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Taiwan braces for powerful storm after ‘very destructive’ rainfall in Philippines

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The Independent

A powerful typhoon has lashed the Philippines and is now churning towards Taiwan, prompting warnings and flight cancellations.

Krathon has been upgraded to a strong typhoon, with sustained winds reaching up to 175 kmph (109 mph) and gusts as high as 215 kmph (133 mph).

The slow-moving storm was blowing westward and could strengthen into a super typhoon when it veers northeastward on Tuesday towards Taiwan.

Taiwan issued a land warning this morning as forecasters warned the storm is expected to cross the island’s densely populated west coast, including the major port city of Kaohsiung, bringing torrential rain and strong winds.

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“The impact is getting bigger and bigger,” said Gene Huang, forecaster at the CWA, pointing to threats to Taiwan’s southwest and adding it was “rare” for such a powerful typhoon to make a direct hit on the island’s western plains.

The storm has already lashed the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting officials to evacuate hundreds of villagers, shut down schools and inter-island ferries and warn of “potentially very destructive” rainfall in the region.

Key Points

  • Typhoon Krathon lashes Philippines with ‘very destructive’ rainfall

  • Typhoon Krathon set to make rare landfall on Taiwan’s populated west coast

  • Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast

  • Typhoon Krathon forecast: Storm to hit Taiwan’s populated west coast

  • Hong Kong set to experience extreme heat amid Typhoon Krathon

Over 500 people evacuated from Kaohsiung ahead of Typhoon Krathon

11:30 , Stuti Mishra

As Typhoon Krathon approaches Taiwan, 521 people have been evacuated from the mountainous regions of Kaohsiung today in anticipation of severe weather.

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Local authorities issued landslide warnings for the districts of Taoyuan, Maolin, Namasia, and Liugui, prompting evacuations.

Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai inspected disaster preparedness measures, including flood control systems and the city’s 91 pumping stations, Taiwan News reported.

Kaohsiung is bracing for heavy rainfall, with estimates suggesting up to 800 mm in the mountainous areas.

Schools were moved online and 23,000 sandbags have been distributed across the city to help residents prepare for flooding.

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Forecast animation shows path of Typhoon Krathon

11:06 , Stuti Mishra

A forecast animation from Zoom Earth, a privately-run weather tracker, shows Typhoon Krathon’s projected path as it heads toward southern Taiwan.

The animation shows the typhoon’s intense wind gusts and possible landfall near Kaohsiung, with winds expected to exceed 200 kmph.

However, the storm’s interaction with Taiwan’s mountainous terrain could lead to unpredictable changes in its direction, making the exact landfall location difficult to forecast.

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Satellite image shows Typhoon Krathon’s intensity

10:40 , Stuti Mishra

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A satellite image taken from Japan’s Himawari-9 a while back shows Typhoon Krathon swirling over the Luzon Strait, between the Philippines and Taiwan.

The well-defined eye and dense cloud bands show that Krathon has grown in strength, as it moves northwest toward Taiwan.

The typhoon’s spiral structure is clear, with intense thunderstorms surrounding the eye, a hallmark of a strong storm.

A swirling Typhoon Krathon, with a distinct eye and dense clouds, captured between the Philippines and Taiwan (Himawari-9/JMA)

A swirling Typhoon Krathon, with a distinct eye and dense clouds, captured between the Philippines and Taiwan (Himawari-9/JMA)

Video: Philippine Coast Guard tows stranded speedboat amid Typhoon Krathon

10:20 , Stuti Mishra

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Travel disruptions and closures due to Typhoon Krathon

10:00 , Stuti Mishra

Coastal and national park areas have been closed in Taiwan as a precaution, and ferry services have been suspended across several regions.

The rail line connecting southern Taiwan to the east coast was halted on Monday afternoon due to the storm, though the north-south high-speed railway continues to operate as normal.

Despite the disruptions, international flights from Taipei have not yet been affected, according to the transport ministry.

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Typhoon Krathon forecast: Storm to hit Taiwan’s populated west coast

09:40 , Stuti Mishra

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued a warning for the western and southern regions of the country as Typhoon Krathon approaches.

Extremely heavy rainfall, potentially exceeding 200 mm in 24 hours, is expected in areas such as Hualien, Taitung, Orchid Island, and Green Island.

Heavy rain warnings have also been extended to other areas, including Yilan County and mountainous regions of Taipei, New Taipei, and the port city of Kaohsiung.

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Authorities have deployed thousands of soldiers and rubber boats to southern and eastern Taiwan, anticipating potential flooding and landslides.

