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China fires missiles in ‘unprecedented’ drills around Taiwan | Military News

China fires missiles in 'unprecedented' drills around Taiwan | Military News

China has fired several ballistic missiles into the waters around Taiwan as it launched large-scale military exercises in response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the self-ruled island.

Chinese state media said the live-fire drills in six areas around Taiwan got under way at noon local time (04:00 GMT) on Thursday and will continue until the same time on Sunday.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesman for China’s Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement carried by state media that rocket forces launched several types of missiles in multiple locations on the mainland into designated waters off the eastern coast of Taiwan.

The missiles carried conventional warheads and all of them hit their targets accurately, he said, adding that the aim of the drills was to test the precision of the weapons and ability to deny an enemy access to or control of an area.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense confirmed the launches, identifying them as Dongfeng-class ballistic missiles. It said the weapons were fired into waters to the northeast and southwest of Taiwan at about 1:56pm local time (05:56 GMT), and condemned the exercises as “irrational actions that undermine regional peace”.

Japan’s defense minister said on Thursday that five of the ballistic missiles fired by China were believed to have landed in Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Tokyo had “lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels” over the incident, Nobuo Kishi told reporters.

I have added it was the first time Chinese ballistic missiles had landed in Japan’s EEZ, which extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from the country’s coastline, beyond the limits of its territorial waters.

The last time China fired missiles into waters around Taiwan was in 1996, in the run-up to the re-election of President Lee Teng-hui, who had visited the United States the previous year. Beijing, which had threatened “serious consequences” over Pelosi’s visit, claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force to take control of the island.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan on Wednesday was the first by a sitting speaker of the House, the third most senior politician in the US, in 25 years.

The US, while having formal diplomatic relations with China, follows a policy of “strategic ambiguity” on Taiwan and is bound by law to provide the island of 23 million people with the means to defend itself.

Map showing Taiwan, mainland China and locations where China is holding military exercises until Sunday
The six areas around Taiwan where China is holding live-fire military exercises until Sunday [Al Jazeera]

Taiwan on alert

The Global Times, a Chinese state-run tabloid, framed Thursday’s drills as a rehearsal for “reunification operation(s)”.

“In the event of a future military conflict, it is likely that the operational plans currently being rehearsed will be directly translated into combat operations,” it quoted Chinese mainland military expert Song Zhongping as saying.

Another expert, Zhang Xuefeng, told the paper that “if the conventional missiles of the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] were to be launched from the mainland toward the west of Taiwan and hit targets to its east, this means that the missiles would fly over the island”. This would be “unprecedented”, he was quoted as saying.

Some of the six areas where Beijing has indicated the exercises are being held fall within Taiwan’s territorial waters.

The island has already warned shipping firms and airlines to avoid the locations.

The defense ministry said the island’s armed forces remained in a state of alert and were closely monitoring the PLA’s activities.

Taiwan will “uphold the principle of preparing for war without seeking war, and with an attitude of ‘not escalating conflict and not causing disputes’”, the ministry said in its statement.

Earlier, it revealed suspected Chinese drones had flown above the Kinmen Islands, Taiwanese territory off China’s southeastern coast, and it had fired flares to drive them away.

Major General Chang Zone-sung of the military’s Kinmen Defense Command told the Reuters news agency that the Chinese drones came in a pair and flew into the Kinmen area twice on Wednesday night, at about 9pm (13:00 GMT) and 10pm (14: 00 GMT).

“We immediately fired flares to issue warnings and to drive them away. After that, they turned around. They came into our restricted area and that’s why we dispersed them,” he said.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and members of her delegation wave as they board a plane in Taipei, Taiwan.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waves with other delegation members as they board a plane to leave Taipei. Her visit de ella to the self-ruled island riled Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own [Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Reuters]

Journalist Patrick Fok, reporting from Beijing, said China’s government had claimed it was “compelled to act in self-defence”.

“China’s foreign ministry said … all the action that was being taken was targeted at Taiwan’s separatist forces,” Fok said.

“Taiwan also said that it had had to chase away aircraft as well as warships that had crossed over the median line – an unofficial border that is generally seen as a means to prevent any possible mishaps from either side,” he added.

