TYPHOON KRATHON SHUTS DOWN TAIWAN

TYPHOON KRATHON SHUTS DOWN TAIWAN: Taiwan shut down on Wednesday, grounding hundreds of flights and closing schools, offices and financial markets ahead of the arrival of a weakening Typhoon Krathon, with one person reported dead and torrential rain lashing the island's south. Officials in the key port city of Kaohsiung, set to be in the eye of the storm, told people to stay home and avoid the sea, rivers and mountains, warning of a repeat of 1977's Typhoon Thelma that killed 37 and devastated the city of 2.7 million. Although the typhoon has weakened, the threats from a storm surge, strong winds and rain remained as it slowly made its way towards Taiwan's coast, weather forecasters said.

- REUTERS