分类： world

Taiwan faced severe flooding and widespread disruptions as Typhoon Fung-wong, though significantly weakened, unleashed torrential rains across the island. Over 8,300 residents were evacuated from vulnerable areas, particularly in the eastern counties of Yilan and Hualien, where floodwaters reached neck-deep levels. The southern regions bore the brunt of the storm, with businesses and schools forced to close, and 51 people reported injured. Television broadcasts depicted dramatic scenes of soldiers rescuing stranded individuals in Yilan, while the harbor town of Suao recorded a staggering 648 mm (25 inches) of rainfall on Tuesday, a monthly record. Fisherman Hung Chun-yi described the rapid inundation of his home, emphasizing the overwhelming intensity of the downpour. Huang En-hong, a forecaster at Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, linked the unseasonably late typhoon to broader climate change trends, warning of increasingly extreme weather patterns. Typhoon Fung-wong, which claimed 27 lives in the Philippines, is expected to skirt Taiwan’s southern tip before dissipating in the Pacific. Notably, the northern city of Hsinchu, home to TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, remained unaffected by the storm.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has conveyed its heartfelt condolences and solidarity to the Philippines following the catastrophic impact of Super Typhoon Fung-wong. The typhoon, which ravaged the nation, resulted in numerous fatalities, displaced thousands of residents, and inflicted extensive material damage. In an official statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed profound sympathy for the bereaved families and extended its condolences to both the Philippine government and its citizens during this period of immense loss.

As of now, Typhoon Fung-wong has weakened as it exits the Philippines, but meteorological forecasts suggest a potential re-entry into the country on November 12. The UAE’s gesture of support underscores the importance of international solidarity in times of natural disasters, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to address such crises.

This tragic event highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena, raising concerns about climate change and its far-reaching consequences. The UAE’s response also reflects its commitment to fostering strong diplomatic ties and humanitarian aid with nations affected by such calamities.

Myanmar’s military government has officially integrated Russian Mi-38T helicopters and Chinese Y-8 transport aircraft into its air force, signaling continued support from Moscow and Beijing despite international sanctions. The move comes as the Tatmadaw, Myanmar’s military, intensifies its operations in the ongoing civil war. The United Nations reports that Russia and China have supplied hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment to the regime, defying global pressure to halt arms sales. The newly commissioned aircraft, showcased in a November 7 ceremony in Naypyitaw, are expected to enhance the military’s ability to deploy troops in challenging terrains, particularly mountainous regions. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing emphasized the critical role of air power in addressing both internal and international conflicts. Analysts note that Myanmar is the first known export customer of the Mi-38T, underscoring Russia’s pivotal role in sustaining the regime. Despite losing significant territory to pro-democracy and ethnic militias, the Tatmadaw has leveraged its superior firepower and air capabilities to regain control of key areas, including strategic towns in Shan state. The military has also secured agreements with ethnic rebel groups, facilitated by Chinese mediation, to consolidate its hold on resource-rich regions. As the December 28 election approaches, the first since the 2021 coup, the military has escalated its campaign to reclaim opposition-held territories, often resulting in civilian casualties. The election, widely criticized as illegitimate, will be conducted in phases due to ongoing conflict, with voting excluded in numerous townships.

Kathmandu, Nepal – The monsoon season in Nepal has left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of 140 people, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Tuesday. The 135-day monsoon period, which spanned from May 29 to October 10, saw 1,454 disaster incidents, leaving 30 individuals missing and 300 injured. Landslides were the deadliest, responsible for 67 fatalities, followed by floods with 37 deaths, and lightning strikes claiming 29 lives. A staggering 5,995 families were affected by these calamities. Additionally, the report highlighted that 120 more lives were lost, and 622 people were injured due to other disasters such as fires and snakebites during the same period. The devastating impact of the monsoon has underscored the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms in the region.

