Taiwan vice president in New York for US stopover en route to Paraguay - CNA

NEW YORK: Taiwan Vice President William Lai arrived in New York on Saturday (Aug 13) at the start of a sensitive stopover in the United States, which China has condemned and Taiwanese officials fear could prompt more Chinese military activity around the island.

Lai, the front-runner to become Taiwan's president in the elections in January, is officially making only transit stops in the US on his way to and from Paraguay for the swearing-in of its president next week.

The China Airlines flight Lai took from Taipei landed at New York's John F Kennedy Airport shortly after 8.15pm local time, according to flight tracking app Flightradar24.

Neither Taiwan nor the US has given exact details about his US schedule, which both are aiming to keep low-key, according to officials briefed on the trip.

Taipei and Washington call US stopovers by Taiwanese officials routine and no cause for China to take "provocative" actions, but Beijing has reacted with anger at what it sees as a further sign of US support for Taiwan, which it claims as its own.

China is likely to launch military drills next week near Taiwan, using Lai's US stopovers as a pretext to intimidate voters ahead of next year's election and make them "fear war," Taiwanese officials say.

Lai, speaking to reporters before leaving Taiwan, made only fleeting mention of the US part of his trip, simply noting he was going to New York first.

Lai's US stopover will be the 11th by a Taiwanese vice president, according to the US State Department, which calls them routine but "private and unofficial".

Washington does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is its most important international source of weapons, and the island’s contested status is a constant source of friction with Beijing.

Paraguay is one of the few remaining countries in the world that retains formal ties with Taiwan.

Lai has made one prior US transit as Taiwan’s vice president, in January 2022 on a trip to Honduras, a then-ally of the island that switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing in early 2023.

Lai said he would use the Paraguay visit not only to deepen ties with that country but also to have "self-confident" exchanges with other countries and meet with delegations from like-minded partners. He did not say who.

This would "let the international community understand that Taiwan is a country that adheres to democracy, freedom and human rights, and actively participates in international affairs," Lai added.

Lai went to Honduras last year for the inauguration of its president and had a brief though symbolic chat there with US Vice President Kamala Harris. The US has not announced who may be going to Paraguay next week.

Three sources told Reuters the Biden administration was eager to keep Lai’s visit low-profile so as not to stoke tensions before Taiwan's election and to preserve the recent momentum in US engagements with senior Chinese officials.

That includes the prospect of a visit to the US by China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which could pave the way for a meeting between US President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping later this year.

Beijing particularly dislikes Lai, who has in the past described himself as a "practical worker for Taiwan independence". Lai has repeatedly said during the election campaign he does not seek to change the status quo.

Before leaving, Lai wrote in English on social media platform X, formerly called Twitter, that he was "excited to meet with US friends in transit" and to be going to Paraguay, one of just 13 countries to maintain formal ties with Taipei.

Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a US government-run non-profit that carries out unofficial relations with Taiwan, responded on X that AIT was looking forward to welcoming him. 

She said on Saturday she would meet Lai in San Francisco when he transits there on his way back from his visit to Paraguay.

Lai will return from Paraguay via San Francisco and is due back in Taiwan next Friday, according to the official schedule for the trip.

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2023-08-13 01:17:00Z
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Malaysia's Anwar thwarts opposition challenge in state polls - Bangkok Post

PUBLISHED : 13 Aug 2023 at 01:45

A woman casts her vote at a polling station in Malaysia's Selangor state on Saturday.

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling coalition thwarted a challenge by an opposition alliance in state elections, official results showed Sunday, with analysts saying the win would buy him time to consolidate power in the largely Islamic Southeast Asian nation.

Saturday's vote in six states had been the toughest political challenge yet to Anwar, who was appointed prime minister in November last year to head a unity government after an indecisive general election.

The election of state assembly members does not affect Anwar's current two-thirds majority in parliament.

