Super Typhoon Nanmadol Bears Down On Southern Japan
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
Typhoon Nanmadol Bore Down On Japan’s Southernmost Main Island Of Kyushu On Sunday With The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Warning Of Gales And High Waves “Never Experienced Before”.
Footage from TV Tokyo footage from Saturday, saw heavy rainfall and strong winds hitting Amami Oshima as the super typhoon approached the southern Japanese island.
The 14th typhoon of the season, classified as a super typhoon by the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, could bring record rainfall, the JMA said, warning of the risk of rivers overflowing and landslides.
The storm is forecast to curve east and pass over Japan’s main island of Honshu early next week before moving out to sea by Wednesday.
Japan’s Imperial Couple Depart For UK To Attend Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
The Emperor And Empress Departed Haneda Airport In Tokyo For Britain Aboard A Government Plane Saturday To Attend The State Funeral For Queen Elizabeth II.
It is the first time for the Imperial couple to visit another country since the Emperor ascended to the throne.
At 10:15 a.m., the Imperial couple was seen off by their 20-year-old daughter Princess Aiko at the entrance of their living quarters at the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor told her, “Off I go.”
At the airport, the Emperor and Empress bowed in gratitude toward Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, who saw them off, and others, and then departed the airport shortly after 11 a.m.
The Imperial couple is scheduled to arrive in London on Saturday afternoon local time, and will attend the queen’s funeral on Monday at Westminster Abbey. They will return to Japan on Tuesday afternoon.
This is the Emperor’s first overseas trip since 2018 when he visited France. For the Empress, this is her first overseas trip since 2015, when she visited Tonga.
The Queen’s Eight Grandchildren Together In Silent Vigil For ‘Dearest Grannie’
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
Princes William And Harry Stood Vigil At Either End Of The Coffin Of Their Grandmother Queen Elizabeth On Saturday, Heads Bowed As A Line Of Mourners Streamed Past The Late Monarch’s Lying-In-State.
The two sons of King Charles, attired in uniforms of officers of the Household Cavalry – the British Army’s most senior regiments -, stood in silence at a 15-minute vigil in Westminster Hall.
William and Harry were joined by their six cousins, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who earlier paid tribute to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch calling her “dearest grannie.” The Queen died on September 8 at her summer estate in the Scottish highlands, aged 96.
“You were our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs leading us through this world,” said the sisters, daughters of Prince Andrew. “You taught us so much and we will cherish those lessons and memories forever. For now dear grannie, all we want to say is thank you.”
Also, standing vigils were Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall – children of Princess Anne – and Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, children of Prince Edward.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined up for long hours in a queue stretching along the River Thames, waiting to file past the coffin and honour the queen – a testimony to the affection in which she was held.
Her coffin will lie in state until early Monday. It will then be borne through London in a state funeral before being finally interred in a private service at Windsor Castle.
Mourners in London described seeing the Queen’s grandchildren stand vigil at her coffin as “overwhelming”.
Thousands of people stood in lines over six miles long, to file past the coffin of Queen Elizabeth who died on Sept. 8 aged 96.
Nicola Standen said seeing the queen’s family united in grief and “supporting each other” was very special.
“Actually, the whole experience was really overwhelming and it was just, where we’ve queued all day, well since the early hours of this morning, and we were so lucky to actually experience seeing them all there respecting their grandmother, and actually it was a really memorable experience, that we have experienced as a family, I don’t think I’m going to forget it. It was lovely to see them all together united because that’s what family is about, isn’t it, we are all together, united together in grief, and supporting each other, so how lovely was it to just see that, so it was a very special moment, we were really lucky,” she said.
Bidens Arrive In London For Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
President Joe Biden And His Wife, Jill Biden Arrived In London On Saturday To Attend Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral. President Biden Left Washington, Traveling Without Any Former US Presidents.
The White House said earlier this week that the royal invitation to the funeral, which takes place on Monday at Westminster Abbey, was for the Bidens only.
The queen died on Sept. 8 after a 70-year reign, sparking grief and mourning across the United Kingdom and around the world.