Pakistan has launched a thorough investigation into a devastating suicide bombing that occurred outside a district court in Islamabad on Tuesday, resulting in 12 fatalities and 27 injuries. The attack, which took place near a residential area, has heightened concerns about the persistent threat of militant violence in the capital, despite ongoing security operations. Forensic teams and police are meticulously examining the blast site, which has been sealed to preserve evidence. Meanwhile, grieving families are receiving the bodies of their loved ones at a local hospital, with most of the injured already discharged after treatment. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has accused Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) of orchestrating the attack, though no concrete evidence has been provided. New Delhi has dismissed these allegations as baseless. The TTP has denied involvement, while a splinter group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, initially claimed responsibility before retracting its statement, highlighting the fragmented nature of Pakistan’s militant networks. The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation. This incident follows another militant assault on an army-run college in Wana, where four attackers were killed, and over 600 cadets were safely evacuated. The escalating violence underscores the challenges Pakistan faces in maintaining security amid rising tensions with Afghanistan, where the TTP is believed to have found refuge since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), a visionary national strategy conceived and championed by President Xi Jinping, has evolved from a bold blueprint into a thriving reality. This transformative initiative, which began to take shape in 2012, aims to create a world-class city cluster with enhanced global competitiveness. The GBA encompasses two Special Administrative Regions (SARs)—Hong Kong and Macao—and nine cities in Guangdong’s Pearl River Delta, including Shenzhen and Zhuhai. It is often compared to other major global bay areas such as San Francisco, Tokyo, and New York. The region, home to over 80 million people, contributes approximately one-ninth of China’s GDP, with its economic output reaching 14.79 trillion yuan ($2.09 trillion) last year. The development of the GBA has been marked by significant milestones, including the signing of the framework agreement in 2017 and the unveiling of the outline development plan in 2019. These efforts have fostered deeper regional integration, with coordinated policies in infrastructure, innovation, industrial support, and public services. The recent joint hosting of the 15th National Games by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao exemplifies the growing synergy among the regions. This event not only highlights the progress of the GBA’s development but also serves as a model for future collaboration in areas such as food safety, tourism, education, and healthcare. The GBA’s success is a testament to the effective implementation of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and its potential to drive Chinese modernization and global engagement.

She Zhijiang, a Chinese national accused of orchestrating a sprawling illegal gambling and cyberscam network across Southeast Asia, has been extradited to China, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle. Detained in Thailand since 2022 following an Interpol request from China, She was accused of running illicit online gambling operations. A Thai court recently upheld the extradition decision, and he was escorted to a Bangkok airport on Wednesday by security officials. His extradition coincides with a historic state visit by Thailand’s king to Beijing, signaling strengthened bilateral ties. She’s case highlights the growing crackdown on transnational crime networks in the region. She is one of the most prominent figures linked to cyberscam hubs in Southeast Asia, which have ensnared thousands of Chinese nationals. His most infamous project, Shwe Kokko City in Myanmar, near the Thai border, has been marketed as a luxury resort but is allegedly a hub for fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking. Despite She’s claims that his company, Yatai, does not condone scams, investigations reveal that Shwe Kokko remains a haven for illegal activities. Born in 1982 in a poor village in China’s Hunan province, She dropped out of school at 14 and later ventured into online gambling, which is illegal in China. He expanded his operations across Southeast Asia, acquiring Cambodian and Myanmar citizenship. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Chinese nationals, are trapped in scam centers in the region, lured by fake job offers and forced into fraudulent activities. China has intensified its efforts to dismantle these networks, recently sentencing several members of Chinese organized crime families to death.

In a significant development, Yemen’s Houthi movement has indicated a potential halt to its attacks on Israel and vessels in the Red Sea, contingent on a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. This stance was articulated in a letter posted on X (formerly Twitter) by the group, marking a potential shift in their two-year-long conflict strategy. The letter, addressed to Hamas by Major General Yusuf Hassan al-Madani, the Houthi military’s chief of staff, praised Hamas for its resilience and claimed victory over ‘the strongest empires of money, faith, and technology.’ The undated letter, shared on Sunday, also expressed gratitude for Hamas’s condolences following the death of the Houthis’ military chief of staff, Major General Mohammed Abdul Karim al-Ghamari, who was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike. While the exact timing of the attack remains unclear, Israeli officials suggested it occurred in August. The letter emphasized that the Houthis would resume military operations against Israel and reinstate the ban on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas if hostilities in Gaza resumed. The Houthis began targeting Israel after its invasion of Gaza in response to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks. By late 2023, the group expanded its attacks to include vessels in the Red Sea, initially focusing on Israeli ships but later broadening their scope to include US and Western-linked vessels. Experts noted that the Houthis used ship-tracking data to avoid targeting Gulf-linked ships and those associated with Russia and China. Russia reportedly saw an opportunity to support the Houthis, deploying advisors and considering the provision of advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. Iran, a key backer of the Houthis, has provided arms and training, aligning the group with the so-called ‘axis of resistance’ alongside Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iraqi militias. The Houthis briefly ceased maritime attacks during a short-lived Gaza truce in January but resumed missile strikes on Israel after the ceasefire collapsed in March. US President Donald Trump launched a bombing campaign against the Houthis, which ended on May 6 following Saudi Arabia’s lobbying efforts. Saudi Arabia, currently in a fragile truce with the Houthis, is negotiating a political settlement, including discussions on paying salaries for government employees in Houthi-controlled territories. The Houthis shared the letter on X just days before Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s scheduled visit to Washington, signaling a broader commitment to de-escalation. While the group has adhered to its ceasefire with the US, it continued attacks on Israel until the Gaza ceasefire was signed in October. Maritime attacks in the Red Sea intensified in the summer following Israeli strikes on Iran, with the Houthis sinking two vessels with tertiary links to Israel. The Eternity C, one of the targeted ships, lost its war risk coverage from its US-based insurer, Travelers, before its ill-fated passage.