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The southeastern United States has recently been hit by the powerful Hurricane Helen, causing severe devastation. As of now, 128 confirmed deaths have been reported, with hundreds still missing. Local governments and rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors, but the damage to infrastructure caused by the storm is significantly hindering their efforts.

Since entering the Atlantic, Hurricane Helen has gradually intensified and made landfall in Florida a few days ago as a Category 4 hurricane. Strong winds and heavy rains have led to widespread flooding, building collapses, and road closures. Power and communication systems have also been damaged, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.

According to Florida's governor, the hardest-hit areas include major cities such as Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, where flood levels continue to rise in many regions, with some towns submerged over half. Thousands of rescue personnel from fire departments, the National Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been deployed to the disaster areas, but rescue efforts are severely impacted due to many roads being washed away.

With power outages and communication breakdowns, many trapped individuals are unable to contact the outside world, and the number of missing persons is expected to rise further. Local residents are facing a crisis of food, water, and medicine shortages, with many shelters overcrowded and emergency supplies insufficient. Rescue agencies are calling on the international community to lend a hand and provide necessary resources.

Reports indicate that hundreds of roads remain closed, obstructing the delivery of urgently needed supplies. The White House has stated that as long as it does not interfere with emergency response efforts, President Biden plans to visit some affected communities later this week. Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have expressed their condolences to those impacted by the hurricane.

Despite transportation authorities working around the clock to clear damaged roads and airlift supplies, the North Carolina Attorney General has pointed out that recovery could take years and will require billions of dollars to return to normal, a situation that feels hopeless. The Pentagon has announced that thousands of National Guard members have been deployed to the East Coast to assist in recovery efforts after the hurricane.

In the face of one of the most severe hurricane disasters in decades, the President has declared a state of emergency in Florida and promised that the federal government will fully assist local authorities in rebuilding and recovery efforts. He emphasized that climate change is exacerbating extreme weather events, and similar disasters may become more frequent in the future. He urged state governments to enhance disaster preparedness infrastructure to ensure residents' safety.

After wreaking havoc in Florida, Hurricane Helen continues to move north, impacting Georgia, South Carolina, and other areas, with expectations of further effects on the northeastern United States in the coming days. Authorities are warning local residents to remain vigilant and evacuate to safe areas as soon as possible.

Austria held its parliamentary elections on the 29th, and according to predictions by Foresight, a polling agency commissioned by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), led by its 55-year-old leader Herbert Kickl, won 28.8% of the vote, ahead of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) with 26.3% and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) with 21.1%. This marks the first time since World War II that the Freedom Party has become the largest party in parliament, highlighting voter concerns over immigration and inflation, which have fueled the rising support for far-right movements across Europe. However, it remains uncertain whether the Freedom Party will be able to form a government.

Following the election, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl stated, "We have made Austrian history because this is the first time the Freedom Party has come out on top in a parliamentary election, illustrating the significant change in the political landscape." Founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, the Freedom Party has a history spanning around 70 years. The party has worked to soften its image and broaden its appeal, but Kickl remains extreme in his views, opposing immigration, questioning COVID-19 prevention measures, being skeptical of the EU, and maintaining close ties with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. No political party is willing to form a coalition government with the Freedom Party, which presents a major challenge for Kickl whether he aims to enter the cabinet or become chancellor.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, leader of the People's Party, expressed regret over being surpassed by a far-right party and emphasized that he would not form a coalition government with the Freedom Party. Nehammer said, "Kickl believes in conspiracy theories, accusing the WHO of being the next world government and the World Economic Forum in Davos as a meeting preparing to rule the world. It is impossible to govern the country wisely and responsibly alongside him, and I have always stood by this position." Experts suggest that the People's Party is unlikely to accept being part of a minority and may prefer to form a coalition government with the Social Democrats and NEOS (The New Austria and Liberal Forum), which could result in Austria's first-ever three-party coalition government.

The "Harlem Love & Peace Save The Children Gala," organized by the World Conference of Mayors (WCM) and other groups, was held in Harlem, New York on September 22, 2024.

North Korea Denies Allegations of Illegally Supplying Russia with Weapons, Criticizes U.S. for $8 Billion Military Aid to Ukraine as a "Unbelievable Mistake"

Amid external accusations that North Korea is illegally providing arms to Russia, North Korea responded on the 29th, claiming that the U.S.'s military aid to Ukraine, worth $8 billion (about NT$253 billion), is "an unbelievable mistake" and likened it to "playing with fire" with Russia, a nuclear superpower.

According to a Reuters report, during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden announced new military aid to Kyiv, which includes long-range weapons, enhancing Ukraine's ability to strike Russia from a safer distance.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stated that the U.S. is escalating the conflict in Ukraine and pushing Europe towards the brink of nuclear war. In a statement through the state-run Korean Central News Agency, she emphasized that the serious warnings issued by Russia should not be ignored or underestimated by the U.S. and the West, questioning whether they are truly capable of bearing the consequences of "recklessly playing with fire" with a nuclear superpower like Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously warned that if Russia is attacked by missiles, it might resort to nuclear weapons, and he views any attack on Russia by non-nuclear states, with the support of nuclear states, as a collective assault. Kim Yo-jong further criticized the continued military support for Zelenskyy as a dangerous and irresponsible gamble, labeling the announcement of the $8 billion in military aid as "an unbelievable mistake and foolish act." Kim Yo-jong frequently speaks on political and security issues, representing Pyongyang's stance, and is believed to be authorized by Kim Jong-un.