“Analysts did say that they expected the reaction [to Pelosi’s visit] to be greater than anything that we have seen in recent years but China says the US is the provocateur and urged it to immediately recognize the One-China principle for the sake of security in the region.”

The Group of Seven developed nations has expressed concern at China’s response to Pelosi’s visit, calling for calm and saying the moves by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) risked unnecessary escalation.

“There is no justification to use a visit as a pretext for aggressive military activity in the Taiwan Strait,” a statement from the G7 foreign ministers said. “It is normal and routine for legislators from our countries to travel internationally. The PRC’s escalatory response risks increasing tensions and destabilizing the region.”

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), who are meeting in Phnom Penh, also expressed their concern that the rising tension around Taiwan could lead to “miscalculation” and called for “maximum restraint”.

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US

Ron DeSantis spokesperson teases major announcement

Ron DeSantis spokesperson teases major announcement

The office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to make a “major” announcement Thursday morning, a spokesperson said.

Taking to Twitter Wednesday night, DeSantis’ press secretary Christina Pushaw teased the impact of the announcement and said it will cause the “liberal media meltdown of the year.”

“MAJOR announcement tomorrow morning from @GovRonDeSantis. Prepare for the liberal media meltdown of the year,” Pushaw wrote. “Everyone gets some rest tonight.”

Some people immediately began speculating if the announcement concerns the 2024 presidential election, as the Florida governor is well-liked among Republican voters.

DeSantis consistently tops polls of potential 2024 Republican candidates, usually just behind former President Donald Trump.

After a user mentioned DeSantis’ lead in internal polling, Pushaw responded that the announcement would be an official one, not about his campaign.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will make an announcement Thursday morning, according to his spokesperson.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will make an announcement Thursday morning, according to his spokesperson.
AP

In another tweet, Pushaw confirmed DeSantis is seeking re-election in Florida. A potential 2024 announcement would be particularly early and it would require DeSantis to be accountable to the Federal Elections Commission between now and Election Day.

Another user asked if DeSantis would be traveling to Taiwan, in light of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to the region.

“He’s focused on Florida as always!” Pushaw responded.

DeSantis consistently tops polls of potential 2024 Republican candidates, only having to place behind Trump.
DeSantis consistently tops polls of potential 2024 Republican candidates, only having to place behind Trump.
Getty Images

Several other users who commented speculated that the decision could have to do with him officially joining Trump’s 2024 ticket as vice president, banning masks in Florida, a lawsuit against President Joe Biden or even succession from the US.

Many users expressed interest in finding out whatever the announcement will ultimately be.

DeSantis’ popularity among Republican voters across the country has surged over the past two and a half years, as he relentlessly pushed back against COVID-19 restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic – as well as his open defiance of culture wars.

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US

Parent of Parkland victim wears father-daughter dance suit on stand

Parent of Parkland victim wears father-daughter dance suit on stand

Wearing the same suit he wore to their last father-daughter dance, the shattered parent of a Parkland school massacre victim said Wednesday that there are times when he finds it difficult to go on.

Testifying at the sentencing trial of killer Nikolas Cruz, Anthony Montalto told jurors that the loss of his daughter, Gina, 14, continues to suffocate him in pain.

“Life without Gina is nearly unbearable,” he said as tearful spectators looked on in the gallery.

The teen was among the 14 students and three staffers gunned down in 2018 by Cruz with an AR-15 rifle at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in one of the worst mass shootings in the nation’s history.

“The pain I feel every day since she was murdered is unimaginable,” Montalto said. “My daughter was always trying to make things better for others.”

The father tearfully described his daughter’s attributes and accomplishments, recalling the heroic time when she saved a toddler from drowning despite only being 10 years old at the time.

Montalto said his daughter noticed a 2-year-old boy struggling to stay afloat in a pool while their family was on a vacation.

