Taiwan received its first of 60 Mirage 2000 jets in 1997, though they have been upgraded several times since then. At least seven have since been lost in accidents. (AFP)
TAIPEI — Taiwan’s air force said on Wednesday it had grounded its fleet of French-made Mirage fighter jets for maintenance checks after one crashed off the island’s northwest coast, though the pilot was rescued.
The Mirage was conducting nighttime exercises late on Tuesday after taking off from the Hsinchu air base when it suffered a loss of engine power and the pilot bailed out. Rescuers later found him and took him to hospital.
The air force said the Mirage fleet has now been grounded for checks, and that they would ensure sufficient coverage from other aircraft to make up for those taken out of rotation.
The US-built F-16 fighter jet is the mainstay of Taiwan’s air force. Taiwan received its first of 60 Mirage 2000 jets in 1997, though they have been upgraded several times since then. At least seven have since been lost in accidents.
Taiwan’s air force has suffered a series of crashes in recent years, including in 2022 when it grounded its Mirage fleet after one crashed into the sea off the east coast.
While Taiwan’s air force is well trained, it has been repeatedly scrambling to see off Chinese military aircraft flying near the island in the past five years, though the accidents have not been linked in any way to these intercept activities.
Above, the flooded Red River in Hanoi on Sept. 10, 2024 in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi hitting northern Vietnam. (AFP)
HANOI — Residents of Hanoi waded through waist-deep water Wednesday as river levels hit a 20-year high and the toll from the strongest typhoon in decades passed 150, with neighboring nations also enduring deadly flooding and landslides.
Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam at the weekend bringing winds in excess of 149 kilometers per hour and a deluge of rain that has also brought destructive floods to northern areas of Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.
The Red River in Hanoi reached its highest level in 20 years on Wednesday, forcing residents to trudge through waist-deep brown water as they retrieved possessions from flooded homes.
Others fashioned makeshift boats from whatever materials they could find.
“This was the worst flooding I have witnessed,” said Nguyen Tran Van, 41, who has lived near the Red River in the Vietnamese capital for 15 years.
“I didn’t think the water would rise as quick as it did. I moved because if the water had risen just a bit higher, it would have been very difficult for us to leave,” Van said.
A landslide smashed into the remote mountain village of Lang Nu in Lao Cai province, levelling it to a flat expanse of mud and rocks, strewn with debris and laced by streams.
State media said at least 30 people had been killed in the village, with another 65 still missing.
Villagers laid dead bodies on the ground, some in makeshift coffins, some wrapped in cloth, while police with picks and shovels dug through the dirt in search of more victims.
Vietnamese state media said the toll from Yagi — the strongest storm to hit northern Vietnam in 30 years — had risen to 155 across the country, with 141 missing.
It was not clear whether that total includes victims of Tuesday’s landslide, where access remained difficult and Internet was cut off, reports said.
Mai Van Khiem, head of the national weather bureau, told state media that the water level in the Red River in Hanoi was at its highest since 2004.
He warned of serious widespread flooding in the provinces surrounding the capital in the days to come.
Police, soldiers and volunteers helped hundreds of residents along the banks of the swollen river in Hanoi to evacuate their homes in the early hours as the water level rose rapidly.
A police official in Hanoi, refusing to be named, said officers were going on foot or by boat to check every house along the river.
“All residents must leave,” he said. “We are bringing them to public buildings turned into temporary shelters or they can stay with relatives. There has been so much rain and the water is rising quickly.”
On Tuesday images showed people stranded on rooftops and victims posted desperate pleas for help on social media, while 59,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in Yen Bai province.
In neighboring Laos, authorities evacuated 300 people from 17 villages in northern Luang Namtha province, deputy district chief Sivilai Pankaew said.
He said the high-speed Laos-China railway was not affected by the floods.
In the historic city of Luang Prabang — a world heritage site and major tourist destination — houses and shops were inundated, Lao Post reported.
State media said at least one person has been killed and images showed rescuers working in murky brown flood waters.
Thai authorities said four people were killed in the kingdom’s northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and the army has been deployed to help around 9,000 flood-hit families.
In Myanmar, residents and local media said flooding knocked out power and telephone lines in the town of Tachileik, in eastern Shan state where further heavy rain was forecast.
Further south, hundreds of residents of the Myanmar border trade hub of Myawaddy left their homes to take shelter in schools and monasteries on higher ground as flood waters rose, a resident of the town, which sits on the border with Thailand, said.
Southeast Asia experiences annual monsoon rains, but human-made climate change is causing more intense weather patterns that can make destructive floods more likely.
Typhoons in the region are forming closer to the coast, intensifying more rapidly, and staying over land longer due to climate change, according to a study published in July.
