A powerful earthquake that hit Japan on Saturday was an aftershock of the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake that struck the region almost 10 years ago, the national meteorological agency has said.

The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 54 kilometres (33 miles) in the Pacific, off Fukushima -- near the epicentre of a 2011 killer quake which triggered a towering tsunami and killed more than 18,000.

No tsunami warning was, however, issued after Saturday's earthquake.

Authorities have spent the past ten years cleaning up the area -- a massive effort that experts say will take another few decades to complete.

According to a CNN report, Saturday's earthquake is a reminder that the events are 2011 are not entirely behind the Fukushima region.

Speaking to reporters, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the damage was still being assessed, and asked residents in the affected area to stay indoors and be prepared for aftershocks.

The earthquake triggered landslides and uprooted sections of a major expressway, affecting both prefectures.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/earthquake-of-70-magnitude-strikes-eastern-japan-no-tsunami-alert-363434">Also read | Earthquake of 7.0 magnitude strikes eastern Japan, no tsunami alert</a>

(with inputs)

A powerful earthquake that hit Japan on Saturday was an aftershock of the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake that struck the region almost 10 years ago, the national meteorological agency has said.

A powerful earthquake that hit Japan on Saturday was an aftershock of the devastating 9.0 magnitude quake that struck the region almost 10 years ago, the national meteorological agency has said. The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 54 kilometres (33 miles) in the Pacific, off Fukushima -- near the epicentre of a 2011 killer quake which triggered a towering tsunami and killed more than 18,000. No tsunami warning was, however, issued after Saturday's earthquake. Authorities have spent the past ten years cleaning up the area -- a massive effort that experts say will take another few decades to complete. According to a CNN report, Saturday's earthquake is a reminder that the events are 2011 are not entirely behind the Fukushima region. Speaking to reporters, Japan Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the damage was still being assessed, and asked residents in the affected area to stay indoors and be prepared for aftershocks. The earthquake triggered landslides and uprooted sections of a major expressway, affecting both prefectures. Also read | Earthquake of 7.0 magnitude strikes eastern Japan, no tsunami alert (with inputs)

Saturday tremors in Japan were an 'aftershock' from 2011 quake, report says

An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck off the eastern coast of Japan late Saturday.

No tsunami warning was, however, issued, US and Japanese authorities said.

The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 54 kilometres (33 miles) in the Pacific, off Fukushima -- near the epicentre of a 2011 killer quake which triggered a towering tsunami and killed more than 18,000.

On Friday, strong tremors were felt in several parts of northern India including the capital city of New Delhi and as far as Srinagar. The quake also jolted parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Noida, Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand.

Kyodo news agency reported at least four people injured in the quake, but gave no further details. There were no immediate reports of significant damage.

Saturday's quake was followed by aftershocks, including a 4.7 magnitude jolt.

The government said around 950,000 homes lost power throughout the affected region.

Images shown online and posted on social media showed broken glass at a shop and items spilled off the shelves at a supermarket.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/earthquake-measuring-63-jolts-tajikistan-tremors-felt-in-delhi-and-northern-india-363261">Also read |&nbsp;Earthquake measuring 6.3 jolts Tajikistan, tremors felt in Delhi and northern India</a>

The National Centre for Seismology said an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 hit Tajikistan at 10:31 pm, and tremors were felt in northern India.

An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck off the eastern coast of Japan late Saturday. No tsunami warning was, however, issued, US and Japanese authorities said. The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 54 kilometres (33 miles) in the Pacific, off Fukushima -- near the epicentre of a 2011 killer quake which triggered a towering tsunami and killed more than 18,000.

An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck off the eastern coast of Japan late Saturday. No tsunami warning was, however, issued, US and Japanese authorities said. The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of 54 kilometres (33 miles) in the Pacific, off Fukushima -- near the epicentre of a 2011 killer quake which triggered a towering tsunami and killed more than 18,000. On Friday, strong tremors were felt in several parts of northern India including the capital city of New Delhi and as far as Srinagar. The quake also jolted parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Noida, Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Kyodo news agency reported at least four people injured in the quake, but gave no further details. There were no immediate reports of significant damage. Saturday's quake was followed by aftershocks, including a 4.7 magnitude jolt. The government said around 950,000 homes lost power throughout the affected region. Images shown online and posted on social media showed broken glass at a shop and items spilled off the shelves at a supermarket. Also read | Earthquake measuring 6.3 jolts Tajikistan, tremors felt in Delhi and northern India The National Centre for Seismology said an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 hit Tajikistan at 10:31 pm, and tremors were felt in northern India.

Earthquake of 7.0 magnitude strikes eastern Japan, no tsunami alert

According to the US Geological Survey, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in South Pacific on Thursday generating a small <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/75-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-off-coasts-of-vanuatu-new-caledonia-usgs-362714">tsunami </a>as New Zealand authorities told residents to move away from waterfront areas due to expected ocean surges.

Fiji had also issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/60-magnitude-earthquake-hits-southern-philippines-361900">tsunami </a>warning after a wave of 0.3 metres, however, later it was cancelled even as the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that a tsunami has been generated while issuing an alert for Lord Howe Island, but added that no evacuation was needed.

There were no reports of casualties or damages due to the tsunami. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the quake's epicentre was 417 km east of Tadine, a town in the French territory of New Caledonia, while adding that there were no immediate reports of damage in the area.

The quake was reportedly followed by three other termors with magnitudes ranging from 5.7 to 6.1. The quake was felt as far as Vanuatu which recorded high tide levels but no damage was reported.

The Pacific which is located in the "Ring of Fire" &nbsp;experiences frequent earthquakes. Three years ago an earthquake and a &nbsp;tsunami on Indonesia's Sulawesi island had over 4,300 dead and several missing.&nbsp;

In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude quake off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island had led to large scale destruction with the tsunami killing 220,000 people in the region.

According to the US Geological Survey, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in South Pacific on Thursday generating a small tsunami as New Zealand authorities told residents to move away from waterfront areas due to expected ocean surges.

According to the US Geological Survey, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck in South Pacific on Thursday generating a small tsunami as New Zealand authorities told residents to move away from waterfront areas due to expected ocean surges. Fiji had also issued a tsunami warning after a wave of 0.3 metres, however, later it was cancelled even as the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said that a tsunami has been generated while issuing an alert for Lord Howe Island, but added that no evacuation was needed. There were no reports of casualties or damages due to the tsunami. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the quake's epicentre was 417 km east of Tadine, a town in the French territory of New Caledonia, while adding that there were no immediate reports of damage in the area. The quake was reportedly followed by three other termors with magnitudes ranging from 5.7 to 6.1. The quake was felt as far as Vanuatu which recorded high tide levels but no damage was reported. The Pacific which is located in the "Ring of Fire" experiences frequent earthquakes. Three years ago an earthquake and a tsunami on Indonesia's Sulawesi island had over 4,300 dead and several missing. In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude quake off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island had led to large scale destruction with the tsunami killing 220,000 people in the region.

New Zealand issues evacuation alert in coastal areas after small tsunami in South Pacific

More than 800 people were injured from the earthquake that toppled buildings in Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, and triggered a small tsunami in the district of Seferihisar and on Samos.

Rescue efforts under way after deadly earthquake in Turkey, Greece

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Samar region of the eastern Philippines on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, damaging some homes and property in a coastal community.

The Philippines' seismology agency said there was no risk of a tsunami from the earthquake but warned of the risk of aftershocks.

"The possibility of a stronger magnitude aftershock cannot be discounted," agency chief Renato Solidum told dZMM radio station.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/googles-new-quake-detection-system-android-phones-to-detect-earthquakes-320890">Also watch:&nbsp;Google's new quake detection system, android phones to detect earthquakes</a>

The quake struck in the sea at a depth of 30 km (18.64 miles), EMSC said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, but Rodrigo Gonhuran, 30, a computer shop technician based near the epicentre, told Reuters it was the strongest quake he had felt in the area.

"My cabinet and other stuff at home fell down and my neighbours` walls cracked and some collapsed," he said, speaking from the town of Cataingan, which has a population of more than 50,000 people.

The Philippines, which has a population of 107 million, lies on the “Ring of Fire,” a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Samar region of the eastern Philippines on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, damaging some homes and property in a coastal community.

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck the Samar region of the eastern Philippines on Tuesday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, damaging some homes and property in a coastal community. The Philippines' seismology agency said there was no risk of a tsunami from the earthquake but warned of the risk of aftershocks. "The possibility of a stronger magnitude aftershock cannot be discounted," agency chief Renato Solidum told dZMM radio station. Also watch: Google's new quake detection system, android phones to detect earthquakes The quake struck in the sea at a depth of 30 km (18.64 miles), EMSC said. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but Rodrigo Gonhuran, 30, a computer shop technician based near the epicentre, told Reuters it was the strongest quake he had felt in the area. "My cabinet and other stuff at home fell down and my neighbours` walls cracked and some collapsed," he said, speaking from the town of Cataingan, which has a population of more than 50,000 people. The Philippines, which has a population of 107 million, lies on the “Ring of Fire,” a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is also prone to earthquakes.