Anthony Montalto, the father of Parkland school shooting victim Gina Montalto, had on the suit he wore to a father-daughter dance while testifying at shooter Nikolas Cruz's sentencing trial on August 3, 2022.
Anthony Montalto, the father of Parkland school shooting victim Gina Montalto, had on the suit he wore to a father-daughter dance while testifying at shooter Nikolas Cruz’s sentencing trial on August 3, 2022.
Amy Beth Bennett/Pool via REUTERS
Montalto said that life without his daughter Gina is "unbearable" at Cruz's trial.
Montalto said at Cruz’s trial that life without his daughter Gina is “unbearable.”
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool
Jennifer Montalto holding a photo of her daughter Gina while giving her victim impact statement.
Jennifer Montalto holding a photo of her daughter Gina while giving her victim impact statement.
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool

She rushed over and hoisted the toddler above the water line as her parents rushed over.

Moved by Montalto’s act, the boy’s thankful mother bought her a small gift as a token of her appreciation.

“Gina proudly displayed her turtle gift in her room to this day,” her father said before choking back tears.

“She was kind, compassionate and caring. those are just a few of the qualities that made her so special,” he said.

holding up a photo of Parkland victim Cara Loughran while on the stand.
Family friend Isabel Dalu holding up a photo of Parkland victim Cara Loughran while on the stand.
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool

The straight-A student’s death has also deeply traumatized her younger brother, Anthony, who struggles to make sense of her absence, according to their father.

“He and Gina were best buddies,” Montalto said, again struggling to speak. “Playing together and filling our house with laughter. Now there is a deadening silence. Broken only by the deep sighs and soft sobbing that accompany what used to be happy memories of our children playing.”

Max Schachter, father of 14-year-old victim Alex Schachter, told the court that the loss of his son — who was killed sitting at his desk at just — has left him in pieces.

Max Schachter, the father of 14-year-old victim Alex Schachter, testified that his family was broken after the shooting.
Max Schachter, the father of 14-year-old victim Alex Schachter, testified that his family was broken after the shooting.
Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel via AP, Pool

“Our family is broken,” he said. “There is this constant emptiness. I feel I can’t truly be happy. If I smile, I know that behind that smile there is the sharp realization that I will always be sad and miserable because Alex isn’t here.”

When preparing his eulogy after his death, the father said he went through Alex’s belongings and found a poem he wrote for an English class. I read it for the jury Wednesday.

“It might be hard to breathe at times,” the poem read. “But hold on tight and don’t let go. It might be too much at times, the twists at times, but get back up and eventually it all comes to a stop and you won’t know when or how.”

Jurors will decide if Cruz gets the death penalty or life without parole. On Thursday, the jury is set to walk through the school where the shooting took place, according to the Sun Sentinel.

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Business

Russian shoppers queue for H&M as retailer prepares to shut down its Moscow store

Russian shoppers wait to buy their last items from H&M in a Moscow shopping center before the retailer closes its Russian stores

Russian shoppers queue for H&M as retailer prepares to shut down its Moscow store

  • Brands like H&M, Ikea and Nike have stopped operations in Russia due to the war
  • H&M has reopened stores to clear out its goods before leaving Russia for good
  • A customer said ‘how are we going to manage,’ and the closure was ‘awful’
  • The closure of Russian stores has cost H&M nearly £170m and affects 6,000 staff

By Mark Nicol Diplomacy Editor For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Snaking through a Moscow shopping center, shoppers wait to buy their last items from H&M before the retailer closes its Russian stores.

Brands including H&M, Ikea and Nike had suspended operations in the country, but H&M reopened to sell off its goods before leaving the Russian market for good, costing the company nearly £170million.

Customer Ekaterina said: ‘The reason why this is happening is awful. Everything else is meaningless, like how we are going to manage [without H&M].’

Russian shoppers wait to buy their last items from H&M in a Moscow shopping center before the retailer closes its Russian stores

Russian shoppers wait to buy their last items from H&M in a Moscow shopping center before the retailer closes its Russian stores

'The reason why this is happening is awful. Everything else is meaningless, like how we are going to manage [without H&M],' a customer said. Pictured: A customer at the closing H&M in Moscow

Shoppers stand in line at the entrance of the H&M store in Moscow

‘The reason why this is happening is awful. Everything else is meaningless, like how we are going to manage [without H&M],’ a customer said. Pictured left: A customer at the closing H&M in Moscow. Pictured right: Shoppers stand in line to the entrance of the H&M store

‘Well, it is closing, that’s why we are standing here,’ another customer, Irina, told Reuters. ‘I’m going to buy whatever there is.’

Furniture giant IKEA has reopened for an online-only sale, but H&M opted to allow customers back in person.

Exiting Russia, H&M’s sixth-biggest market, is expected to cost the company almost $200 million and affect 6,000 staff.

Exiting Russia, H&M's sixth-biggest market, is expected to cost the company almost $200 million (around £165m) and affect 6,000 staff

Exiting Russia, H&M’s sixth-biggest market, is expected to cost the company almost $200 million (around £165m) and affect 6,000 staff

H&M did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A company spokesperson in July said H&M would temporarily reopen physical stores in August to sell the remaining inventory in Russia.

H&M, the world’s second-biggest fashion retailer, rents its 170 physical stores in the country and operates them directly.

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Business

Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and NAB close 37 branches

Dozens of bank branches will be closed over the coming months, after more than 550 sites were shut since 2020

Dozens of branches from the major banks are set to close – including Westpac, Commonwealth Bank and NAB

  • At least 37 branches are to be axed with the loss of 182 jobs across the nation
  • Westpac are closing 24 more branches, NAB axing 8 and Commonwealth shut 5
  • Bank bosses say it’s in response to consumers switching to online banking
  • Finance union bosses warn it’s leaving rural communities without banks

By Kevin Airs For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Dozens of bank branches will be closed over the coming months, after more than 550 sites were shut since 2020.

At least 37 branches will be closed across the country at the cost of almost 200 jobs.

Westpac is making the biggest cuts, with 24 branches about to be shut down across its Westpac, St George, Bank SA and Bank of Melbourne brands.

Meanwhile the NAB is closing eight branches across three states and the Commonwealth Bank will be closing five branches.

Dozens of bank branches will be closed over the coming months, after more than 550 sites were shut since 2020

Dozens of bank branches will be closed over the coming months, after more than 550 sites were shut since 2020

Westpac bosses insisted consumers switching to online banking had sealed the fate of many of their branches, with five million now banking digitally

Westpac bosses insisted consumers switching to online banking had sealed the fate of many of their branches, with five million now banking digitally

The cull has sparked a call for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to step in to guarantee banking services for Australians, especially in remote communities.

‘We must act to stop the banks walking away from communities in our suburbs and towns,’ Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano said.

‘Communities depend on the banks to deliver financial services but if we don’t stop the current trend, there will be no branches left.’

BRANCHES SET FOR CLOSURE

The branches earmarked for the axe, with the loss of 182 jobs, are:

NSW: Lakemba Westpac, Engadine Westpac, Corrimal Westpac, Kingcliff Westpac, Five Dock St. George, Lavington NAB, Narrandera NAB, Corrimal NAB, Figtree NAB, Cronulla NAB, Maroubra NAB, Annandale CBA, Toongabbie CBA, Lindfield CBA.

QLD: Ashmore Westpac, Nerang Westpac, Rockhampton Westpac, Wynnum NAB

VIC: Braeside Westpac, Whittlesea Westpac, Werribee Westpac, Lilydale Westpac, Croydon Bank of Melb, Coburg Bank of Melbourne, Fitzroy Bank of Melbourne, Sunbury Bank of Melbourne, Footscray Bank of Melbourne, 114 William St, Melbourne Bank of Melbourne, Mornington Bank of Melbourne, North Melbourne NAB, Drysdale CBA, Woodend CBA

SA: Munno Parra Bank SA, St Peters Bank SA

NT: Berrimah WestpacWA: Mandurah Westpac, South Perth Westpac

Westpac had previously announced the closure of another 24 branches last month with the loss of 76 jobs.

‘Shutting down branches means Westpac will continue to put profits before people,’ added Ms Angrisano.

‘The bank quite plainly doesn’t care about forcing inconvenience on customers and throwing affected staff onto unemployment queues.

‘This race to shut branches has to stop and it’s time the Federal Government imposed a minimum service standard on the banks to make sure customers are protected.’

At least 37 branches will be closed across the country at the cost of almost 200 jobs

At least 37 branches will be closed across the country at the cost of almost 200 jobs

Westpac bosses insisted consumers switching to online banking had sealed the fate of many of their branches, with five million now banking digitally.

‘Declining customer use of branches means that in some instances, we may take a difficult decision to leave a branch location,’ a bank spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

‘We take steps to ensure customers are notified in advance about the changes and are directly connected with the services they need to continue to do their banking.

‘For those who are new to digital banking, or may require more assistance with the changes, we provide dedicated support and education to make the transition easier.

‘As we continue to adapt to our changing customer needs, this will result in new opportunities for our employees within the Westpac Group as we grow our phone, digital and virtual offerings.

‘We have a robust process in place to assist employees to find new opportunities within Westpac Group, meaning the majority of employees affected secure a new role and continue their career in the group.’

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Bleeding woman spotted screaming inside semi-truck on NJ highway

Bleeding woman spotted screaming inside semi-truck on NJ highway

A driver spotted a bloodied woman screaming for help inside the cab of a tractor-trailer on a Jersey highway Wednesday in a disturbing scene straight out of a horror movie.

Officers are now searching for the woman who the witness said was bleeding from her face inside a white semi-truck pulled over to the side of Route 130 near Dayton Toyota, South Brunswick Police said.

The passerby said the woman called out for help before the male truck driver pulled her back into the cab and drove away around 2 pm The truck turned off Route 130 at the Ridge Road exit.

The woman is believed to be white or Hispanic and in her 20s. According to the witness description, she has long brown hair and was wearing a brown flannel shirt.

The driver is a white older man who is bald and has a white beard. He was wearing a blue shirt at the time of the incident, police said.

Surveillance video released by police shows the truck briefly stopped along Route 130 before it drives off.

Anyone with information regarding the truck, woman or driver was asked to call South Brunswick Police at 732-329-4646.

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Australia

Tobias Moran: Appeal lodged against bail of backpacker Simone Strobel’s alleged killer

Tobias Moran: Appeal lodged against bail of backpacker Simone Strobel's alleged killer

The release of Tobias Friedrich Moran, accused of murdering his German backpacker girlfriend, must be determined by the NSW Supreme Court after a magistrate said the case against him was not the strongest.

Magistrate Margaret Quinn in the Downing Center Local Court on Thursday accepted submissions from Moran’s barrister there was no new evidence connecting him to the murder of Simone Strobel in 2005.

And while the Crown submitted new witness statements taken from people in Germany showed that he lied about the state of their relationship, that evidence was not currently before the court.

The magistrate said evidence showed the couple had been fighting, drinking a lot and perhaps on some drugs about the time of the alleged murder.

“(But) it doesn’t appear in this case to be any direct or indirect evidence connecting him to the offence,” Ms Quinn said.

“It’s not the strongest circumstantial case I have seen.”

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Rolling Meadows dad dies days after wrong-way crash that killed family

Rolling Meadows dad dies days after wrong-way crash that killed family

Already mourning the loss of members of a Rolling Meadows family, people who coached with Thomas Dobosz learned Wednesday he, too, has died as a result of injuries sustained in a wrong-way crash last weekend in McHenry County.

The 32-year-old Rolling Meadows father of four was being treated for serious injuries at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood after being flown there by helicopter early Sunday.

He was pronounced dead at 11:17 am Wednesday at the hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy has not been performed yet.

Illinois State Police and the organizer of a GoFundMe page for the family also confirmed Dobosz’s death Wednesday.

“We come with a heavy heart today with an update on Tom. Tom has gained his angel wings and is now with his amazing wife Lauren and precious children. We ask that you keep this family in your prayers. All proceeds are going to the family ,” wrote Lisa Torres of the Oriole Park Falcons, a youth travel football and cheer program that the family was involved in on the Chicago’s Northwest Side.

On their way to vacation at a family cabin in Minnesota, Dobosz was at the wheel of the family’s 2005 Chevrolet van traveling west on Interstate 90 near Hampshire when it was struck by a 2010 Acura TSX sedan traveling in the wrong direction. State troopers responded at 2:11 am Sunday to the scene, where the vehicles were engulfed in flames.

