Mount Lewotobi eruption disrupts flights in Bali, while Borno floods worsen food insecurity and Yemen tensions escalate in the Red Sea.
Let's begin with the eruption of Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi, which has caused significant travel disruptions by grounding flights at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, leaving thousands stranded, and extending the danger zone to a 9-kilometer radius.
Meanwhile, turning to diplomatic efforts on a different continent, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is taking up golf again to forge stronger ties with U.S. President-elect
Donald Trump, recognizing the power of informal diplomacy to enhance relationships with world leaders.
In a related continuation of global events, Nigeria's Borno State is facing worsening food insecurity as devastating floods, amplified by the Alau dam collapse, have displaced thousands and destroyed over 1.5 million hectares of cropland, affecting millions already grappling with insurgency and economic strain.
Over in the Middle East, tensions rise as Yemen's Houthi rebels target U.S. Navy destroyers in the Red Sea with drones and missiles, although without inflicting damage, amidst a broader conflict involving regional players and allegations of extortion against shippers.
Moving on to Sudan, efforts to combat famine are receiving a boost with the extended opening of the key Adre border crossing with Chad, which is critical for delivering aid to regions like Darfur and Kordofan, despite existing tensions between government factions.
Finally, in Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called for an extended ceasefire to address urgent humanitarian needs, underscoring the importance of cooperation between Israel and Hamas to ensure continued aid delivery and facilitate a path towards peace.