International News
Troops On Standby, Kaohsiung Shuts Down As Taiwan Prepares For Super Typhoon Krathon
Kaohsiung braces for direct hit as residents and authorities prepare for the worst
Taiwan on Tuesday, mobilized nearly 40,000 troops to assist with emergency preparations and rescue operations as Super Typhoon Krathon nears the island’s heavily populated southwestern coast.
The storm, forecast to make landfall on Wednesday, is expected to bring life-threatening storm surges and intense winds, with residents being urged to stay indoors.
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The island’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) has warned that Krathon, labeled a super typhoon by the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, could cause severe flooding along the coast, particularly in low-lying areas around the port city of Kaohsiung.
The city, home to 2.7 million people, has declared a public holiday, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay home as the storm approaches.
Coast guard officials are also engaged in a race against time to locate 19 sailors who abandoned their ship ahead of the storm.
Taiwan, no stranger to typhoons, typically experiences storms making landfall along its mountainous eastern coast.
However, Krathon’s predicted path across the western plains has heightened concerns about potential damage to more densely populated areas.
The CWA reports that the typhoon will make landfall near Kaohsiung before moving northeast across central Taiwan and exiting into the East China Sea.
Forecaster Li Meng-hsiang from the CWA warned of wind gusts exceeding 150 kph (93 mph) and raised concerns over the storm surge, which could cause tides to breach inland areas.
“If heavy rainfall coincides with the storm surge, it will severely hamper drainage, increasing the risk of widespread flooding,” Li said.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai, addressing the public after a disaster response meeting, drew comparisons between Krathon and Typhoon Thelma, which devastated the city in 1977, killing 37 people and leaving the area without power or water.
“This storm’s strength and trajectory are similar to Thelma. We must take all necessary precautions,” Chen urged. “After Thelma, the city was left in a state of devastation. Please avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.”
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that over 38,000 military personnel have been placed on standby, ready to deploy for rescue operations and disaster relief efforts. Local residents, too, have been making preparations.
“It’s going to hit us directly, so we need to be fully prepared,” said Chen Ming-huang, a fisherman securing his boat in Kaohsiung’s harbor. “If the winds are too strong, the ropes might snap, and my boat could be lost.”
With Krathon poised to bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and the possibility of landslides, authorities across southern Taiwan are warning residents to remain vigilant and stock up on essentials.
As the storm draws closer, flights have been canceled, public transportation has been suspended, and schools and businesses across the region have closed in preparation for the typhoon’s landfall.
Krathon is expected to be one of the most powerful storms to strike Taiwan in recent years, with authorities warning that the combination of high winds, storm surge, and flooding could result in significant damage.
Taiwan is bracing for the worst, as Kaohsiung and the surrounding areas make final preparations ahead of the storm’s expected landfall.
International News
‘Only Two Genders’ – Trump Vows To Tackle Transgender Lunacy
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.
International News
Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud
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………..
International News
South Korean President Banned From Travel Amid Martial Law Backlash
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.