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Mubarak Fails to Quell Unrest 29 Jan 2011 11:11 AM (14 years ago)

Despite moves by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to appoint new senior cabinet members including the country's first vice president since the leader took office, protests continued and the situation remained tense in Egypt on Saturday. Meanwhile, the death count could be as high as 100. Read More

The Egyptian Army and the Uprising 29 Jan 2011 10:55 AM (14 years ago)

Unrest in Egypt and the Birth of a New Political Age 29 Jan 2011 10:51 AM (14 years ago)

Hosni Mubarak: Made in the USA 29 Jan 2011 10:07 AM (14 years ago)

As the world looks to the American response, we must decide what kind of strategy we plan on carrying into the future. Will we continue an outdated policy of supporting despots in farce elections, or will we practice what we so often like to preach. Unfounded fears over who may or may not fill a potential vacuum mustn't be an excuse to sustain the status quo. While it's true that revolution doesn't always bring democracy or a better life, like what came out of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, it's up to the Egyptian people to decide their country's course. At a time of upheaval, the only guarantee is that our current strategy of supporting similar regimes in the region will breed the very radicalism that we hope to avoid.

Read more from the Roosevelt Institute

Euro: The “opportunity within the crisis” 29 Jan 2011 9:55 AM (14 years ago)

Germany's Foreign Minister Westerwelle has stressed the need “to direct our efforts towards a strategic and forward-looking development of the euro’s future”. Long-term structural reforms are needed, he says, to avoid another debt crisis arising in the near future. What he does not see as necessary is an increase in the euro rescue package.

The crux of the matter according to Westerwelle is that “we are in this situation because too much debt was taken on in too short a time; and it now cannot be refinanced on the markets”. The Minister therefore considers it essential to tackle the causes. The pressure created by the immediate problem must be used, he feels, to push through structural changes.

Foreign Minister Westerwelle is holding a meeting in Berlin today with Olli Rehn, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs. The Stability and Growth Pact will also determine the agenda at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 31 January.

As Westerwelle puts it, every country in Europe has to “adopt sound financial and budget policies”. The “policy of running up vast debts” witnessed in past years must, he says, be brought to an end. The Minister also believes that it would be helpful for other countries to enshrine a national “debt brake” like Germany’s in their constitutions.

He is furthermore convinced that the EU’s competitiveness can be enhanced through greater coordination of the member states’ economic policies. As the Minister puts it, strengthening member states’ real economies will in the end affect the euro itself, since the currency “can only be as strong as the real economies of its member states”.

In contrast, increasing the euro rescue package is currently out of the question for Foreign Minister Westerwelle, who points out that only a small proportion has been made use of so far, help for Ireland having amounted to less than 10% of the available package. He sees an increase as neither necessary nor helpful, since speculation on the subject would do more to unsettle the markets than to calm them.

find out more: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Europa/Aktuell/110125-Euro.html?nn=479784

Is it rational for Israel to believe that it can embrace the Arab minority economically, but assault it in all other ways? 29 Jan 2011 8:18 AM (14 years ago)

Why Egypt matters 29 Jan 2011 6:52 AM (14 years ago)

by Roger Hardy

Egypt matters, in a way that tiny Tunisia - key catalyst that it has been in the current wave of protest - does not.

Egypt, the most populous Arab state, can help determine the thrust of Arab policies - whether towards Israel or Iran or in the perennial quest for Arab consensus on issues that matter.

And - the wild card that troubles Western policy-makers most - could the Muslim Brotherhood, the country's Islamist opposition movement, somehow exploit the protests to come to power?

Read more...

Egypt facing revolution as Mubarak outlaws protests 27 Jan 2011 8:45 AM (14 years ago)

VISA requirements with the EU abolished for Serbia and F.Y.R.O.M. 20 Jan 2011 9:56 AM (14 years ago)

What Sparked Tunisian Revolution? 20 Jan 2011 9:47 AM (14 years ago)

Taking Sides in the Tunisian Crisis 

Hoover Institution - Kori Schake

Blackberry agrees to filter porn in Indonesia 18 Jan 2011 9:00 PM (14 years ago)

With cell phone maker Blackberry agreeing to block pornography in its Indonesian phones, the country's communication ministry said the company has until Friday to finalize the mechanism, local media reported on Monday.

