A state of emergency has been declared across parts of Florida as the Gulf Coast faces the threat of another major storm, just days after being ravaged by Storm Helene. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings for Tropical Storm Milton, which is expected to strengthen quickly and potentially bring life-threatening conditions to the region.

Currently hovering off the coast of Mexico with wind speeds of 60 mph (95 km/h), Storm Milton is forecasted to intensify and make landfall along Florida’s west coast by mid-week. This comes as the state is still grappling with the devastation left by Storm Helene, which tragically claimed over 225 lives in the southeastern U.S., including 14 in Florida. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for in the wake of the deadly storm, which was the worst since Hurricane Katrina.

Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an emergency warning for 35 counties and assured residents that efforts are underway to restore power, clear roads, and prepare for the possibility of another major storm. Heavy rainfall is predicted, with the potential for flash flooding and river flooding as the storm intensifies. The Florida Peninsula and Keys could see between 5 to 12 inches (127 to 304 mm) of rain, adding to the urgency of storm preparations.

With Storm Milton posing another serious threat, authorities are urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions as the state braces for a difficult week ahead.

Severe flash floods and landslides in central Bosnia-Herzegovina have claimed at least 14 lives, with entire towns and villages left isolated by the destruction. The hardest-hit areas include the region around Jablanica, a town located between the cities of Mostar and Sarajevo, where homes were submerged, and landslides buried buildings in debris.

After an intense overnight storm, rivers overflowed, causing widespread flooding and leaving many people missing. Authorities have declared a state of emergency as they continue rescue and recovery efforts. Development Minister Vojin Mijatovic described the situation as a “terrible disaster” and urged residents to remain calm.

The floodwaters washed away roads, bridges, and railways, leaving infrastructure in ruins. In some areas, aerial images show communities completely inundated, with landslides further complicating rescue operations. A critical section of the M-17 road near Jablanica has been blocked by debris, and part of a railway track was left hanging after a landslide.

In Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, local officials have warned drivers to stay off roads near Jablanica due to the hazardous conditions. To the west, around Kiseljak, floodwaters left cars submerged and streets completely underwater, adding to the devastation. As rescue teams work tirelessly, the number of casualties is feared to rise in the coming days.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first rapid diagnostic test for mpox, a key development in curbing the rising global cases of the virus, previously known as monkeypox. The new PCR test can detect mpox DNA from skin lesion swabs, providing immediate results, significantly speeding up the process compared to current tests that require samples to be sent to a laboratory, causing delays.

This breakthrough is expected to be especially helpful in Africa, where limited testing capacity has exacerbated the spread of mpox. Of the 30,000 suspected cases in Africa this year, only 40% have been confirmed through existing tests, according to WHO data. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the hardest-hit country with 635 deaths from mpox this year, is set to launch an mpox vaccination program this Saturday.

Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s assistant director-general, hailed the new diagnostic tool as a “significant milestone” in increasing access to quality healthcare products. This new test is expected to strengthen efforts to contain the virus, particularly in underserved regions.