The flooding struck the Havza district in Samsun province after heavy rains caused local rivers to overflow, sending fast-moving water through streets and sweeping away vehicles and debris, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Emergency footage broadcast by local media showed submerged roads and stranded residents, including a truck driver standing atop his vehicle awaiting rescue as floodwaters surged around him.

Authorities said basement and ground-floor levels of multiple buildings were flooded as rescue teams worked overnight to evacuate residents and clear blocked streets.

Anadolu reported that none of the injured were in critical condition. Some victims sought treatment independently, while others were transported to hospitals by emergency responders.

Firefighters, police units and disaster response teams were deployed across the district to assist stranded residents and remove debris left behind by the floodwaters.

Turkiye has faced repeated episodes of severe flooding in recent years, particularly along the Black Sea region, where mountainous terrain and intense seasonal rainfall have increased the risk of flash floods and landslides.

Medics said one Palestinian was killed and two others wounded in an Israeli airstrike near the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City, while a separate Israeli tank shelling in the central part of the enclave killed another person and injured several more.

There was no immediate comment from Israel on the reported strikes.Hostilities have persisted in Gaza despite the truce, with near-daily incidents reported by local authorities. Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms.At Al-Shifa Hospital, relatives gathered to mourn one of the victims, identified as Mohammed Al-Ghandour, according to hospital officials.

Witnesses described scenes of grief as family members assembled outside the morgue.Local medics say at least 830 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while Israeli authorities report that militants have killed four Israeli soldiers over the same period.

Israel says its operations are aimed at preventing attacks by Hamas and other militant groups.More than 72,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities, with civilians accounting for a majority of the casualties.

Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have maintained control over more than half of the enclave, where large-scale destruction and displacement have left much of the population of over 2 million living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings along the coast.

The commemoration comes as Kyiv accuses Moscow of repeatedly sending missiles and drones along flight paths near the former Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant while attacking Ukrainian cities, including a February 2025 drone strike that damaged the plant’s protective confinement structure.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the original 1986 catastrophe was caused by a reactor experiment ordered by Soviet authorities in Moscow in violation of safety rules and followed by concealment of the scale of the disaster.

“The Chernobyl disaster was the result of a reactor experiment ordered by Moscow, in violation of safety protocols, and followed by lies and cover-ups,” the ministry said in a statement this week.

Millions of people across Europe were exposed to radiation after reactor four exploded during a late-night safety test on April 26, 1986, sending radioactive material across large parts of the continent.

Hundreds of thousands were evacuated, while vast agricultural and residential areas were rendered unsafe for habitation.Thousands later developed radiation-related illnesses, including cancer, though the total death toll remains disputed among researchers and international agencies.

A major international engineering effort led to the installation in 2016 of a vast steel and concrete confinement arch over the original sarcophagus hastily built after the explosion to contain radioactive debris.

That structure, designed to prevent further contamination, was punctured during a Russian drone strike in February 2025, Ukrainian officials said.

While no radiation leaks were detected, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development estimates repairs will require at least 500 million euros to prevent lasting damage.

Earlier this week, Ukraine’s top state prosecutor told that radar systems had detected at least 92 Russian drones flying within five kilometers of the protective shield since June 2024, raising renewed international concern over the safety of the site.

Russia has denied accusations of deliberately endangering nuclear facilities during the war, while previous disputes over attacks near energy infrastructure have intensified fears of a broader nuclear emergency.

Located about 100 kilometers north of Kyiv, the plant remains inside a 2,600-square-kilometer exclusion zone established after the disaster. Around 2,250 employees continue to work in rotating shifts to oversee the long-term decommissioning of the site.

The plant’s final operational reactor was shut down in 2000.The control room of reactor four now stands dark and rusted, filled with damaged Soviet-era machinery left as a reminder of the explosion.Outside, wildlife including moose and wild horses roam through the abandoned forests and the nearby ghost city of Pripyat, where nature has reclaimed neighborhoods once evacuated in haste.

Security concerns continue to shape official remembrance ceremonies in wartime Ukraine, with authorities typically withholding details of commemorations in advance to reduce risks from missile and drone attacks.

For many Ukrainians, the anniversary now serves not only as a memorial to a Soviet-era catastrophe, but also as a warning of how war can once again place Europe’s nuclear safety at risk.

Fedorishchev, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said four people, including one child, had been rescued from the debris. He did not provide details on casualties or the extent of damage.

The incident occurred in Syzran, a city on the Volga River, amid ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine that have increasingly involved cross-border drone strikes.

Authorities have not released further information on the scale of the attack or whether additional people remain trapped. Rescue teams were continuing efforts at the site, according to the governor’s statement.

There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials.