Strong quake strikes eastern Philippines, reports of damage

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula, triggering a tsunami warning for areas within 200 miles of the epicentre.

The shallow quake hit at 0612 GMT Wednesday about 500 miles southwest of Anchorage, and around 60 miles south-southeast of the remote settlement of Perryville, the US Geological Survey said.

A tsunami warning was in effect for the Alaskan peninsula and south Alaska.

"For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, the level of tsunami danger is being evaluated," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The quake was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.7.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The tremor appeared to be a subduction zone quake, where two tectonic plates converge, a seismologist said.

Alaska is part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. It&nbsp;was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. It devastated Anchorage and unleashed a tsunami that slammed the Gulf of Alaska, the US west coast, and Hawaii.

More than 250 people were killed by the quake and the tsunami.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula, triggering a tsunami warning for areas within 200 miles of the epicentre. The shallow quake hit at 0612 GMT Wednesday about 500 miles southwest of Anchorage, and around 60 miles south-southeast of the remote settlement of Perryville, the US Geological Survey said.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Alaskan peninsula, triggering a tsunami warning for areas within 200 miles of the epicentre. The shallow quake hit at 0612 GMT Wednesday about 500 miles southwest of Anchorage, and around 60 miles south-southeast of the remote settlement of Perryville, the US Geological Survey said. A tsunami warning was in effect for the Alaskan peninsula and south Alaska. "For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, the level of tsunami danger is being evaluated," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. The quake was followed by several aftershocks, the strongest measuring 5.7. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The tremor appeared to be a subduction zone quake, where two tectonic plates converge, a seismologist said. Alaska is part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. It was hit by a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in March 1964, the strongest ever recorded in North America. It devastated Anchorage and unleashed a tsunami that slammed the Gulf of Alaska, the US west coast, and Hawaii. More than 250 people were killed by the quake and the tsunami.

Tsunami warning as 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits off Alaska

&nbsp;A warning for "hazardous tsunami waves" was issued briefly for coastal regions within 300 kms (186.41 miles) of Wau in Papua New Guinea`s northeast, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The quake struck about 12.50pm local time at a depth of 85 km (52 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and struck offshore 18 kms (11 miles) east-southeast of Wau.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning but said about an hour later the danger had passed.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which was initially recorded at 7.3 but later adjusted, and the PNG National Disaster Centre declined to comment until it had received a briefing.

Wau is an inland former gold mining town with a population of about 5,000, about 150 kms (93 miles) south-west of PNG`s second-largest city, Lae.

A person who answered the phone at the Lae City Hotel said they the had felt the quake but there was no property damage.

"It`s normal, the earthquake, here. The staff is okay. They just kept on going," the person said.

The hotel was fully booked but all the guests were out at the time of the quake, the person added.

A warning for "hazardous tsunami waves" was issued briefly for coastal regions within 300 kms (186.41 miles) of Wau in Papua New Guinea`s northeast, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region, the U.

A warning for "hazardous tsunami waves" was issued briefly for coastal regions within 300 kms (186.41 miles) of Wau in Papua New Guinea`s northeast, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the region, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. The quake struck about 12.50pm local time at a depth of 85 km (52 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and struck offshore 18 kms (11 miles) east-southeast of Wau. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami warning but said about an hour later the danger had passed. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the quake, which was initially recorded at 7.3 but later adjusted, and the PNG National Disaster Centre declined to comment until it had received a briefing. Wau is an inland former gold mining town with a population of about 5,000, about 150 kms (93 miles) south-west of PNG`s second-largest city, Lae. A person who answered the phone at the Lae City Hotel said they the had felt the quake but there was no property damage. "It`s normal, the earthquake, here. The staff is okay. They just kept on going," the person said. The hotel was fully booked but all the guests were out at the time of the quake, the person added.

Quake of magnitude 7 hits Papua New Guinea, tsunami risk fades

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the coast of southern Mexico, leaving at least 5 people dead, buckling paved roads, and cutting off isolated villages.

Mexico Earthquake: Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocks Mexico | WION

Parts of Indonesia that do not have early warning signals for an earthquake are at a risk from a tsunami caused by an underwater landslide, according to scientists.&nbsp;

According to more than 2.5 million years of data, there are 19 old underwater landslides surrounding the nation. &nbsp;

The submarine landslides occur once in every 1,60,000 years. &nbsp;

If history repeats itself in the modern world, cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda with a population of more than 1.6 million people will be at stake. &nbsp;

The newly proposed capital city of Indonesia on the island of Borneo, Balikpapan will be severely impacted, according to researchers.&nbsp;

Coastal communities in the country without early warning signal could be at risk because of the landslides that have occurred in the past, according to a research team monitored by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.&nbsp;

“The largest of the landslides comprised 600 kilometres cubed of sediment, while the smallest we identified were five kilometres cubed,” said Researcher Rachel Brackenridge.&nbsp;

The junk created by the largest landslides had the capacity to fill the Sydney Harbour a thousand times. &nbsp;

The team mapped under the seabed using seismic data, according to Brackenridge.&nbsp;

The seabed is layered and huge sediments chunks are seen which might make things chaotic. Seeing the internal layers and characteristics of the sediments it is evident that the sediment has spilled down a slope like an underwater avalanche.&nbsp;

The death toll has crossed the 4000 marks in the last two years only from the Palu Bay and Anak Krakatau tsunamis.&nbsp;

The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that took 2,30,000 lives in Indonesia, had its epicentre at the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra.&nbsp;

According to researchers, the landslides were the side-effect of a strong current that acts as conveyor belts carrying sediments from the Mahakam Delta to the continental slope to the south. This makes the seabed steep and week leading to landslides.&nbsp;

Researchers estimate that the largest tsunamigenic event took place every 5,00,000 years.&nbsp;

The problem is that Indonesia has the warning signals in a different place but not in areas that would be worst affected by a tsunami generated from the landslides.&nbsp;

Researchers are now quantifying the risk by making various models od landslide and tsunami generation, which would help them predict the scope and size of the threshold that causes tsunamis and inform mitigation strategies.

Parts of Indonesia that do not have early warning signals for an earthquake are at a risk from a tsunami caused by an underwater landslide, according to scientists.

Parts of Indonesia that do not have early warning signals for an earthquake are at a risk from a tsunami caused by an underwater landslide, according to scientists. According to more than 2.5 million years of data, there are 19 old underwater landslides surrounding the nation. The submarine landslides occur once in every 1,60,000 years. If history repeats itself in the modern world, cities of Balikpapan and Samarinda with a population of more than 1.6 million people will be at stake. The newly proposed capital city of Indonesia on the island of Borneo, Balikpapan will be severely impacted, according to researchers. Coastal communities in the country without early warning signal could be at risk because of the landslides that have occurred in the past, according to a research team monitored by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. “The largest of the landslides comprised 600 kilometres cubed of sediment, while the smallest we identified were five kilometres cubed,” said Researcher Rachel Brackenridge. The junk created by the largest landslides had the capacity to fill the Sydney Harbour a thousand times. The team mapped under the seabed using seismic data, according to Brackenridge. The seabed is layered and huge sediments chunks are seen which might make things chaotic. Seeing the internal layers and characteristics of the sediments it is evident that the sediment has spilled down a slope like an underwater avalanche. The death toll has crossed the 4000 marks in the last two years only from the Palu Bay and Anak Krakatau tsunamis. The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami that took 2,30,000 lives in Indonesia, had its epicentre at the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. According to researchers, the landslides were the side-effect of a strong current that acts as conveyor belts carrying sediments from the Mahakam Delta to the continental slope to the south. This makes the seabed steep and week leading to landslides. Researchers estimate that the largest tsunamigenic event took place every 5,00,000 years. The problem is that Indonesia has the warning signals in a different place but not in areas that would be worst affected by a tsunami generated from the landslides. Researchers are now quantifying the risk by making various models od landslide and tsunami generation, which would help them predict the scope and size of the threshold that causes tsunamis and inform mitigation strategies.

Lack of warning signals in Indonesia could bring millions at risk from tsunami caused by underwater landslides

A major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebuilding-lives-after-earthquake-9">earthquake </a>of 7.7 magnitude struck the <a href="wionews.com/entertainment/adele-and-harry-styles-vacation-in-the-caribbean-as-they-leave-a-massive-tip-of-2020-272453">Caribbean </a>region&nbsp;between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamaicas-toni-ann-singh-clinches-miss-world-2019-title-268319">Jamaica</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-sanctions-sting-cubas-tourism-sector-275724">Cuba</a>, triggering a brief tsunami alert and sending hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana on Tuesday.