Hong Kong set to experience extreme heat amid Typhoon Krathon

09:20 , Stuti Mishra

Hong Kong is set to experience scorching temperatures today and tomorrow as Typhoon Krathon approaches southern Taiwan.

Though the storm is not expected to directly affect Hong Kong, the city will feel the heat due to the typhoon’s outer subsiding air, causing temperatures to soar across southern China, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

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Despite Krathon remaining over 500 kilometres from Hong Kong, residents were advised to stay hydrated and take precautions against the heat on these very hot days.

Video: Rain and winds pick up in Taipei

09:00 , Stuti Mishra

Photos: Taiwan braces for Typhoon Krathon

08:45 , Stuti Mishra

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A Taiwanese worker folds advertising banners outside a building in anticipation for Typhoon Krathon in New Taipei City, Taiwan (EPA)

A Taiwanese worker folds advertising banners outside a building in anticipation for Typhoon Krathon in New Taipei City, Taiwan (EPA)
Taiwanese workers secure platforms in anticipation for Typhoon Krathon at the riverside in New Taipei City, Taiwan (EPA)

Taiwanese workers secure platforms in anticipation for Typhoon Krathon at the riverside in New Taipei City, Taiwan (EPA)

Typhoon Krathon tracker: Path and forecast

08:23 , Stuti Mishra

Typhoon Krathon is currently tracking west-northwest toward Taiwan after impacting the northern Philippines.

Krathon is classified as a “very strong” typhoon, with maximum sustained winds near the centre reaching 185 kmph and gusts of up to 260 kmph, according to the latest updates from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA).

Currently located approximately 430 kilometres southeast of Taiwan’s southernmost point, Oluanpi, the typhoon is moving west-northwest at a slow speed of around 10 kmph.

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Krathon is expected to continue moving westward before turning slightly northwest and making landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan, by late night tomorrow or early morning on Wednesday. Winds are expected to reach up to 185 kmph (115 mph) near the centre, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Following landfall, Krathon is forecast to move across southern Taiwan, bringing heavy rainfall, intense winds, and a high risk of flooding.

Map shows expected trajectory of Typhoon Krathon as it moves west-northwest and is projected to make landfall in southern Taiwan (Japan Meteorological Agency,)

Map shows expected trajectory of Typhoon Krathon as it moves west-northwest and is projected to make landfall in southern Taiwan (Japan Meteorological Agency,)

Typhoon Krathon set to make rare landfall on Taiwan’s populated west coast

08:16 , Stuti Mishra

Typhoon Krathon, a powerful storm that has already lashed the northern Philippines, is now heading toward Taiwan, bringing the potential for destructive winds, torrential rains, and severe flooding.

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The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has classified Krathon as a “very strong” typhoon with sustained winds of 95 knots (109 mph) and gusts of up to 135 knots (155 mph).

It is expected to strengthen further as it approaches Taiwan’s heavily populated western coast tomorrow.

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) has issued land and sea warnings as the typhoon draws closer.

The storm is forecast to make landfall near Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s major southern port city, late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

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“The impact is getting bigger and bigger,” said Gene Huang, forecaster at the CWA, pointing to threats to Taiwan’s southwest and adding it was “rare” for such a powerful typhoon to make a direct hit on the island’s western plains.

Typhoon Krathon lashes Philippines

08:00 , Stuti Mishra

Typhoon Krathon, locally known as Typhoon Julian, has battered the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting widespread evacuations and warnings of potential devastation to coastal communities.

The powerful storm, with sustained winds of up to 109 mph and gusts reaching 133 mph, was last located near Balintang Island, off the provinces of Cagayan and Batanes, according to the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA.

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The slow-moving typhoon is expected to strengthen further, potentially reaching super typhoon status as it turns northeast towards Taiwan tomorrow.

Although no casualties or significant damage have been reported so far, officials remain on high alert as the storm poses a significant threat to lives and infrastructure.

Hundreds of villagers were evacuated, schools were shut down shut down schools and inter-island ferries were closed.

PAGASA has issued warnings of a “moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surges” along the coastal areas of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Cagayan province.

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“The situation is potentially very destructive to the community,” it said.

07:48 , Stuti Mishra

Welcome to The Independent’s liveblog on Typhoon Krathon. Follow for the latest updates from the Philippines and Tawain.

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Rwanda restricts funeral sizes following outbreak

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Rwanda restricts funeral sizes following outbreak

Rwandan authorities have restricted funeral sizes for victims of Marburg virus in an effort to curb an outbreak of the highly contagious disease.

Eight people have died during Rwanda’s first outbreak of the virus, which was confirmed on Friday by the nation’s health ministry.