Over the past year, relations between North Korea and Russia have significantly strengthened, with the two nations' leaders meeting twice and reaching several agreements, including a "comprehensive strategic partnership" that includes mutual defense commitments.

The U.S. has claimed that since September last year, North Korea has shipped at least 16,500 weapons containers to Russia, which Russia has reportedly started using to launch missiles against Ukraine. However, both North Korea and Russia deny any involvement in illegal arms trade.

According to a report by Reuters, Hezbollah confirmed on the 28th that its leader, Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. In a statement, Hezbollah vowed to continue fighting against Israel in support of Gaza and Palestine, while defending Lebanon and its steadfast, honorable people. Following the official announcement of Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah’s television channel began broadcasting verses from the Quran.

Israel launched airstrikes on Lebanon on the 27th, later claiming that Hezbollah leader Nasrallah was killed in the attack. Nasrallah's death is seen as a major blow to Iran, which backs Hezbollah. In addition to Nasrallah, reports on social media indicated that several commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were also killed in the airstrike, including Brigadier General Nifrousan, who had served as the deputy commander of Iran's foreign operations and as the acting commander in operations in Syria and Lebanon. After the airstrike, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei was reportedly moved to a secure location. Several Hezbollah leaders were also killed, with CNN reporting that Hezbollah's command structure was nearly dismantled, marking a significant blow to the organization.

Recently, Israel has shifted its military focus to northern Lebanon. Not long ago, Israel severely disrupted Hezbollah's internal communication network by simultaneously detonating thousands of BB Call devices. This was followed by airstrikes that killed several key Hezbollah leaders, causing shock in Iran, which supports the group. Although Hezbollah has suffered severe short-term damage, external observers believe its leadership can be replaced and the organization still retains considerable military strength.

Additionally, U.S. military sources suggest Israel may launch a limited invasion of southern Lebanon to further attack Hezbollah forces. Israel stated that the goal is to put an end to Hezbollah's attacks on Israel's northern territories, allowing tens of thousands of Israelis to return to their homes.

Voting for the leadership election of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party took place on the 27th. Shigeru Ishiba, a former defense minister and a five-time candidate for the position, declared this as his last battle in politics. In the second round of voting, he narrowly defeated his opponent Sanae Takaichi, becoming the 28th leader of the LDP. He is expected to be nominated as the next Prime Minister of Japan, succeeding Fumio Kishida.

On the afternoon of the 27th, the results of the first round of voting were announced, aligning with predictions from Japanese media and prior analyses. Takaichi, Ishiba, and former Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi received 181, 154, and 136 votes respectively, placing them in the top three. Since no candidate secured a majority in the first round, the rules stipulated that the top two candidates proceed to a runoff. Ultimately, Ishiba won with 215 votes, narrowly surpassing Takaichi's 194, a margin of just 21 votes.

At 67 years old, Ishiba comes from a political family. He first became a member of the House of Representatives in 1986 and has since been re-elected 12 times over 38 years. He has held positions such as Secretary-General of the LDP, Director-General of the Defense Agency, and Minister of Defense, accumulating extensive experience in defense issues. During the tenures of Shinzo Abe and Taro Aso, Ishiba often criticized his own party, positioning himself as a progressive within the LDP, which garnered him support from grassroots party members and the younger generation.

Ishiba is known for his clear views on national security and pragmatic political stances, advocating for strengthening Japan's defense and promoting constitutional reform to allow for a more powerful military. He also proposed the establishment of a NATO-like alliance in Asia to prevent incidents in the Taiwan Strait.

In his acceptance speech, Ishiba expressed his commitment to making Japan a country where people can smile and live peacefully, a nation with courage, sincerity, and the willingness to speak the truth. With the LDP holding a majority in both houses of parliament, Ishiba is expected to be nominated as the next Prime Minister during the extraordinary session of parliament on October 1, when the new cabinet will also be inaugurated.

Dr. Hong presents several distinguished guests with the "Compass Clocks of Conscience,” reminding people to follow their conscience, seize the moment, and practice goodwill and good deeds in their lives.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) and the Zhang-men-ren (leader) of Tai Ji Men, rings the Bell of World Peace and Love. He rang the bell nine times to pray for lasting global peace.

The 2024 World Leader Summit of Love and Peace themed “Fostering Peace: Conscience, Love, and Hope in Action,” takes place in New York on September 23.

Following its attacks on Gaza, Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. On the 26th, 12 countries led by the U.S. and France issued an urgent joint statement calling for a 21-day ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border, but this was rejected by Israel. Both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and Foreign Minister Israel Katz denied agreeing to a ceasefire. On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out 220 airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure, rocket launchers, and weapon caches, resulting in at least 92 deaths and over 150 injuries. Hezbollah confirmed that its drone unit commander, Mohammad Surur, was also killed in an Israeli airstrike in the suburbs of Beirut.

In response to the U.S. and French ceasefire proposal, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated on the 26th upon his arrival in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, "We will continue to fight Hezbollah with full force until all objectives are achieved." This stance received unanimous support from various factions within Israel. Foreign Minister Katz reiterated, "There will be no ceasefire in the north." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant indicated that ongoing operations against Hezbollah had been approved. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi emphasized at the Israel-Lebanon border that the IDF is preparing for a ground offensive and that airstrikes are being conducted throughout the day to weaken Hezbollah's capabilities while preparing for a possible ground attack.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the current military operations are supported by $8.7 billion in U.S. aid, making it difficult for the U.S. to persuade Israel to cease hostilities. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that since the IDF began large-scale airstrikes on the 23rd, nearly 700 people have died, with animosity between the two countries continuing to escalate.