The earthquake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres in the sea around 2 pm, 125 kilometres northwest of Lucea, Jamaica according to the United States Geological Survey.

It estimated there was a low likelihood of casualties or damage, and there were no immediate reports of either.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-irma-reduces-caribbean-island-barbuda-to-rubble-19946/amp">Hurricane Irma reduces Caribbean island Barbuda to rubble</a>

Hours later, a 6.1 magnitude aftershock hit off the coast of the Cayman Islands, part of a cluster of more than a dozen aftershocks which were mainly in the four-to-five magnitude range and lasted well into the evening, the USGS said.

<img alt="Caribbean belt" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8b9d34b0-e244-4f4f-b48d-a91b883c41e5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/5e3147742030275eea7a7482.jpg" />

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that there was a threat of tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to 1 meter above tide level for the coasts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamaicas-toni-ann-singh-clinches-miss-world-2019-title-268319">Jamaica</a>, Belize, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-sanctions-sting-cubas-tourism-sector-275724">Cuba</a>, Honduras, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/migrants-will-pay-the-price-of-mexicos-tariff-deal-with-trump-226455">Mexico</a> and the Cayman Islands.&nbsp;

But it lifted the alert update about two hours later.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-61-magnitude-quake-shakes-colombian-caribbean-islands-179274">Strong 6.1-magnitude quake shakes Colombian Caribbean islands</a>

The threat of a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-still-scared-asia-marks-15-years-since-indian-ocean-tsunami-killed-230000-270361"> tsunami </a>wave had largely passed but minor sea-level fluctuations up to 1 foot were still possible, it said afterwards.

The impact of quakes was hard to predict but the fact that it happened at sea level appeared to have helped,'' according to Don Blakeman, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center.

"The good news is really that it waved out into the ocean, it would have been a much different story if it had been right in Kingston," he added.

The first, bigger quake rattled several tall buildings in the Cuban capital Havana, which were immediately evacuated.

The earthquake was felt in several provinces including Guantanamo and Santiago de Cuba in the east, Cienfuegos in the centre and Havana in the northwest, the official Cubadebate website reported.

But there were no preliminary reports of damage or injuries.

In Miami, police said &nbsp;buildings were being evacuated as a precaution after reports of tremors being felt in some areas of the city. 
&nbsp;

A major earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck the Caribbean region between Jamaica and Cuba, triggering a brief tsunami alert and sending hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana on Tuesday.

A major earthquake of 7.7 magnitude struck the Caribbean region between Jamaica and Cuba, triggering a brief tsunami alert and sending hundreds of people pouring onto the streets of Havana on Tuesday. The earthquake hit at a depth of 10 kilometres in the sea around 2 pm, 125 kilometres northwest of Lucea, Jamaica according to the United States Geological Survey. It estimated there was a low likelihood of casualties or damage, and there were no immediate reports of either. Also read: Hurricane Irma reduces Caribbean island Barbuda to rubble Hours later, a 6.1 magnitude aftershock hit off the coast of the Cayman Islands, part of a cluster of more than a dozen aftershocks which were mainly in the four-to-five magnitude range and lasted well into the evening, the USGS said. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning that there was a threat of tsunami waves reaching 0.3 to 1 meter above tide level for the coasts of Jamaica, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico and the Cayman Islands. But it lifted the alert update about two hours later. Also read: Strong 6.1-magnitude quake shakes Colombian Caribbean islands The threat of a tsunami wave had largely passed but minor sea-level fluctuations up to 1 foot were still possible, it said afterwards. The impact of quakes was hard to predict but the fact that it happened at sea level appeared to have helped,'' according to Don Blakeman, a geophysicist at the National Earthquake Information Center. "The good news is really that it waved out into the ocean, it would have been a much different story if it had been right in Kingston," he added. The first, bigger quake rattled several tall buildings in the Cuban capital Havana, which were immediately evacuated. The earthquake was felt in several provinces including Guantanamo and Santiago de Cuba in the east, Cienfuegos in the centre and Havana in the northwest, the official Cubadebate website reported. But there were no preliminary reports of damage or injuries. In Miami, police said buildings were being evacuated as a precaution after reports of tremors being felt in some areas of the city.

Earthquake of 7.7 magnitude strikes the Caribbean, tsunami warning issued

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A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-acquits-energy-bosses-over-fukushima-disaster-250636">Fukushima </a>nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out.

The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full.

Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011

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The government's Agency for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-voices-concern-over-future-energy-as-he-comforts-victims-of-fukushima-disaster-264290">Natural Resources and Energy</a> on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two.

"There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday.

An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements.

The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in&nbsp;very large doses.&nbsp;

No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official.

The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-fukushima-plant-a-million-tonne-headache-radioactive-water-253979">radioactive water </a>comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater.

Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues.

Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries.

The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site.

Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full. Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011 The government's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two. "There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday. An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements. The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in very large doses. No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official. The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government. The radioactive water comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater. Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues. Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries. The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site. Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

Japan planning to release Fukushima radioactive water as storage space runs out

A powerful earthquake struck near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-six-injured-in-suicide-bombing-at-indonesian-police-station-261872">Indonesia's Moluccas islands</a> on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The quake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicentre in the sea was 139 km northwest of the city of Ternate at a depth of 45 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 20 aftershocks occurred.

Indonesia's geophysics agency lifted the tsunami warning after two hours because it detected only small waves in Ternate, Jailolo and Bitung.

Miftahudin, an official in Jailolo in the Halmahera area of the Moluccas, said residents had fled to the hills.

"After the earthquakes, there was an electricity blackout," he told news portal Tribunnews. There had been no reports of fatalities or damage in the area, he said.

The quake was also felt strongly on the island of Sulawesi, to the west of the epicentre, where authorities urged people to move to higher ground and stay away from the beaches.

Indah Lengkong, a resident of the port city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, said by text message: "The house was visibly shaking."

People in her neighbourhood had initially panicked, she said, adding: "The quake was very strong and lasted for a while. We can still feel tremors but weaker."

Tremors shook buildings in cities across North Sulawesi.

Indonesia is situated on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which frequently has earthquakes and sometimes accompanying tsunamis.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake had struck the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspected-suicide-attack-in-indonesia-1-dead-261709">Moluccas islands</a> in July, killing at least four people. The most devastating in recent Indonesian history was on December&nbsp;26 2004 when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a massive tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia.

Last year, a tsunami hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

A powerful earthquake struck near Indonesia's Moluccas islands on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties.

A powerful earthquake struck near Indonesia's Moluccas islands on Thursday, prompting panicked residents to flee to higher ground, though a tsunami alert was later lifted and there were no immediate reports of casualties. The quake had a magnitude of 7.1 and its epicentre in the sea was 139 km northwest of the city of Ternate at a depth of 45 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 20 aftershocks occurred. Indonesia's geophysics agency lifted the tsunami warning after two hours because it detected only small waves in Ternate, Jailolo and Bitung. Miftahudin, an official in Jailolo in the Halmahera area of the Moluccas, said residents had fled to the hills. "After the earthquakes, there was an electricity blackout," he told news portal Tribunnews. There had been no reports of fatalities or damage in the area, he said. The quake was also felt strongly on the island of Sulawesi, to the west of the epicentre, where authorities urged people to move to higher ground and stay away from the beaches. Indah Lengkong, a resident of the port city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, said by text message: "The house was visibly shaking." People in her neighbourhood had initially panicked, she said, adding: "The quake was very strong and lasted for a while. We can still feel tremors but weaker." Tremors shook buildings in cities across North Sulawesi. Indonesia is situated on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which frequently has earthquakes and sometimes accompanying tsunamis. A magnitude 7.3 earthquake had struck the Moluccas islands in July, killing at least four people. The most devastating in recent Indonesian history was on December 26 2004 when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a massive tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia. Last year, a tsunami hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi, killing thousands.

Indonesia lifts tsunami alert after powerful earthquake causes panic

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said.

The quake jolted large areas in the region at 7:23 pm (1023 GMT) with its epicentre located 54 kilometres (34 miles) east of Namie, eastern Fukushima, according to the US Geological Survey said.&nbsp;

The quake was also felt in Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage.

The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, but there was no immediate report of injuries or damage.

Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the region, public broadcaster NHK said.

No abnormality was detected at nuclear plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK said.

More than 18,000 were killed after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on March 11, 2011, leading to the meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima plant.

