A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck near the Solomon Islands in the western Pacific, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, updating its initial estimate of a 7.1-magnitude quake.
No immediate threat of a destructive tsunami was reported.
The quake struck at a depth of about 30 kilometres with an epicentre 40km southwest of Kira Kira, on Makira Island, and 224km southeast of the capital, Honiara, at 4.30pm (5.30am GMT), the USGS said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a bulletin saying "no destructive widespread tsunami threat exists based on historical earthquake and tsunami data".
However, it warned earthquakes of such a magnitude "sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within 100 kilometres of the earthquake epicentre.
"Authorities in the region of the epicentre should be aware of this possibility and take action."
Like much of the Pacific, the Solomons regularly experience earthquakes, most recently a 6.8 magnitude temblor in April, without a tsuanmi or reports of damage.
*AFP
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Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
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Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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