Residents of a Kenyan village are still coming to terms with their loss after a truck full of people was swept away by raging floodwaters. A large group of people boarded a truck in hopes of being ferried across a swollen river in Makueni.

Makueni County

In a tragic incident in Kenya, a truck carrying a group of people who were attempting to cross a swollen river in the village of Makueni was swept away by raging floodwaters. The vehicle was overwhelmed by the powerful currents of the river, resulting in several passengers falling into the water and being carried away. Eyewitnesses and relatives of the victims rushed to the riverbank in a desperate attempt to aid those in distress.

James Mtuku, an eyewitness and a relative of one of the victims, recounted the harrowing experience, noting that there were actually two trucks attempting to cross the river. Mtuku was in the truck that managed to cross safely, but the subsequent vehicle was not as fortunate. According to his account, screams were heard from the river as the second truck was swept away, prompting a frantic rescue effort. Despite some survivors being rescued, several bodies have been recovered downstream, though the precise number of casualties has yet to be determined.

This disaster is part of a broader crisis affecting Kenya, as the country battles heavy rains that have caused widespread displacement and loss of life. The Kenya Red Cross Society has reported that over 11,000 people have been displaced due to the floods, and government officials have confirmed that at least 75 people have died as a result of the adverse weather. The Kenya Meteorological Department has issued a warning that more heavy rainfall is expected in the near future, raising concerns for additional flooding and the potential for further loss of life and displacement.



People swept away by raging river in Kenya

Residents of a Kenyan village are still coming to terms with their loss after a truck full of people was swept away by raging floodwaters. A large group of people boarded a truck in hopes of being ferried across a swollen river in Makwene on Friday. As it moved across the river, the truck was suddenly overwhelmed by the powerful currents. People fell into the water as it tipped over and were carried away as onlookers rushed to the river bank. James Mtuku was an eyewitness and is a relative of one of the victims. But there were two trucks. I was in the one that went ahead, he says. Our truck crossed without any issues and once we got to the other side of the river, we heard screams. Some survivors were pulled out, but several bodies have been recovered downriver. The exact number of casualties remains unclear. Heavy rains across Kenya have displaced more than 11,000 people, according to the Kenya Red Cross Society. At least 75 people have been killed, a government spokesperson said on Saturday. The Kenya Meteorological Department has warned more heavy rains are expected in the coming week.

The biggest geomagnetic storm in two decades resulted in dazzling lights displays across large swathes of the Northern Hemisphere over the weekend. Curtains of green, pink and purple lights could be seen in skies around the world.

Riex

Solar storm causes rare northern lights display

It’s been two years since Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed during an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp. Despite a U.S. Government backed investigation that found she was shot by an Israeli sniper, no charges have been filed.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Two years on, no justice for slain Al Jazeera journalist

Israel called for Palestinians in more areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah to evacuate and head to what it calls an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, in a further indication that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a ground attack on Rafah.

Rafah

Israel-Gaza War

Israel calls on Rafah residents to evacuate ahead of assault

Russian forces have captured five villages as part of a renewed ground assault in Ukraine’s northeast, the country’s Defence Ministry said. 

Ukrainian journalists reported that Russian troops took the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha, all of which lie in a militarily contested “grey zone” on the border of Ukraine's Kharkiv region and Russia.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia claims capture of five villages in northeast Ukraine

A report by the Biden administration on whether Israel’s use of U.S. supplied weapons violated international humanitarian law is “self-contradictory” and full of gaps two former State Department officials told Reuters.

Washington

Critical U.S. report on Israel arms use 'self-contradictory'

Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. The Frenchman, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid. The 25-year-old officially announced his PSG exit after it was revealed in February he would be leaving the French champions.

Paris

Kylian Mbappe confirms Paris Saint-Germain exit at end of season

The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.

London

Intense solar storm brings northern lights displays across the globe

Dramatic footage of a rare tornado that tore through the Western Australian city of Bunbury shows it travelling quickly as it destroys rooftops and damages homes. Two people were injured amid falling debris.

Bunbury

Video captures freak tornado hitting Bunbury

The Albanese Federal Government has announced an $11.3b plan as part of next week's budget to help accelerate the supply of new homes, combat homelessness, and assist those fleeing domestic violence with crisis accommodation.

Canberra

Multi-billion dollar plan to combat housing crisis

The General Assembly has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member. The resolution calls on the Security Council to reconsider and support the matter - a move that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state.

New York

UN General Assembly backs Palestine membership

Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region after Russia launched both drones and a ground attack. Analysts say it could be Russia's attempt to stretch Ukraine's already-thin resources.