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off Fukushima, northeastern Japan, on Sunday, but there was no tsunami threat, US and Japanese authorities said. The quake jolted large areas in the region at 7:23 pm (1023 GMT) with its epicentre located 54 kilometres (34 miles) east of Namie, eastern Fukushima, according to the US Geological Survey said. The quake was also felt in Tokyo. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage. The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, but there was no immediate report of injuries or damage. Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily suspended in the region, public broadcaster NHK said. No abnormality was detected at nuclear plants in the region, including the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, NHK said. More than 18,000 were killed after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami on March 11, 2011, leading to the meltdown of reactors at the Fukushima plant. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

6.3-magnitude quake hits northeastern Japan, no tsunami threat

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-blames-russia-for-inf-pact-demise-vows-measured-response-240181">NATO blames Russia for INF pact demise, vows 'measured' response</a>

NATO blamed Russia on Friday for the demise of a Cold War-era missile treaty and vowed to respond in a "measured and responsible way" to Moscow's deployment of a cruise missile.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cut-short-stay-return-as-soon-as-possible-jammu-and-kashmir-government-to-tourists-amarnath-pilgrims-240198">'Cut short stay, return as soon as possible': Jammu and Kashmir government to tourists, Amarnath pilgrims</a>

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday asked the Amarnath pilgrims to "curtail" their stay in the valley and return as soon as possible after in the wake of inputs of terror threats to the annual yatra.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cafe-coffee-day-founder-vg-siddharthas-primary-postmortem-report-suggests-death-due-to-drowning-no-foul-play-240256">Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha's primary postmortem report suggests death due to drowning, no foul play</a>

The primary postmortem report of Indian coffee baron and founder of Cafe Coffee Day, VG Siddhartha, confirms death due to drowning and has ruled out any foul play.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-formally-withdraws-from-1987-nuclear-pact-with-russia-mike-pompeo-240169">US formally withdraws from 1987 nuclear pact with Russia: Mike Pompeo</a>

The United States formally withdrew from a landmark nuclear missile pact with Russia on Friday after determining that Moscow was in violation of the treaty and had no plans to come into compliance with it.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tsunami-warning-after-magnitude-7-quake-strikes-off-indonesias-sumatra-240254">Tsunami warning after magnitude 7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra</a>

An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

NATO blames Russia for INF pact demise, vows 'measured' response NATO blamed Russia on Friday for the demise of a Cold War-era missile treaty and vowed to respond in a "measured and responsible way" to Moscow's deployment of a cruise missile.

NATO blames Russia for INF pact demise, vows 'measured' response NATO blamed Russia on Friday for the demise of a Cold War-era missile treaty and vowed to respond in a "measured and responsible way" to Moscow's deployment of a cruise missile. 'Cut short stay, return as soon as possible': Jammu and Kashmir government to tourists, Amarnath pilgrims The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday asked the Amarnath pilgrims to "curtail" their stay in the valley and return as soon as possible after in the wake of inputs of terror threats to the annual yatra. Cafe Coffee Day founder VG Siddhartha's primary postmortem report suggests death due to drowning, no foul play The primary postmortem report of Indian coffee baron and founder of Cafe Coffee Day, VG Siddhartha, confirms death due to drowning and has ruled out any foul play. US formally withdraws from 1987 nuclear pact with Russia: Mike Pompeo The United States formally withdrew from a landmark nuclear missile pact with Russia on Friday after determining that Moscow was in violation of the treaty and had no plans to come into compliance with it. Tsunami warning after magnitude 7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The Indonesian geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake, which the USGS said had hit at a depth of 59 km (37 miles), about 227 km (141 miles) from the city of Teluk Betung on the island.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/undersea-quake-near-indonesias-bali-causes-panic-minor-damage-236286">Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity</a> due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people with another thousand declared missing.

On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.&nbsp;

An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The Indonesian geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake, which the USGS said had hit at a depth of 59 km (37 miles), about 227 km (141 miles) from the city of Teluk Betung on the island.

An earthquake of magnitude 7 struck off Indonesia's island of Sumatra on Friday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The Indonesian geophysics agency issued a tsunami warning after the quake, which the USGS said had hit at a depth of 59 km (37 miles), about 227 km (141 miles) from the city of Teluk Betung on the island. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people with another thousand declared missing. On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

Tsunami warning after magnitude 7 quake strikes off Indonesia's Sumatra

An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck south of Indonesia's Bali on Tuesday, the European earthquake monitoring agency EMSC said, causing minor damage and prompting residents and visitors on the tourist island to briefly flee buildings.

There were no reports of casualties and no tsunami warning issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center or the Indonesian quake monitoring agency.

The epicentre was 102 km (62 miles) southwest of the island capital Denpasar and was 100 km (60 miles) deep, the EMSC said.

The US&nbsp;Geological Survey recorded the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7.

One resident said people in Denpasar ran out of their boarding house in pyjamas after feeling the quake.

A Twitter user with the handle Indounik in the city of Ubud on Bali said the quake was "strong enough to make me adopt the drop, cover &amp; hold approach recommended to survive a quake".

Another Twitter user, Marc van Voorst, described the quake as feeing like "a heavy truck or a train passing by at close range". He said there was no panic, even though his hotel in the Uluwatu area shook quite a bit.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency distributed a photograph of damage at the Lokanatha temple in Denpasar, showing smashed masonry lying on the ground. Bali is a predominantly Hindu enclave in overwhelmingly Muslim Indonesia.

Luis Winarto, a sales administrator at the Mercure Hotel Nusa Dua, said by telephone a small part of the building's roof had been damaged.

"We felt the quake quite strongly...but thankfully no one was hurt and there was only minor damage," he said.

"Everything has gone back to normal now."

There was also minor damage at a school, a house and a temple in different areas on the southern side of Bali, according to online portal Balipost.com.

The quake could also be felt in other cities on the neighbouring islands of Lombok and Java, Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency said in a statement.

A roof of a mosque in the city of Banyuwangi in East Java also partially collapsed, another photo from the disaster mitigation agency showed.

The transport ministry said Bali airport was operating normally.

Indonesia suffers frequent earthquakes, sometimes causing tsunamis, because it lies on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

Its Moluccas islands were hit by a powerful 7.2 quake on Sunday that killed at least two people and prompted hundreds to flee their homes.

The most devastating tremor in recent Indonesian history was on Dec. 26, 2004, when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia.

A tsunami also hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi last year, killing thousands.

An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck south of Indonesia's Bali on Tuesday, the European earthquake monitoring agency EMSC said, causing minor damage and prompting residents and visitors on the tourist island to briefly flee buildings.

An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck south of Indonesia's Bali on Tuesday, the European earthquake monitoring agency EMSC said, causing minor damage and prompting residents and visitors on the tourist island to briefly flee buildings. There were no reports of casualties and no tsunami warning issued by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center or the Indonesian quake monitoring agency. The epicentre was 102 km (62 miles) southwest of the island capital Denpasar and was 100 km (60 miles) deep, the EMSC said. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7. One resident said people in Denpasar ran out of their boarding house in pyjamas after feeling the quake. A Twitter user with the handle Indounik in the city of Ubud on Bali said the quake was "strong enough to make me adopt the drop, cover & hold approach recommended to survive a quake". Another Twitter user, Marc van Voorst, described the quake as feeing like "a heavy truck or a train passing by at close range". He said there was no panic, even though his hotel in the Uluwatu area shook quite a bit. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency distributed a photograph of damage at the Lokanatha temple in Denpasar, showing smashed masonry lying on the ground. Bali is a predominantly Hindu enclave in overwhelmingly Muslim Indonesia. Luis Winarto, a sales administrator at the Mercure Hotel Nusa Dua, said by telephone a small part of the building's roof had been damaged. "We felt the quake quite strongly...but thankfully no one was hurt and there was only minor damage," he said. "Everything has gone back to normal now." There was also minor damage at a school, a house and a temple in different areas on the southern side of Bali, according to online portal Balipost.com. The quake could also be felt in other cities on the neighbouring islands of Lombok and Java, Indonesia's meteorology and geophysics agency said in a statement. A roof of a mosque in the city of Banyuwangi in East Java also partially collapsed, another photo from the disaster mitigation agency showed. The transport ministry said Bali airport was operating normally. Indonesia suffers frequent earthquakes, sometimes causing tsunamis, because it lies on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire. Its Moluccas islands were hit by a powerful 7.2 quake on Sunday that killed at least two people and prompted hundreds to flee their homes. The most devastating tremor in recent Indonesian history was on Dec. 26, 2004, when a magnitude 9.5 quake triggered a tsunami that killed around 226,000 people along the shorelines of the Indian Ocean, including more than 126,000 in Indonesia. A tsunami also hit the city of Palu in Sulawesi last year, killing thousands.

Undersea quake near Indonesia's Bali causes panic, minor damage

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quake-with-73-magnitude-strikes-in-eastern-indonesia-usgs-235741">7.3-magnitude earthquake</a> hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said.

The shallow quake struck about 165 kilometres (100 miles) south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm (0928 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey.