In the border village of Barikot, a school complex serving primary to high school students has been heavily damaged, with classrooms littered with debris and abandoned materials after weeks of shelling that residents attributed to Pakistani forces.

Most of the village’s roughly 8,000 residents fled following the outbreak of hostilities in late February.The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Barikot facility is among 22 schools in urgent need of reconstruction in Kunar province.

Around 12,000 students affected by the conflict require safe learning spaces or support to resume classes, according to a report issued this month.AFP journalists who visited Barikot after access roads reopened this week described deserted streets and shuttered or destroyed shops.

Residents returning to assess the damage said essential infrastructure, including a medical center, had also been hit.Hundreds of civilians have been killed across Afghanistan amid the cross-border violence, according to the United Nations, before China facilitated talks that largely halted the fighting.

Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its territory, an allegation Afghan authorities deny.The conflict has displaced more than 94,000 people, with over a quarter from Kunar province, OCHA data shows.

Many have taken refuge along the Kunar River, living in makeshift shelters with limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.Aid groups say conditions in displacement camps are deteriorating. The Norwegian Refugee Council described the humanitarian situation as “dire,” citing urgent needs for shelter, water and sanitation services, and healthcare.

Local officials say schools in nearby areas are already overcrowded, complicating efforts to absorb displaced students. Authorities are considering relocating families to more structured camps established after a major earthquake last year.

Residents expressed concern over the long-term impact on education. Displaced families reported that children have been unable to attend classes for weeks, with some schools entirely shut due to damage or lack of capacity.

The recent escalation of violence across parts of the Middle East and North Africa is intensifying risks for children, with mounting evidence of casualties, displacement, and psychological distress, according to accounts compiled by humanitarian agencies and local testimonies.

The developments reflect a broader pattern in which children are increasingly exposed to recurrent episodes of armed conflict, disrupting essential services and undermining long-term well-being.In Tehran, a mother identified as Maryam described the sequence of events that unfolded during a recent episode of strikes. While attempting to pick up her younger son from school, she received a message from her older son indicating that an attack had occurred. Communication networks were partially disrupted, delaying contact.

When she eventually reached him, he was sheltering in a school basement alongside other students. According to her account, several children were visibly distressed, while others attempted to remain composed. During the exchange, her son asked whether the situation constituted a war, reflecting uncertainty among civilians amid rapidly changing conditions.Maryam reported that urban mobility was severely affected during the incident, with traffic congestion extending travel times significantly.

Upon reaching her younger child, she described an immediate but temporary sense of relief. In the days that followed, she noted that aerial activity and bombardments became more frequent, contributing to a sustained atmosphere of insecurity.Humanitarian reporting indicates that similar patterns are emerging across multiple locations in the region.

Recent weeks have seen a rise in reported child casualties, alongside large-scale displacement affecting hundreds of thousands. Many families have been forced to relocate to temporary shelters, often under urgent and unstable conditions. The disruption has extended to critical infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities, which are increasingly affected by ongoing hostilities.

In Lebanon, accounts from displaced families illustrate the immediate effects of these developments. Rahaf, aged five, described leaving her home due to safety concerns following nearby bombardments. She expressed a preference to return to familiar surroundings, highlighting the disruption of daily routines such as play and sleep. Another child, Adam, aged ten, recounted a nighttime evacuation marked by repeated airstrikes during transit.

He described the experience as disorienting, with persistent noise and physical tremors contributing to fear during the journey.Testimonies from Iran indicate comparable experiences. Maseeh, aged fourteen, stated that prior exposure to conflict had influenced his reaction, noting a degree of familiarity with such events. However, he acknowledged ongoing stress linked to uncertainty about potential future strikes.

Another teenager, Sina, aged sixteen, pointed to the combined impact of military activity and communication disruptions, including internet blackouts, as contributing to sustained psychological pressure.Field observations suggest that the effects of conflict on children extend beyond immediate physical risks. Behavioral responses, as described by caregivers, include coping mechanisms such as increasing exposure to music to mask the sound of explosions, as well as frequent communication among peers to confirm safety.

Questions about the continuity of education and the duration of hostilities appear to be common among affected children, according to parental accounts.Maryam noted that her children’s reactions often manifest in subtle ways, including heightened vigilance and repeated inquiries about safety and future developments. She indicated that this is not their first exposure to conflict, underscoring the cumulative nature of such experiences in certain regions.

The recurrence of these events raises concerns about long-term psychological impacts, particularly in contexts where access to consistent mental health support may be limited.Humanitarian organizations report that interventions are underway to address both immediate and longer-term needs. These include the provision of emergency supplies such as bedding, hygiene kits, and water, as well as efforts to deliver mental health and psychosocial support services.

