Super Typhoon Man-yi unleashed its fury on the Philippines over the weekend, forcing the evacuation of over 1.2 million people as it barreled through the archipelago, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour), the storm made its first landfall late Saturday night on Catanduanes, an island in the Bicol region, before sweeping across the densely populated island of Luzon.

As the storm advanced, authorities issued urgent warnings of life-threatening flooding, landslides, and storm surges, with fears that coastal communities could be inundated by waves as high as three meters.

READ MORE: #OndoDecides2024: Police Seize Motorcycles, Vehicles Violating Restriction Order

Thousands fled to evacuation centers in several provinces, while others took refuge with relatives or moved to safer areas inland.

“The damage in Catanduanes is extensive,” said Ariel Nepomuceno, chief of the country’s civil defense agency. Local officials reported widespread destruction in the municipality of Panganiban, where fallen trees and debris blocked roads.

“Pepito was so strong, I have never experienced a typhoon this strong,” said Panganiban Mayor Cesar Robles, referring to the typhoon by its local name.

“It is still a bit unsafe, there are still bursts of wind and debris everywhere,” Robles added, as cleanup efforts began.

While the storm weakened as it moved over the mountainous regions of Luzon, officials continued to issue warnings for severe flooding and landslides, especially in provinces like Aurora.

Forecasters also cautioned that storm surges could reach over three meters, threatening vulnerable coastal communities, including those in and around Manila.

Marissa Cueva Alejandro, a mother of three from Catanduanes, said she had never witnessed a storm of this magnitude before.

“Before, we would only experience signal number three or four, but now typhoons are getting as strong as signal number five,” she said, referring to the government’s five-tiered wind warning system.

Man-yi is the sixth typhoon to strike the Philippines in just one month, following a series of storms that have already killed at least 163 people and caused widespread damage.

The Philippines is no stranger to powerful typhoons, with 20 major storms hitting the country annually.

However, the unusual frequency of such storms in a short period has raised concerns about the intensifying effects of climate change.

Geofry Parrocha, a communications officer in Dipaculao municipality, said some residents were reluctant to evacuate despite the warnings.

“Some of our countrymen are really hard-headed. They do not believe us until the typhoon arrives,” Parrocha said.

As the storm passed over Luzon, thousands of tourists evacuated coastal resorts in Aurora, where businesses worked quickly to secure their properties.

“Our facilities are deserted,” said Irene Padeo, a reservation officer at L’Sirene Boutique Resort in Baler, Aurora. “Our outdoor items have all been packed and taken indoors. We tied down all the rest.”

On its current trajectory, Man-yi is expected to move over the South China Sea by Monday. The storm’s late-season arrival is unusual, as typhoon season typically peaks between July and October.

Earlier this month, four storms simultaneously formed in the Pacific, marking the first such occurrence in November since records began in 1951.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed 27-year-old Karoline Leavitt as White House press secretary, making her the youngest person to ever hold the role.

The New Hampshire native, who has been a prominent figure in Trump’s political orbit, is set to take on the high-stakes position as the administration’s chief spokesperson.

READ MORE: #OndoDecides2024: PDP Governorship Candidate Votes, Raises Concerns Over Election Conduct

“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator,” Trump said in a statement. “I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium and help deliver our message to the American people.”

Leavitt has had a rapid rise in Republican politics since starting as a student assistant for Fox News during Trump’s 2016 campaign.

She later served as an assistant press secretary in the Trump White House, cementing her reputation as a skilled communicator and staunch advocate for the president’s “America First” policies.

Leavitt’s political career began while she was a student at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Tasked with assisting Fox News during a Republican primary debate in 2016, she became inspired to pursue a career in political communications.

A vocal conservative on campus, Leavitt gained attention for a student newspaper column defending Trump and opposing “identity politics.” In a podcast interview, she said, “I didn’t believe that the color of your skin or your gender can hold you back in this country. That’s the foundation of my conservative beliefs.”

After leaving the White House following Trump’s 2020 defeat, Leavitt ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022.

She then served as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a key Trump ally and nominee for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Leavitt was a key figure in Trump’s 2024 campaign, acting as a spokeswoman at rallies and court appearances.

Despite taking a brief maternity leave during the campaign, she remained a consistent presence, often clashing with what she called “fake news” media.

“There are a lot of journalists who aren’t interested in journalism anymore, and we deal with them every day,” she said during a Fox News podcast.

Her appointment signals Trump’s trust in her ability to manage the administration’s communication strategy as he returns to office.

Leavitt will step into a role marked by significant pressure, especially given Trump’s well-documented scrutiny of media coverage.

As the administration’s public face, she will be responsible for managing the White House’s messaging during what is expected to be a turbulent presidency.

According to Leavitt, Trump’s second term is poised to be different. “I think he is more wise about the ‘deep state,’ the establishment in Washington DC, and the lengths to which they were willing to go to derail his campaign and his success,” she said.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lead a newly announced federal efficiency initiative named the Department of Government Efficiency, or “Doge.”

Musk will partner with biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on the project, which aims to dramatically reduce government spending and streamline operations across federal agencies.

READ MORE: Minister Calls For Reforms Amid Bobrisky’s Alleged Prison Scandal

Trump unveiled the initiative on Tuesday night, emphasizing his administration’s focus on dismantling what he called “entrenched bureaucracy” and curbing excess government regulations.

Musk and Ramaswamy will serve as external advisors, working with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to address inefficiencies across the federal government, which Trump says consumes $6.5 trillion annually.

“Our aim is to drive sweeping structural reform, cut wasteful spending, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy,” Trump said in a press release.

“With Musk and Ramaswamy at the helm of the Doge initiative, we’ll take on inefficiency and make government work for the people.”

The Department of Government Efficiency is not a formal federal agency, as its establishment would require Congressional approval. Rather, Musk and Ramaswamy’s roles are advisory, allowing them to advocate for cost-cutting measures and structural changes across federal agencies.

Musk, who recently called for $2 trillion in federal spending reductions, has suggested eliminating several agencies that he argues have redundant functions.

Trump likened the Doge initiative to the Manhattan Project, describing it as a critical undertaking with the goal of overhauling government bureaucracy by July 4, 2026, to mark the United States’ 250th Independence Day anniversary.

“Reducing government size and creating an efficient federal system is the perfect gift to America on this milestone,” Trump said.

Musk expressed his support for the initiative, calling it “a necessary jolt to a bloated system.” He also took to his social media platform X, writing, “Threat to democracy? Nope, threat to BUREAUCRACY!”

Ramaswamy echoed Trump’s sentiments, posting that the team “will not go gently.” Ramaswamy also announced he is stepping away from consideration for the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Vice President-elect JD Vance, signaling his commitment to the Doge project.

Trump’s announcement of the Doge initiative came alongside several high-profile cabinet picks.

Former Texas Congressman John Ratcliffe, who previously served as Trump’s director of national intelligence, has been nominated to lead the CIA.

Trump also named Fox News host and Iraq War veteran Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense, a move that has raised eyebrows due to Hegseth’s limited government experience despite his vocal support of Trump’s policies.

Rounding out the national security appointments, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem was nominated as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Since Trump’s election, Musk has been a prominent figure within his inner circle, spending considerable time with the President-elect at Trump’s estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

Musk’s presence in the administration appears to have fueled a surge in the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which Musk has long supported.

The Doge initiative’s proposed sweeping cuts have stirred debate.

While Musk and Ramaswamy have both advocated for significant workforce reductions and even the closure of major agencies like the Department of Education and FBI, it remains uncertain whether their vision will gain traction in Congress or among the public.