japans quake injures
| |

Japan’s 7.1 quake injures 50, cuts power to 40,0…

ByJustpaste.in

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake jolted Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, leaving at least 50 people injured, disrupting transport and cutting electricity to around 40,000 homes as authorities warned residents to remain alert for aftershocks.

The earthquake struck Kyushu, Japan’s southwestern main island, at a depth of about 10 kilometres, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The tremor reached the highest level of 7 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in parts of Kumamoto, underlining the strength of the shaking.

The powerful tremor damaged roads, bridges and buildings, while transport services across the affected region were thrown into disruption. Rail services, including high-speed trains, were suspended, while Kumamoto airport also temporarily closed its runway.

The earthquake also triggered an emergency response across Kyushu. Authorities urged more than 150,000 residents to evacuate as officials assessed damage and monitored the situation. Reports said a fire and explosion occurred at a shopping mall, while a goods train was derailed during the chaos.

For residents, the immediate concern was not only the first powerful jolt but the possibility of more shaking. Japanese authorities issued warnings over potential aftershocks and landslides, urging people in affected areas to remain cautious and follow official instructions.

A tsunami warning was also issued after the earthquake, with authorities warning of waves of up to one metre along parts of the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas. The warning was later lifted after no significant tsunami activity was observed.

Despite the widespread disruption, there were no reports of irregularities at nuclear power plants in the affected region, providing some relief as authorities continued their assessment.

The earthquake has also drawn attention because Kumamoto has experienced devastating seismic activity before. The region was badly hit by a major earthquake sequence in 2016, which caused extensive destruction and hundreds of deaths.

Japan is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries, making disaster preparedness a central part of everyday life. Yet the latest tremor again demonstrated how quickly a powerful earthquake can disrupt communities, transport networks and essential services.

With rescue and assessment operations continuing, authorities are now focused on helping those injured, restoring electricity and transport, and preparing residents for potentially dangerous aftershocks.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Alia Bhatt backs Delhi student protest, says, “The future is theirs”

    ByJustpaste.in

    Alia Bhatt has joined the growing list of Bollywood stars speaking up for the students protesting in Delhi. The actress shared a heartfelt note on Instagram after the demonstrators faced police action during Monday’s march. She admitted the past few days had left her emotionally shaken, but also filled with hope. Bhatt described each protesting student as carrying more than personal ambition. She said they represent years of family sacrifice, hard work, and dreams of a better future. She went on to praise their courage in strong terms. Bhatt said their determination should push everyone to ask whether the country is truly listening to the generation shaping its tomorrow. She ended her note with a message dedicated entirely to the students, closing with “Jai Hind.” Bhatt is not the first major star to speak out. Salman Khan broke his silence a day earlier, sharing his own message of support on social media. Khan called the protest peaceful and praised the students for their bravery. He expressed sadness that the movement had turned violent and said his heart went out to the injured students and their families. He described the paper leak controversy as a serious issue and appreciated the way the country’s youth had united for a fairer education system. Khan also made a pointed request. He said the movement should remain free from political interference and that all credit should go strictly to the students who organized it. Other celebrities have joined the show of solidarity as well. Huma Qureshi and her brother Saqib Saleem visited the protest site at Jantar Mantar early Thursday morning, arriving around 2 am to stand with the demonstrators in person. Several more names from the film industry have voiced support in recent days. These include Rajkummar Rao, Prakash Raj, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, and Javed Akhtar. The wave of celebrity support comes as the student-led protest, backed by the Cockroach Janta Party, continues to gain national attention. The movement began over anger surrounding the NEET paper leak and has since grown into a broader push for accountability in India’s education system. With more public figures expected to react, the protest continues to dominate conversations both online and offline across the country.