Indonesian Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring said Canadian-based tech company Research in Motion (RIM) will not be able to extend or modify the deadline, warning that if it is not able to create a pornography website filter in its smartphones, its permits would be revoked, the Jakarta Globe reported.


While Blackberry phones usually connect to local internet service providers, in Indonesia, the phones are directly linked to its Canadian-based servers. Because of this, officials from the information ministry is expecting RIM to bring in hardware directly from Canada.

"We are very pleased in terms of the dialogue and we fully understand the needs and requirements articulated by the ministry, and we are committed to providing solutions to satisfy the needs and requirements of the ministry and the Indonesian government related to BlackBerry service in Indonesia," Gregory Wade, the company's managing director for Southeast Asia, said during a press conference at the Sapta Pesona building in Central Jakarta.

Indonesia is currently Blackberry's biggest market in Southeast Asia and the company has shown willingness to make its filter by the placed deadline. In addition, RIM explained that it will be working along with Indonesia's six operators that provide services to the phone.



Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Prostitution accusations against PM Berlusconi widen 18 Jan 2011 6:24 PM (14 years ago)

Milan prosecutors on Monday said that the evidence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in regards to the prostitution allegations against him have widened.

According to the ANSA news agency, prosecutors have sent a formal request to the Italian parliament, asking for permission to search the office of Berlusconi's accountant in relation to the allegations.

Berlusconi, 74, was placed under investigation last week for allegedly exploiting underage prostitution. The Italian leader is accused of having sex with a teenage runaway Moroccan belly dancer, identified as 'Ruby Rubacuore.'

"A significant number of young women prostituted themselves with Silvio Berlusconi at his residences in exchange for sums of money," the prosecutors' request read. The document also informs that in addition to sums of money, the girls received free housing in the sumptuous villa owned by Berlusconi in a plush Milan district. The girl was 17 years old when the alleged acts took place.


Ruby told investigators that she was at Berlusconi's villa at least eight times between February and May 2010. The Italian PM has denied the allegations and added that he has not paid for sex.

The teenager Moroccan dancer admitted attending three parties at Berlusconi's residence outside of Milan and said she received in return 7,000 euros (around $9,400) from him, but denied having sex with the PM.

Under Italian law, paying a minor for sex carries a sentence of three years in prison. Berlusconi said that the charges against him were part of a plot aimed at undermining his authority and damage his reputation.

Berlusconi said that he acted on behalf of Ruby as he believed she was the granddaughter of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. According to his lawyers, Ruby told him she was Mubarak's granddaughter and she was 23 years old.

On May 27, Ruby was caught by police and Berlusconi used his influence to get her released. The girl eventually went away with someone else, a Brazilian woman. She was later apprehended and revealed as 18-year-old Karima El Mahroug.

Since the Ruby-scandal, other prostitutes have claimed they attended other parties at Berlusconi's villa.




Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Tunisia forms new government amidst protests 18 Jan 2011 1:06 PM (14 years ago)

Tunisian interim leadership on Monday announced the formation of a new government as protests continued in the capital Tunis, France24 news reported.

The new government of national unity includes members of the opposition as announced by Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. In addition, established political figures were included too in a desperate attempt to bring back political stability in the North African country.

The crisis in Tunisia escalated after the ouster of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. The Prime Minister remarked that foreign, interior and defense ministers under Ben Ali will continue in their posts.


Meanwhile, also on Monday, police forces had to use water cannons and shot bullets into the air in order to control and disperse protesters in Tunis' streets. The demonstrations increased after reports surfaced indicating that the family of President Ben Ali has fled Tunisia with 1.5 tons of gold.

The formation of a new government was considered a key movement in order to establishing order and filling the power vacuum in the North African nation as it was in the balance after the dismissal of the previous regime by Ben Ali.

"A period of six months was agreed upon so that constitutional and legislative reforms could be carried out, to pave the way for a neutral election, with a neutral electoral committee and international observers," said Najib Chebbi, a prominent opposition figure, as cited by France24.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Tunisia is enduring a significant transition. Clinton also condemned the violence and urged restraint on all sides.

Protests over economic issues resulted in violent riots between police forces and Tunisian citizens. Despite promises made this week by Ben Ali, he was forced to resign. The former Tunisian leader had in a final act promised to lower prices on food as well as freedom of press.


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Nineteen die in Pakistan minibus blast 18 Jan 2011 1:03 PM (14 years ago)

At least 19 people were killed on Monday after a bomb struck a minibus transport vehicle in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, local media reported on Tuesday.