It was, however, widely seen as a barometer of support for Anwar, including his push for a more inclusive society in which minority ethnicities could be allowed greater participation in the largely Malay Muslim nation, which also has large Chinese and Indian populations.

Results released by the Election Commission showed that Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition retained three states: Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.

The opposition alliance Perikatan Nasional -- whose key member the PAS party aims to create a theocratic state in Malaysia -- kept its hold on Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Retaining Selangor, which hosts the country’s biggest port, and Penang, home to Malaysia’s thriving semiconductor industry, are prized wins for Anwar, analysts said.

The ruling coalition, however, lost its two-thirds majority in Selangor, as the opposition made strong inroads.

Perikatan is backed by the Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, whose strong performance in last year’s general elections had sparked ruling party concerns it could spring a surprise and flip one or two states to the opposition.

"This is a decision of the people. We have to respect this decision," Anwar said of the results at a late-night press conference as he also appealed for unity after a divisive campaign.

"The federal government remains strong after this poll and we will continue to promote a prosperous Malaysia," he added.

Oh Ei Sun of the Pacific Research Center of Malaysia think tank said "it was a nail-biting win for Anwar after he thwarted the challenge from the powerful Islamic party PAS".

Bridget Welsh, a Malaysia expert from the University of Nottingham, said retaining the three states was a "victory for Anwar" as "he had gone into this campaign defensively".

"It was in many ways a stress reliever for Anwar not to be confronted with any major political shifts that could alter the status quo," said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore.

But the outcome was also a disappointment in that "his coalition did not make much significant inroads" at the polls, he told AFP.

Anwar "has more than enough time" before the 2027 general elections "to shore up support including the complex political bargaining that may need to happen within the coalition", according to Mustafa.

- 'No guarantee' -

James Chin, a Malaysia expert at the University of Tasmania in Australia, had warned earlier Saturday of "dire" consequences if Anwar lost even a single state, including shifting allegiances that could have threatened his future as prime minister.

Anwar became prime minister last November after a long struggle as an opposition leader.

His party had won the most seats in the general election but fell short of the outright majority needed to form a government.

That forced him into an alliance with former foes in the United Malays National Organisation to secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority and approval from Malaysia's king to form a "unity government".

The coalition has so far held together in a country that had seen three leadership turnovers in as many years after scandal-tainted Najib Razak was voted out as prime minister in 2018 over massive corruption at state fund 1MDB.

But Oh, the analyst, said Anwar "must remain vigilant" even as he pushes for reforms.

"There is no guarantee that his government will stay until the next general elections," he said.

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2023-08-12 18:45:00Z
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Malaysia state polls: Opposition's strong performance shows a rejection of Anwar's unity govt, says former PM Muhyiddin - CNA

RESPECT PEOPLE’S CHOICE: ANWAR

In a short speech just before midnight in Kuala Lumpur, a tired-looking Mr Anwar said the people had made their choice through the ballot and that this should be respected. He did not take questions.

“This is the decision of the people. In a democratic system, we must respect the decision of the people. Respect by accepting the results of the election,” he said at the World Trade Centre, where top PH-BN leaders had gathered for a live viewing of the results.

The prime minister said that the unity government at the federal level was still intact and strong, and that it would continue to work hard to serve the people in line with the Madani economy framework announced recently.

“God-willing from Monday, we will work harder so that Malaysia can achieve success that we can be proud of,” he said.

While Mr Anwar acknowledged that the country’s political temperature had risen during the campaign period, he said it was time for the country to move on.

“This is a time for everyone and all parties, win or lose, to look after the peace and to concentrate on raising the dignity of the country and to defend the people,” he added.

PN AIMING TO WIN MORE STATES NEXT: SANUSI

Beyond making inroads in Selangor and Penang, PN also strengthened its grip on the northwestern state of Kedah, where it clinched 33 out of 36 state seats. The coalition previously held 20 seats before the state assembly was dissolved.

