150 mph Super Typhoon Sets Aim at Japan: Fukushima near center of forecast track — “Expected to intensify” and already the highest category storm

Guchol, a tropical cyclone in the western Pacific, rapidly strengthened Saturday afternoon, local time. Winds are now in excess of 150 mph, making Guchol a super typhoon, the highest classification for tropical cyclones in the western Pacific.

If Guchol were an Atlantic Hurricane, it would be considered a Category 5 storm.

the storm is also expected to intensify further over the next day or two.

Guchol will still likely be a very powerful tropical cyclone upon reaching the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Powerful winds, torrential rain and intense surf will be among some of the problems expected for the islands.

In fact, the main threat the storm poses to the main island of Japan will be its torrential rains. Heavy rain could lead to mudslides and flash flooding, especially in the mountains just west of Tokyo.

Source: Enenews

Islamist claims victory in Egypt president vote

CAIRO (AP) -- The Muslim Brotherhood declared early Monday that its candidate, Mohammed Morsi, won Egypt's presidential election, which would be the first victory of an Islamist as head of state in the stunning wave of protests demanding democracy that swept the Middle East the past year. But the military handed itself the lion's share of power over the new president, sharpening the possibility of confrontation.

With parliament dissolved and martial law effectively in force, the generals issued an interim constitution granting themselves sweeping authorities that ensure their hold on the state and subordinate the president. They will be Egypt's lawmakers, they will control the budget and they will determine who writes the permanent constitution that will define the country's future.

But as it claimed a narrow victory over Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister Ahmed Shafiq in a deeply polarizing election, the Brotherhood challenged the military's power grab. The group said Sunday it did not recognize the dissolution of parliament, where it was the largest party. It also rejected the military's right to issue an interim constitution and oversee the drafting of a new one.

That pointed to a potential struggle over spheres of authority between Egypt's two strongest forces. The Brotherhood has campaigned on a platform of bringing Egypt closer to a form of Islamic rule, but the military's grip puts it in a position to block that. Instead, any conflict would likely center on more basic questions of control - if the Brotherhood pushes a fight. It has reached accommodations with the military in the past.

Official final results are not due until Thursday, and Shafiq's campaign challenged the Brotherhood claim, which was based on the group's compilation of election officials' returns from nearly all polling centers nationwide.

But at their campaign headquarters, the Brotherhood officials and supporters were ebullient over the turn of fate. The fundamentalist group that was banned for most of its 80-year history and repeatedly subjected to crackdowns under Mubarak's rule now held the chair from which its nemesis was ousted by last year's 18 days of mass protests. The uprising was launched by secular, leftist young activists, joined only later by the Brotherhood's leadership as millions took to the street, seeking an end to an authoritarian regime considered hopelessly corrupt.

In a victory speech at his headquarters, Morsi clearly sought to assuage the fears of a large sector of Egyptians that the Brotherhood will try to impose stricter provisions of Islamic law. He said he seeks "stability, love and brotherhood for the Egyptian civil, national, democratic, constitutional and modern state" and made no mention of Islamic law.

"Thank God, who successfully led us to this blessed revolution. Thank God, who guided the people of Egypt to this correct path, the road of freedom, democracy," the bearded, 60-year-old U.S.-educated engineer declared.

He vowed to all Egyptians, "men, women, mothers, sisters ... all political factions, the Muslims, the Christians" to be "a servant for all of them."

"We are not about taking revenge or settling scores. We are all brothers of this nation, we own it together, and we are equal in rights and duties."

Read more: AP

Weed pass sparks new problems

The introduction of the 'weed pass' earlier this month in the south of the Netherlands is leading to growing problems. Since 1 May, only Dutch residents are able to purchase soft drugs in coffeeshops. Foreigners are barred.

In protest against the move, many coffeeshops in Maastricht and other southern Dutch cities have closed their doors. So foreign drug tourists and Dutch residents who don’t have a weed pass are heading further north, and this is causing problems for coffeeshops in the weed pass border zone.

In cities in the weed pass area, like the eastern border town of Venlo, growing numbers of illegal drugs dealers are hanging out near coffeeshops. They’re harrassing not only drugs tourists but also local residents. The police say they’re monitoring the situation, but many people say they’re afraid.

The mayor of Maastricht says the weed pass, which will be introduced throughout the country on 1 January 2013, is also having positive effects. According to Mayor Onno Hoes, the residents of his city “can now park their cars in front of their houses. Children can play outside again, and old ladies feel safe when they put their garbage out.”