7.5-magnitude earthquake hits Japan, injures 34
TOKYO, Dec 9: Japan is assessing damage and warning of potential aftershocks following a late-night 7.5-magnitude earthquake off Aomori’s coast, which injured 34 people, mostly from falling objects. The quake, about 44 km below the Pacific Ocean, also triggered a 70 cm tsunami in Kuji port and minor waves elsewhere, with advisories lifted by early Tuesday. Around 800 homes lost power temporarily, and Shinkansen bullet trains were briefly suspended. About 480 residents sheltered at Hachinohe Air Base, and 18 defense helicopters were mobilized for assessment. At New Chitose Airport, part of a terminal was damaged, stranding 200 passengers. The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed minor water spillage at Rokkasho plant with no safety risk. Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned of possible aftershocks and a slight chance of an 8-magnitude quake along the northeastern coast. The quake occurred near the 2011 disaster zone. (AP)
Pak Hindu woman, daughter kidnapped in Pak
KARACHI, Dec 9: A Pakistani Hindu woman and her minor daughter were reportedly kidnapped by three armed men in Sindhi Mohalla, Sher Shah, Karachi, raising alarm in the local community. Civil rights activist Shiva Kaachi said the family fears the victims could be forcibly converted to Islam and married off to their abductors. An FIR has been registered, but Kaachi warned that abductions of Hindu women, often from poor families, are increasingly frequent. He has also received death threats for speaking out and has sought police protection. In a separate incident in Umerkot, armed men attempted to kidnap a recently married Hindu woman, Bhagvi, but locals intervened, forcing the attackers to flee. These cases highlight the growing insecurity faced by Hindu women in Sindh, where kidnappings, forced conversions, and coerced marriages continue to be a serious concern, prompting calls for urgent action from authorities. (PTI)
Cambodian border schools closed due to Thailand clashes
PHNOM PENH , Dec 9: Cambodia has closed 514 schools in border provinces, affecting 130,000 students and 4,650 teachers, due to renewed clashes with Thailand. The conflict, reignited since Sunday, has killed at least seven Cambodian civilians and displaced over 16,500 families near the border. Artillery and small arms fire targeted provinces including Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, and Pursat, with both sides accusing the other of initiating attacks. Thailand deployed fighter jets and air operations against Cambodian military infrastructure, citing threats to national security, while Cambodia maintained it did not retaliate and seeks peaceful resolution under international law. Cambodia has informed the ASEAN Observer Team and plans to request an investigation into the incidents. The clashes come less than two months after a joint peace declaration, highlighting ongoing tensions and the fragile nature of border security between the two nations. (AP)