During the course of campaigning, PH-BN had eyed Kedah as a winnable state with Mr Anwar making multiple stops to canvass support.

The state’s popular but polarising chief minister Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was also arrested and charged with sedition for allegedly insulting the Selangor ruler, a move that observers said could have made him a “martyr” a week before hustings kicked off.

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2023-08-12 15:39:00Z
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Malaysia state polls: PH and PN retain three states each in status quo result - The Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s closely watched state polls have ended in a “3-3” status quo outcome between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government and the opposition alliance, Perikatan Nasional (PN).

The Election Commission announced officially on Saturday night that PN had retained Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu, with unofficial results showing the coalition had swept to more than two-thirds supermajorities in these states.

Datuk Seri Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and its unity government ally Barisan Nasional (BN) have officially retained Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang, after about seven million votes were tallied to see which party will govern six of the federation’s 13 states.

Selangor was the subject of both a concerted assault by the PN coalition as well as a robust defence by PH, with Mr Anwar spending the most time there during the two-week campaign.

While PH and BN managed to triumph in Selangor, PN made huge gains on Saturday compared to the last vote in 2018. Unofficial results peg PH-BN winning 34 of the 56 seats, while PN scooped up the remaining 22 seats, denying its rival a two-thirds majority of the assembly in Malaysia’s richest state.

This is the first time the PH-BN alliance was tested at an election, after the parties set aside decades of bitter enmity to form the federal government in the wake of the November general election.

“There will be no shocks. But now we just have to see whether in Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan, PH-BN is trashed,” said former Umno Youth chief and health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

Unofficial results show that PH-BN won just five of the 81 seats on offer in Kedah and Kelantan and failed to stop PN’s clean sweep of Terengganu.

While Datuk Seri Anwar’s comfortable parliamentary majority is not at stake in this election, the polls are widely viewed as an early referendum on his administration less than nine months after the November general election, which gave Malaysia its first ever hung Parliament.

The so-called unity government is led by the premier’s PH coalition with the support of a host of East Malaysian parties, and crucially BN.

In theory, the prizes at stake are control of the six state governments. But the number of seats won by any particular party is important both for the careers of politicians and as a bellwether of how these parties might perform at future polls.

PN is set to easily exceed two-thirds majority – the threshold needed to make constitutional changes – in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, as well as register gains in the three PH-BN states.

The opposition alliance can boast that it continues to gain ground, following its unexpectedly strong showing at November’s general election, when it won 74 of Parliament’s 222 seats.

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2023-08-12 13:15:00Z
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Death toll hits 80 as Hawaii starts probe into wildfire handling - CNA

Late Friday, Maui County officials revised the death toll to 80, adding that 1,418 people were in emergency evacuation shelters.

The fires follow other extreme weather events in North America this summer, with record-breaking wildfires still burning across Canada and a major heat wave baking the US southwest.

Europe and parts of Asia have also endured soaring temperatures, with major fires and floods wreaking havoc. Scientists have said global warming caused by carbon emissions is contributing to the extreme weather.

REUNION

For some of those who made it back into Lahaina, there was elation as they tearfully reconnected with neighbours they feared might not have gotten out alive.

"You made it!" cried Chyna Cho, as she embraced Amber Langdon amid the ruins. "I was trying to find you."

For some of the luckiest, there was joy - albeit tempered by the scale of the tragedy that counts among the worst natural disasters to hit the state of Hawaii.

"I just couldn't believe it," Keith Todd told AFP after finding his home intact.

"I'm so grateful, but at the same time it's so devastating."

Todd, 64, discovered his house and his neighbour's house untouched, and his solar panels providing electricity to the fridge, which was still dispensing ice on demand.

But even those few whose homes still appeared habitable were being warned they might not be safe.

"Some structures in the Lahaina water system were destroyed by the fire ... These conditions may have caused harmful contaminants, including benzene and other volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), to enter the water system," said Maui's water department.

"As a precaution ... (we) are advising residents to not use the tap water for drinking and cooking until further notice."