The state volcanology agency raised the alert level for Kanlaon volcano in June from one to two on a zero-to-five scale, warning more explosive eruptions were possible. (AFP)
MANILA — Hundreds of people fled their homes in the Philippines on Wednesday after a volcano spurted harmful gases, an official said, as experts warned of a potential eruption.
About 300 residents of villages within four kilometers of the Kanlaon volcano crater in the center of the country were evacuated on Tuesday as a precaution, the local government of nearby Canlaon City said.
The evacuees have taken temporary shelter at schools and community centers away from the volcano, city information officer Edna Lhou Masicampo said on Wednesday.
“People from villages near the foot of the volcano have been complaining about the strong smell of sulfur,” Masicampo said, adding most residents are farmers.
Classes were suspended and some tourist spots in the city of around 60,000 people were closed on Wednesday due to the volcano warning.
Kanlaon’s daily average emission of sulfur dioxide almost tripled to 9,985 tonnes on Tuesday.
“This is the highest emission from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement.
“Current activity may lead to eruptive unrest,” it said, putting residents of the four villages at risk from red hot, swiftly moving ash clouds, “ballistic projectiles, rockfalls and others.”
Rising more than 2,400 meters (nearly 8,000 feet) above sea level on the central island of Negros, Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.
It has erupted 15 times in the past nine years.
Three hikers were killed in August 1996 due to ash ejection from Kanlaon.
The state volcanology agency raised the alert level for the volcano in June from one to two on a zero-to-five scale, warning more explosive eruptions were possible.
The Philippines is located in the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” which contains more than half the world’s volcanoes.
Rescuers help people amidst flooding in Chiang Rai province, Thailand, September 11, 2024, in this still image taken from a video. Tubjaotak Task Force, Pha Muang Force/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
BANGKOK — At least two people were killed and hundreds stranded in Thailand after heavy rains swept through two northern provinces, swelling rivers, inundating settlements and triggering mudslides, authorities said on Wednesday.
The adverse weather, which comes in the wake of Typhoon Yagi — the most powerful storm in Asia this year, has impacted about 9,000 households in Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said.
“Water currents are still strong,” she told reporters.
“All agencies are prepared and when the current eases, they will go in immediately.”
The impacts of the storm have killed at least 143 people in Vietnam, where it made landfall on Saturday before moving westwards, with floods forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents living near the swelling Red River in the capital Hanoi.
Thailand’s Chiang Mai province experienced flash floods and mudslides, with two deaths recorded, according to its governor.
In the Mai Sai district of neighboring Chiang Rai province, which borders Myanmar, rubber boats were unable to reach some flooded areas where hundreds were stuck and awaiting help, said district chief Narongpol Kid-an.
“Helicopters will be used to evacuate stranded residents and deliver food and water,” he told Reuters.
A resident in the main town in Mae Sai, which has a population of over 28,000, said their group of three people was trapped on the second floor of a building after rising water submerged the lower level.
“We have not eaten anything since yesterday morning,” the resident said, asking not to be named.
“It is still raining heavily in Mae Sai. We hope a rescue team or somebody will come to help us.”
People stand on their balcony above a flooded street in Trang Dinh district, Lang Son province after Typhoon Yagi swept through northern Vietnam. (File/AFP)
HANOI, Vietnam — A flash flood swept away an entire hamlet in northern Vietnam, killing 16 people and leaving dozens missing as deaths from a typhoon and its aftermath climbed to 141 on Wednesday.
Vietnamese state broadcaster VTV said the torrent of water gushing down from a mountain in Lao Cai province Tuesday buried Lang Nu hamlet with 35 families in mud and debris.
Only about a dozen are known so far to have survived. Rescuers have recovered 16 bodies and are continuing the search for about 40 others.
The death toll from Typhoon Yagi and its aftermath has climbed to 141 as 69 others remain missing and hundreds were injured, VTV said.
Yagi was the strongest typhoon to hit the Southeast Asian country in decades. It made landfall Saturday with winds of up to 149 kph (92 mph) and despite weakening on Sunday, downpours have continued and rivers remain dangerously high.
Floods and landslides have caused most of the deaths, many of which have come in the northwestern Lao Cai province, bordering China, where Lang Nu is located.
A man waves a Palestinian flag as protesters confront police outside the Land Forces 2024 arms fair in Melbourne on September 11, 2024. (AFP)
SYDNEY — Anti-war protesters and police clashed outside a defense exhibition in Australia’s second-largest city of Melbourne on Wednesday, with dozens arrested as police used sponge grenades, flash-bang devices and irritant sprays to control parts of the hostile crowd.
