Taiwan has initiated large-scale evacuations and precautionary measures as Tropical Storm Fung-wong approaches, following its destructive path through the Philippines. Over 3,000 residents from vulnerable regions have been relocated, and schools and offices in Hualien and Yilan counties were closed on Tuesday. The storm, which has already claimed at least 18 lives and displaced more than 1.4 million people in the Philippines, is expected to make landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s southwestern port city, by Wednesday afternoon or evening. Taiwan’s weather agency reported that Fung-wong, though weakening, still carries maximum sustained winds of 108 kph (67 mph) and gusts of 137 kph (85 mph). The storm is projected to sweep across the island and exit via its northeastern side by early Thursday. Authorities have issued land warnings for southern and southwestern areas, including Kaohsiung, Pingtung County, Tainan, and Taitung. Meanwhile, China has activated an emergency typhoon response for its southeastern provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Hainan. The Philippines continues to grapple with the aftermath, with over a million people displaced and thousands sheltering in evacuation centers. The storm’s impact underscores the region’s vulnerability to severe weather events, with both Taiwan and the Philippines frequently facing typhoons annually.
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Control of precursor chemical exports tightened
China has implemented stricter regulations on the export of precursor chemicals to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, requiring special licenses for such transactions. The new rule, effective immediately, was jointly announced by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Emergency Management, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Medical Products Administration. This adjustment targets 13 specific precursor chemicals, which are essential in various industries but are often misused in the illegal production of narcotics. Exporters must now provide original documentation from the importing country’s authorities or a guarantee from the importer confirming the legal use of these chemicals. These documents will be reviewed by Chinese public security and commerce departments. The move follows similar measures introduced in April last year, which added 24 substances to the export control catalog for specific countries, including Myanmar, Laos, and Afghanistan. The Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission has also issued a notice urging exporters to comply with international conventions and local laws, particularly in high-risk destinations like the US, Canada, and Mexico. Enterprises are advised to establish robust internal management systems, verify overseas buyers, and avoid illegal inducements. China’s narcotics control authorities emphasize the regulation of precursor chemicals as a critical step in curbing the production of illegal substances both domestically and internationally. Additionally, China has deepened its anti-narcotics cooperation with the US, including the establishment of a joint working group and regular intelligence exchanges.
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Xi greets Ouattara on reelection as Cote d’Ivoire president
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Monday to Alassane Ouattara, who was reelected as the President of Cote d’Ivoire. In his message, Xi highlighted the strong bilateral ties between China and Cote d’Ivoire, describing the two nations as ‘fellow travelers and good partners’ on the path to modernization. He noted that their relationship has seen robust development, with significant achievements in various fields of cooperation and a deepening bond between their peoples. Xi also pointed out the unprecedented global changes and the growing influence of the Global South, emphasizing his commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership with Cote d’Ivoire. He expressed his willingness to collaborate with Ouattara to enhance solidarity and cooperation among Global South nations. Ouattara, 83, secured his fourth term with an overwhelming 89.77 percent of the votes in last month’s presidential election, as confirmed by Cote d’Ivoire’s Constitutional Council. Ouattara has been a prominent political figure in the country, serving as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1993 and winning his first presidential election in 2010, followed by reelections in 2015 and 2020.
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Pakistan’s interior minister says a suicide bomber struck outside the Islamabad court, killing 12
A devastating suicide bombing occurred outside a district court in Islamabad on Tuesday, resulting in 12 fatalities and 27 injuries, according to Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The attacker detonated explosives near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises. The explosion, heard miles away, struck during peak hours when the area was bustling with visitors attending hearings. Initial reports from Pakistani state media and security officials suggested a car bomb was responsible, but investigators later confirmed it was a suicide bomber. No militant group has claimed responsibility yet, but Pakistan has been grappling with a resurgence of attacks by the Pakistani Taliban and other extremist factions. The casualties included passersby and individuals with court appointments. Authorities are investigating all aspects of the attack, with no immediate statements from Islamabad police. This incident follows a thwarted militant attempt to take cadets hostage at an army-run college in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier on Tuesday. The Pakistani Taliban denied involvement in the college attack, which saw two militants killed and three cornered in an administrative block. Pakistan has experienced a surge in militant violence in recent years, including the 2014 Peshawar school massacre that claimed 154 lives. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have also escalated, with recent cross-border clashes and failed peace talks in Istanbul.
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Outgoing Irish president proved he was no pushover
Michael D Higgins, Ireland’s outgoing president, has stepped down from Áras an Uachtaráin after a remarkable 14-year tenure. His presidency was defined by a steadfast commitment to his principles, often defying public, church, and government pressures. One of the most defining moments of his leadership was his 2021 boycott of an inter-church service marking the centenary of Northern Ireland’s partition. Higgins argued that the event’s title politicized the occasion, placing it beyond his presidential remit. This decision polarized opinions, elevating his standing among nationalists while alienating some unionists who questioned his ability to bridge divides. Higgins, a self-proclaimed leftist, followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Mary Robinson, transforming the presidency from a ceremonial role to a platform for national discourse. He tackled pressing issues such as housing shortages, migration, and climate change, urging reflection without directly criticizing government policies. His activism reshaped public expectations of the presidency, pushing the boundaries of the office. Higgins’ tenure also saw historic moments, including becoming the first Irish president to pay a state visit to the UK. A passionate advocate for the arts and Irish culture, Higgins leaves behind a legacy of moral leadership and cultural promotion, even as his departure raises questions about the future direction of the presidency.
