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6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Osaka (Photo: NHK)According to Japan’s Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at a depth of about 10 kilometers and no tsunami warning was issued. The quake brought trains and subways across Osaka to a standstill and power was cut to 170,000 homes. Experts said the earthquake could have involved a fault that has not moved for more than 10,000 years. Japan has experienced several earthquakes in the last few days, including 4.5 and 4.6 magnitude quakes near the capital Tokyo over the weekend. The country is located along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences more than 1,000 measurable earthquakes per year. "We are doing our best to respond to this disaster urgently as some areas still cannot access gas or water. As of now, there is no damage at nuclear power facilities such as Takahama nuclear power plant and Oi nuclear power plant," Yoshide Suga, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, told a news conference.Osaka is one of Japan’s … [Read more...] about 6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Japan

(Photo: Forever News)The President’s office said in a tweet that he is the first Indian President to travel to Suriname and Cuba, and the first to visit Greece since President Kalam in 2007. This is President’s fourth state visit in his office and the first outside Africa. President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Greece is at the invitation of Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulus. As scheduled, he will meet his Greek counterpart, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, and other senior government officials there. From Greece, Mr. Kovind will leave for Suriname on June 19th where he will hold discussions with his counterpart Desire Delano Bouterse, followed by official level talks. Later, President Kovind will arrive in Cuba on June 21st, where he will talk with his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermúdez, and will participate in the signing of a series of memoranda and agreements in the areas of Biotechnology, Homeopathy and the traditional system of medicine and medicinal … [Read more...] about Indian President leaves for Greece, Suriname, Cuba visit

(Photo: Reuters)The thick bulletproof glass walls and metal fences around the Eiffel Tower are designed to protect France’s most famous monument from terrorist attacks. Two graphic grids have been erected on the two other sides of the site and bollards against vehicle ramming attacks will be set up all around.To prevent vehicle attacks, 450 blocks will be placed in front of the glass walls as an added protection. Set to be completed in mid-July, the fences cost nearly USD40 million. They will replace temporary barriers that were installed around the Eiffel Tower in 2016. More than 240 people have died in terror attacks in France since 2015. The Eiffel Tower is a wrought iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Constructed from 1887 -1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair, it was initially criticized by some of … [Read more...] about Paris builds permanent anti-terror fence around Eiffel Tower

At the 23rd CARAT exercise in Thailand (Source: defense.gov)The multi-national exercise series is organised in bilateral phases with regional nations and is designed to enhance capabilities in a broad spectrum of naval operations.The exercise series feature cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of partner nations to work together towards the common goal of ensuring a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific maritime security environment.Additional phases of CARAT will take place in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Bangladesh throughout summer./. CPV/VNA … [Read more...] about US, Thailand begin CARAT joint exercise

(Photo: EPA-EFE)“I am cautiously optimistic that we shall be able to bring it to an end soon," General Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added. He had also tweeted, "It's far too early to declare victory in the Ebola outbreak. But the signals are positive and we are cautiously optimistic.” His comments come after the WHO and NGOs since May 21st began helping the DRC immunize front-line workers with a vaccine that has shown to be highly effective in trials, though it still awaits regulatory approval. A total of 1,369 people have received the experimental vaccine since May 21st. Earlier, the WHO had prepared to deploy 4,000 doses of Ebola vaccine in the DRC to control the outbreak. “We’re working on the deployment of these materials, especially readying the cold chain,” WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said. “The start date of the vaccinations will depend on this deployment.” DRC’s Minister of Health Oly Ilunga on May 10th … [Read more...] about WHO optimistic on ending Ebola outbreak in Congo

Ms. Delcy Rodriguez (Photo: EPA/VNA)“I have named as Executive Vice President a young woman, brave, seasoned, daughter of a martyr, revolutionary and tested in a thousand battles,” President Maduro said on Twitter. Ms. Rodriguez replaces Tareck El Aissami, who will become Industry and National Production Minister, Mr. Maduro said. Under Venezuela's constitution, the Vice President is designated by the President. The Vice President also assumes power if the President resigns or becomes incapacitated. The appointment makes Ms. Delcy Rodriguez the second woman to fulfill the role of Vice President since the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) came to power under Hugo Chavez. The first was Ms. Adina Bastidas. Ms. Delcy Rodriguez, born in 1969, was also Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information from 2013 to 2014, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2017 and President of the Constitutional Assembly of … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s President names Vice President

President Vladimir Putin receives Mr. Kim Jong-nam (Source: Getty Images)Addressing a meeting with Mr. Kim Yong-nam, head of the presidium of the DPRK’s Supreme Assembly in Moscow, Mr. Putin handed over an invitation for leader Kim Jong-un to visit Russia in September. According to President Putin, a separate meeting was possible, as well as a meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. "I would like to confirm and ask you to convey our invitation to the leader of the DPRK, Comrade Kim Jong-un, to make a visit to Russia," Putin said, addressing Mr. Kim Yong-nam. "It could be done on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September. It could also be arranged as a separate meeting," Mr. Putin said. President Putin said he welcomed the meeting that took place between Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim in Singapore on June 12th, adding that the summit has reduced the threat of a major conflict. A “comprehensive” document was signed, including … [Read more...] about Russian President invites DPRK’s leader to Russia

Overview of the meeting (Source: g20.org)The meeting attracts the participation of delegates from G20 member and guest countries, as well as international organizations, to discuss public policies to help promote transitions towards more flexible, more transparent and cleaner energy systems. Access to electricity in Latin America and the Caribbean, access to information about the energy sector and the use of subsidies to promote new energy technologies are some of the topics that will be discussed during the meeting taking place in the Patagonian town of Bariloche, organizers said. The gathering in Argentina's southwestern city of Bariloche is part of the fourth ministerial meeting of the G20 group of developed and emerging economies, which Argentina currently chairs. Founded in 1999, the G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors … [Read more...] about G20 Energy Ministers met in Argentina