Latest news with #Typhoon
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Dozens dead as storm sweeps through the Philippines
A fierce tropical storm has torn through the Philippines' mountainous north, in a a week which has already seen floods and landslides claim at least 25 lives. Typhoon Co-may struck the town of Agno in Pangasinan province Thursday night with winds reaching speeds of 120 kilometres (74 miles) per hour. By Friday afternoon, as it moved northeast, the typhoon had weakened slightly. Co-may struck after seasonal monsoon rains drenched a vast part of the country for over a week. More than a dozen additional tropical storms are expected to strike the Southeast Asian nation before the end of the year, forecasts show. At least 25 deaths have been reported since last weekend, mostly due to flash floods, toppled trees, landslides, and electrocution, according to officials. A further eight people have been reported missing. Schools in the capital, Manila, remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday, with classes also suspended in 35 provinces across the main northern region of Luzon. Over 80 towns and cities, mostly in Luzon, have declared a state of calamity, enabling quicker access to emergency funds and the freezing of prices on essential goods. The weather has forced 278,000 people to seek refuge in emergency shelters or with relatives. According to the government's disaster response agency, close to 3,000 homes have suffered damage. Thousands of military personnel, police officers, coast guard members, firefighters, and civilian volunteers have been deployed to assist in rescuing residents. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited emergency shelters Thursday in Rizal province to help distribute food packs to displaced residents. "Everything has changed," Marcos said. He subsequently called an emergency meeting with disaster-response officials, warning that both the government and the public need to adapt to the increasing frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters due to climate change. The United States has pledged to provide military aircraft to assist in transporting food and other aid to remote areas if weather conditions deteriorate further. The Philippines is struck by around 20 typhoons and storms every year and frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.
NHK
7 hours ago
- Climate
- NHK
July 25 NEWSROOM TOKYO Bangkok Live
Lineup: 1. Cambodia accuses Thailand of damaging historic temple 2. Philippine top court nixes Duterte impeachment 3. Typhoon, monsoon rain batter Philippines
Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Times
BAE Systems boosted by Turkish order for up to 40 jet fighters
Turkey has struck a deal with the British government to buy up to 40 Typhoon combat aircraft, a move that should see work restart at BAE Systems' final assembly line for the planes at Warton in Lancashire. A memorandum was signed on Wednesday at a defence trade show in Istanbul by John Healey, the defence secretary, and the Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler. Turkey first discussed buying the aircraft three years ago, but the sale was blocked by the German government over concerns about Turkey's foreign policy. • Jailed Turkish opponent 'begs' Berlin to lift ban on fighter jet sale Germany — a member of the four-nation Eurofighter consortium that makes the Typhoon, along with the UK, Italy and Spain — has now dropped its veto. A statement from the British and Turkish government said the deal 'codifies the relationship between the countries, taking them one step closer to a full agreement on Typhoon'. This month BAE Systems demonstrated an improved cockpit display for the Typhoon PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS Turkey has been eager to re-equip its air force. Last year it signed a $23 billion deal with the United States for 40 new F-16 jets and upgrades to its existing fleet of the aircraft. The upgrade package was later ditched. A deal to buy a more advanced combat aircraft, the F-35, was blocked by the Pentagon after Turkey purchased Russian-made air defence systems. A deal for 40 Typhoons would be worth about £2.8 billion for the aircraft alone, with the value of the contract likely to be taken higher with provision for training, spares and support. Work at Warton stopped earlier this year after the completion of aircraft for export to Qatar, and staff were sent to other operations and Royal Air Force stations. The union Unite warned that a lack of UK orders for Typhoon was putting valuable aerospace skills at risk. The RAF has 137 of the aircraft, and is in the process of retiring its oldest 'Tranche 1' models. It last placed an order for Typhoon in 2009. Last month's strategic defence review prioritised the purchase of 12 F-35A planes instead. BAE Systems, whose shares are up nearly 50 per cent in the past year on hopes of rising defence spending, welcomed the agreement with Turkey. Chief executive Charles Woodburn said it underscored 'the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.' Although Typhoon has lost out to the F-35 in recent tenders, BAE Systems still has hopes for more export deals. Saudi Arabia, which operates 71 of the aircraft, has proposed buying another 48, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a memorandum for the new planes on a state visit to the UK in 2018. • Captured: moment seagull hits 600mph Typhoon at air show No final contract has been signed. Defence industry sources said the deal was not dead, but could be linked to talks on Saudi participation in the Global Combat Air Programme, which is led by the UK with Japan and Italy as partners. This plans to produce an advanced, stealthy aircraft to enter service in about a decade's time.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Germany approves Eurofighter jet delivery to Turkey - Region
Germany said Wednesday it had approved the delivery of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, clearing the way for a deal that had been delayed by tensions between the two countries. Turkey had been in talks for several years on buying 40 of the aircraft, which are constructed by a consortium from Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain. The Typhoon jets are to be built in Britain and London is leading the negotiations. But all members of the consortium must sign off on the sale and Germany, which has clashed with Turkey over Israel's war on Gaza, had objected. However, the defence ministry had now "sent a written confirmation to the Turkish government confirming the approval of the export", government spokesman Stefan Kornelius told journalists in Berlin. News outlet Der Spiegel reported that Chancellor Friedrich Merz had bowed to pressure from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the project is expected to support about 20,000 jobs in Britain. After Germany gave the green light to the sale, the Turkish and British defence ministers signed a preliminary agreement in Istanbul on Wednesday for the delivery of the jets. The sale "will strengthen the decades-long friendship between key NATO allies and will be an important step towards enhancing Turkey's advanced air combat capabilities", Turkey's defence ministry said. British Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal would "strengthen NATO's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come". Turkey's request for the planes was submitted to the German government more than two years ago, but the two countries have since clashed over the war in Gaza. Ankara has vocally criticised Israel's offensive in the Palestinian territory while Berlin has been a staunch supporter of Israel, although it has voiced some criticism over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Muscat Daily
2 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
UK, Turkey sign deal for Eurofighter jets
Istanbul, Turkey – The UK and Turkey signed a preliminary agreement on Wednesday for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, marking a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernise its air fleet. Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defence industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defence said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defence ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon'. 'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme, from which the country was ousted in 2019 following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defence systems. The US said the systems were incompatible with NATO tech and posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028. UK calls new MoU a 'major step' Meanwhile, in a statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said that the deal is a 'significant step closer today', that will also strengthen the UK-Turkey partnership. The statement noted that the agreement strengthens NATO's collective deterrence and builds on years of defence cooperation and growing industrial ties between the UK and Turkey. 'Negotiations on the potential deal with Turkey will now continue over the coming weeks,' it noted, adding that it would be the first export order the UK has secured for Typhoon since 2017. 'Signing a multi-billion export deal with Turkey… will bolster our vital defence industry, deliver on our Plan for Change and keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times,' said Prime Minister Keir Starmer. For his part, Healey said: 'Equipping Turkey with Typhoons would strengthen NATO's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems added: 'This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Turkey and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.' In a separate statement regarding the meeting of the two defence chiefs, the UK Ministry of Defence said both ministers underscored the importance of the two countries' 'longstanding defence cooperation', including collaboration through NATO and growing ties in the defence industry and security. 'Both Ministers committed to deepening this strategic partnership in support of the Alliance's collective deterrence,' it added. The statement noted that the two nations continue to make 'excellent progress' on the export of Eurofighter Typhoon, describing it as 'the start of a new chapter' in the UK-Turkey partnership. Meanwhile, the German weekly magazine Der Spiegel reported on Wednesday that the German Federal Security Council has approved Turkey's preliminary request for 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The report noted that the council approved Turkey's request submitted in March 2023 and that the aircraft will be manufactured in the UK using parts supplied from Germany. Agencies