Six passengers in the van were killed: 31-year-old Lauren Dobosz, her four children — 13-year-old Emma, ​​7-year-old Lucas, 6-year-old Nicholas and 5-year-old Ella — and 13-year-old Katriona Koziara, who was a family friend.


        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

The driver of the Acura, 22-year-old Jennifer Fernandez of Carpentersville, also died. State police have only said she was traveling east in the westbound lanes “for unknown reasons.”

Kasia Koziara, mother of Katriona, told the Daily Herald Wednesday she is making funeral arrangements and hopes to have a memorial ceremony at a Rolling Meadows park soon. Affectionately known by family and friends as Kat, the teen was a student teacher who led classes and mentored students at the Prospect Heights-based Breaking Program, a breakdance group that offers dance classes and workshops.

“It’s very appreciated to support us as Katriona has been and always will be loved and remembered by many,” her mom said. “She deserves the best farewell I can do to celebrate her life and her heavenly future.”

On Wednesday evening, friends of Thomas Dobosz gathered for an impromptu memorial during football practice at Chicago’s Oriole Park. It was the same location where a balloon-release memorial was held Monday for the rest of the Dobosz family and Kat Koziara.

“Tom was very good with his hands as far as being a carpenter, a mechanic, electrical work — he was like a Jack of all trades,” said cheer coach Wanda Perez of Chicago.

According to Perez, Lauren and Thomas Dobosz met and became sweethearts at Ridgewood Community High School in Norridge. The couple later moved and raised their family in Rolling Meadows to help Lauren’s grandparents.

“They were so loving and caring and giving,” said Perez, who befriended Lauren and Tom Dobosz in 2013. “Our friendship extended beyond the coaching.”

A family member of the Dobosz’s confirmed Wednesday there are three online fundraising pages that have been set up on GoFundMe to help pay funeral and other expenses.

The Oriole Park Falcons’ fundraiser, gofundme.com/f/dobosz-family-funeral-expenses, has collected more than $98,000 for the Dobosz family.

The Rolling Meadows Police Department’s Hope Fund, gofundme.com/f/rmpd-hope-fund, has raised more than $43,000.

A page set up by Lauren Dobosz’s parents, gofundme.com/f/tom-and-lauren-dobosz-family, has collected nearly $26,000.

“I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that the Dobosz and Johns families are feeling,” Perez said. “I also send my sincere condolences to the family of Jennifer Fernandez, because I can’t imagine how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. They suffered a loss as well.”

Funeral arrangements are pending.

• Daily Herald staff writer Scott C. Morgan contributed to this report.

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Categories
Australia

Perth weather: Rain forecast as WA counts the cost of wild storms

Perth weather: Rain forecast as WA counts the cost of wild storms

Perth is mopping up and counting the cost after days of wild storms left homes damaged.

While conditions eased overnight, emergency services answered more than 102 calls for help since 5am yesterday.

Millions of dollars of insurance claims have already been lodged after the storms wreaked havoc from Butler to Mandurah and down into the South West from Monday to Wednesday. Insurer RAC says it has received around $5 million worth of damages claims.

The super storms which lashed WA for days were accompanied by destructive gale force winds, with the worst of it recorded early Tuesday. Cape Leeuwin recorded a 135km/h wind gust at 12.47am, Bickley 117km/h at 2.47am, Cape Naturaliste 115km/h at 6.47 pm, Mandurah 109km/h at 2.59am, Gingin Airport 109 km/h at 2.11 am.

Storm conditions in North Beach today.
Camera IconStorm conditions in North Beach. Credit: michael wilson/The West Australian

In good news, most power has been restored to homes and businesses left in the dark after trees topped multiple power lines. At the height of the chaos 35,000 homes were without power but Western Power crews have worked through the night to get the lights back on.

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US

Carolyn Maloney stands by ‘Biden won’t run’ in 2024 remark

Carolyn Maloney stands by 'Biden won't run' in 2024 remark

Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney doubled down Wednesday on her view that President Biden won’t seek re-election — even as she said she would back him if he did.

“I don’t believe he’s running for re-election,” Maloney declared Tuesday night during the NY1 three-way Democratic primary debate for New York’s 12th congressional district against Rep. Jerry Nadler and lawyer Suraj Patel.