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The deadly car explosion in New Delhi is being investigated under an anti-terrorism law
Indian authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act following a devastating car explosion near New Delhi’s historic Red Fort. The incident, which occurred late Monday, claimed the lives of at least eight individuals and left several others injured. Forensic teams are meticulously working to ascertain the cause of the blast, which is believed to have originated from a Hyundai i20 car stopped at a traffic signal. The explosion caused significant damage to nearby vehicles, with images depicting shattered windows, twisted metal, and engulfing flames. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on an official visit to Bhutan, has vowed that the perpetrators will face justice, emphasizing that investigators will uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that all possible angles are being explored, with security agencies leveraging CCTV footage from the area to expedite the inquiry. In response to the incident, major transportation hubs, including train stations in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh, have been placed on heightened security alert. The Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal-era monument and a symbol of national pride, is a prominent tourist destination and the site of annual Independence Day speeches by Indian leaders. The surrounding area, known for its bustling bazaars, is typically crowded, amplifying the impact of the explosion. Authorities are also working to identify the car’s owner and occupants, who are presumed to have perished in the blast.
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‘Sea legs meant I couldn’t bowl’ – when England travelled to Australia by boat
The Ashes, cricket’s most storied rivalry between Australia and England, has always been more than just a series of matches—it’s a journey steeped in history, tradition, and evolution. As the 2025-26 Ashes series approaches, the contrast between modern-day tours and those of the past couldn’t be more striking.
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Ahmed al-Sharaa becomes first Syrian leader to visit the White House
In a historic turn of events, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member, made his first-ever visit to the White House on Monday, symbolizing a dramatic shift in US-Syria relations. Sharaa, who led the Islamist rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to overthrow longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, is the first Syrian leader to visit Washington since Syria’s independence from France in 1946. His visit underscores Damascus’s transformation from a US-designated sponsor of terror to a potential partner in regional stability. During the meeting, President Donald Trump praised Sharaa as a “strong leader” and pledged US support to make Syria “successful.” Sharaa’s government has been working to solidify security ties with the US, reassert control over Kurdish-dominated regions, and address Israeli attacks in the south. While Sharaa has faced skepticism from Egypt and the UAE due to his past, he has strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The US is reportedly considering integrating Syria into its coalition against the Islamic State (IS) and may establish an air base south of Damascus to monitor a potential de-escalation agreement between Syria and Israel. Despite these diplomatic strides, Syria’s economy remains stagnant, with corruption and lingering sanctions deterring foreign investment. Trump has lifted some sanctions and is lobbying Congress to repeal the 2019 Caesar Sanctions, but progress has been slow. Sharaa’s visit, though cautiously handled by the White House, marks a significant step in reshaping Syria’s role in the Middle East.
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WWII nurses who dodged bullets and saved lives deserve Congressional honor, lawmakers say
At 106 years old, Alice Darrow vividly remembers her time as a nurse during World War II, a period marked by bravery and sacrifice. As part of a pioneering group of nurses, she risked her life to treat soldiers’ burns and gunshot wounds, often under enemy fire. Some nurses were killed, while others endured years as prisoners of war. Most returned home to lives of quiet obscurity, their contributions largely unrecognized. Now, eight decades after the war, a coalition of retired military nurses and advocates is campaigning to award the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, to all nurses who served in WWII. This effort aims to honor their courage and dedication, which saved countless lives.
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Finding direction in Chinese martial arts
Jacob Brinnand’s life took a transformative turn when he discovered the profound world of Chinese martial arts. Growing up in the Bay Area, Brinnand was immersed in a vibrant Asian and Pacific Islander community where martial arts were deeply ingrained in the culture. Inspired by kung fu films like *Drunken Master II*, he sought authenticity in martial arts but struggled to find a mentor who could guide him to its true essence. This changed in 2005 when he met Y.C. Wong, a fourth-generation disciple of the legendary Wong Fei-hung, a Qing Dynasty martial artist renowned for his mastery of hung gar and drunk boxing, as well as his expertise in traditional Chinese medicine. Wong became Brinnand’s sifu (master), offering him not just martial arts training but also a path to self-discovery and purpose. Brinnand’s journey led him to China in 2007, where he participated in the 160th anniversary of Wong Fei-hung’s birth, performing alongside masters and living legends. This experience deepened his understanding of kung fu as a holistic practice encompassing health, strength, longevity, and community. Inspired by Wong’s teachings and Chinese philosophical texts like the *Tao Te Ching*, Brinnand left his successful marketing career to dedicate his life to martial arts. Today, he teaches hung gar in Houston, Texas, helping others find strength and fulfillment through this ancient art.