TOKYO: A powerful earthquake rocked Japan’s northernmost main island of Hokkaido early Thursday, triggering landslides that crushed homes, knocking out power across the island, and forcing a nuclear power plant to switch to a backup generator.
The magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck southern Hokkaido at 3:08 a.m. at the depth of 40 kilometers (24 miles), Japan’s Meteorological Agency said. The epicenter was east of the city of Tomakomai but the shaking also affected Hokkaido’s prefectural capital of Sapporo, with a population of 1.9 million.
The Japanese national broadcaster NHK, citing its own tally, reported that 125 people were injured and about 20 were feared missing. Hokkaido’s local disaster agency put the number of injured at 48.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said a man was found without vital signs in Tomakomai, but his status was unclear. Several people were reported missing in the nearby town of Atsuma, where a massive landslide engulfed homes.
Reconstruction Minister Jiro Akama told reporters that five people were believed to be buried in the town’s Yoshino district. Some of the 40 people stranded there were airlifted to safer grounds, NHK said.
Aerial views showed dozens of landslides in the surrounding area, with practically every mountainside a raw slash of brown amid deep green forest.
Airports and many roads on the island were closed following the early morning quake.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that 25,000 troops and other personnel were being dispatched to the area to help with rescue operations.
National broadcaster NHK showed the moment the quake struck the city of Muroran, with its camera violently shaking and all city lights going black moment later. In Sapporo, a mudslide on a road left several cars half buried.
Power was knocked out for Hokkaido’s 2.9 million households. Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters that the extensive power outage was caused by an emergency shutdown of the main thermal power plant that supplies half of Hokkaido’s electricity.
Utility officials were starting up hydroelectric plants, Seko said, adding that he hoped to get power back “within a few hours.” In the meantime, authorities sent power-generator vehicles to hospitals so enable them to treat emergency patients, he said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the authorities were doing their utmost to rescue and assess damage after receiving hundreds of calls about people missing and buildings collapsing.
The central government set up a crisis management taskforce at the prime minister’s office.
Three reactors at the Tomari nuclear plant were offline for routine safety checks, but they are running on backup generators that kicked in after losing external power because of the island-wide blackouts, Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority said. Spent fuel in storage pools was safely cooled on backup power that can last for a week, the agency said.
The powerful earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 that hit northeast Japan destroyed both external and backup power to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, causing meltdowns.
20 feared missing as earthquake in northern Japan causes landslides
20 feared missing as earthquake in northern Japan causes landslides
- The magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck southern Hokkaido at 3:08 a.m.
- 25,000 troops and other personnel were being dispatched to the area to help with rescue operations
Heatwave-like conditions to prevail in southern Pakistan over next 24 hours — Met Office
- At the same time, a shallow westerly wave, likely to enter upper parts of the country on Tuesday night, may cause rain and thunderstorms in upper regions
- Pakistan has witnessed frequent, erratic changes in its weather patterns, including floods, droughts and cyclones, that have been blamed on climate change
ISLAMABAD: Heatwave-like conditions will prevail in southern parts of Pakistan over the next 24 hours, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said on Tuesday, urging people to avoid sun exposure and take precautions.
The weather conditions may cause temperatures to rise 4-7°C above normal in central and southern Punjab, Sindh and parts of the Balochistan province.
“General public especially children, women and senior citizens are requested to take precautionary measures. Avoid exposure to sun light during the daytime and get hydrated,” the PMD said in its advisory on Tuesday.
“Farmers are advised to manage their crop activities (wheat harvesting) keeping in view the weather conditions and take care of their livestock as well. Judicious use of water is advised.”
Similarly, the PMD said, a shallow westerly wave is likely to enter upper parts of the country on Tuesday night and may persist till Friday.
The weather system may cause rain-wind/thunderstorm in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Battagram, Bunner, Kurram, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Murree, Galliyat, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Talagang, Mianwali, Jhelum. Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal and Lahore during the period, according to the advisory.
Isolated hailstorm may also occur during the forecast period. Dust-storm and gusty winds are also expected in the plains of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during the forecast period.
