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CNA
11 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Russia relieved as tsunami spares far east from major damage
MOSCOW: Russia lifted a tsunami alert on Wednesday (Jul 30) after a massive quake and tsunami largely spared the country's sparsely populated far east from casualties and major damage. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula earlier, prompting evacuations and tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific coast. Russian state television on Wednesday aired footage of a tsunami wave sweeping through Severo-Kurilsk, a coastal town on an island close to Japan, carrying buildings and debris into the sea. Giant waves crashed through the port area and submerged a fishing plant in the town of about 2,000 people, some 350 kilometres southwest of the earthquake's underwater epicentre, according to authorities. The epicentre was 47 kilometres beneath the sea level and sent shock waves at a range of 300 kilometres, Russia's geophysical survey told state news agency RIA Novosti. The waves, which were up to four metres high in some areas, reached as far as the town's World War II monument about 400 metres from the shoreline, according to mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov. Most of the town lies on higher ground safe from flooding, he added. "Everyone was evacuated. There was enough time, a whole hour. So everyone was evacuated, all the people are in the tsunami safety zone," he said at a crisis meeting with officials earlier. A tsunami warning for Kamchatka was lifted later on Wednesday. "EVERYONE ACTED QUICKLY" "Thank God, there were no casualties," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, saying the region's warning system had helped. CCTV footage released by the Kamchatka region's health minister, Oleg Melnikov, showed surgeons holding down a patient on an operating table when the earthquake rocked the area. Regional governor Vladimir Solodov said on Telegram he would nominate the doctors for state awards, adding: "Such courage deserves the highest praise." An expedition group from the Russian Geographical Society was on the Kuril island of Shumshu when the tsunami swept away their tent camp. "When the wave hit, all we could do was run to higher ground. It's very difficult to do that in boots on slippery grass and in fog," group member Vera Kostamo told Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda. "All the tents and structures were swept away by the wave, and our belongings were scattered across the beach for hundreds of metres. "We have no casualties; everyone acted quickly, but we lost all our belongings." Authorities in the Sakhalin region, which includes the northern Kuril Islands, declared a state of emergency. The regional seismic monitoring service said the earthquake was the region's strongest since 1952. "Strong aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 7.5 should be expected," it added.
Jordan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Russia relieved as tsunami spares far east from major damage
MOSCOW — Russia lifted a tsunami alert on Wednesday after a massive quake and tsunami largely spared the country's sparsely populated far east from casualties and major damage. An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's far eastern Kamchatka peninsula earlier, prompting evacuations and tsunami alerts across parts of the Pacific coast. Russian state television on Wednesday aired footage of a tsunami wave sweeping through Severo-Kurilsk, a coastal town on an island close to Japan, carrying buildings and debris into the sea. Giant waves crashed through the port area and submerged a fishing plant in the town of about 2,000 people, some 350 kilometres southwest of the earthquake's underwater epicentre, according to authorities. The epicentre was 47 kilometres beneath the sea level and sent shock waves at a range of 300 kilometres, Russia's geophysical survey told state news agency RIA Novosti. The waves, which were up to four metres high in some areas, reached as far as the town's World War II monument about 400 metres from the shoreline, according to mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov. Most of the town lies on higher ground safe from flooding, he added. "Everyone was evacuated. There was enough time, a whole hour. So everyone was evacuated, all the people are in the tsunami safety zone," he said at a crisis meeting with officials earlier. A tsunami warning for Kamchatka was lifted later on Wednesday. 'Everyone acted quickly' "Thank God, there were no casualties," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, saying the region's warning system had helped. CCTV footage released by the Kamchatka region's health minister, Oleg Melnikov, showed surgeons holding down a patient on an operating table when the earthquake rocked the area. Regional governor Vladimir Solodov said on Telegram he would nominate the doctors for state awards, adding: "Such courage deserves the highest praise." An expedition group from the Russian Geographical Society was on the Kuril island of Shumshu when the tsunami swept away their tent camp. "When the wave hit, all we could do was run to higher ground. It's very difficult to do that in boots on slippery grass and in fog," group member Vera Kostamo told Russian tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda. "All the tents and structures were swept away by the wave, and our belongings were scattered across the beach for hundreds of metres. "We have no casualties, everyone acted quickly, but we lost all our belongings." Authorities in the Sakhalin region, which includes the northern Kuril Islands, declared a state of emergency. The regional seismic monitoring service said the earthquake was the region's strongest since 1952. "Strong aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 7.5 should be expected," it added.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
What is a tsunami and what should I do if I get an emergency alert?
