International News
Super Typhoon Man-yi Forces Mass Evacuations As It Ravages The Philippines
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.
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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 announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.
Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”
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He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.
The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.
Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.
Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.
In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.
He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.
“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.
He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.
The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.
“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.
A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.
Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.
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The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.
Details shortly………..
South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.
The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.
Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.
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Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.
Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.
Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.
General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.
General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.
Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.
In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.
“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.
Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.
“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.
“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.
Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.
Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.
The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.
“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.
The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.
The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.
“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.
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