In South Halmahera district, the closest area to the epicentre, around 160 houses collapsed when the shallow earthquake struck. A woman was confirmed dead in the disaster.

"The victim was hit by the debris when her house collapsed," local disaster mitigation agency official Ihksan Subur told AFP Monday, adding no other casualties have been reported.

Hundreds of people are still sheltering in several schools, government buildings and higher grounds.

"The aftershocks still happen very frequently so people are still traumatised and don't dare to return home just yet," Subur said.

Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said until Monday morning at least 52 aftershocks have been recorded after the initial quake.

Local government officials have started to distribute logistics and food for the evacuees.

North Maluku province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage or casualties were reported.

Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide.

Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing.

On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.&nbsp;

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said.

At least one person has been found dead and hundreds were evacuated after a major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia on Sunday, an official said. The shallow quake struck about 165 kilometres (100 miles) south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm (0928 GMT), according to the US Geological Survey. In South Halmahera district, the closest area to the epicentre, around 160 houses collapsed when the shallow earthquake struck. A woman was confirmed dead in the disaster. "The victim was hit by the debris when her house collapsed," local disaster mitigation agency official Ihksan Subur told AFP Monday, adding no other casualties have been reported. Hundreds of people are still sheltering in several schools, government buildings and higher grounds. "The aftershocks still happen very frequently so people are still traumatised and don't dare to return home just yet," Subur said. Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said until Monday morning at least 52 aftershocks have been recorded after the initial quake. Local government officials have started to distribute logistics and food for the evacuees. North Maluku province was also hit by a 6.9-magnitude tremor last week but no extensive damage or casualties were reported. Indonesia experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide. Last year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island killed more than 2,200 people, with another thousand declared missing. On December 26, 2004, a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 across the Indian Ocean region, including around 170,000 in Indonesia.

One dies, hundreds evacuated after 7.3 quake in Indonesia

A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northwest Australia Sunday, shaking buildings over a wide area but causing no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The shallow quake hit early Sunday afternoon 10 kilometres under the Indian Ocean 203 kilometres (126 miles) west of the West Australian beach resort of Broome, the US Geological Survey said. No tsunami alert was issued.

Sergeant Neil Gordon of the Broome police department said the quake rattled the city for more than a minute.

"The building here was shaking for about a minute and a half ... a steady shaking for that period of time," he told AFP by telephone.

He added that there had been "no reports of any injuries or any damage throughout the district," following the tremor.

The national broadcaster ABC said there were some reports of minor damage from the quake, and no injuries.

Australian media said the tremor was felt across a long stretch of the northwestern coast of Australia, from the West Australian capital of Perth and the mining centres of Karatha and Port Hedland to the south and as far as Darwin to the north.&nbsp;

A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northwest Australia Sunday, shaking buildings over a wide area but causing no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off northwest Australia Sunday, shaking buildings over a wide area but causing no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The shallow quake hit early Sunday afternoon 10 kilometres under the Indian Ocean 203 kilometres (126 miles) west of the West Australian beach resort of Broome, the US Geological Survey said. No tsunami alert was issued. Sergeant Neil Gordon of the Broome police department said the quake rattled the city for more than a minute. "The building here was shaking for about a minute and a half ... a steady shaking for that period of time," he told AFP by telephone. He added that there had been "no reports of any injuries or any damage throughout the district," following the tremor. The national broadcaster ABC said there were some reports of minor damage from the quake, and no injuries. Australian media said the tremor was felt across a long stretch of the northwestern coast of Australia, from the West Australian capital of Perth and the mining centres of Karatha and Port Hedland to the south and as far as Darwin to the north.

Strong 6.6 quake hits off northwest Australia: US Geological Survey

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/78-dead-200-badly-hurt-in-heavy-floods-in-eastern-china-1029">A tornado swept through</a> the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on Wednesday, killing six and injuring 190, the state broadcaster said, amid a series of "extreme" weather events that government forecasters have linked to climate change.

The tornado damaged nearly 3,600 homes and affected more than 9,900 residents in Kaiyuan, a city of around half-a-million people, according to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-china-of-serious-consequences-if-hong-kong-rights-not-honoured-232315">China </a>Central Television.

Footage posted by CCTV on its official Weibo account shows dozens of flattened buildings in an economic development zone in Kaiyuan.

China's Global Times newspaper said that tornadoes were rarely seen in the area.

The country's weather bureau on Tuesday said that climate change could cause more extreme weather events, following floods, drought and extremely high temperatures in some regions this year.

It said rainfall had broken records in some areas and that as many as 40 weather stations had this year registered their hottest temperatures ever.

The northern Chinese province of Hebei issued an extreme heat 'red alert' on Thursday, with temperatures set to soar beyond 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in its major cities and putting the area's corn crop at risk, the local government said.

The government of Hebei said on its official website that the cities of Baoding, Shijiazhuang, Hengshui, Cangzhou, Xingtai and Handan were all expected to see temperatures above 40C on Thursday.

The local weather bureau also warned that the extreme heat and drought in the province were likely to affect its corn crop. Hebei, which surrounds the capital Beijing, is among China's biggest producers of the grain.

Rainfall in the province has declined 23.9% compared to the average in the second quarter of 2019, the local Hebei Daily reported.

Cities in Hebei have been deploying sprinklers mounted on trucks to try to keep temperatures down, putting further pressure on water supplies.

A heat wave that has swept across northern China, including the capital Beijing, is expected to last until next week, the Hebei Daily said, citing the local weather bureau.

In a joint statement with France and the United Nations released on Saturday, China promised to show the "highest possible ambition" when it comes to fighting global warming, with higher targets to cut carbon emissions expected next year.

A tornado swept through the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on Wednesday, killing six and injuring 190, the state broadcaster said, amid a series of "extreme" weather events that government forecasters have linked to climate change.

A tornado swept through the northeastern Chinese province of Liaoning on Wednesday, killing six and injuring 190, the state broadcaster said, amid a series of "extreme" weather events that government forecasters have linked to climate change. The tornado damaged nearly 3,600 homes and affected more than 9,900 residents in Kaiyuan, a city of around half-a-million people, according to China Central Television. Footage posted by CCTV on its official Weibo account shows dozens of flattened buildings in an economic development zone in Kaiyuan. China's Global Times newspaper said that tornadoes were rarely seen in the area. The country's weather bureau on Tuesday said that climate change could cause more extreme weather events, following floods, drought and extremely high temperatures in some regions this year. It said rainfall had broken records in some areas and that as many as 40 weather stations had this year registered their hottest temperatures ever. The northern Chinese province of Hebei issued an extreme heat 'red alert' on Thursday, with temperatures set to soar beyond 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in its major cities and putting the area's corn crop at risk, the local government said. The government of Hebei said on its official website that the cities of Baoding, Shijiazhuang, Hengshui, Cangzhou, Xingtai and Handan were all expected to see temperatures above 40C on Thursday. The local weather bureau also warned that the extreme heat and drought in the province were likely to affect its corn crop. Hebei, which surrounds the capital Beijing, is among China's biggest producers of the grain. Rainfall in the province has declined 23.9% compared to the average in the second quarter of 2019, the local Hebei Daily reported. Cities in Hebei have been deploying sprinklers mounted on trucks to try to keep temperatures down, putting further pressure on water supplies. A heat wave that has swept across northern China, including the capital Beijing, is expected to last until next week, the Hebei Daily said, citing the local weather bureau. In a joint statement with France and the United Nations released on Saturday, China promised to show the "highest possible ambition" when it comes to fighting global warming, with higher targets to cut carbon emissions expected next year.

Tornado hits northeast China; six killed, several injured

A powerful, deep <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/earthquake-of-75-magnitude-hits-remote-area-of-indonesia-229871">7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coasts of East Timor and Indonesia</a> on Monday and was felt as far away as Australia, but authorities said it did not have the potential to cause a tsunami.

Strong shaking caused alarm in the East Timor capital of Dili prompting people to run out of their houses, a Reuters witness said, but there were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or deaths.

The quake struck in the Banda Sea in Indonesia and was felt across northern Australia. In Darwin, around 700km (435 miles) away from the epicentre, it hit at lunchtime and office workers sought safety outside. No damage or injuries were reported.

"It's probably one of the strongest I've felt in my time here in Darwin," Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Chris Kent told ABC Radio Darwin.

"We ended up wandering outside for about 15 minutes to let things settle down," he said.

ConocoPhillips, operator of the Darwin LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant, and Inpex, operator of Ichthys LNG onshore facilities, both said their sites were operating normally following the tremor.

The quake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.2, was at a depth 220 km (136 miles), the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Due to the quake's depth, there was no tsunami threat, said the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The Indonesian geophysics agency recorded at least one aftershock measuring over magnitude four on the Richter scale.

