Cyclone Freddy is worse than you can imagine

In this issue, I focus on natural catastrophes and the worst effects of climate change in Iraq, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Indonesia, Argentina's money crisis, coal and human rights abuses in Colombia, independence talks in one of the world's last colonies Tokelau, Gen Z in South Korea and a 'funny' note from Iran.

1.

At least 34 people were killed last week after a boat carrying migrants from Madagascar to the island of Mayotte sank, reports Arab News. The island Mayotte is French and therefore European territory, even though it lies in the Indian Ocean, thousands of kilometers far away. It's likely that the boat capsized because it was overloaded. It is reported that there were some 60 people on it. Local fishermen were able to rescue 24 people; 23 of them reportedly fled before the authorities arrived. One remained, and that was a young pregnant woman.

• Why this matters: This is one of those lesser-known migration routes to the territory of the European Union. It is no less dangerous, however. The "journey" takes many hours, the sea is unpredictable. There are no reliable statistics on how many people have lost their lives attempting such crossings; some older reports estimate that around 1,000 people die every year. If migrants do reach the island (without valid documents), they get detained. In 2021, more than 6,500 people were detained, according to French authorities.
• Did you know that Mayotte officially being French territory was/is against international law? A 2022 Le Monde article by Iris Derœux explains why.
• Fun fact: About 95 percent of Mayotte's population are Sunni Muslims, according to Reuters.

2.

At least 50 people have died from landslides in Serasan, Indonesia, CNN Indonesia (Indonesian) reports. It just wouldn't stop raining. Serasan is a remote island in the Natuna region between Borneo and Malaysia; some 8,000 people live there. There are several reasons for landslides; too much rain, climate change, road building, deforestation, etc. can all be factors.

• Why this matters: This landslide might have happened on a remote island, yes. However, on a yearly basis, landslides account for Indonesia's highest disaster death toll. Nearly half of Indonesia's 250 million citizens live in landslide-risk zones.
• Did you know that Indonesia is very, very vulnerable to the effects of climate change? However, two recent surveys have shown that many people in the country do not understand climate change or its causes, reports The Jakarta Post.
• Fun fact: A report by Development Dialogue Asia (Indonesian) suggests that conservative-leaning messages like 'preserving the forest is our duty as people of faith' resonate better than liberal-leaning ones like 'protect the forest, save Indigenous communities' in the Indonesian public.

3.

Argentina's annual inflation rate increased to 102.5%, the highest recorded rate since 1991, reports Reuters. It's so bad, it's all many people can talk about. "There's just nothing left, there's no money, people don't have anything, so how do they buy?" said retiree Irene Devita, 74. Prices change almost weekly. The government has been trying to control the situation, by capping prices and limiting grains exports to boost domestic supply. But who's controlling the government? Last summer, three economy ministers succeeded one another in the space of four weeks as the country's economic crisis deepened.

• Why this matters: The country that won the FIFA World Cup is not doing well. All eyes therefore are on the next government, which will take office in December (the elections are in October/November; the current administration isn't very popular, Americas Quarterly has a piece on all the potential candidates).
• Dig deeper: In October 2022, Naomi Larsson for The Guardian did a really 'beautiful' photo essay to show 'the absurdity of inflation in Argentina'. For example, Irina Werning photographed her husband who was papering walls with 10-peso bills -- which is cheaper than buying wallpaper; check out the photo here.

4.

21 people were killed as some coal mines exploded in Sutatausa, Cundinamarca, Colombia, reports El País (Spanish). The cause? It's not clear yet; a worker's tool probably caused a spark. The victims' families will receive "full support of the government...