  • | |

    Six bullet-riddled bodies found across Balochistan

    ByJustpaste.in

    QUETTA: A wave of violence and tragic accidents swept across Balochistan on Tuesday, as authorities recovered six bullet-riddled bodies from four districts while eight more people, including two women, lost their lives in separate incidents of gunfire, a roadside explosion, a fuel tanker fire and a deadly road crash. According to police officials, the bodies of six unidentified men were recovered from Kalat, Mastung, Panjgur and Kharan, prompting multiple investigations into the killings. Three of the bodies were discovered in different areas of Kalat district. Two were found dumped in the Rej locality after local authorities received information from residents, while another body was recovered from the Chhapar area. All three were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for identification, but officials said their identities had not yet been established. In Mastung, police recovered another unidentified man’s body from the Jungle area after receiving reports from local residents. Preliminary investigations suggest the deceased may have been a drug addict, though authorities said the exact cause and circumstances of his death are still being examined. The fifth body was found in Nowan Kur, Panjgur, where police believe the victim was shot dead by unidentified attackers before his body was abandoned. In Kharan, authorities recovered the body of a man who had reportedly been abducted by armed men two days earlier after they stormed his home. His body was later found on the outskirts of the city with bullet wounds. Separate incidents elsewhere in the province added to the death toll. In Kalat’s Mangochar area, unidentified gunmen opened fire on a family travelling from Zhob to Karachi after their driver allegedly failed to stop at a signal. Two women were killed in the attack, while a child sustained injuries and was taken to hospital. Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the N-65 National Highway in Mastung, killing a driver and injuring five others. The explosion severely damaged an LPG tanker and two trailers. In Quetta, two people were burned to death after an oil tanker caught fire at a petrol pump near Sariab Customs. In another tragedy, three people were killed in a head-on collision between two vehicles on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway in the Surab area. Police have launched investigations into the shootings and explosions, while authorities continue efforts to identify the unidentified victims and determine those responsible for the attacks.

  • | | |

    PSX retreats as profit-taking, oil prices hit sent…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) came under pressure on Friday as investors opted to book profits after the market’s recent gains. The benchmark KSE-100 Index fell sharply during early trading, reflecting cautious investor sentiment amid rising global oil prices and uncertainty over developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. The index dropped 771.05 points, or 0.42%, to 181,005.54 by 9:39am. Selling was reported across several major sectors, putting pressure on the overall market. By noon, the KSE-100 had recovered some of its losses and was trading at 181,326.54 points, down 450.05 points, or 0.25%, from Thursday’s close of 181,776.59. During the session, the index moved between an intraday high of 181,647.27 and a low of 180,620.08 points. Trading activity remained moderate, with around 146.05 million shares changing hands. The total value of traded shares stood at approximately Rs10.06 billion. Selling was visible in several heavyweight sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement companies, commercial banks, fertiliser firms, oil and gas exploration companies and oil marketing companies. Market sentiment was also affected by the continued rise in international crude prices. Investors remained cautious over possible disruptions to energy supplies amid tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts attributed the decline largely to profit-taking following the market’s recent strong performance. Investors appeared reluctant to make fresh aggressive positions while global oil prices and geopolitical risks remained elevated. Despite Friday’s decline, the KSE-100 remained above the 181,000-point level, indicating that the broader market continued to retain much of its recent gains.

  • |

    UK stars join the fight to stop the Paramount-Warner Bros mega-merger

    ByJustpaste.in

    Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming, and Benedict Wong are calling on the British government to step in and stop a massive media merger. They believe the deal could seriously damage the country’s entertainment industry. The three actors co-wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian, warning readers about the potential fallout from the merger. They urged immediate action to prevent it from going through. The well-known performers argued that the merger poses a serious threat to the public, describing its consequences as deeply harmful to people across Britain. Their intervention follows similar pushback from actors in Hollywood, adding British voices to the growing opposition against the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The trio emphasized their long-standing ties to the UK’s creative industry, noting decades spent collaborating with British crews on British stages and film sets. They framed their involvement as a natural extension of their responsibility toward audiences who support and enjoy their work. According to the actors, the merger threatens nearly 180,000 jobs within the UK’s entertainment sector. It also puts billions of pounds in annual production spending at risk. They described the situation as one where intervention could still make a difference, calling it a battle that can still be won if action is taken soon. The piece also referenced recent comments from UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who has hinted she might take formal steps to intervene in the deal. The actors suggested that Nandy’s potential involvement represents one of two major fronts in the broader fight to stop the merger. They called any decision from her department potentially one of the most consequential moves affecting British film and television in years. Towards the end of their piece, the trio acknowledged that actors are typically expected to steer clear of legal and regulatory debates. However, they pushed back against that expectation, explaining that their years spent working alongside British crews, watching talented homegrown productions struggle to secure funding, gave them a personal stake in the outcome. Their public stance adds significant star power to the growing resistance against the merger. Industry figures on both sides of the Atlantic continue voicing concerns about its potential impact on jobs, cultural output, and the broader landscape of film and television production in the UK.

