In Taiwan, Dalai Lama disputes China’s claims

The Dalai Lama — on a visit to Taiwan that includes prayers for recent typhoon victims — has rebutted China’s claims that he is there for political reasons. In a Monday interview with CNN’s Sara Sidner, the Tibetan spiritual leader said he was visiting the island to comfort victims of Typhoon Morakot

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Typhoon death toll in Taiwan climbs higher

The number of people killed by a typhoon that slammed into Taiwan and China earlier this month continues to rise, Taiwan announced Thursday. At least 543 people are now known to have died when Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan, the country’s Central Emergency Operation Center said Thursday. At least 117 people are still missing, and at least 46 people were injured.

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Taiwan death toll ‘higher than feared’

A typhoon that struck Taiwan and China earlier this month killed more people in Taiwan than previous estimates, the government announced. At least 376 people are now known to have died when Typhoon Morakot hit Taiwan, Taiwan’s Central Emergency Operation Center said Tuesday. At least 254 people are still missing, and at least 46 people were injured.

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Taiwan president takes blame for typhoon response

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Sunday he accepts responsibility for the government’s slow response after Typhoon Morakot slammed into the island killing at more than 120 people and unleashing floods, mudslides and misery. Ma, who has faced heavy criticism from victims of the disaster, ruled out resignation, insisting his government did its best in the face of difficulties, however he pledged an investigation into any irregularities. “Certainly, I will take full responsibility whatever the blame is because, after all, I am the president of this country,” Ma told CNN, saying heavy rains grounded rescue helicopters in the first few days after the storm hit, delaying relief.

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Taiwanese call for souls to come home

"I believe a lot of souls are still in Shiao Lin village," says Yeh Rong Nan. Last weekend the mountain community was erased from the landscape as Typhoon Morakot swept across Taiwan killing at least 120 people. Nothing is left of the village except mud, rocks, debris and two homes, barely standing.

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1,300 still trapped after Taiwan typhoon

More than 1,300 people are still trapped in remote mountainous villages in southern Taiwan, victims of treacherous mudslides and floods from Typhoon Morakot, the country’s semiofficial Central News Agency said Saturday. Rescue officials quoted by the news agency said 1,373 were still trapped and 75 helicopters were scheduled to conduct rescue missions Saturday in the counties of Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Taitung and Chiayi.

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Typhoon survivor: Our house was like a boat

A survivor from the typhoon that devastated Taiwan told how she and her grandson were surrounded by rising water in their mountain village. The pair lived in Shao Lin, a village in the south wiped out by Typhoon Morakot which swept over Taiwan last weekend. Authorities said mudslides demolished more than 100 homes and killed a still unknown number of residents

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