Rorisang Modiba delivers daily updates from around the world.
Kenya – Extreme flooding in Kenya’s Maasai Mara nature reserve has resulted in at least 188 deaths. The River Talek overflowed, affecting over a dozen tourist sites. Social media videos show damaged buildings and vehicles, with tourists trying to evacuate. Continuous rains have also caused disruptions around Nairobi and a deadly mudslide in Mai Mahiu, with the death toll in that area revised to 50 from 71.
Israel – Local Palestinian journalists, unable to leave Gaza, have played a crucial role in documenting the harsh realities of the war, providing information to the global community as foreign media face entry restrictions.” Whoever stays until the end, will tell the story. We did what we could. Remember us,” wrote Frontline Defender Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila in a message at Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalya, Gaza on 20 October 2023. The ongoing conflict has destroyed neighbourhoods and displaced many families, with reports of starvation increasing. During this time, 129 of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas are still held, with 33 presumed dead.
India – An Indian state minister has confirmed that India began deporting Myanmar refugees on 3 March. This comes after the arrival of many seeking refuge after Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, leading India to reconsider its border policies with Myanmar. The state of Manipur deported 38 refugees, with plans to deport a total of 77, amid ongoing ethnic violence that has resulted in at least 220 deaths since last May. Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh emphasised that this is part of a broader effort to identify and deport illegal immigrants.
USA – President Joe Biden described Japan and India, along with Russia and China, as “xenophobic” due to their restrictive immigration policies. He said this despite recently praising the strong alliance between the US and Japan, and recognising India as a significant US partner. Biden’s comments were meant to highlight the value of immigration in a speech aimed at an Asian-American audience, emphasising its importance for democracy and economic success. The remarks have been criticised, including by former US deputy assistant secretary of defence Elbridge Colby who argued that such allies should be treated with respect rather than subjected to damaging labels.
Pictured above: Kenya floods.
Image source: X
