A powerful storm that is charging towards Western Australia (WA) has intensified to a category five system. Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa is expected to hit Port Hedland, in the state’s north, late on Thursday night. A red alert has been issued across the region, with thousands of people ordered to take immediate shelter. While northern Australia is no stranger to cyclones, this storm is predicted to be the strongest to hit the region in 14 years.
-
At least 28 people have been killed in blaze on Philippines ferry
At least 28 people have been killed and 230 rescued after a passenger ferry caught fire in the Philippines. Officials said the blaze began in the ship’s air-conditioned cabins on Wednesday night but it is unclear how. Among the dead were at least three children, including a six-month-old baby. The Philippine Coast Guard said search and rescue operations were ongoing and there were no signs of overloading on the ship. The initial death toll amounted to less than a dozen people. These were thought to have drowned as they jumped into the water without life jackets.
-
Death Toll from Lava Flood in West Sumatra Increases
Flash floods and landslides hit a number of areas of West Sumatra on Saturday, May 11 2024 and Sunday, May 12 2024. This disaster was triggered by heavy rains and the overflowing of rivers, most of which have their headwaters on Mount Marapi. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the number of casualties caused by lava floods and landslides in West Sumatra has increased again.
-
Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as top EU leader
Ursula von der Leyen has been voted in for a second term as European Commission president, winning an emphatic victory as mainstream groups in the European parliament united to deny a win for anti-EU and extreme-right forces. The Strasbourg chamber erupted in applause when it became clear that von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the EU executive, had cleared the hurdle by 41 votes – a stronger result than her first election in 2019.