Such programs aim to mitigate the effects of trauma and provide structured support for children and families navigating displacement and uncertainty.Despite these efforts, operational challenges persist due to the scale and frequency of the incidents. Displacement sites, including repurposed public buildings such as schools, are accommodating large numbers of families, often under constrained conditions.

The conversion of educational facilities into shelters further disrupts access to schooling, compounding the broader impact on children’s development.International humanitarian law stipulates the protection of civilians, including children, and the safeguarding of civilian infrastructure during armed conflict. However, reports from multiple locations indicate that these provisions are not consistently upheld.

The targeting or incidental damage of schools and healthcare facilities has been documented, raising concerns among international observers and aid agencies regarding compliance with established norms.Maryam also described the psychological burden experienced by caregivers, noting difficulties in maintaining a sense of security for children amid ongoing uncertainty.

She reported sleep disruption driven by concerns about responding to emergencies in a timely manner. Her account reflects a broader trend in which parents are managing both their own stress and the emotional needs of their children under prolonged conditions of instability.In addition to immediate safety concerns, there is evidence of longer-term social and developmental implications.

Repeated displacement, interruptions in education, and sustained exposure to violence are factors associated with adverse outcomes in child development, according to existing research cited by humanitarian agencies. The normalization of conflict within childhood environments represents a significant shift with potential generational effects.

Maryam indicated that she attempts to shield her children from the most distressing aspects of the situation, drawing on her own experiences of growing up in a conflict-affected environment. At the same time, she acknowledged limitations in her ability to fully mitigate the impact. She also referred to a broader awareness of families who have experienced greater losses, including those unable to provide similar levels of protection.

The current trajectory of events suggests that children in affected areas are likely to remain exposed to a combination of direct and indirect risks associated with armed conflict.

The persistence of hostilities, coupled with infrastructural disruptions and displacement, continues to shape the daily experiences of families across the region.

Three months after a major earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, access to safe drinking water remains a central challenge for thousands of displaced families, as humanitarian agencies scale up efforts to restore damaged infrastructure and prevent disease outbreaks.

The earthquake affected multiple provinces, including Nangarhar Province, Kunar Province, and Laghman Province, causing widespread destruction to homes and critical public services. Among the most significant impacts was the damage to water systems, with wells collapsing and water sources becoming unusable. The disruption has forced many families to rely on temporary solutions while living in displacement camps, where conditions remain fragile.

Sharifa, a displaced resident, described the daily challenges following the disaster. Prior to the earthquake, her household depended on a nearby well for water. After the infrastructure was damaged, securing safe drinking water became uncertain. She said that each day began with concern over how to meet basic needs, reflecting a broader pattern among displaced families facing similar conditions.

Humanitarian assessments indicate that more than 130 water points were destroyed in the affected areas. The loss of these facilities, combined with overcrowded living conditions in camps, contributed to increased reliance on unsafe water sources in the immediate aftermath.

The situation was further compounded by inadequate sanitation practices, including open defecation, which heightened the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera.In response, UNICEF, through its polio programme and partner organizations, has implemented water, sanitation and hygiene interventions across seven camps and more than 50 affected communities.

According to programme data, over 20,000 people are currently receiving support aimed at restoring access to clean water and improving hygiene practices.Dr. Godwin Mindra, identified as UNICEF’s Chief of Immunization, stated that the earthquake disrupted essential services, including immunization systems and water supply networks.

He noted that social mobilizers have been deployed to promote health education and sanitation practices, with the objective of reducing the risk of disease outbreaks, including polio, during the recovery phase.In Khas Kunar Camp, a newly installed water supply network has begun operations, with a production capacity of approximately 120,000 liters per day.

The system has reduced dependence on water trucking, which had been the primary source of supply immediately after the earthquake. Humanitarian agencies report that water trucking continues to provide short-term relief, while more durable infrastructure is being developed to ensure long-term sustainability.Across six displacement camps, more than 15,500 people are reported to have continuous access to safe drinking water following recent interventions.

The establishment of permanent water systems has also led to a measurable reduction in reliance on emergency water deliveries. In Khas Kunar camp, daily water trucking requirements have decreased by more than half since the completion of the new system.Additional infrastructure has been deployed to support water access and storage.

According to operational data, 76 water reservoirs and 188 tap stands have been installed across affected locations. Distribution efforts have included more than 11,000 jerry cans, enabling households to collect and store water safely. These measures are intended to reduce contamination risks and improve overall water management at the household level.

Despite progress, challenges remain in ensuring consistent access across all affected areas. Work is ongoing in camps such as Satarwal Camp and Zeri Baba Camp, where additional water systems are under development. At the same time, efforts are being made to rehabilitate damaged infrastructure in home communities, allowing families to return when conditions permit.

