Bhumjaithai Projected as Leading Party

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Flores region early Saturday, August 15, 2026, sending strong tremors across parts of eastern Indonesia and prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for vulnerable coastal areas. The earthquake struck at around 5:58am local time, with the epicentre near Nagekeo in East Nusa Tenggara. The relatively shallow quake was followed by several aftershocks, intensifying fears among residents living near the coast. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued a tsunami warning shortly after the earthquake and urged people in exposed coastal areas to move to higher ground as a precaution. Minor tsunami waves were subsequently recorded in some locations. The powerful shaking caused damage to buildings and other infrastructure in parts of East Nusa Tenggara. Residents rushed outdoors as buildings shook, while emergency teams began assessing the extent of the destruction. At least several people were reported killed or injured, although casualty figures remained subject to change as rescue teams reached affected areas. In some locations, hospitals moved patients outdoors amid concerns over building safety. The earthquake also triggered evacuations, with thousands of residents moving away from coastal areas after the tsunami alert. Authorities continued monitoring sea levels and aftershocks as emergency operations got underway. The tsunami warning was later lifted after officials found no continuing threat of major waves. Australia’s tsunami warning authorities also said the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to mainland Australia, its islands or territories. Indonesia lies along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, making the country particularly vulnerable to powerful earthquakes and volcanic activity. Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain alert, follow official instructions and avoid damaged structures while inspections and rescue operations continue.

WASHINGTON: A World War Two memorial in the heart of Washington was vandalised with soap and graffiti, triggering an investigation and renewed concerns over the protection of one of the US capital’s most significant sites of remembrance. The National World War II Memorial was reportedly targeted on Thursday, when its fountain was filled with soap, creating bubbles and suds across the water. Graffiti was also painted on one of the memorial’s surfaces, including the words “Clean hands Dirty $”, while red and green paint was splattered around the area. Police and National Guard personnel quickly converged on the memorial, which was surrounded by yellow crime scene tape as investigators examined the damage. A plainclothes investigator was seen measuring the affected area, while workers later arrived to remove the graffiti. The US Interior Department condemned the incident and pledged that authorities would identify those responsible. “The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated,” the department said in a statement. It added that US Park Police were at the scene and that the investigation was continuing. The Friends of the National WWII Memorial, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving the site, also condemned the act, describing the memorial as a “sacred place of remembrance”. The group stressed that although Americans have many venues for political expression, debate and disagreement, a national memorial dedicated to those who served in the war should not be used as a target for vandalism. Dedicated in 2004, the memorial commemorates the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War Two, including around 400,000 who died during the conflict. It features 56 granite pillars surrounding an elliptical plaza on the National Mall. Located near the Washington Monument, the memorial occupies a prominent position in the US capital and attracts visitors throughout the year. The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington, where debates over national history, public monuments and their symbolism have become increasingly contentious. Despite deep political divisions in the United States, the country’s role in World War Two remains widely associated with national sacrifice and unity. The war’s legacy, however, continues to generate debate, including over the US decision to use atomic bombs against Japan in 1945. According to the National Park Service, construction of the memorial began in 2001 and was completed in 2004. It was formally dedicated on May 29, 2004, during Memorial Day weekend and opened to the public that year. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect. The investigation remains ongoing as officials assess the damage and work to restore the memorial.