The quake was also felt on Indonesia's holiday island of Bali, several people said on social media. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injury in Indonesia, said Rita Rosita, an official of the national disaster mitigation agency.

Earlier on Monday, a strong quake of magnitude 6.1 struck the eastern province of Papua but no deaths were reported.

A powerful, deep 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coasts of East Timor and Indonesia on Monday and was felt as far away as Australia, but authorities said it did not have the potential to cause a tsunami.

A powerful, deep 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coasts of East Timor and Indonesia on Monday and was felt as far away as Australia, but authorities said it did not have the potential to cause a tsunami. Strong shaking caused alarm in the East Timor capital of Dili prompting people to run out of their houses, a Reuters witness said, but there were no immediate reports of damage, injuries or deaths. The quake struck in the Banda Sea in Indonesia and was felt across northern Australia. In Darwin, around 700km (435 miles) away from the epicentre, it hit at lunchtime and office workers sought safety outside. No damage or injuries were reported. "It's probably one of the strongest I've felt in my time here in Darwin," Australian Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Chris Kent told ABC Radio Darwin. "We ended up wandering outside for about 15 minutes to let things settle down," he said. ConocoPhillips, operator of the Darwin LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant, and Inpex, operator of Ichthys LNG onshore facilities, both said their sites were operating normally following the tremor. The quake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 7.2, was at a depth 220 km (136 miles), the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. Due to the quake's depth, there was no tsunami threat, said the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The Indonesian geophysics agency recorded at least one aftershock measuring over magnitude four on the Richter scale. The quake was also felt on Indonesia's holiday island of Bali, several people said on social media. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injury in Indonesia, said Rita Rosita, an official of the national disaster mitigation agency. Earlier on Monday, a strong quake of magnitude 6.1 struck the eastern province of Papua but no deaths were reported.

Quake of magnitude 7.5 shakes East Timor, Australia; no tsunami feared

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says.

New Zealand’s Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management cleared New Zealand of a tsunami threat moments after issuing a beach warning.&nbsp;

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There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ. <a href="https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr">https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr</a>
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The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit a spot about 873 kilometres (541 miles) northeast of Ngunguru, New Zealand, a town of about 1,400 people. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

The area the quake struck is called the Kermadec Islands, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) northeast of New Zealand’s North Island.

The Kermadec Islands, a volcanic archipelago, are prone to earthquakes. The islands are a dependency of New Zealand and lie at the western edge of the Kermadec Trench.

Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and&nbsp;a 7.6 in 2007.&nbsp;

In 2011,&nbsp;two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the uninhabited Kermadec islands northeast of New Zealand Sunday, Civil Defence authorities of the country says. New Zealand’s Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management cleared New Zealand of a tsunami threat moments after issuing a beach warning. There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake. Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ. https://t.co/ccVFYQQoBr — MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) June 15, 2019 × The US Geological Survey said the earthquake hit a spot about 873 kilometres (541 miles) northeast of Ngunguru, New Zealand, a town of about 1,400 people. It occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles). The area the quake struck is called the Kermadec Islands, about 800 kilometers (497 miles) northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. The Kermadec Islands, a volcanic archipelago, are prone to earthquakes. The islands are a dependency of New Zealand and lie at the western edge of the Kermadec Trench. Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and a 7.6 in 2007. In 2011, two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart. (With inputs from agencies)

Powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand; no tsunami threat

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ancient-papua-new-guinea-skull-called-oldest-known-tsunami-victim-22951">coast of Papua New Guinea</a> on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The shallow quake occurred 44 kilometres (27 miles) northeast of Kokopo in PNG, the USGS said.

"It was massive, absolutely massive. Very scary," Megan Martin, the managing director of the Ropopo Plantation resort in Kokopo, told AFP.

"There does not appear to be any damage, but we are out checking."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters... hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kms (620 miles) of the earthquake epicentre."&nbsp;

"Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation procedures and the level of threat.

The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of regular seismic activity.

In February last year, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed 150 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with hazardous tsunami waves possible, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. The shallow quake occurred 44 kilometres (27 miles) northeast of Kokopo in PNG, the USGS said. "It was massive, absolutely massive. Very scary," Megan Martin, the managing director of the Ropopo Plantation resort in Kokopo, told AFP. "There does not appear to be any damage, but we are out checking." The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: "Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters... hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kms (620 miles) of the earthquake epicentre." "Government agencies responsible for threatened coastal areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation procedures and the level of threat. The reported epicentre lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of regular seismic activity. In February last year, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea killed 150 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

Hazardous tsunami waves possible after Papua New Guinea quake: USGS

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/looking-at-north-korea-situation-very-seriously-nobodys-happy-about-it-trump-217360">Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump</a>

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/an-all-english-affair-at-europa-arsenal-chelsea-book-final-berth-217357">An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth</a>

&nbsp;A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-chinese-officials-meet-for-trade-talks-trumps-tariffs-on-china-set-to-take-effect-217361">As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect</a>

Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-63-magnitude-quake-hits-southern-japan-no-tsunami-threat-217364">Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat</a>

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-8-dead-in-baghdad-suicide-bombing-security-official-217368">At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official</a>

At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles.

Looking at North Korea situation very seriously, nobody's happy about it: Trump President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was studying the situation in North Korea "very seriously," after Pyongyang welcomed a US envoy's visit to Seoul by firing two missiles. An all-English affair at Europa: Arsenal, Chelsea book final berth A hat-trick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and an Alexandre Lacazette strike booked Arsenal's place in the Europa League final with a 4-2 win at Valencia on Thursday to seal an emphatic 7-3 aggregate victory. As US, Chinese officials meet for trade talks, Trump's tariffs on China set to take effect Top US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded the first of two days of talks on Thursday to rescue a trade deal that is close to collapsing as Washington prepares to go ahead with plans to hike tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of goods imported from China. Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat. At least 8 dead in Baghdad suicide bombing: Security official At least eight people were killed and 15 wounded in a suicide bombing at a market in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, a security official said.

A strong 6.3-magnitude <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/rebuilding-lives-after-earthquake-9">earthquake</a> hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat.

The quake struck at 8:48 am (2348 GMT Thursday) in Pacific waters nearly 40 kilometres (25 miles) east-southeast of Miyazaki city at a depth of 24 km, according to the agency.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage.

The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, prompting public broadcaster NHK to switch to special programming on the situation in the southern Kyushu region, including Miyazaki.

The initial quake was followed by another, of 5.1 magnitude, at 9:07 am (0007 GMT) in the same area, according to the USGS.

Local media reported no damage in Miyazaki and its surrounding areas.

Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat. The quake struck at 8:48 am (2348 GMT Thursday) in Pacific waters nearly 40 kilometres (25 miles) east-southeast of Miyazaki city at a depth of 24 km, according to the agency.

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan Friday, the US Geological Survey said, but Japanese authorities said there was no tsunami threat. The quake struck at 8:48 am (2348 GMT Thursday) in Pacific waters nearly 40 kilometres (25 miles) east-southeast of Miyazaki city at a depth of 24 km, according to the agency. The Japan Meteorological Agency said there were no worries about tsunami damage. The weather agency issued an emergency warning when the quake hit, prompting public broadcaster NHK to switch to special programming on the situation in the southern Kyushu region, including Miyazaki. The initial quake was followed by another, of 5.1 magnitude, at 9:07 am (0007 GMT) in the same area, according to the USGS. Local media reported no damage in Miyazaki and its surrounding areas. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year.

Strong 6.3-magnitude quake hits southern Japan, no tsunami threat

The operator of Japan's crippled<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-japan-scientists-study-radioactive-fukushima-particles-202064&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiYwLat6dHhAhVIinAKHXXPAQ0QFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3YDfnblUJqPHzqdkzIOBS2"> Fukushima</a> power plant on Monday began removing atomic fuel from inside a building housing one of the reactors that melted down in 2011.

The delicate operation represents the first time the Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) has pulled out fuel rods from inside a highly contaminated building containing the melted-down reactor and comes four years behind schedule.

Due to high radiation levels, technicians used remote-controlled equipment to haul fuel from a "storage pool" inside the building.

Operations were briefly suspended early Monday afternoon after a problem with the equipment removing the fuel but resumed shortly afterwards.

"We finally started this work. We will spend two years removing 566 units of fuel from reactor three," said Takahiro Kimoto, a TEPCO spokesman.

TEPCO removed four units as planned on Monday, with workers continuing to remove debris that has fallen inside the pool and other areas, Kimoto told reporters.

"Factors such as removal of debris and various troubles have caused delays, which we realise have caused significant worries to people in the region and others," Kimoto said.

"Putting safety as our priority, we will carefully continue this work," he promised.

Engineers have had to contend with clearing earthquake debris inside the building and an array of other technical challenges, said TEPCO spokeswoman Yuka Matsubara.