She had met multiple U.S. presidents, including, in more recent years, Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush. She met 13 of the last 14 American presidents, all except Lyndon Johnson and starting with Harry Truman in 1951 when she was still a princess.
The Bidens joined the queen for tea in June 2021. Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Liz Truss at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, rather than meeting in London on Sunday, her office said on Saturday.
On Sunday the Bidens are scheduled to pay respects to the late sovereign, whose coffin is lying in Westminster Hall. Afterwards, they will sign an official condolence book before attending a reception hosted by King Charles.
The state funeral on Monday is to be attended by nearly 100 presidents and heads of government.
Biden, 79, has said the queen reminded him of his mother. The president is deeply familiar with grief, having lost his adult son to cancer in 2015 and his wife and young daughter to a car accident decades ago.
Camilla Remembers Queen’s ‘Unforgettable Smile’ In Interview
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2022
The Queen Consort, Camilla, Opened Up About Her Memories Of Queen Elizabeth And Praised The Monarch For “Carving Her Own Role.”
“It must have been so difficult for her being a solitary woman. There weren’t women prime ministers or presidents,” she added.
Camilla also remembered the Queen’s blue eyes and smile.
“They (Queen’s eyes) light up her whole face. I will always remember her smile. That smile is unforgettable,” she said during an interview with the BBC.
Born Camilla Shand in 1947 into an affluent family – her father was an army major and wine merchant who married an aristocrat – she grew up on a country estate and was educated in London before going to the Mon Fertile finishing school in Switzerland and then the Institut Britannique in France.
On the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne, in February this year, Elizabeth gave her blessing to Camilla taking the title Queen Consort, saying it was her “sincere wish” that she do so.
As A Former British College Student, Many People Have Asked My Opinion On What Is Going On In British Society And The Commonwealth, Especially In The Context Of Thailand.
Amorn Wanichwiwatana
Special to The Nation
Britain has got a new king, a new prime minister and lots of new challenges following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II a week ago. It was a reminder of the time when our beloved HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great passed away in 2017, bringing about a sea change in Thailand and for Thai people. We have a new monarch on the throne amid the divisions in society. However, the present King and all royal members could stabilise the nation with heartfelt love. So can the British monarch, as King Charles III takes up the royal reins from his mum at the age of 73, becoming the oldest king in British history.
A survey by several media pointed to the increasing popularity of the new British monarch, particularly the new king who got a new high score since being named Prince of Wales, the crown prince.
Meanwhile, the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, began her premiership with many unexpected burdens. The queen’s funeral and the visit of many heads of state will be her first opportunity to show British people and the world how the British empire used to be great and how it really is right now!
Lots of social problems and crises await her. The energy price hike, rising inflation, war in Ukraine, you name it, are going to be a few of the major challenges before her. Maybe her fierce rival during a month-long jostling, Rishi Sunak, now reckons that he does not have to feel too bad at being pipped to the post.
There are lots of promises that Truss holds dear to serve the British people as their new leader. Her image might have been criticised as a “Thatcher Wannabe” when she wore a head scarf on a tank running in a military drill when she was the defence minister. She graduated from Merton College, Oxford; one of the renowned colleges at the University of Oxford whose alumni includes Japanese Emperor Naruhito as well as many other world leaders.
Seemingly, recent polls are not on her side. Many Britons do not overwhelmingly trust that she will become a strong leader although her last name is presumably consonant with the word ‘trust’. Only time will tell and we need to wait and see because there will be no honeymoon period for her and her team. Whether she becomes a game changer or the opposite would become clear in a few months’ time.
Let’s now look at our country, Thailand is facing many issues we have never experienced before but is quite similar to the Western world. Our working places and schools are no longer as safe as they used to be. We recently heard the news of a sergeant killing two of his colleagues in anger. Somehow, the sergeant’s wife and daughter immediately rushed to the police station with evidence to prove that he was sick and undergoing treatment. A day later, a student carried a gun and shot his rival dead during a computer training session while being surrounded by his friends and teacher. The incident was first reported on social media that a student was killed by an explosion of a computer keyboard which misled the investigation. All the culprits must be brought to justice. This is a very dramatic story when there is a rumour that the suspected student killer had borrowed a handgun from a monk and his accomplice had thrown the handgun into the river to conceal evidence of the crime.
Why is Thailand witnessing more of such incidents? I do not know for sure if people are losing their minds due to the free cannabis campaign. Cannabis shops are opened easily for all at at every corner. Fortunately, the Democrat Party made an announcement not to go along with the free cannabis bill.
We also have digital scams everywhere. Examples of skilful villains and white-collar crimes have started to appear on the news headlines almost every day. Several celebrities are now fugitives and some are under police investigation because of their involvement with the scam and their unexplained wealth.
The constitutional dilemma that led the current prime minister to halt his duties will be vividly clear on September 30. The ruling could either result in ending General Prayut’s term as prime minister or prolong his tenure for another term. I strongly support the idea of counting his term from 2019 when he was sworn in as the prime minister according to the present Constitution. The court needs to use its discretion while making the ruling. If the judges give verdicts based only by reviewing the documents they have received from any faction, the court and judges might not be necessary at all. The judges should weigh all evidence as well as consider the case without biases or prejudices. There is no such thing as “reconciliatory approach”. The judges can only decide things based on the book of law.
I must emphasise and express my best wishes to Great Britain and Thailand with heartfelt love. Both countries are now facing new disruptions and sharing some similar situations. The show must go on but no one knows what the future holds!
(Amorn Wanichwiwatana, D.Phil. (Oxon), is a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University)
Queue To See Queen Elizabeth’s Coffin Paused After Reaching Capacity
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
The Queue To See Queen Elizabeth Lying In State In London Was Temporarily Closed On Friday After Reaching Capacity, The Government Said, As Officials Warned Of Waiting Times Of At Least 14 Hours.
Elizabeth died in Scotland aged 96 last week, prompting an outpouring of emotion that drew tens of thousands out to see her coffin on its journey to London, and that has now compelled many more to join long lines to pay their respects during a four and a half day lying-in-state ceremony.
“Entry (to the queue) will be paused for at least 6 hours,” Britain’s culture department said on Twitter. “Please do not attempt to join the queue until it re-opens.”
The constantly-moving queue is snaking its way from Southwark Park, then along the South Bank of the River Thames, to parliament’s Westminster Hall, where some 750,000 people in total are expected to file past the Queen’s coffin before Monday morning.
The queue was around 4.9 miles long as of 0900 GMT, the culture department’s live queue tracker showed.
Germany Takes Control Of Russian-Owned Refinery Amid Energy Crisis
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
The German Subsidiary Of Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Was Placed Under Trusteeship On Friday, Giving Germany’s Federal Regulator Control Of The PCK Refinery In Schwedt, A Key Source Of Fuel For The City Of Berlin.
Rosneft Deutschland, which was previously majority owned by Rosneft, has tested Germany’s resolve to eliminate imports of oil from Russia by the end of the year under European sanctions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
“With the trusteeship, the threat to the security of energy supply is countered and an essential foundation stone is set for the preservation and future of the Schwedt site,” Germany’s economy ministry Robert Habeck said in a statement.
Rosneft Deutschland, which accounts for about 12% of German oil processing capacity, will fall under the trusteeship of the Federal Network Agency regulator, which said the original owner no longer had the authority to issue instructions.
Taking control of the Rosneft Deutschland is the latest move by Germany to shore up its energy industry, which is reeling from the effects of the war in Ukraine.
Germany said this week it would step up lending to energy firms at risk of being crushed by soaring gas prices after Russia cut supplies to Europe in retaliation for Western sanctions.
Members Of A Kitakyushu-Based Yakuza Group Are Greying, Just Like The Rest Of Japanese Society. Average Age Of The Group Rose From 44.6 In 2013 To 54 At The End Of 2021, While The Number Of Members In Their 20s Declined From 33 To Just Two.
Eight years after the arrest of its top leaders, Kudo-kai has lost many of its youngsters and is struggling to attract new recruits. The average age of affiliates in the group’s Fukuoka Prefecture stronghold now stands at 54, up 9.4 years from 2013, a year before a police crackdown began. Only two of the group’s prefectural members are in their 20s.