“Wind-dust-storm/hailstorm and lightning may damage loose structures like electric poles, trees, vehicles and solar panels,” the PMD added.
Pakistan has witnessed frequent, erratic changes in its weather patterns, including floods, droughts, cyclones, torrential rainstorms, heatwaves and the slow-onset threat of glacial melting, in recent years that scientists have blamed on human-driven climate change.
In 2022, unusually heavy rains triggered floods in many parts of the country, killing over 1,700 people, inflicting economic losses of around $30 billion, and affecting at least 30 million people.
Taliban deny reports of American airbase takeover
- Chief spokesman: ‘The Islamic Emirate will not allow such an action’
- Rumors spread after US military flight landed at Bagram reportedly carrying top intelligence officials
LONDON: The Taliban have denied rumors that Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase has been handed back to the US, The Independent reported on Tuesday.
The denial followed the flight of a US military cargo plane into Afghanistan over the weekend.
The C-17 aircraft took off from Al-Udeid in Qatar and arrived in Afghanistan via Pakistan, landing at Bagram on Sunday, local media reported.
Khaama Press reported that the flight was carrying top US intelligence officials, including Michael Ellis, the CIA’s deputy chief.
It added that the Taliban handed the base to the US in the wake of comments by President Donald Trump expressing an interest in the facility, located north of Kabul.
However, the Taliban’s chief spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid dismissed the reports as “propaganda” and said the government maintains full control of the base.
“There is no need for any country’s military presence in Afghanistan at present and the Islamic Emirate will not allow such an action,” he added, describing an American takeover of the base as “impossible.”
Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, told The Independent: “This news (of the takeover) is not correct.”
Bagram, the size of a small city, served as the command node for coalition forces during the 20-year war against the Taliban before the group recaptured Afghanistan in 2021.
It has two runways, 100 parking spaces for jets, a passenger lounge, a 50-bed hospital, and numerous hangar-sized tents housing equipment.
Arya ton powers Punjab to IPL win over Chennai
- Spotted by Punjab after hitting six sixes in an over in Delhi Premier League T20 match last year, 24-year-old bought by franchise for $440,000 in November auction
CHANDIGARH: Up and coming Indian batter Priyansh Arya struck his first century in the IPL to lead Punjab Kings to an 18-run win over Chennai Super Kings on Tuesday.
Arya, a left-hand batter known for his six-hitting in domestic cricket, smashed 103 off 42 balls to steer Punjab to 219-6 at Mullanpur, near Chandigarh, where Chennai managed 201-5.
Spotted by Punjab after hitting six sixes in an over in a Delhi Premier League T20 match last year, the 24-year-old Arya was bought by the franchise for $440,000 in the November auction.
The big-hitter did not disappoint as he smashed the second ton of this season in his fourth match in the T20 tournament. He raced to his hundred in 39 balls as he pummelled the opposition attack with seven fours and nine sixes.
The ton was the fastest against five-time champions Chennai and the joint fourth-fastest ever in the IPL. Chris Gayle holds the record with a century in 30 balls.
Opener Arya found little support at the start as Punjab slipped to 83-5. After Shashank Singh joined the rising star and the two put together 71 runs in 34 balls.
Arya finally fell to Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, but Shashank, with his 52, and South African Marco Jansen, who smashed 34, finished with a flourish in an unbeaten stand of 65.
Chennai attempted to make a fist of the chase as New Zealand left-handers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway put on 61 runs for the opening wicket.
Australia spinner Glenn Maxwell got Ravindra stumped on 36. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for one off fast bowler Lockie Ferguson.
Conway powered on with impact substitute Shivam Dube as the two put on 89 runs but Ferguson broke through to get the left-handed Dube bowled for 42.
Veteran M.S. Dhoni walked out to loud cheers but even though Conway retired out, Chennai’s batters failed to keep up to the ever-increasing run-rate.
Dhoni, 43, raised faint hopes of getting the target in his 12-ball 27 but departed at the start of the last over and Chennai went down to their fourth loss in five matches.
