"Raging Floodwaters Inundate Russia and Kazakhstan, Worse Yet to Come"

Floods caused by melting snow and heavy rains have swamped cities and towns across Russia and Kazakhstan, forcing over 110,000 people to evacuate. The Ural river overflowed, submerging parts of Orenburg and prompting the evacuation of 7,700 people, while thousands were also evacuated in Kurgan. The situation remains critical in Western Siberia and around the Volga river. Pope Francis expressed sympathy for the victims, and both Russian and Kazakh officials are working to manage the crisis.