News

5.6-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Indonesia's Maluku ProvinceJakarta, 21 Oct (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale struck on Monday Maluku Province in Indonesia.The epicenter of the earthquake occurred 52 km from Labuha town, at a depth of 10 km, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) said.There have been no reports of casualties or material damage due to the earthquake so far.--- Ends/AH ...

5.7-Magnitude Quake Hits San Juan Province in ArgentinaBuenos Aires, 21 Oct (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.7 magnitude on the Richter scale hit San Juan Province in Argentina.The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center said that the earthquake was at a depth of 110 km.So far, there have been no reports of causalities or material damage. --- ...

Earthquake of 5 Magnitude Hits US State of AlaskaWashington, 21 Oct (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale struck on today the coast of Attu Island, in the US State of Alaska.The epicenter of the earthquake occurred 50 km from Attu Station on the island, at a depth of 43.2 km, the US Geological Survey reported.Alaska is located above the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where tectonic plates meet, and the friction of which leads to strong seismic and volcanic activity. --- Ends/AH ...

Earthquake Hits Atacama Region in Chile Santiago, 20 Oct (ONA) --- An earthquake measuring 4.7 magnitude on the Richter scale struck the Atacama region of Chile today. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said in a statement that the epicenter of the earthquake was 69 km from the city of Vallenar in the region, and at a depth of 68.6 km. Chile lies on an area called the "Ring of Fire," an arc of fault lines that surround the Pacific Ocean basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. ----Ends/AG ...

Three Killed, Eight Injured in Mass Shooting in US MississippiWashington, 20 Oct 20 (ONA) --- Three people were killed and eight others injured by gunfire in the US State of Mississippi at an event held to celebrate a school's football win.Two 19-year-olds and a 25-year-old were killed in the incident, which involved at least two shooters, local police said.Those injured had been airlifted to a hospital.Holmes County Sheriff Willie March confirmed to CNN the shooting took place on a trail outside Lexington. --- ...

At least 7 Die in Boat Dock Collapse in US State of Georgia Washington, 20 Oct (ONA) --- At least seven died after part of a boat dock collapsed, sending at least 20 into the Atlantic waters off the coast of the US State of Georgia. The accident also caused multiple injuries. A gangway that was crowded with people waiting for a ferryboat collapsed late Saturday afternoon on the Sapelo Island in Georgia, about 60 miles south of Savannah, said Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which runs the ferry. --- Ends/AG ...

Earthquake Strikes Indonesia's Sulawesi Island Jakarta, October 20 (QNA) --- A 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia's Sulawesi Island today. The epicenter of the earthquake occurred 103 km from Donggala Regency on the Island, at a depth of 34 km, the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) reported. Indonesia is regularly exposed to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire where many tectonic plates meet and cause frequent volcanic and seismic activity. --- Ends/AG ...

Study Discovers New Temperature Conditions in Key Tropical ForestsLondon, 15 Oct (ONA) --- A recent study conducted by researchers from Exeter, Manchester Metropolitan, and Cambridge universities revealed that two-thirds of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are experiencing new temperature conditions due to climate change.KBAs are crucial habitats for various species, and the study analyzed 30 years of temperature data beneath forest canopies worldwide.The findings indicate that 66% of tropical forest KBAs have transitioned to new temperature regimes, with over 40% of ...

Several People Die as Hurricane Milton Hits Florida Washington, 10 Oct (ONA) --- As hurricane Milton made landfall in the US state of Florida, several people died, many homes got destroyed or damaged and more than two million homes lost electricity. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the hurricane's wind speed reached 193 km/h, as it made landfall as a Category 3 storm, making it one of the most dangerous hurricanes the region has recently faced, along with heavy rains and dangerously high tides. The NHC expected Hurricane Milton to move from the Gulf Coast of ...

At Least 22 Killed in Floods, Landslides in BosniaSarajevo, 9 Oct (ONA) —- At least 22 people have been killed in severe floods and landslides which wiped out whole villages across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Officials said that rescuers were still searching for survivors in the area around the heavily damaged southern towns of Konjic and Jablanica, while a local official said that six people were still missing in the village of Buturovic Polje. The devastating floods caused huge damage. A key transport infrastructure connecting central and southern Bosnia has been ...

50 Injured in Bus Collision in Germany's RegensburgBerlin, 8 Oct (ONA) --- Around 50 people were injured in a collision between two buses in the German city of Regensburg today. A police spokesperson said that 13 people were seriously injured, but their conditions are not life-threatening. The accident took place on the Nibelungen Bridge over the Danube River, and authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, the spokesperson said. Approximately 30 police personnel, 110 firefighters, 170 rescue workers, and a rescue helicopter were deployed ...

