.