"We had to proceed carefully (to remove debris), and we needed to take measures as dust would waft up and increase radiation readings," she told AFP.

TEPCO engineers will not yet attempt to extract molten nuclear fuel that remains deep inside the mangled reactor. This is considered the most difficult part of the massive clean-up operation and is not expected to begin until 2021.

'Reconstruction plan'&nbsp;

In February, TEPCO sent a remote-controlled probe to pick up pebble-sized pieces of the melted fuel in a bid to find out whether the material could be moved.&nbsp;

The next step in that painstaking process will be to remove some of the fuel as a sample, which is scheduled to happen by March 2020.

The company also faces other difficult challenges, including working out how to dispose of large quantities of contaminated water stored in containers at the plant site.

In the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986, reactors one, two and three at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant melted down after a deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011.

The tsunami killed around 18,000 people and caused widespread devastation, and the nuclear meltdown forced the evacuation of areas near the plant.

Reactors four through six were offline at the time of the disaster for inspections and did not suffer meltdowns, through reactor four was damaged by an explosion in the days after the tsunami.

In December 2014, TEPCO finished removing all 1,535 units of nuclear fuel kept inside the storage pool at reactor four.

The company aims to conduct the same operations for the buildings for reactor one and two by 2023 as part of a four-decade plan to dismantle the entire Fukushima plant.

Japan's government has pushed a reconstruction plan for the surrounding region that includes decontaminating affected areas and removing topsoil.

This month, an evacuation order was lifted for part of Okuma, one of two towns where the nuclear plant is located.

But regions affected by the disaster have struggled to attract back residents who fled in the wake of the meltdown, with many still concerned about radiation despite government assurances.

The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima power plant on Monday began removing atomic fuel from inside a building housing one of the reactors that melted down in 2011.

The operator of Japan's crippled Fukushima power plant on Monday began removing atomic fuel from inside a building housing one of the reactors that melted down in 2011. The delicate operation represents the first time the Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) has pulled out fuel rods from inside a highly contaminated building containing the melted-down reactor and comes four years behind schedule. Due to high radiation levels, technicians used remote-controlled equipment to haul fuel from a "storage pool" inside the building. Operations were briefly suspended early Monday afternoon after a problem with the equipment removing the fuel but resumed shortly afterwards. "We finally started this work. We will spend two years removing 566 units of fuel from reactor three," said Takahiro Kimoto, a TEPCO spokesman. TEPCO removed four units as planned on Monday, with workers continuing to remove debris that has fallen inside the pool and other areas, Kimoto told reporters. "Factors such as removal of debris and various troubles have caused delays, which we realise have caused significant worries to people in the region and others," Kimoto said. "Putting safety as our priority, we will carefully continue this work," he promised. Engineers have had to contend with clearing earthquake debris inside the building and an array of other technical challenges, said TEPCO spokeswoman Yuka Matsubara. "We had to proceed carefully (to remove debris), and we needed to take measures as dust would waft up and increase radiation readings," she told AFP. TEPCO engineers will not yet attempt to extract molten nuclear fuel that remains deep inside the mangled reactor. This is considered the most difficult part of the massive clean-up operation and is not expected to begin until 2021. 'Reconstruction plan' In February, TEPCO sent a remote-controlled probe to pick up pebble-sized pieces of the melted fuel in a bid to find out whether the material could be moved. The next step in that painstaking process will be to remove some of the fuel as a sample, which is scheduled to happen by March 2020. The company also faces other difficult challenges, including working out how to dispose of large quantities of contaminated water stored in containers at the plant site. In the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986, reactors one, two and three at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant melted down after a deadly earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011. The tsunami killed around 18,000 people and caused widespread devastation, and the nuclear meltdown forced the evacuation of areas near the plant. Reactors four through six were offline at the time of the disaster for inspections and did not suffer meltdowns, through reactor four was damaged by an explosion in the days after the tsunami. In December 2014, TEPCO finished removing all 1,535 units of nuclear fuel kept inside the storage pool at reactor four. The company aims to conduct the same operations for the buildings for reactor one and two by 2023 as part of a four-decade plan to dismantle the entire Fukushima plant. Japan's government has pushed a reconstruction plan for the surrounding region that includes decontaminating affected areas and removing topsoil. This month, an evacuation order was lifted for part of Okuma, one of two towns where the nuclear plant is located. But regions affected by the disaster have struggled to attract back residents who fled in the wake of the meltdown, with many still concerned about radiation despite government assurances.

Nuclear fuel removed from crippled Japan plant

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quake-of-magnitude-7-strikes-indonesias-island-of-sulawesi-us-geological-survey-209845"> tsunami</a> warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday.

Aftershocks rippled across the east coast of<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-54-magnitude-earthquake-strikes-sulawesi-island-205182&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj0msrry8zhAhUIso8KHYEEDEEQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3IEXGSAtfoh6t8qIqz2iF9"> Sulawesi</a> -- an island where thousands were killed in a quake-tsunami last year -- as officials scrambled to assess whether there are any casualties or major damage.

While one resident of quake-hit Luwuk city reportedly died after falling while trying to flee, the agency has not reported any confirmed deaths or injuries.&nbsp;

An AFP reporter in the city said there were no signs of major property damage.

"The situation is returning to normal," the disaster agency said early Saturday morning.

Some 1,300 families have returned home, it said, adding that some residents of another small island near the epicentre of Friday's 6.8 magnitude quake were still refusing to return from higher ground.

It did not say how many residents had refused to leave the high ground.

Luwuk resident Emiliana Rumayer said she and her family slept in the hills overnight "but we've now returned home".

Mohammad Sholeh, police chief of Poso city on Sulawesi, said the quake's impact there had been minor.

"There's a little bit of damage, but nothing significant and there are no casualties," he said.

On Friday, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal communities in Morowali district, where residents were advised to move away from the coast.

The warning was later lifted by the disaster agency, which had estimated the wave at under a half a metre (20 inches).

Video footage from Luwuk showed scared residents -- some carrying children -- running from their homes and racing to higher ground on motorcycles.

The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off Sulawesi, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year.

Residents of Palu, which is hundreds of kilometres away from Friday's epicentre, still felt the quake.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide.

On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck westernmost Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia.

Last year Indonesia experienced more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday.

Some panicked residents of a quake-hit Indonesian island have refused to return home after the tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning and fears there was more to come, the disaster agency said Saturday. Aftershocks rippled across the east coast of Sulawesi -- an island where thousands were killed in a quake-tsunami last year -- as officials scrambled to assess whether there are any casualties or major damage. While one resident of quake-hit Luwuk city reportedly died after falling while trying to flee, the agency has not reported any confirmed deaths or injuries. An AFP reporter in the city said there were no signs of major property damage. "The situation is returning to normal," the disaster agency said early Saturday morning. Some 1,300 families have returned home, it said, adding that some residents of another small island near the epicentre of Friday's 6.8 magnitude quake were still refusing to return from higher ground. It did not say how many residents had refused to leave the high ground. Luwuk resident Emiliana Rumayer said she and her family slept in the hills overnight "but we've now returned home". Mohammad Sholeh, police chief of Poso city on Sulawesi, said the quake's impact there had been minor. "There's a little bit of damage, but nothing significant and there are no casualties," he said. On Friday, a tsunami warning was issued for coastal communities in Morowali district, where residents were advised to move away from the coast. The warning was later lifted by the disaster agency, which had estimated the wave at under a half a metre (20 inches). Video footage from Luwuk showed scared residents -- some carrying children -- running from their homes and racing to higher ground on motorcycles. The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 17 kilometres (10 miles) off Sulawesi, where a 7.5-magnitude quake-tsunami around the city of Palu killed more than 4,300 people last year. Residents of Palu, which is hundreds of kilometres away from Friday's epicentre, still felt the quake. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. On Boxing Day 2004, a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck westernmost Aceh province, causing a tsunami and killing more than 170,000 in Indonesia. Last year Indonesia experienced more than 2,500 disasters ranging from a series of deadly earthquakes to killer landslides and volcanic eruptions.

Quake-hit Indonesians refuse to leave high ground: official

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit Ecuador Friday but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

The quake struck before dawn in Ecuador's eastern Amazon region 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the town of Montalvo near the border with Peru, the US Geological Survey said.

It hit at a depth of 132 kilometers. Most major earthquakes in South America are at shallow depths of 70 kilometers or less, the USGS said.

There were two aftershocks, one in the same area and with a magnitude of just over 6.0, Ecuador's Geophysics Institute said. It gave the same 7.5 magnitude for the big quake.

"We have no reports of injuries so far, just some broken windows," said Tarcisio Ojeda, mayor of the town of Macas, in Morona Santiago province where the quake hit.

Emergency rescue teams were activated.

The other aftershock hit the Pacific coast region of Guayas but it did not do any harm either, President Lenin Moreno said on Twitter.

