Quake of 6.5 magnitude strikes off Indonesia’s Sulawesi: USGS
JAKARTA (Reuters) – An earthquake of 6.5 magnitude struck off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said (USGS), but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Japan nuclear regulator gives final safety approval for Sendai restart
TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s nuclear regulator gave final safety approval to restart two reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co Inc’s Sendai plant on Wednesday, the regulator’s first major ruling since it was formed in the aftermath of the 2011 Fukushima di…
Blast at German chemical plant damages nearby buildings
(Reuters) – A blast hit a northern Germany chemical plant in the city of Ritterhude late Tuesday and damaged several nearby buildings, police said.
Road accident in southern Haiti kills 24, injures 37
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – A truck accident killed 24 people and injured 37 on Tuesday on a highway in southern Haiti near the city of Petit-Goâve, officials said.
Blast kills leader of Syrian Islamist group, other top figures
BEIRUT (Reuters) – An explosion killed the leader of one of Syria’s most powerful Islamist insurgent groups Ahrar al-Sham on Tuesday, the group said, and an organization that monitors violence in the civil war said at least 28 of its commanders had die…
Fiji says 45 peacekeepers held by Syrian rebels to be released soon
SUVA (Reuters) – The head of the Fijian army said on Wednesday he expected 45 Fijian peacekeepers seized by the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front on the Golan Heights two weeks ago would be released within days.
Australia says may raise terrorism threat level over Iraq, Syria
SYDNEY (Reuters) – The head of Australia’s national security agency said he was “very seriously” considering raising the country’s terrorism alert level to “high” due to the involvement of Australians in militant groups and the spiraling conflicts in I…
Donahue may bring tough love to Puerto Rico power agency
NEW YORK/WILMINGTON DELAWARE (Reuters) – Puerto Rico’s indebted power authority better get used to some tough love from its new chief restructuring officer, Lisa Donahue, who has earned a reputation for decisiveness, hard work and a cold-blooded devoti…
Brazil’s Rousseff cuts opponent’s lead in presidential race
BRASILIA (Reuters) – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has recovered ground and would be tied in popular support with opposition politician Marina Silva in a runoff vote in October, a new poll showed on Tuesday, though a festering corruption scandal t…
Al Qaeda’s shadowy new ’emir’ in South Asia handed tough job
MULTAN Pakistan/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani militant Asim Umar has been handed a very tough job.