Kharkiv

Russia launches surprise ground offensive near Kharkiv

Protesters opposed to expansion of U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla's plant in Grunheide near Berlin clashed with police as some of them attempted to storm the facility. About 800 people took part, according to the organizing group, which says expansion of the plant would damage the environment.

Grünheide (Mark)

Protesters try to storm Tesla plant in Germany

Russia has launched a surprise ground offensive into Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, putting its forces on the attack in a border zone Moscow's troops were pushed back from nearly two years ago.

Russia launches surprise ground offensive in Kharkiv

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said it was temporarily shuttering its east Jerusalem headquarters after "Israeli extremists" set fire to the perimeter following weeks of repeated attacks.

Jerusalem

UN aid agency closes East Jerusalem headquarters after arson

There are hopes that budget airline Bonza can be saved, after a creditors meeting including investors and administrators. The Queensland government is considering helping the low-cost carrier if a new owner is found. Flights were cancelled after the airline was repossessed.

Melbourne

Hopes Bonza airline can be saved

Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been ordered to pay most of Ten Network's legal fees, after his defamation loss against the network. The Federal Court heard that Mr Lehrmann may not be able to afford costs order.

Council of the City of Sydney

Bruce Lehrmann to pay Ten's legal costs

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suspended 9.5 billion dollars’ worth of trade with Israel, in response to the country’s war on Gaza. Many in Turkiye believe the measure is intended to push other nations to act against the Israeli government.

İstanbul

Turkey cuts trade ties with Israel worth $9.5 billion

Donald Trump’s lawyers attacked adult film star Stormy Daniels's credibility during her second day on the stand at the former president's hush money trial. Trump’s team said her story has changed over time and the salacious details of their alleged affair have nothing to do with the charges against Trump.

Trump lawyers attack Stormy Daniels's credibility in cross examination

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West on Thursday (May 9) of risking a global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten the world's biggest nuclear power as Russia marked the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Moscow

Putin warns of global clash as Russia marks WWII victory

U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement that he would withhold arms supplies if Israel went through with its assault of Rafah drew a defiant reaction alongside unease at the possible longer-term fallout from the open clash with Israel's most vital ally.

U.S. pause on bomb shipment prompts Israeli defiance

An Australian national remains in custody in Bali, Indonesia after he was charged with allegedly importing with methamphetamine. Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln was arrested late last month, with authorities finding a parcel with 3.15 grams of the drug.

Kuta

Australian man facing drug importation charges in Bali

One of the three Mexican nationals accused of murdering two Australian brothers has faced court, amid revelations he admitted the killings to his then-girlfriend. The family of Jake and Callum Robinson are now preparing to take their bodies home to Perth.

Baja California

Accused killer of Perth brothers faces court

President Joe Biden publicly warned Israel for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplying weapons if Israeli forces make a major invasion of Rafah, a refugee-packed city in southern Gaza. Biden also acknowledged that American bombs provided to Israel have killed civilians in Gaza.

Biden vows to deny Israel weapons if Rafah attacked

New storms are forecast for Brazil's flooded Rio Grande do Sul region. Authorities say the expected rain will make rescue efforts difficult. More than 100 people have been killed so far by the devastating floods.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil flood death toll hits 100 as government pledges aid

The final stop on President Xi's trip to Europe is Hungary. China has invested close to 10 billion dollars in manufacturing and infrastructure in the country and Prime Minister Viktor Orban is keen to maintain good ties with a major economic partner.

Budapest

Xi Jinping ends European tour in Hungary

The Federal government has revealed its forecast for household disposable incomes, projecting an increase of 3.5% for the next financial year. This positive outlook is ascribed to wages rising at a rate faster than inflation.

Government predicts household incomes to improve

Bonza, the Australian airline that commenced operations in January last year, has initiated a significant step by deploying the first of its 737 fleet to Hawaii from Sunshine Coast Airport.

Seized Bonza jets flown to Hawaii

A 45-year-old man has been arrested after a 39-year-old woman was stabbed in a gym car park in Sydney's inner south on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged attacker was the subject of an AVO order put in place last month to protect the woman.

Alexandria

Man arrested over gym car park stabbing

Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones in one of its largest barrages against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The attacks were directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion.

Russia targets Ukraine energy infrastructure in barrage of attacks

Five asylum seekers have been detained after arriving on Saibai Island, just off the northern tip of Australia in the Torres Strait, originating from West Africa. Traveling approximately 14,000km using forged documents, their journey included stops in Indonesia and PNG.