None of three tremors had the right features to trigger a tsunami alert, the Navy's Oceanographic Institute said.

In 2016 a quake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit the western provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, killing 673 people and causing an estimated $3 billion in damage.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit Ecuador Friday but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The quake struck before dawn in Ecuador's eastern Amazon region 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the town of Montalvo near the border with Peru, the US Geological Survey said.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit Ecuador Friday but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. The quake struck before dawn in Ecuador's eastern Amazon region 17 kilometers (10 miles) from the town of Montalvo near the border with Peru, the US Geological Survey said. It hit at a depth of 132 kilometers. Most major earthquakes in South America are at shallow depths of 70 kilometers or less, the USGS said. There were two aftershocks, one in the same area and with a magnitude of just over 6.0, Ecuador's Geophysics Institute said. It gave the same 7.5 magnitude for the big quake. "We have no reports of injuries so far, just some broken windows," said Tarcisio Ojeda, mayor of the town of Macas, in Morona Santiago province where the quake hit. Emergency rescue teams were activated. The other aftershock hit the Pacific coast region of Guayas but it did not do any harm either, President Lenin Moreno said on Twitter. None of three tremors had the right features to trigger a tsunami alert, the Navy's Oceanographic Institute said. In 2016 a quake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit the western provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, killing 673 people and causing an estimated $3 billion in damage.

Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits Peru-Ecuador border region; no tsunami warning

She is a Thai princess who became a champion sailor, married a foreign commoner, earned two degrees in the United States, starred in a soap opera and tragically lost her son in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Thailand's Princess <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/thai-kings-sister-nominated-for-pm-in-march-polls-in-unprecedented-move-195919">Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi </a>on Friday set her sights on a new role: prime minister of the Southeast Asian kingdom as a candidate for a party loyal to ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, arch-rival to the pro-military and ardently royalist establishment.

But her <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/legal-doubts-raised-after-thai-kings-sister-confirms-pm-bid-196103">bid to enter politics</a> - and thereby break a long-standing tradition of the royalty - looked likely to be cut short just hours after it had begun.

Her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, late on Friday moved to block her candidacy, saying her involvement in politics was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/move-to-make-princess-pm-inappropriate-and-unconstitutional-thai-king-196119">"inappropriate" and unconstitutional</a>.

Ubolratana said in an Instagram post earlier it was her right as a citizen to accept the nomination which could see her becoming prime minister after a March 24 general election.

She has disregarded royal tradition before - most notably by marrying an American fellow student, Peter Jensen while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when she was 21 years old.

The princess was required to give up the titles Her Royal Highness and Chao Fa (Lady of the Sky), which were bestowed on her birth in 1951 in Switzerland, where her father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was attending university.

After her marriage and 1973 graduation from MIT, she moved with her family to California and used the name, Julie Jensen, earning a master's degree in public health at the University of California, Los Angeles.

She had three children - daughter Ploypailin Jensen, son Bhumi Jensen and younger daughter Sirikitiya Mai Jensen.

She lived in the United States for years, though frequently visited her parents, the much-revered King Bhumibol, who died in 2016, and Queen Sirikit.

Ubolratana grew up close to her father and during her teens shared his love of sports, becoming his favourite partner in tennis, badminton and small-boat sailing. The pair shared a gold medal in sailing at Southeast Asian games in 1967.

Her trips back to Thailand became more frequent in the 1990s when she began joining the queen at charity events and balls.

She appeared on the covers of Thai magazines, at society parties and fashion events and founded a charity for children orphaned by HIV-related illnesses.

Ubolratana and Jensen divorced in 1998, and she brought their three children back to Thailand to resume her royal duties.

The children received Thai citizenship and were treated like royals. She was increasingly included in royal ceremonies and used the royal title "Tunkramom Ying", meaning "Daughter to the Queen Regent".

Tragedy

But perhaps because she had relinquished her formal royal titles, Ubolratana appeared less bound by the formalities of the court.

She launched an anti-drug foundation for at-risk youth and teens, for which she occasionally sings and dances at awareness-raising programmes.

Ubolratana also starred as a historical princess in a 2003 Thai soap opera set in the Ayutthaya period of the 14th to 18th centuries, and in an action movie in which she played a tough journalist facing danger as she works to uncover a dastardly plot.

But her new life in Thailand was marred by tragedy in 2004 by the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in Asia. When the tsunami struck, Ubolratana was on holiday with two of her children at a southern beach resort.

They fled the giant waves but her 21-year-old son Bhumi was swept away and died.

Ubolratana mourned and threw herself into charity work.

Her entry into politics has come as a shock to many, but in recent years there had been signs of closeness to exiled ex-prime minister Thaksin, who was deposed in a 2006 coup and whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as an elected prime minister until the latest coup in 2014.

Ubolratana and Thaksin's daughter exchanged public messages of support on social media after her father, King Bhumibol, died in 2016 and her brother assumed the throne.

In 2018, images of Ubolratana, Thaksin and Yingluck watching a World Cup soccer match together in Russia appeared on social media.

More recently, Ubolratana appeared to be signalling a closeness to ordinary folk on her Instagram account, with posts in past weeks showing her enjoying street food and complaining about a spell of heavy pollution in Bangkok.&nbsp;

She is a Thai princess who became a champion sailor, married a foreign commoner, earned two degrees in the United States, starred in a soap opera and tragically lost her son in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

She is a Thai princess who became a champion sailor, married a foreign commoner, earned two degrees in the United States, starred in a soap opera and tragically lost her son in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Thailand's Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi on Friday set her sights on a new role: prime minister of the Southeast Asian kingdom as a candidate for a party loyal to ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, arch-rival to the pro-military and ardently royalist establishment. But her bid to enter politics - and thereby break a long-standing tradition of the royalty - looked likely to be cut short just hours after it had begun. Her brother, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, late on Friday moved to block her candidacy, saying her involvement in politics was "inappropriate" and unconstitutional. Ubolratana said in an Instagram post earlier it was her right as a citizen to accept the nomination which could see her becoming prime minister after a March 24 general election. She has disregarded royal tradition before - most notably by marrying an American fellow student, Peter Jensen while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) when she was 21 years old. The princess was required to give up the titles Her Royal Highness and Chao Fa (Lady of the Sky), which were bestowed on her birth in 1951 in Switzerland, where her father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, was attending university. After her marriage and 1973 graduation from MIT, she moved with her family to California and used the name, Julie Jensen, earning a master's degree in public health at the University of California, Los Angeles. She had three children - daughter Ploypailin Jensen, son Bhumi Jensen and younger daughter Sirikitiya Mai Jensen. She lived in the United States for years, though frequently visited her parents, the much-revered King Bhumibol, who died in 2016, and Queen Sirikit. Ubolratana grew up close to her father and during her teens shared his love of sports, becoming his favourite partner in tennis, badminton and small-boat sailing. The pair shared a gold medal in sailing at Southeast Asian games in 1967. Her trips back to Thailand became more frequent in the 1990s when she began joining the queen at charity events and balls. She appeared on the covers of Thai magazines, at society parties and fashion events and founded a charity for children orphaned by HIV-related illnesses. Ubolratana and Jensen divorced in 1998, and she brought their three children back to Thailand to resume her royal duties. The children received Thai citizenship and were treated like royals. She was increasingly included in royal ceremonies and used the royal title "Tunkramom Ying", meaning "Daughter to the Queen Regent". Tragedy But perhaps because she had relinquished her formal royal titles, Ubolratana appeared less bound by the formalities of the court. She launched an anti-drug foundation for at-risk youth and teens, for which she occasionally sings and dances at awareness-raising programmes. Ubolratana also starred as a historical princess in a 2003 Thai soap opera set in the Ayutthaya period of the 14th to 18th centuries, and in an action movie in which she played a tough journalist facing danger as she works to uncover a dastardly plot. But her new life in Thailand was marred by tragedy in 2004 by the Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people in Asia. When the tsunami struck, Ubolratana was on holiday with two of her children at a southern beach resort. They fled the giant waves but her 21-year-old son Bhumi was swept away and died. Ubolratana mourned and threw herself into charity work. Her entry into politics has come as a shock to many, but in recent years there had been signs of closeness to exiled ex-prime minister Thaksin, who was deposed in a 2006 coup and whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as an elected prime minister until the latest coup in 2014. Ubolratana and Thaksin's daughter exchanged public messages of support on social media after her father, King Bhumibol, died in 2016 and her brother assumed the throne. In 2018, images of Ubolratana, Thaksin and Yingluck watching a World Cup soccer match together in Russia appeared on social media. More recently, Ubolratana appeared to be signalling a closeness to ordinary folk on her Instagram account, with posts in past weeks showing her enjoying street food and complaining about a spell of heavy pollution in Bangkok.

After storied life, Thai princess turned populist aims to be PM

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