Marburg, with a fatality rate of up to 88%, is from the same virus family as Ebola. It spreads to humans from fruit bats and then through contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals.

In new guidelines to halt the spread of Marburg, the health ministry said no more than 50 people should attend the funeral of a person who died from the disease.

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“Normal business and other activities” can continue in the East African country, said the advisory, published on Sunday evening.

However, it also urged the public to avoid close contact with “symptomatic individuals”. The ministry listed symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhoea.

The virus can cause death through extreme blood loss.

The health ministry’s guidelines said hospital patients would not be permitted visitors for the next 14 days.

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Patients will also only be allowed one caregiver at a time, the guidelines said.

In numerous developing countries, patients’ loved ones perform basic care tasks – such as washing and feeding – that are typically performed by a nurse in other countries.

On Saturday, when the official death toll was six, Rwanda’s health minister said most of the victims were healthcare workers in a hospital intensive care unit.

Dr Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases, told the BBC’s Newsday programme that curbing the virus’s spread may be challenging as most reported cases have been in the densely populated capital city, Kigali, while previous outbreaks have often been in remote rural areas where they are are easier to contain.

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However, she added that there is hope as Rwanda has “a lot better infrastructure and history of public health coordination that many other countries”.

Rwanda said it was intensifying contact tracing, surveillance and testing to help contain the spread.

The country’s health minister said on Sunday that officials were tracking about 300 people who had come into contact with individuals affected by the Marburg virus.

The authorities have urged the public to practice good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing.

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This is the first time Marburg has been confirmed in Rwanda.

Neighbouring Tanzania reported an outbreak in 2023, while three people died in Uganda in 2017.

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Singapore to ‘mop up’ finance business leaving Hong Kong: report

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Singapore to 'mop up' finance business leaving Hong Kong: report

SINGAPORE — Japan, India and Singapore are poised to be winners in Asia as Chinese markets continue to be challenged by geopolitical risks, according to a report published last week by research and analysis outfit the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The report assessed prospects for Asian financial hubs amid mounting challenges in international markets as trade disputes between the U.S. and China drag on, while Chinese authorities tighten their grip on Hong Kong.

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Home REIT sells further 200 properties at auction ahead of wind down

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Home REIT sells further 200 properties at auction ahead of wind down

The company as now sold 1,208 properties since August 2023.

The post Home REIT sells further 200 properties at auction ahead of wind down appeared first on Property Week.

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Virgin Atlantic moving to dynamic pricing for reward seat redemptions

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Virgin Atlantic moving to dynamic pricing for reward seat redemptions

Flying Club members will be able to redeem points against any Virgin flight, but pricing will “vary in line with demand, in a similar way to standard tickets”

Continue reading Virgin Atlantic moving to dynamic pricing for reward seat redemptions at Business Traveller.

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Met officers to be disciplined over investigation

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Met officers to be disciplined over investigation
Hertfordshire Police A custody photo of David CarrickHertfordshire Police

Carrick, a former Met Police PC, was jailed after he admitted carrying out dozens of rapes and sexual offences

Four Metropolitan Police officers and a member of police staff will face disciplinary proceedings for their handling of allegations against the serial rapist police officer David Carrick, the police watchdog has said.

Carrick, of Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was jailed for at least 30 years in February 2023 after he admitted dozens of rapes and sexual offences against 12 women.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said a detective sergeant, three officers and a police staff member allegedly breached “police standards of professional behaviour”.

Four reports of serious offending were made against Carrick by former partners between 2002 and 2021, while he served as a Met officer, the IOPC added.

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IOPC regional director Mel Palmer said it had identified “several missed opportunities” where officers had failed to pursue misconduct investigations against Carrick.

“Had these matters been progressed appropriately, Carrick may have potentially faced gross misconduct proceedings and been dismissed from the force well before he was eventually arrested,” she added.

CPS/Hertfordshire Police The outside of Carrick's former house. A small semi-detached property, two-storey brick property fitted with white plastic windows and a white front door.CPS/Hertfordshire Police

Carrick committed many of his crimes in Hertfordshire, where he lived

The IOPC announced in July 2023 it was carrying out four independent investigations into what actions were taken by the Met, after it emerged four reports of serious offending had been made against Carrick by former partners.

They included two reports of assault and harassment, made in 2002 and 2016, a report of assault made in 2019 and a report of rape and sexual assault in 2019.

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The IOPC said in each case, either no further action was taken against Carrick or the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) was not informed.

“We found that a detective sergeant should face a gross misconduct hearing for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to their alleged failure to supervise adequately that Carrick conduct investigation,” the IOPC said.