Antarctica Turning Green Dramatically: Study London, 6 Oct (ONA) --- A new study revealed rapid "greening" of Antarctica, as vegetation on the Antarctic Peninsula has expanded more than tenfold since 1986, spurred by accelerating climate change.Researchers, including those from the University of Exeter, found vegetation cover increased from less than one square kilometer to nearly 12 square kilometers by 2021.This shift aligns with a significant reduction in sea ice over recent years, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience."The plants, mostly mosses, thrive in some of ...

EU, Western Balkans Deepen Cooperation on Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth, Sport Brussels, 2 Oct (ONA)--- Iliana Ivanova, the EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, met with Western Balkan Ministers in Skopje to reinforce collaboration on the Western Balkans Agenda for innovation and education. They emphasized integrating the region into the European Education and Research Areas and the European Innovation Agenda. The EU Growth Plan aims to bolster innovation, support green and digital transitions, and expand educational ...

Chinese Scientists Discover Huge Glacier Western ChinaBeijing, 2 Oct (ONA) --- Chinese scientists have identified the thickest glacier on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, known as Asia's water tower, following the discovery of a nearly 400-meter-thick ice field. The ice field, with a maximum measured thickness of nearly 400 meters, is part of the Purog Kangri Glacier in Tsonyi county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region. The measurement has determined that the Purog Kangri Glacier is now the thickest glacier on the Plateau, replacing the Guliya Ice Cap in Ngari ...

Fairtrade Study Finds Small-Scale Coffee Farms More Sustainable Brasília, 2 Oct (ONA) --- Small-scale coffee farms in Latin America are on average more environmentally friendly than large-scale plantations, new Fairtrade research has revealed. However, large plantations, which often produce coffee using unshaded monoculture, mechanisation and chemical inputs, are in a better position to quickly respond to market and legislative changes. The Fairtrade study, Understanding the Climate and Environmental Impacts of Smallholder Coffee Farming, investigated existing ...

At Least 10 Dead in Thailand Following Explosion on School BusBangkok, 1 Oct (ONA) —- At least 10 people have died in a fire on a school bus in Thailand, local media reported today. Some 38 pupils and six teachers were on their way from Uthan Thani province to Bangkok, 200 kilometres southeast of the Thai capital, when a blast occurred on the bus, the local rescue service was quoted as saying by the ThaiPBC World channel. Only 19 people - 16 pupils and three teachers - were rescued alive from the double-decker bus and taken to hospital, it said, meaning the number ...

Fire on Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula Rages for a Third DayAthens, 1 Oct (ONA) —- More than 400 firefighters were battling a major forest fire in the north of the Greek peninsula of Peloponnese today for the third consecutive day. NASA satellite images showed that the affected area in the Corinth region measured around 5 by 15 kilometres. Five fire-fighting helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft, as well as over 120 fire engines, were in operation this morning. The smoke was so dense that it could be seen as far away as the capital Athens, around 120 kilometres ...

Three Dead in Helicopter Crash in Eastern SpainMadrid, 30 Sep 30 (ONA) --- Three people died when their helicopter collided with power lines near Pucol town, eastern Spain. Emergency services in the region said they had "received news of an accident involving a helicopter which was carrying out inspections on electric lines in Pucol," adding they had sent to the scene a helicopter containing members of a special mountain rescue group and three fire engines, along with ambulances. A large number of firefighters are still in the area assessing electrical hazards, ...

Death Toll from Hurricane Helene in US Rises to 95Washington, 30 Sep (ONA) --- Death toll from Hurricane Helene which hit southeast of the United States has surged to 95, with officials fear still more bodies would be discovered. Authorities in the southeastern US states started a massive cleanup and recovery effort after winds, rain and storm surges from Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused catastrophic flooding from Florida to Virginia. The storm has damaged water systems, communications and critical ...

At Least 100 Dead in Floods and Landslides in NepalKathmandu, 29 Sep (ONA) --- At least 100 people have died over the past two days after intense rainfall in Nepal caused flooding and landslides. Local officials said that the heavy rainfall has led to the closure of major roads and disrupted domestic flight services. They added that the death toll is likely to rise and that many others are still missing. Most of the deaths occurred in the Kathmandu Valley, an area in the capital with a population of 4 million. Floods have halted traffic and normal activities. ...