A powerful earthquake that struck off the coast of Russia generated tsunami warnings and advisories for a broad section of the Pacific, including Alaska, Hawaii and the US West Coast. The quake registered a magnitude of 8.8 and was centred off the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The temblor struck early Wednesday local time, which was still Tuesday in the US. Russia has experienced waves up to five metres tall in the Russian Pacific town of Severo-Kurilsk, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. The Japan Meteorological Agency said a tsunami as high as 60 centimeters (2 feet) had been detected as the waves moved south along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Tokyo Bay. Officials urged caution, saying that bigger waves could come later. Meanwhile, Hawaii has recorded waves up to 1.7 metres (5 ft 7) on Kahului, Maui. At a similar time a 4.9ft wave was recorded in Hilo. As the US awaits the full impact of the tsunami, officials have warned citizens that the first wave may not be the largest or highest and tsunamis can last for hours. What is a tsunami? A tsunami is a series of waves that are generated by a large displacement of the ocean, often caused by large-scale disturbances like earthquakes or volanic eruptions under the sea. 'In this case, we've got an earthquake,' professor Ilan Kelman, specialising in disasters and health at University College London explained. 'So when the earthquake shakes the earth, let's say it moves up and down on the sea floor. That means that there's a quick movement of water moving up and down, which creates a wave that radiates out from where the earth shook.' As the waves travel inland and the depth of the ocean decreases, the waves build up in height. The speed of the waves is determined by the depth of the ocean rather than the source, the US National Ocean Service explained. 'When a wave gets to a certain point because the land is moving or the land is hills or the ocean floor slopes in a certain way, then we get the breaking waves like the usual ones that people surf on,' professor Kelman continued. 'When it's a breaking wave of 3m higher than us or 5m higher than a bungalow, or 15m to 20 m getting to high rise, then that breaking wave brings down buildings and kills people. You cannot escape it.' Although tsunamis are sometimes referred to as tidal waves, oceanoghraphers say tides have little to do with them. How long does it take for tsunamis to arrive? The time it takes for a wave to arrive on land depends on how far the epicentre of the earthquake is from a coastal area. It could take just minutes for waves to hit land next to the site of a major quake but it could take hours for tsunamis to cross the Pacific Ocean. 'Tsunami waves travel across the ocean at about the speed of a commercial jet,' says Professor Kelmna. 'So we're looking at anywhere between 400 and 800 km per hour.' The speed of tsunami waves also depends on ocean depth. They travel faster over deep water and slow down in shallow water. The closer a country is to where the earthquake is, the quicker it arrives; the people in Russia were hit by large waves within an hour of the 8.8 magnitude strike, whereas Hawaii started experiencing waves hours after the strike. While there is a general rule that the further away you are from the epicentre the less dangerous the tsunami is, this does not always appluy, professor Kelman warns. 'Local aspects affect tsunamis,' he says. 'The latest warning which I received is that Ecuador is expecting tsunami waves of up to 3 metres. Basically the highest that we're seeing, and that matches what they think they have observed at this point in Russia and also in Northwest Hawaii. Ecuador is thousands of kilometres across the Pacific Ocean.' How does this compare to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami? While it remains unclear just how much damage will be done by the tsunamis caused by the Russian earthquake, it already appears the waves are nowhere near as powerful as the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. In 2004, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia, causing waves that levelled remote villages, ports and tourist resorts along the Indian Ocean across Southeast and South Asia. Some 230,000 people died as waves up to 40m tall hit shorelines. 'What we're seeing now so far is the maximum expected and the maximum observed is just higher than a bungalow, about 3 m,' explains professor Kelman. 'Most places are experiencing between 1m and 2m, which is sort of our height, how tall we are. They still kill.' While an 8.8 magnitude earthquake appears on par with a 9.1 magnitude disaster, professor Kelman explains that there is a huge power disparity between the two. 'The scale is not a straight line, it's actually a logarithm. The more you go up, the faster it gets more powerful,' he says. 'So the difference between eight and nine is actually a tenfold difference in power.' This means that the earthquake in Russia was perhaps a third as powerful as the 2004 disaster. But the professor warns that earthquakes less powerful than what has been seen today have caused large tsunamis. What should I do if I get a tsunami alert? Authorities urge people to move to higher ground away from the coast when they have indications a tsunami will arrive. In Hawaii, the state's emergency management agency directs people to check maps and to evacuate if they are in a tsunami hazard zone. Emergency authorities typically blast alerts to people's cellphones, on TV and radio and sound a network of sirens. Authorities have told people to stay at least 100ft (30m) away from inland waterways and marinas connected to the ocean due to the possibility of wave surges and flooding. Some communities have buildings designated on higher ground as meet up points during tsunami warnings, such as a school, while others might simply urge residents to retreat up a hillside. In the US, the National Weather Service has several different types of alert. A warning means a tsunami that may cause widespread flooding is expected or already taking place. Evacuation recommendspeople should move to high ground or inland. An advisory means a tsunami with potential for strong currents or dangerous waves is expected or occurring and people should stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways. A watch means that a tsunami is possible and to be prepared. People have already been advised to stay away from beaches, marinas, and harbours as many waves are forecast in California.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
