International News
Buildings Sway In Taipei As Strong Earthquake Hits Taiwan
A strong earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast on Saturday night, causing buildings in the capital Taipei to sway and rattling residents across the island.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor at a magnitude of 6.6, while Taiwan’s weather agency recorded it at 7.0.
The earthquake occurred at 11:05 PM local time (1505 GMT) at a depth of 73 kilometres (45 miles) beneath the sea near Yilan County, southwest of Taipei.
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Officials reported no immediate casualties.
The tremor temporarily disrupted electricity supply in a Yilan town, though authorities confirmed there was no significant damage.
Taiwan Railway suspended four trains in Yilan, affecting over 270 passengers, while Taipei’s metro lines operated at reduced speed for around 20 minutes until safety checks cleared the tracks.
Premier Cho Jung-tai urged residents to “remain vigilant and be mindful of the safety of your neighbours” following the quake. In a Facebook post, he added that “after checking various locations, thankfully, only minor incidents occurred.”
Taiwan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions. This is the second major quake in days, following a 6.0-magnitude tremor in the southeast earlier this week.
In April 2024, a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Hualien city killed 17 people and damaged buildings, marking Taiwan’s strongest quake in 25 years. The deadliest tremor in recent history struck in 1999 with a magnitude of 7.6.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge citizens to be prepared for possible aftershocks.
International News
DOJ Confirms Federal Criminal Investigation After Agents Raid Ilhan Omar’s Home
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
International News
Bangkok Underwater: Nearly 4,900 Evacuated as Floods Hit Thailand Capital
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
International News
‘They Are Dying’ — Trump Explains Why He Rejected Iran’s Hormuz Proposal
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.