Police were pelted with rocks, horse manure and bottles filled with liquid as they tried to protect attendees of the expo, some of whom were assaulted by protesters, a Victoria state police spokesperson said in a statement. Two dozen police officers required medical treatment and 39 people had been arrested for offenses including assaulting, obstructing or hindering police, arson and blocking roads, Shane Patton Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police told a press conference.
Protesters lit fires in the street, disrupted traffic and public transport, while missiles were thrown at several police horses but no serious injuries were reported, police said.
Some police have been spat at by protesters, whilst other officers have been sprayed with a liquid irritant, some of which was identified as acid, Patton added. “This is the type of disgusting behavior that we saw today from a group who were intent on confronting us,” he said.
“If you wish to come and protest, do so peacefully. We will not tolerate criminal behavior.”
About 1,200 people attended the protest outside the venue hosting the biennial Land Forces International Land Defense Exposition, authorities said.
Many chanted pro-Palestine slogans through loud speakers and waved Palestine flags while others had signs and flags representing other conflicts and causes, video showed.
Dumpsters were pushed toward police lines and one protester climbed on top of a truck that was stopped at traffic lights.
Australian media reported it was the largest police operation in Melbourne since 2000 when Australia’s second-largest city hosted the World Economic Forum.
About 1,000 exhibiting organizations from 31 countries are expected to attend the event through Friday, which the organizers said was Australia’s largest defense expo.
Some attendees were doused in a red liquid by protesters, ABC News reported.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had the right to protest but had to do it in a peaceful manner.
“You don’t say you’re opposed to defense equipment by throwing things at police. They’ve got a job to do and our police officers should be respected at all times,” Albanese told Channel Seven.
BATU PAHAT — Remaja lelaki berusia 17 tahun didakwa di Mahkamah Majistret di sini hari ini atas tuduhan merogol kenalan perempuan bawah umur selepas masuk ke rumah mangsa melalui tingkap bilik.
Tertuduh dihadapkan di hadapan Majistret Suhaila Shafi’uddin untuk pendakwaan mengikut Seksyen 376 (1) Kanun Keseksaan yang memperuntukkan hukuman penjara sehingga 20 tahun dan juga sebatan, jika sabit kesalahan.
Dia didakwa merogol mangsa berusia 16 tahun itu di sebuah rumah di daerah ini pada jam 1.05 pagi, Sabtu lalu.
Berdasarkan laporan polis, tertuduh datang ke rumah remaja perempuan itu dan masuk melalui tingkap bilik yang sudah dibuka mangsa sebelum merogolnya sebanyak dua kali.
Perbuatan itu terbongkar selepas abang mangsa ternampak kelibat tertuduh di luar bilik tanpa memakai baju lalu menahannya yang ketika itu cuba melarikan diri.
Laporan dibuat ahli keluarga mangsa di Balai Polis Sri Medan, dekat sini pada 7 September dan tertuduh ditahan pada hari sama.
Remaja lelaki itu yang tidak diwakili peguam mengaku bersalah sebelum mahkamah membenarkan ikat jamin RM1,000 dan menetapkan 23 Oktober ini untuk Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) menyediakan laporan akhlak selain fakta dan hukuman.
Pendakwaan dikendalikan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya Farah Wahidah Mohd Sharip.
MUAR — Seorang gelandangan dipenjara lima tahun dan satu sebatan selepas mengaku bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen hari ini atas pertuduhan melakukan amang seksual fizikal terhadap pelajar di sebuah pasar malam di Kluang, Julai lalu.
Hakim Sayani Mohd Nor menjatuhkan hukuman itu terhadap Ho Khek Chung, 50, selepas mengambil kira pengakuan bersalah dan pemberatan hukuman daripada pihak pendakwaan terhadap kesalahan tertuduh.
Tertuduh yang masih bujang didakwa melakukan perbuatan itu terhadap pelajar perempuan berusia 15 tahun di sebuah pasar malam di Kluang pada jam 4.15 petang, 31 Julai lalu.
Dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 14 (a) Akta Kesalahan-Kesalahan Seksual Terhadap Kanak-Kanak (AKKSTKK) 2017 dan boleh dihukum mengikut Seksyen 14 akta sama.
Seksyen itu memperuntukkan hukuman penjara sehingga 20 tahun dan sebatan jika sabit kesalahan.
Berdasarkan fakta kes, mangsa ditemani ibunya ke pasar malam terbabit untuk membeli makanan.
Ketika mangsa berselisih dengan tertuduh, lelaki itu mengambil kesempatan melakukan perbuatan terbabit.
Selepas kejadian itu, mangsa menangis dan menceritakan kepada ibunya sebelum membuat laporan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Kluang pada hari sama.
Pendakwaan dikendalikan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Danial Munir manakala tertuduh tidak diwakili peguam.
Hukuman penjara tertuduh bermula dari tarikh dia ditahan pada 31 Julai lalu.
Mahkamah turut memerintahkan tertuduh menjalani pengawasan polis selama setahun sebaik selesai hukuman.
TAPAH — Seorang tukang cuci dihukum penjara tujuh hari dan denda RM800 oleh Mahkamah Majistret, di sini, hari ini, kerana bersalah memfitnah dan menghasut sehingga merosakkan nama baik anggota polis yang terkorban dalam insiden tembakan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram, Johor pada Mei lalu.
Majistret Anis Zainab Pawanteh memerintahkan tertuduh, Wan Abd Qayyum Wan Mohd Radzuan, 25, menjalani hukuman penjara itu bermula dari tarikh dia ditangkap pada 5 September lalu dan lanjutan tempoh penjara selama tujuh hari jika gagal membayar denda.
Anis Zainab turut mengarahkan telefon bimbit Wan Abd Qayyum yang digunakan sebagai medium sebaran fitnah itu, dilucuthak kepada kerajaan.
Berdasarkan kertas pertuduhan, dia didakwa melakukan fitnah terhadap Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, dengan menyiarkan kepada Nur Azza Assyaqiren Azhar, 29, melalui komen di media sosial Facebook ‘Wan Qayyum.”
Komen itu bersifat fitnah dengan maksud merosakkan nama baik jika si mati masih hidup dan menyakitkan perasaan Azhar Khaiden, 54, iaitu bapa si mati.
Perbuatan itu dikesan dilakukan Wan Abd Qayyum di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) FELDA Sungai Klah Sungkai, daerah Batang Padang kira-kira jam 2 petang 28 Ogos lalu.
Dia didakwa mengikut Seksyen 500 Kanun Keseksaan yang sabit kesalahan boleh dipenjara sehingga dua tahun atau denda atau kedua-duanya.
Pertuduhan dikendalikan Timbalan Pendakwa Raya, Noor Nabilah Norzam, manakala tertuduh diwakili peguam Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan (YBGK), Amani Williams-Hunt.
Ketika prosiding berlangsung, majistret turut memanggil Azhar ke kandang saksi bagi memberi pernyataan yang memaklumkan perbuatan tertuduh itu, selain dianggap menyinggung perasaan keluarga mereka, ia juga satu penghinaan kepada arwah anaknya serta keluarganya secara umum.
“Apabila saya baca kenyataan ‘Wan Qayyum’ yang menyatakan seolah-olah arwah anak saya memang patut meninggal kerana selalu ‘pau’ duit tepi orang, ia satu penghinaan terhadap arwah (Ahmad Azza Fahmi) dan keluarga saya.
“Perasaan keluarga kami kecewa, marah dan tersinggung dengan kenyataan seolah-olah anak saya yang mati di Ulu Tiram kerana kes rasuah,” katanya.
Ketika merayu hukuman ringan, Amani berkata, anak guamnya hanya bekerja sebagai tukang cuci di sebuah kilang di Pasir Gudang, Johor dengan pendapatan RM1,500 sebulan.
Dalam kejadian di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram pada 17 Mei lalu, Ahmad Azza Fahmi dan Konstabel Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, terbunuh selepas diserang lelaki bersenjatakan parang, dengan pelakunya dipercayai anggota Jemaah Islamiyah
Serangan kira-kira jam 2.45 pagi itu juga menyebabkan Koperal Mohd Hasif Roslan, 38, cedera ditembak.
KUALA LUMPUR — Bekas pembantu penyelidik Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, ditahan kerana didakwa memiliki dua pucuk pistol dan ganja seberat 305 gram dalam kereta dinaikinya, Jumaat lalu.
Peguamnya, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, berkata Muhammed Yusoff ditahan sepasukan anggota polis di ibu negara kira-kira jam 9.30 pagi.
Muhammad Rafique berkata, siasatan dijalankan mengikut Akta Dadah Berbahaya 1952 selepas reman di bawah Akta Senjata Api 1960 ditolak.
Katanya, Muhammed Yusoff menafikan dadah dan pistol itu miliknya, sebaliknya mendakwa ia diletak oleh pihak yang berdendam atau permusuhan bagi memerangkap dirinya.
“Ujian saringan air kencing negatif dan nama individu yang dipercayai bertanggungjawab dan mempunyai hubungan dengan pemimpin politik juga sudah diberikan.
“Kami sudah memohon membuat laporan polis bagi menyokong dakwaan itu,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, laporan polis dibuat supaya pembelaan Yusoff dapat dilakukan seawal mungkin supaya tidak dilabel sebagai rekaan atau difikirkan kemudian.
Reman terhadap Muhammed Yusoff tamat esok dan perkembangan selanjutnya akan diketahui lewat petang ini.