First commercial flight from Moscow lands in Pyongyang
SEOUL: A Russian passenger jet landed at North Korea's main airport Monday, a flight tracking site showed, completing the first commercial leg in decades between capitals of the allied countries. Russia and North Korea have pulled closer in the last year, with Pyongyang sending weapons and troops to aid Moscow's war in Ukraine – likely in exchange for technical assistance, experts say. Tracking site Flight Aware showed Russia's Nordwind Airlines' Boeing 777 landing in Pyongyang at 09:15 a.m. (GMT 00:15). 'This is a historical event, strengthening the ties between our nations,' Oleg, a Nordwind employee on the flight who did not give his full name, said at the airport in Moscow Sunday. A video posted on Russian news agency RIA Novosti's Telegram account showed North Korean officials and flight attendants welcoming the Russian passengers with flowers at Pyongyang's international airport. One North Korean official is seen checking the temperatures of the disembarking Russians with an electronic thermometer. Russia's Minister of Natural Resources Alexander Kozlov was among those on the inaugural flight, RIA Novosti said on Telegram. Nordwind Airlines – which used to carry Russians to holiday destinations in Europe before the EU imposed a ban on Russian flights – had tickets priced at 45,000 rubles ($570) for the route. Russia previously announced the Moscow-Pyongyang route would be serviced once per month. The two heavily sanctioned nations signed a military deal last year, including a mutual defense clause, during a rare visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang. South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have said Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region last year, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems. Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, according to Seoul. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered Moscow his full support for its war in Ukraine during recent talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, state media reported. Russia's state news agency TASS reported that the first return flight from Pyongyang to Moscow would take place on Tuesday.
Al Mayadeen
15-07-2025
- Business
- Al Mayadeen
US redirects $1.6bln in Ukraine aid to boost shell production
More than $1.6 billion in Ukraine aid has been redirected by the United States to strengthen domestic arms manufacturing and shell production, according to an analysis by a RIA Novosti correspondent of the US Army's fiscal year 2026 budget on Wednesday. Funds originally allocated in 2024 have been redirected to ramp up production of 155mm artillery shells, a NATO-standard caliber vital to Ukrainian forces who are facing an ongoing supply shortage. According to newly reviewed budget documents, the US Army's 2026 financial plan outlines how aid earmarked for Ukraine is also being used to strengthen the US's defense industrial base. Notably, more than $623 million is set aside for the construction of a new Trinitrotoluene (TNT) production facility. Once operational, the plant is expected to produce five million pounds of TNT annually, reducing US dependence on foreign suppliers and securing a key component in the manufacturing of 155mm shells. These developments come as artillery demand in Ukraine continues to surge, reflecting a broader US strategy aimed at maintaining military readiness and ensuring consistent munitions availability for both allied and US forces. The TNT facility is intended to supply explosives essential to 155mm artillery rounds. As US stockpiles are drawn down to support Ukraine, this facility seeks to ensure uninterrupted production and mitigate supply chain risks. Another $600 million has been allocated to the Holston Army Ammunition Plant to expand production of IMX 104, a safer and more stable explosive that replaces legacy compounds. This upgrade targets a capacity of 13 million pounds annually and directly supports both current and future US munitions systems. The Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, a key producer of 155mm metal parts, received $80 million for design upgrades, facility improvements, and new equipment. These efforts aim to increase automation and production efficiency. An additional $21 million was allocated to nearby General Dynamics facilities for a new forging press to further accelerate shell output. Additionally, the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant received $100 million to support the production of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) 6.8mm round, a new caliber designed for enhanced performance in future combat scenarios. An additional $72 million was set aside for constructing an Automated Contaminated Waste Plant to maintain safe and efficient operations at the Lake City site. At the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, $93.8 million has been allocated to modernize its solvent propellant production for key materials like M6 and M31A2, intended to rapidly replenish 155mm artillery stocks. Lastly, $14 million was directed to the Goex facility at Camp Minden, Louisiana, for modernizing black powder production, ensuring the continued availability of niche energetic materials for the US government. While presented under the banner of Ukraine aid, the $1.6 billion in redirected funding ultimately enhances US domestic defense production capabilities. The investments reflect Washington's dual-track approach: supporting Ukrainian forces while simultaneously reinforcing long-term US military Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he had approved the delivery of additional defensive weapons to Ukraine and is weighing new sanctions against Russia, expressing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the worsening toll of the war. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said that while he had once believed in diplomacy with Putin, recent battlefield developments and rising casualties have left him disillusioned. 'I'm not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now,' Trump said, pointing to the thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers killed during the war. 'We get a lot of bullsh*t thrown at us by Putin. … He's very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,' he added. Reports revealed that Trump had campaigned on a promise to end the war in Ukraine within a day. That promise, however, remains unfulfilled as efforts by his administration to broker a peace agreement have stalled. Read more: Western arms undermine peace, talks await Kiev's response: Kremlin
