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Mayotte Cyclone Devastates Communities as Death Toll Expected to Rise

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Mayotte Cyclone Devastates Communities as Death Toll Expected to Rise

Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation in France’s Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, with fears that the death toll could reach several hundred, according to local officials. The cyclone, which made landfall on Saturday with wind speeds exceeding 225 km/h (140 mph), has flattened entire communities and displaced tens of thousands of residents.

Although the official death toll initially stood at 11, Mayotte’s prefect, François-Xavier Bieuville, warned that the figure will “definitely be several hundred” as recovery efforts progress, adding that it is possible “a few thousand people had died.” Local hospitals reported 246 injuries, while some sources cited a higher fatality count of at least 14.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged full support for the territory, announcing the deployment of 250 rescue workers to aid in relief operations. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the destruction as catastrophic, noting that all makeshift homes on the island had been obliterated. He expressed grave concerns about the “heavy” death toll and confirmed that emergency teams were working tirelessly to respond.

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Mayotte, an archipelago located northwest of Madagascar, is home to approximately 300,000 people. Many residents live in vulnerable housing with sheet metal roofs, leaving them particularly exposed to the cyclone’s fury. Reports indicate that tens of thousands have been left homeless, and significant damage has been sustained at Pamandzi airport, including its control tower. Acting Transport Minister François Durovray announced that military planes and ships are en route to restore air traffic and ensure the delivery of vital supplies.

The cyclone prompted a purple alert, Mayotte’s highest emergency level, which required a strict lockdown for all residents, including emergency personnel. As conditions improved slightly, the alert level was downgraded to red, allowing emergency services to mobilize.

Retailleau revealed that this is the most severe weather event the island has experienced since 1934. Prime Minister François Bayrou, who assumed office just a day before the cyclone struck, has been holding emergency meetings in Paris and receiving hourly updates on the unfolding crisis.

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The French government has mobilized significant resources, dispatching 110 civil security personnel and firefighters to the region, with an additional 140 scheduled to arrive soon.

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Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over a tragic road accident

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Anthony Joshua’s driver charged over a tragic road accident

Anthony Joshua’s driver has been formally charged following a tragic road accident in Nigeria that resulted in the deaths of two members of the boxer’s team, as authorities move forward with legal proceedings.

Police confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was arraigned on Friday at the Sagamu Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State in connection with the incident, which also left the former heavyweight champion injured.

The crash occurred on Monday along the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway near Sagamu, when a Lexus SUV conveying Joshua and his entourage collided with a stationary truck. Joshua was travelling as a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

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Sadly, Joshua’s long-time personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The loss has been deeply felt within Joshua’s camp and the wider boxing community.

Joshua himself sustained injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital for treatment. He was discharged on Wednesday after receiving medical care and has since been recovering.

Prosecutors filed four charges against Mr Kayode, including causing death by dangerous driving, reckless and negligent driving, driving without due care and attention, and driving without a valid driver’s licence. The court granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦5,000,000 (approximately £2,578), while he was remanded pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

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The magistrate adjourned the case until 20 January, allowing the legal process to continue in an orderly manner as investigators and the court work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the accident.

Images from the scene showed Joshua being assisted from the damaged vehicle, underscoring the severity of the collision.

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Trump Issues Strong Warning as Global Attention Focuses on Iran’s Unrest

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Trump Issues Strong Warning as Global Attention Focuses on Iran’s Unrest

US President Donald Trump has issued a firm warning to Iran’s leadership over its handling of ongoing protests, saying the United States would not stand by if peaceful demonstrators were violently targeted. His remarks have drawn sharp responses from senior Iranian officials, even as international concern grows over the situation on the ground.

In a brief message posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump cautioned Iran’s authorities against using lethal force on protesters. “We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” he wrote, without elaborating on what form any potential US response might take. The statement underscored Washington’s stated support for the rights of peaceful protesters and added to the mounting diplomatic pressure on Tehran.

The warning came amid reports that at least six people were killed on Thursday, as protests entered nearly a week of demonstrations across the country. The unrest has been driven largely by worsening economic conditions, including rising prices and broader frustrations over livelihoods. Despite the tensions, protests have continued to draw attention from the international community, with calls for restraint and dialogue increasing.

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Teenagers Among the Missing as Swiss Bar Fire Tragedy Unfolds

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Teenagers Among the Missing as Swiss Bar Fire Tragedy Unfolds

Teenagers as young as 16 are among dozens of people still unaccounted for following a devastating fire at a bar in Switzerland, a tragedy that has shaken families across Europe while emergency services continue intensive rescue and identification efforts.

One of the most distressing aspects of the incident is the age of many of those affected. A large number of the dead and injured are teenagers and young adults who had gathered to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Le Constellation, a venue well known for attracting a youthful crowd. The bar was popular with tourists, seasonal ski workers and local residents, and with the legal drinking age set at 16, it had become a familiar meeting place for young people in the area.

More than 24 hours after the fire, uncertainty continues to weigh heavily on families. Parents from several countries are still searching desperately for their children, while survivors—many of them very young—have begun recounting the traumatic scenes they witnessed, experiences they say will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

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Among those still missing are six Italian teenagers. The mother of one of them, Giovanni Tamburi from Genoa, has made an emotional public appeal on social media, asking for assistance in tracing her son. She says the last contact she had with Giovanni was a New Year’s message sent shortly after midnight. Since then, his phone has remained unanswered.

Giovanni had been at the bar with friends, several of whom managed to escape the blaze. Despite contacting hospitals across the region, his mother has so far been unable to find any information about his whereabouts, reflecting the agonising uncertainty faced by many families.

Swiss official Stéphane Ganzer has provided updates to French broadcaster RTL, seeking to clarify conflicting reports about the scale of the tragedy. Earlier statements attributed to the Italian foreign ministry had suggested that as many as 47 people may have died in the fire. Responding to these figures, Ganzer said he was “surprised,” noting that they did not align with the information available to Swiss authorities.

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According to Ganzer, around 40 fatalities have been confirmed so far, while between 80 and 100 people are believed to be seriously injured and in urgent need of medical care. He stressed that the situation remains fluid, with emergency teams and medical staff working continuously as more information becomes available.

Ganzer also highlighted the critical condition of many burn victims, explaining that individuals suffering third-degree burns over 15% of their bodies face a significantly higher risk of septicaemia, which could increase the likelihood of further fatalities in the hours and days ahead.

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