Maloney’s surprise statement became national news and has become a talking point for Republicans that proof that Biden is washed up.

But it wasn’t just Maloney.

Nadler, who — because of court-ordered redistricting mandated after illegal gerrymandering by state Democrats — chose to fight it out with his one-time ally Maloney, also showed a lack of confidence in the commander in chief.

And he would not commit to supporting Biden’s re-election.

“Too early to say. Doesn’t serve the purpose of the Democratic Party to, to deal with that until after the midterms,” Nadler said in the debate.

By comparison, Patel simply said “yes” that he supports Biden’s re-election.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Rep. Carolyn Maloney speaks during New York’s 12th Congressional District Democratic primary debate.
Mary Altaffer/AP

Maloney, during an interview with The Post Wednesday, stood by her surprise remark that Biden, 79, won’t seek re-election. Biden’s approval ratings are at record lows in recent polls.

“That’s my personal opinion,” she said.

But a day later, Maloney sought to soften the blow, saying she would support Biden if he does run for a second term.

“If President Biden runs again, I will support him,” said Maloney, who has served in Congress since 1993.

“I’m glad Biden ran for president and defeated President Trump. He’s a great president.”

Political analysts said Maloney stated the obvious about what many Democrats are thinking privately about Biden, 79.

“It tells you that Democrats are very worried about a Joe Biden campaign in 2024 and what it could do to their chances of keeping the House,” said consultant Hank Sheinkopf.

“If we judge by today his poll numbers today, they’re atrocious and the sense that things are out of control and mismanaged is clear. It seems it would take an act of god to bring inflation down and lower gas prices in order to make Biden look like he’s in charge again – whether it’s his fault or not – and it looks like he’s not.

Sheinkopf said the video of Maloney and Nadler’s lack of enthusiasm for Biden is a “very good anti-Biden ad” for Republicans.

“Republicans will be able to use the video from that debate in races around the country by saying: `even if these people don’t want him!.’”

President Joe Biden
Rep. Maloney backtracked her statement, saying that she would support Biden if he chooses to run again.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Stu Loeser, who served as press secretary for former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, tweeted Tuesday night, “If lifelong professional liberal Dems in one of the deepest blue districts in the US can’t support the Democratic agenda, then….”

“Right on cue, the not-even-that-good oppo team at the RNC weaponizes this against Biden. That’s the downside.”

Perhaps sensing the political damage her remarks inflicted on Biden, Maloney also issued a statement on twitter.

“I will absolutely support President Biden, if he decides to run for re-election,” she said. “Biden’s leadership securing historic investments for healthcare, climate & economic justice prove once again why he is the strong and effective leader we need right now.”

“I urge all Democrats to stay united & focused on working towards winning the midterms,” she added.

Nadler also expounded on his non-endorsement of a second Biden term Wednesday, saying it was not intended as a snub.

“Anyone watching last night’s debate would have heard my extremely effusive comments about President Biden’s performance during historically trying times. As I have said many times, I strongly support the president,” Nadler said told The Post.

“My point in response to a yes or no question about the 2024 election was simply that a discussion about anything else then the historic midterm election this year is a distraction from our important work of keeping our House and Senate majorities and protecting our democracy.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Jerry Nadler and attorney Suraj Patel debate during New York's 12th Congressional District Democratic primary debate.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Rep. Jerry Nadler and attorney Suraj Patel debate during New York’s 12th Congressional District Democratic primary debate.
Mary Altaffer/AP

But Patel, during an MSNBC interview Wednesday, accused Maloney and Nadler of throwing the president “under the bus.”

“What the heck are you thinking, giving Republicans talking points ammo and making an ageist argument against your own president,” Patel said.

“Fact of the matter is, Joseph Robinette Biden was the only one capable of beating Donald Trump… He will after this climate bill, be the most accomplished President since Lyndon Baines Johnson. And as commander in chief, he has put Putin in a box.”

Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-Bronx-Queens) previously said she “will cross that bridge when we get to it” when asked about Biden’s re-election, saying she would first focus on helping Democrats preserve their House majority in the mid -term elections.

Other House Democratic members from New York had no immediate comment.

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