On Sept. 11, 2014, the Fukuoka prefectural police arrested Kudo-kai chief Satoru Nomura on suspicion of homicide, with an eye on wiping out the largest organized crime syndicate in the Kyushu region. As part of a strategy dubbed “Operation Summit,” the police also arrested the group’s second-in-command, Fumio Tanoue, and intensified its attempts to crush the organization.
From 2014 to July 2022, the police had arrested 474 Kudo-kai-affiliated individuals.
In 2021, Fukuoka District Court sentenced Nomura to death and Tanoue to life in prison for their involvement in four assaults against civilians. Nomura and Tanoue — now 75 and 66, respectively — both appealed the sentencing.
According to the prefectural police, Kudo-kai now has 250 members nationwide, with 200, or 80%, based in Fukuoka Prefecture. Numbers declined rapidly from 540 at the end of 2013, following the operation.
The average age rose from 44.6 in 2013 to 54 at the end of 2021, while the number of members in their 20s declined from 33 to just two during the same period. About one in six of the group, or 33 individuals, are 70 or older.
Multiple dissolutions Since the start of the 2014 operation, the police have forced the dissolution of more than 10 groups affiliated with Kudo-kai and have shuttered at least 24 of its offices.
A 70-something leader of one of such group once served as a Kudo-kai official. But he reportedly decided to dissolve his coterie because the crackdown made it difficult to gather funds, prompting multiple departures from the group, investigative sources said.
In February, the group to which Tanoue belonged also effectively ceased operating following the death of its leader. In 2003, the group injured more than 10 people by lobbing a grenade into a Kitakyushu pub owned by the leader of a movement that aimed to eliminate yakuza gangs. However, in recent years many people have left the group, leaving the boss in his 70s as the sole member.
Even for the groups that remain, about half the members are either in prison or under detention. The police believe many groups lack candidates to succeed the current bosses.
Non-yakuza group on the rise The Fukuoka prefectural police are increasingly wary about groups expanding their activities to other prefectures. According to sources, two Kudo-kai-affiliated groups in Fukuoka City are fostering delinquent groups not formally part of the yakuza organization and thus not covered by the Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members Law.
In the Kanto region, in particular, young people with no connection to Fukuoka are joining such groups, reportedly attracted by the organization’s violent image, according to sources.
“We need to strengthen our knowledge of groups that aren’t officially part of yakuza organizations,” a senior prefectural police official said.
Fifty Thousand Copies Of New Hun Sen Biography To Be Distributed Free Of Charge
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2022
Prime Minister Hun Sen Has Announced The Publication Of His New Biography, Titled “Samdech Techo Hun Sen: Man Of Cambodia’s Destiny”, With Some Copies To Be Distributed To The Public Free Of Charge.
The premier said the book would reveal information that had not previously been known to the public.
“Keo Ba Phnom – Minister Delegate attached to the Prime Minister and chairman of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party’s [CPP] historical research committee – has written the 601-page book, which reveals about 70 to 80 per cent of my secrets that most people did not know, and which I think are important to disclose now,” he said.
“I am printing 50,000 copies and arranging for an English translation for our foreign friends as well,” he said.
Ba Phnom told The Post on September 15 that they will be releasing the book to distribute to the public free of charge.
“The principle wish of Hun Sen is that it be free and he will distribute it to schools and those who want to read it and want to know the history. It will take a long time to print because of the large number. Now the printing team is preparing to do this work,” he said.
Pov Sok, a member of the board of directors of the Khmer Writers’ Association, said the publication of this new book, which purportedly has the most complete biography of the prime minister written to date, is a very good thing because the history has mostly been buried for the years between 1970 and 1979, and up until 1990 Cambodia has very few historical documents that exist.
“Keo Ba phnom highlighted that this book is an important document that Cambodia’s younger generations should read to understand the political turning points and the political storm that rained down on Cambodia from 1970 and really up to 1998 when Cambodia found genuine peace. This will help them know what happened and when we read it everyone will have their own interpretations or ideas,” he said.
SootinClaimon.Com 