Displacement remains a key issue, with many families reluctant to return to their villages due to concerns over aftershocks and structural safety. As a result, camps continue to serve as temporary settlements for extended periods, increasing the importance of reliable water and sanitation services in these locations.Sharifa noted that the restoration of water supply has had a tangible impact on daily life.

She described access to clean water as a critical step toward recovery, linking it to broader improvements in safety and living conditions. Her account aligns with observations from aid agencies that water access is a foundational element in stabilizing displaced communities.Humanitarian officials emphasize that water supply interventions are closely linked to public health outcomes.

The provision of clean water, combined with hygiene promotion, is seen as essential in preventing outbreaks of communicable diseases in high-density camp environments. These measures also support the continuity of other services, including immunization campaigns, which depend on stable operating conditions.

The response has received support from international partners, including the United States and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to programme updates, the focus is gradually shifting from emergency relief to the development of durable systems designed to enhance resilience against future shocks.Rehabilitation efforts in affected communities are expected to play a critical role in the transition from displacement to recovery.

Restoring local water systems is seen as a prerequisite for enabling families to return to their homes and resume normal activities. However, progress is contingent on both infrastructure repair and improvements in safety conditions.The ongoing situation highlights the central role of water access in post-disaster recovery efforts.

In the absence of functioning systems, basic daily activities are significantly disrupted, with implications for health, sanitation, and overall stability. As reconstruction continues, the effectiveness of water and sanitation interventions will remain a key factor in determining the pace and sustainability of recovery in eastern Afghanistan.

The incident occurred during routine water delivery at the Mansoura water filling point, a key facility supplying Gaza City, UNICEF said in a statement, adding that two other individuals were injured in the attack.The agency said it was “outraged” by the killings and stressed that humanitarian personnel, civilians and essential infrastructure must be protected under international humanitarian law.

It urged Israeli authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.Israel’s embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.The development comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been in place since October, ending two years of full-scale conflict.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces remain deployed across a large depopulated zone covering more than half of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas continues to control the remaining coastal territory.Violence has persisted since the ceasefire, with local medics reporting more than 750 Palestinian deaths, while militants have killed four Israeli soldiers.

Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the truce.UNICEF said the suspension of activities at the water site could further affect access to clean water for civilians in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain severe.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said that while March deliveries largely reflected cargoes loaded before the crisis escalated, the situation has shifted significantly. “During the month of April, nothing has been loaded,” he told reporters following meetings at the International Monetary Fund, adding that prolonged disruption would intensify market pressures.

Birol said the agency is tracking damage to energy infrastructure across the region, noting that more than a third of over 80 affected facilities have sustained severe damage. He described the situation as a major energy security challenge with global implications, warning that no country would be insulated from the fallout.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said there is an urgent need to assess the scale of economic impact stemming from infrastructure losses tied to the conflict.World Bank President Ajay Banga said the institution is preparing for multiple scenarios depending on the duration and intensity of hostilities, including expanded financial support.

The IMF has indicated it can make up to $50 billion available, while the World Bank has outlined potential financing of up to $25 billion, with the possibility of increasing total support to $60 billion over six months if conditions worsen.

The conflict, triggered by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28, has disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments. Iran’s actions to impede maritime traffic, followed by a U.S. naval blockade, have heightened concerns over supply constraints and price volatility.

Although a two-week ceasefire was agreed last week to enable negotiations, talks in Islamabad failed to produce a breakthrough, raising uncertainty over whether the truce will hold.

International mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar, have urged both sides to maintain the ceasefire, while UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the restoration of freedom of navigation in the region.

The semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News said the strike targeted a residential area, though the intended objective remained unclear. Neither Israel nor the United States immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which followed escalating threats from Washington over Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Separate airstrikes also hit Iran’s capital, Tehran, before dawn, with explosions reported across the city and the sound of fighter jets heard intermittently for hours. Iranian authorities did not immediately provide details on the targets or casualties from those strikes.

Iranian media said Sharif University of Technology in Tehran was among the sites hit, with damage reported to campus buildings and a nearby natural gas distribution facility. The university has previously faced international sanctions over alleged links to Iran’s ballistic missile program, though it was unclear what specific facilities were targeted.

In the city of Qom, south of the capital, an airstrike on a residential area killed at least five people, according to the state-run IRAN newspaper. Authorities did not specify the intended target of that strike.

Iran’s science minister said more than 30 universities across the country have been hit since the conflict began in late February, underscoring the widening scope of the bombardment. Iran has not released updated nationwide casualty figures in recent days.

The latest strikes come amid sustained attacks on military and infrastructure sites, with Iranian security forces reportedly using alternative locations as bases after repeated strikes on established facilities.

The conflict has also forced the closure of schools nationwide, with classes moved online, and disrupted key infrastructure, including energy distribution networks.