“We also found that a detective constable and a police staff member should face misconduct meetings.”

The IOPC said those facing disciplinary proceedings all worked in the Met’s DPS at the time.

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‘Serious flaws’

The Met said it was “truly sorry” for the harm Carrick had caused his victims, and that he should “never have been a police officer”.

“We have acknowledged that serious flaws in our approach meant we did not spot his pattern of abusive behaviour and as a result, we missed opportunities to pursue him through the misconduct process. We deeply regret this,” a spokesperson said.

“In addition to the IOPC investigation, we are also continuing to support the work of the independent inquiry chaired by Lady Elish Angiolini which is examining the extent to which Carrick’s conduct and crimes were known and investigated at the time.”

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The IOPC said it was preparing “learning recommendations” for all police forces in England and Wales around vetting and the response to off-duty conduct.

It also said it was adding a mandatory “police perpetrated” flag to crime recording systems.

Julia Quenzler / BBC An artist's drawing of Carrick in the dock in court. He is pictured standing behind a screen and is wearing a black suit and tie.Julia Quenzler / BBC

Carrick pictured in the dock at Southwark Crown Court

Earlier this year, London’s mayor confirmed Carrick had been stripped of his full state-funded pension.

Carrick had joined the Met in 2001 before becoming an armed officer in the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit in 2009.

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He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to a total of 49 offences, including 24 counts of rape, between 2003 and 2020.

The Met, and City of London Police, where one of the officers is now based, will arrange disciplinary proceedings.

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Aston Martin and Stellantis shares slump after profit warnings

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Aston Martin and Stellantis shares slump after profit warnings
Getty Images An Aston Martin on an English country roadGetty Images

Luxury carmaker Aston Martin’s share price sank more than 20% after it said profits will be lower than expected this year.

The company, famed for its links to fictional superspy James Bond, has been hit by supply chain issues and falling sales in China.

The share price of Stellantis, the owner of brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Jeep, also plummeted on Monday after a profit warning.

Carmakers across Europe have been suffering lately, with disappointing sales and increased competition from abroad taking a heavy toll on earnings.

Aston Martin is a prestige brand which makes upmarket cars in relatively small quantities.

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Last year, it sold 6,620 vehicles, with about a fifth of those going to the Asia-Pacific region.

However, the company says it has been hit by a fall in demand in China, where a slowing economy has affected sales of luxury cars.

It has also been affected by problems at a number of suppliers, which have affected its ability to build a number of new models.

As a result, Aston says it will make about 1000 cars fewer than originally planned this year.

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Sales, which had originally been forecast to rise, are now expected to be lower than in 2023, and earnings will fall short of current market expectations.

Adrian Hallmark, who became Aston Martin’s chief executive a few weeks ago, said it had become clear that “decisive action” was needed to adjust output.

But he added that he was “even more convinced than before” about the brand’s potential for growth.

Industry giants suffering

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Meanwhile, Stellantis has become the latest large-scale carmaker to revise its financial forecasts, thanks to a deterioration in the industry outlook.

The company has been struggling with weak demand in the US, a key market, where it has been forced to offer discounts in order to shift unsold stock.

It has also been facing increased competition from Chinese brands, which have been expanding aggressively abroad.

As a result, it sais it expects its profit margins to be significantly lower than previously thought this year.

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The announcement sent its shares tumbling. By lunchtime on Monday, the price was down more than 14%.

The problems at Stellantis and Aston Martin reflect a wider malaise in the European car industry.

On Friday, Volkswagen issued its second profit warning in three months, while it has also suggested it might have to close plants in Germany for the first time in its history.

Its German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW have also downgraded their profit forecasts in recent weeks.

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Among the common issues are falling sales in China – until recently a highly lucrative market for expensive and profitable high-end models – coupled with growing competition from Chinese brands in other markets.

EV sales falter

Sales of electric cars, which manufacturers have invested huge sums in developing, have been faltering badly in Europe.

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, sales of battery-powered cars were down nearly 44% in August compared to the same period a year ago, while their share of the market dropped to 14.4%, compared to 21% in 2023.

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The decline has followed the removal or reduction of incentives for electric car buyers in a number of European markets, including France and Germany.

On Friday, EU nations are due to vote on plans to impose steep tariffs on imports of electric vehicles from China.

The measures are designed to protect local producers from unfair competition. The European Commission claims Chinese manufacturers benefit from illegal subsidies from the Chinese government – and believes tariffs will create a level playing field.

But the plan is controversial, and has received a mixed reception from manufacturers.

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