Fears of looting were also on residents' minds.

"I heard people were looting the houses as the fire was coming down the hill. What you can think of that? Holy Christ," said Todd.

"I will stay here, now that I know my house and my things are here. I will sleep here just in case someone tries to come in."

County authorities said anyone accessing Lahaina would have to prove they lived or were staying at a hotel there, and that a curfew would be in place between 10pm and 6am.

"The curfew is intended to protect residences and property," it said in a statement.

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2023-08-12 11:55:00Z
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Australia edge France in penalty drama to reach Women's World Cup semis - CNA

BRISBANE : Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the last four of the Women's World Cup for the first time after their quarter-final finished deadlocked at 0-0 following extra time on Saturday.

Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold saved three French penalties and missed one herself in the shootout but it was teenager Vicki Becho hitting the post with the 12th spot-kick that opened the door for the hosts.

Cortnee Vine showed nerves of steel when she stepped up to fire the ball past Solene Durand into the bottom right corner of the net and send the Matildas into a semi-final against England or Colombia on Wednesday.

The substitute winger raced back towards the centre circle to celebrate with her team mates as the stadium and fan zones around the country exploded in delight.

Spain will play Sweden on Tuesday in Auckland for the other spot in the final.

France, who were looking to reach the semi-finals for the second time after 2011, had the better of the first half and extra time and will rue a few chances left out on the pitch as they head home.

Australia forward Mary Fowler had earlier spurned several chances - one stopped by a sensational block from Elisa de Almeida - and captain Sam Kerr was unable to get a clear shot on goal after being introduced as a 55th-minute substitute.

France dominated possession for much of the match and had the best of the early chances with Maelle Lakrar fluffing a golden opportunity to give Les Bleues the lead from a corner in the 12th minute.

Australia's only early chances came against the run of play from set pieces but Fowler had as many as six as the game opened up around halftime.

Kerr entered the fray to a huge ovation in the 55th minute, her first charge forward giving Hayley Raso space for a rasping long-range shot that France's starting goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin did well to push over.

France weathered the storm triggered by the introduction of the Australia captain, however, and their 19-year-old substitute Becho was soon threatening down the other end.

The last quarter of an hour of normal time was a tense but ragged affair with half chances at both ends, a theme reprised in the first half of extra time.

Australia's Alanna Kennedy headed the ball into her own net in the 100th minute under the attentions of Wendy Renard only for the France captain to be penalised for a foul on Caitlin Foord.

France had the better of the second period with Becho lashing a shot from the edge of the box in the 107th minute that goalkeeper Arnold saved well.

That was just a precursor to her heroics in the shootout, in which she twice saved penalties from Kenza Dali with her first stop scratched off because she moved off the line before it was taken.

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2023-08-12 10:28:23Z
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'It's gone': Stunned residents find nothing but ashes in Hawaii wildfire town - CNA

Elsewhere there was shocked elation as neighbours hugged.

"You made it!" cried Chyna Cho, as she embraced Amber Langdon amid the ruins. "I was trying to find you."

For Keith Todd there was the unspeakable relief of finding his home still standing, his solar panels still pumping electricity to his kitchen.

"I just couldn't believe it," Todd told AFP.

"I'm so grateful, but at the same time it's so devastating," he said, looking around at the unrecognisable piles that were once his neighbours' homes.

BANYAN TREE

Here and there in the seemingly bombed-out landscape were pockets of improbable hope.

The Maria Lanakila Catholic Church was seemingly unscathed, looming over the ashes of Waine'e Street.

The stone walls of the historic Hale Pa'ahao prison still stood, but the wooden building that was used to punish unruly sailors was no more - 170 years of history wiped out.

Blocks away, Front Street, where restaurants had jostled with clothing stores for a view of the harbor, was all-but gone.

Boats that had been moored in the harbor days earlier were blackened, melted or sunk.

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2023-08-12 04:23:00Z
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