  • | |

    ‘I will not apologize’: Maulana Fazlur…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A political controversy surrounding Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has intensified after the veteran politician refused to apologize for remarks he made earlier this month regarding security issues and the role of state institutions. The comments have drawn criticism from government officials and prompted legal proceedings. Addressing lawyers affiliated with his party on Sunday, Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that he would not withdraw or apologize for his remarks. Instead, he argued that those who, in his view, launched a propaganda campaign against him should offer an apology. The controversy stems from a speech delivered during a party rally in Kasur, where the JUI-F leader spoke about the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. During the address, he questioned calls for political workers to take up arms against militant groups, saying he would not form a private force or militia. In the same speech, Maulana Fazlur Rehman also criticized the involvement of individuals in politics while serving in uniform, suggesting that anyone wishing to participate in politics should first leave official service and contest elections as civilians. The remarks quickly became the subject of nationwide political debate. The speech also led to legal action. On July 15, a local court in Gujranwala issued a notice to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in response to a petition filed over the remarks. The court has sought a reply from the agency by August 17 as the matter proceeds through legal channels. Senior members of the federal government strongly criticized the JUI-F chief’s comments. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said linking the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces to their salaries was unfair and disrespectful to military personnel, particularly the families of fallen soldiers. He maintained that while political leaders have the right to criticize policies or procedures, they should avoid statements that undermine the sacrifices of security forces. The controversy has sparked wider debate across Pakistan’s political landscape, with supporters arguing that Maulana Fazlur Rehman was expressing a political opinion on national security, while critics believe his remarks crossed acceptable boundaries. As political reactions continue, the legal process is expected to determine whether any further action will be taken. The issue remains a prominent topic in national politics, highlighting ongoing tensions between opposition leaders and the government over security, governance, and political accountability.

  • |

    Pakistan digitises Hajj 2027, announces Rs1.2m cost

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan has moved towards a completely digital Hajj management system, enabling intending pilgrims to complete registration and make pilgrimage-related payments through the official Pak Hajj mobile application, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf announced on Monday. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the minister outlined the government’s preparations for Hajj 2027, including the estimated cost of pilgrimage packages, payment schedules, allocation of seats for short-duration Hajj and arrangements for collecting payments from pilgrims. He said the government had taken steps to bring the entire Hajj process onto a digital platform in an effort to make registration, payments and other administrative procedures easier, more transparent and traceable. According to the minister, approximately 400,000 people have already registered and are currently progressing through the application process for the government’s Hajj arrangements. Hajj 2027 packages and costs Sardar Yousuf announced that the estimated expenditure for the regular government Hajj package, which will cover a stay of around 40 to 42 days, has been set at approximately Rs1.2 million. The cost of the shorter package, designed for pilgrims opting for a stay of approximately 20 to 22 days, will be around Rs1.3 million, he said. The government has allocated 30,000 seats specifically for pilgrims opting for the short-duration Hajj package. The minister said the government would begin collecting the first instalment of Hajj expenses from August 17, while the second instalment would be payable during the second week of October. He added that applicants who are not selected to perform Hajj in 2027 would be placed on a waiting list for consideration in the subsequent year. Payments to be processed digitally The minister said the digitalisation programme would cover financial transactions as well as the registration process. Pilgrims would be required to use the Pak Hajj application for making payments instead of relying on other payment channels. The same digital mechanism will also be available to pilgrims travelling under the private Hajj scheme, allowing them to make their payments through the application. Sardar Yousuf emphasised that the government intends to keep Hajj-related financial transactions within the designated digital system to improve monitoring and ensure greater transparency. Pilgrims opting for the private scheme, however, will retain the option of selecting an online Hajj service provider of their choice. Habib Bank selected for Hajj payments As part of the new financial arrangements, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has entered into an agreement with Habib Bank Islami to facilitate the collection of Hajj payments. The minister said the bank would work with the ministry as its authorised banking partner for receiving pilgrimage-related funds under the arrangements being introduced for the upcoming Hajj season. He expressed satisfaction over the partnership and said the agreement would formally be signed on Monday. Minister responds to question over bank selection During the press conference, a journalist questioned the ministry’s decision to authorise Habib Bank as the banking partner for collecting Hajj applications and payments, asking why other banks had not been selected. Responding to the question, Sardar Yousuf said the ministry had opened the process to banks and invited them to participate. He explained that the banks that submitted applications were evaluated against the ministry’s requirements. According to the minister, Habib Bank was the only institution that fulfilled the required criteria, particularly those related to digital payment facilities. He said other participating banks were unable to meet the ministry’s stipulated requirements, which ultimately led to Habib Bank being selected as the authorised partner. Government seeks greater transparency through digital system The government believes the new digital framework will reduce paperwork and simplify several stages of the Hajj process for Pakistani pilgrims. By shifting registration and payment procedures to a centralised digital platform, the Ministry of Religious Affairs aims to improve oversight of applications and financial transactions while reducing the scope for manual errors. The integration of both government and private Hajj arrangements into the app-based system is also expected to provide pilgrims with easier access to information and payment services.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *