International News
Philippine: Tropical Storm Trami Leaves 40 Dead, Towns Underwater
Philippine rescue teams are in a race against time to reach residents stranded on rooftops after Tropical Storm Trami triggered widespread flooding, landslides, and left at least 40 dead as it exited the country on Friday.
The storm unleashed two months’ worth of rain in just 48 hours, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes and cutting off access to several communities.
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“Many are still trapped on the roofs of their homes, asking for help,” reported Andre Dizon, police director for the flood-ravaged Bicol region.
With waters starting to recede, officials hope conditions will improve for rescue efforts, which have been hindered by blocked roads and dangerous debris.
President Ferdinand Marcos addressed the nation Friday, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the disaster.
“There were landslides in areas that didn’t have landslides before … so I guess the soil is completely saturated, the water has nowhere to go,” he said.
Marcos added that the cities of Naga and Legazpi were reporting “many casualties,” though emergency teams had yet to reach some of the worst-hit areas.
Trami, which crossed over the South China Sea early Friday, inflicted severe damage in Batangas province, where six unidentified bodies were discovered in Sampaloc village after flash floods hit the area.
“Our people are still in the area to check if there are other casualties,” said Police Staff Sergeant Nelson Cabuso.
Additional fatalities were confirmed in the coastal village of Subic Ilaya, where five people died in flash floods, pushing the current death toll to at least 40, according to police and local officials.
While Manila was spared the worst, the storm inundated neighboring areas.
Floodwaters submerged entire subdivisions south of the capital, with rescue teams working tirelessly to extract residents from waterlogged homes.
Government offices and schools across Luzon, the country’s largest island, were ordered closed Friday, with storm surge warnings remaining in place along the west coast.
According to meteorologist Jofren Habaluyas, Batangas received a staggering 391.3 millimeters of rain between October 24 and 25, equivalent to two months of typical rainfall.
By Thursday night, an estimated 193,000 people had been evacuated, many from towns swamped by floodwaters and volcanic sludge.
In the Bicol region alone, over 30,000 people fled their homes as flood levels surged.
Rescue boats in Naga City and Nabua Municipality moved from house to house, responding to calls for help from stranded residents, some of whom had posted pleas on social media.
In Lemery, a town 97 kilometers south of Manila, a hospital was forced to shut down after floodwaters overwhelmed its wards and emergency facilities.
Search teams also temporarily halted efforts to locate a fisherman who went missing off the coast of Bulacan due to strong currents.
The Philippines, one of the world’s most typhoon-prone countries, experiences around 20 significant storms annually.
International News
US Diplomats In Israel For High-Stake-Talks On Lebanon Truce
Senior U.S. officials are set to meet their Israeli counterparts on Thursday to negotiate a potential agreement aimed at stabilizing Israel’s northern border and reducing the escalating conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This high-stakes visit comes amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza, where the Palestinian militant group Hamas has rejected multiple ceasefire proposals as Israeli strikes persist.
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Just days before the U.S. presidential election, American envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk are expected to arrive in Israel.
Their mission focuses on securing a framework that could see Hezbollah withdraw approximately 20 miles (30 kilometers) north, beyond the Litani River.
In exchange, Israeli forces would pull back from Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to manage border security.
Under this arrangement, Lebanon would be responsible for preventing Hezbollah from rearming, while Israel would retain its right to self-defense under international law, according to Israeli media reports.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope on Wednesday that a ceasefire could be reached “in the coming hours or days.”
Newly appointed Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has indicated that the group would consider a truce under certain conditions, saying Hezbollah could sustain its resistance but remains open to negotiation.
Qassem’s appointment follows the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.
In parallel, U.S. and Qatari mediators are attempting to negotiate a brief humanitarian pause in Gaza, where Israel’s campaign against Hamas is ongoing.
However, on Thursday, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nunu reiterated the group’s stance against a temporary ceasefire, stating, “The idea of a temporary pause in the war, only to resume aggression later, is something we have already expressed our position on.
Hamas supports a permanent end to the war, not a temporary one.”
This proposed pause would have allowed essential humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and opened up negotiations for a longer-term resolution, but Hamas’s rejection of the offer dims prospects for an immediate breakthrough.
As a result, attention remains firmly fixed on Lebanon, where efforts for a ceasefire along Israel’s northern front are likely to take precedence.
Last week, Israeli Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to the growing potential for resolution in Lebanon, saying, “In the north, there’s a possibility of reaching a sharp conclusion.”
Israel’s military has since intensified its strikes, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it issued evacuation orders in areas such as the Palestinian refugee camp of Rashidieh, warning of imminent action following previous strikes.
International News
Deadly Super Typhoon Kong-rey Wreaks Havoc Across Taiwan
Super Typhoon Kong-rey barreled into Taiwan on Thursday, bringing fierce winds, towering waves, and heavy rainfall that led to widespread destruction and the suspension of daily activities across the island.
Packing sustained winds of 184 km/h (114 mph) and waves reaching 10 meters high, the typhoon marked one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in nearly three decades.
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Kong-rey’s vast radius of 320 kilometers made it the largest storm to hit the island since 1995, surpassing Typhoon Gaemi earlier this year in both size and scope.
Officials say the storm could continue to impact the island through Friday morning, with flooding and dangerous winds expected to persist.
Fatalities and Damage as Taiwan Endures Kong-rey’s Wrath
Amid the chaos, one fatality was reported in central Nantou County, where a falling tree crushed a vehicle, while 73 others have been injured across Taiwan as the storm swept through.
Hundreds of rescue workers, including nearly 35,000 military troops, have been deployed island-wide to manage emergency responses, with ongoing rescues in the hardest-hit areas, like coastal Hualien County.
In Hualien, floodwaters rose quickly, prompting emergency evacuations. “The situation is very serious,” reported Wang Ming-chung, Hualien’s fire department chief.
First responders are grappling with multiple incidents involving fallen trees, downed power lines, and injuries from flying debris.
The typhoon has also led to power outages for more than 100,000 households, cancellations of over 400 flights, and suspension of all ferry services.
Four mudslides have been reported so far, and roads across Taiwan remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.
A Country on High Alert
Officials in Taiwan have evacuated more than 8,600 residents from high-risk regions, including Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. Residents have been advised to stay indoors, and public schools and workplaces were closed as the storm approached.
Authorities have also managed to reach two Czech tourists who were reported missing while hiking in Taroko Gorge; they are now safely sheltering in the mountains.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged citizens to prioritize safety, emphasizing that Kong-rey’s effects would continue to be felt well into the night.
“This storm is extremely dangerous. Please avoid any unnecessary outings, especially near the coast,” he said.
Growing Storm Intensity a Sign of Climate Change
Scientists warn that climate change is contributing to stronger storms worldwide, with rising temperatures leading to heavier rainfall and intense winds.
Chu Mei-lin from Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration reiterated that Kong-rey’s size and strength are a clear sign of this trend, stressing the need for preparedness in the face of increasingly severe storms.
Economy on Alert, but Industry Resilient
As Taiwan mobilizes recovery efforts, the island’s crucial semiconductor industry remains largely unaffected.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a global chip leader, announced it has activated storm preparedness measures, stating it does not expect significant disruptions at its facilities.
Kong-rey is the third typhoon to make landfall in Taiwan this year, following Typhoons Gaemi and Krathon.
Both previous storms caused fatalities, extensive injuries, and widespread property damage, adding to the urgency of Taiwan’s disaster response efforts.
International News
Hezbollah Appoints Naim Qassem As New Secretary-General After Nasrallah’s Death
Hezbollah has appointed Naim Qassem as its new secretary-general, following the killing of Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces last month.
The announcement was made by the group’s media office in a statement on Tuesday.
Hezbollah’s Senior Council stated that the selection of Qassem adhered to the group’s established leadership protocols.
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Known for his deep-rooted commitment to “Prophet Mohammed’s authentic Islam” and Hezbollah’s founding principles, Qassem brings decades of experience within the organization.
Qassem, who has long served as a prominent figure within Hezbollah, was a close associate of Nasrallah and previously held the position of deputy secretary-general.
The leadership change comes at a volatile time, with increased regional tensions and ongoing conflicts impacting Lebanon.
More to follow……….