46 People Drown During Festival in IndiaNew Delhi, 26 Sep (ONA) --- At least 46 people, including 37 children, have drowned while celebrating a festival in eastern India, the AFP reported.The deceased drowned in Bihar state while bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding, an official from the Bihar Disaster Management Department told AFP. ---Ends/Thuraiya/AG ...

Hurricane Helene Is Expected to Strengthen as It Heads Toward US CoastFlorida, US 26 Sep (ONA) --- Hurricane Helene is expected to continue intensifying and getting larger before approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida, the United States of America (USA). Hurricane Helene powered north into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, strengthening slightly on a path that forecasters expect will bring heavy extreme rain, widespread damaging winds a good distance from the storm’s center, and high storm surge to much of Florida’s western shores.Though the forecast is still taking shape, the ...

UN Warns of Continued Sea-Level Rise RisksNew York, 26 Sep (ONA) --- UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned of the ongoing sea level rise, emphasising the urgent need to protect humanity from the devastating consequences of this crisis, which threatens to destroy communities.These remarks were made during the opening of the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on addressing the existential threats posed by sea level rise.The Secretary-General highlighted scientific findings indicating that the global sea level is now rising faster than at any time in the last 3,000 ...

Small Tsunami Hits Japan's Izu Islands After 5.9 EarthquakeTokyo, 24 Sep (ONA) --- A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck near Japan's Izu islands today, triggering a small tsunami with no reported damage.The Japan Meteorological Agency confirmed that a 50 cm (1.6 ft) tsunami reached Hachijo Island, one of the Izu islands, about 40 minutes after the quake.The earthquake occurred undersea near the uninhabited Torishima Island, 600 km (370 miles) south of Tokyo.Although a warning for a 1-meter (3.3 ft) tsunami had been issued for Izu and Ogasawara islands, no significant damage or ...

Six Dead after Record Rain Causes Floods in Japan Tokyo, 23 Sep (ONA) --- Six people died and 10 others are missing after record rainfall caused floods and landslides in parts of Japan's Ishikawa prefecture. The cities of Wajima and Suzu, which are still recovering from a deadly earthquake that devastated the area on 1 January 2024, are among the hardest hit by the deluge, which began last Saturday and continued until today, BBC news reported. Yesterday (Sunday), both cities saw twice the amount of rainfall they typically receive in September in an average year, ...

Forest Fires Rage in Colombia Amid Severe Drought Bogota, 23 Sep (ONA) --- Amid a drought affecting much of Latin America, Colombian authorities are battling forest fires across seven departments The Colombian National Unit for Risk and Disaster Management reported that nearly 11,000 hectares (27,000 acres) have been consumed by flames.Fires are concentrated in areas bordering Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, all of which are experiencing similar challenges. In response, Colombia deployed eight aircraft to combat a fire in Nagataima, where two people sustained ...

Seismologists Warn of Future Possible Volcano EruptionsManila, 22 Sep (ONA) --- The Philippine state seismology agency issued a warning today regarding a possible eruption of Mount Kanlaon in central Philippines.The volcano has emitted about 10,449 tonnes of sulfur dioxide and recorded 55 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours, it said.The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that a heightened alert remains in effect for Mount Kanlaon, with an elevation of 2,465 metres.Located on Negros, the fourth most populous island in the Philippines, Mount ...

30 Dead in Coal Mine Blast in IranTehran, 22 Sep (ONA) —- At least 30 people have died as a result of a blast at a coal mine in South Khorasan province, Iran. The director general of the provincial crisis management department reported that the explosion occurred while 69 workers were present in the mine. He explained that the explosion did not involve a fire or destruction of walls, noting that the release of methane gas in the tunnels caused the workers inside the mine to suffocate. In September last year (2023), six people lost their lives due to an ...

1,500 People Evacuated Due to Record Rains in South Korea Seoul, 22 Sep (ONA) —- About 1,500 people evacuated their homes in South Korea due to torrential rains that battered the southern regions of the country. As of this morning, 1,501 people were temporarily forced to evacuate their homes in seven cities and provinces, including Busan, North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang Provinces, according to the country's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. About 682 people of the evacuees have yet to return to their homes. No casualties have been reported ...

Over a Thousand People Evacuated in Republic of Korea Due to Record Rains Seoul, 22 Sep (ONA) --- As many as 1,500 people were evacuated from their homes in the Republic of Korea due to torrential rains that hit the southern regions of the country. Those people had to temporarily evacuate their homes in seven cities and provinces, including Busan, North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang Provinces, according to the country's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. About 682 people of the evacuees have yet to return to their homes. No casualties have been ...