Israel fulfilling ‘none’ of its legal duties as an occupying power, UN chief warns
- Gaza is ‘killing field’ and civilians caught in ‘endless death loop,’ says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
- West Bank could spiral into a similar crisis unless urgent steps are taken to protect civilians, end dehumanization and restore peace, he adds
NEW YORK CITY: The UN secretary-general evoked several provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention on Tuesday to remind Israeli authorities of an occupying power’s “unequivocal” obligations under international law.
The obligations Antonio Guterres highlighted included ensuring the welfare of the civilian population, the supply of food and medicine, and the maintenance of public health services.
“None of that is happening today,” he said. “No humanitarian supplies can enter Gaza. At the crossing points, food, medicine and shelter supplies are piling up and vital equipment is stuck.”
Speaking in New York to reporters, the UN chief described Gaza’s current path as a dead end that is “totally intolerable” in the eyes of international law and history.
He also warned that the situation in the West Bank could spiral into a similar crisis unless urgent steps are taken to protect civilians, end dehumanization and restore peace.
Guterres called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and full humanitarian access to be restored. It has been more than a month since aid entered the territory, he added, exacerbating an already devastating humanitarian crisis.
“More than an entire month has passed without a drop of aid into Gaza,” he said. “No food. No fuel. No medicine. No commercial supplies. As aid has dried up, the floodgates of horror have reopened.”
Guterres condemned proposals by Israeli authorities to introduce “authorization mechanisms” for the delivery of aid that risk further controlling and “callously limiting aid, down to the last calorie and grain of flour.”
He said the UN “will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.”
He warned that “the situation in Gaza has become a killing field” and civilians are trapped in an “endless death loop” as a result of the blockade on food, medicine, fuel and other essential supplies.
“Ceasefires work,” Guterres said. “During that ceasefire (between January and March this year), humanitarian organizations successfully delivered critical aid, including food and medical supplies, to Gaza. Guns fell silent, obstacles were removed, looting ended and we were able to deliver lifesaving supplies to virtually every part of the Gaza Strip.
“That all ended with the shattering of the ceasefire. Hope sank for Palestinian families in Gaza and families of hostages in Israel.”
Guterres expressed deep concern about the continuing detention of hostages by Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. He met the families of the hostages on Monday and reiterated his call for their immediate release.
“With crossing points into Gaza shut and aid blockaded, security is in shambles and our capacity to deliver has been strangled,” he continued.
He reiterated the declaration made by UN humanitarian organizations on Monday, who said in a joint statement that “assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground, and commodities are running extremely low.”
Guterres said: “We must stick to our core principles. It is time to end the dehumanization, protect civilians, release the hostages, ensure lifesaving aid and renew the ceasefire.
“The world may be running out of words to describe the situation in Gaza but we will never run away from the truth.”
Palestinian minister appeals to Egyptian counterpart to support Gaza’s education
- Israeli actions in Gaza have led to the destruction of 95 percent of schools
- Ministry resumed educational activities through online platforms by creating new virtual classrooms amidst displacement
LONDON: The education system in the Gaza Strip has lost nearly 95 percent of its operational capacity due to Israeli attacks since October 2023.
Amjad Barham, the Palestinian minister of education, informed his Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Abdel-Latif, during a meeting in Cairo on Tuesday about the significant damage sustained by the schooling sector in Gaza.
Barham reported that Israeli actions in Gaza have led to the destruction of 95 percent of schools, either through demolition, bombing, or severe damage, rendering 293 out of 309 schools non-operational.
Over 720,000 students in Gaza have been affected, with approximately 700,000 having no access to adequate education. He added that Gaza’s universities were significantly damaged by the Israeli military attacks, with around 85 percent of their buildings reduced to rubble.
Despite significant challenges, the ministry resumed educational activities through online platforms by creating new virtual classrooms amidst displacement. It also conducted 2024’s final year school exams in Egyptian schools for nearly 1,350 students from Gaza.
Barham appealed to his Egyptian counterpart to continue supporting online education initiatives for Palestinian students, according to Wafa news agency.
He urged opening courses in math, science, and language subjects. He requested that Palestinian teachers residing in Egypt be allowed to work and teach online for students in Gaza and those who have left the territory, Wafa added.