Eighteen people were killed instantly after a Peshawar-bound passenger van on the Hangu-Kohat Road exploded near Jawzara village, about 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the town of Hangu. One of the 14 injured later died at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Geo TV reported.

In addition, another transport vehicle heading to Rawalpindi was damaged by the explosion, causing several passengers to sustain critical injuries.
Shortly after the explosion, local villagers rushed to aid the victims as police and security forces arrived. Four of the injured, who were described to be in a critical condition, were transported the District Headquarters Hospital in Kohat and the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.

According to reports, security forces later found six kilograms of explosives inside luggage within the vehicle. Five hand grenades were also discovered and defused at the scene. Local authorities say one of the passengers, Kamil Shah, seemed to be the target of the attack.

Furthermore, the vehicle's driver previously ignored a police checkpoint before the explosive material ignited.


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

EU says successful Euro changeover in Estonia 18 Jan 2011 1:01 PM (14 years ago)

The European Commission on Monday announced that Estonia underwent a successful Euro changeover as the dual circulation period ended last Friday.

The Commission set a deadline for a dual currency circulation period in which both the Estonian kroon and the Euro were used as citizens of the Balkan country got used to the new currency.

"This successful and smooth changeover is no coincidence. It is the result of careful preparations, in close contacts with the Commission and the ECB," said Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.

After adopting the Euro as currency, Estonia became the 17th member of the Euro zone. The changeover process was made through a two-week gradual transition and has been described as 'very smooth and successful.'

No major problems were encountered and banks, post offices and retailers were coping well with the extra workload caused by the changeover process and the parallel handling of two currencies.

In addition, those Estonians still having kroons can exchange them for euros without a fee at all bank branches in the Balkan country. ATMs are distributing Euro banknotes as from the first hour of January 1.

Until last Saturday, 13 percent of Estonians still had some kroon bills in their possession. Starting in June, people will not be able to exchange them for Euros in all bank branches but only at the Estonian Central Bank for an unlimited period of time.

Ahead of the adoption, banks have supplied Euro cash to shops and businesses under contract so they can handle payments and return change in Euros starting on Saturday. With the addition of Estonia to the Euro area, over 330 million people will share the same currency.

During the first day, most Estonian paid using kroons in order to get euros in change and avoid having to go to banks to exchange currency. However, at the end of the second day, 26 percent of people paid using euros and 92 percent of businesses were returning euros.


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Russian President Medvedev urges ratification of new START treaty 18 Jan 2011 12:56 PM (14 years ago)

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday urged a swift ratification for the U.S.-Russia START treaty, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Medvedev called on the Russian Parliament to ratify as quickly as possible the treaty which consists in the new nuclear arms reduction pact with the United States and signed last April in Prague, Czech Republic.

"The Americans have done what they have promised to do. They have ratified the treaty with several amendments," Medvedev said. "Now it is the turn of our parliament. You have all possibility to do the same. I hope that decision will be made."


The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, voted in favor of the treaty's ratification in the second reading on Friday. The original START treaty expired in December 2009.

President Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama signed the documents last April in order to reduce the Russian and U.S. nuclear arsenals to a maximum of 1,550 nuclear warheads, down from the current ceiling of 2,200.

The new START treaty, which has been applauded by the international community, was ratified by the U.S. Senate on December 22, 2010. However, several amendments were made to the resolution on ratification, including a demand to build up U.S. global missile defenses.

In Russia, the new agreement needs to be ratified by both houses of the Russian parliament, the State Duma and the Federation Council before coming into force. Both votes are expected to take place before the end of the month.

The U.S. Senate passed the arms reduction treaty after a 71-26 vote which was considered a major victory for President Barack Obama in the foreign policy field. Obama has expressed his intention to establish new relations with Russia.


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

American service member killed in northern Iraq 18 Jan 2011 4:04 AM (14 years ago)

An American service member was killed in northern Iraq on Monday morning, the U.S. military confirmed, but few details were immediately released.


A statement from U.S. Forces - Iraq said a U.S. service member was killed as a result of a non-hostile incident in northern Iraq, but provided no other information. "The name of the deceased and details of the incident are being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense," the statement said.


The fatalities raise the total number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq so far this year to six, according to a BNO News count based on official information. A total of 60 U.S. service members were killed in Iraq last year, most of whom died as the result of non-hostile incidents.

On Saturday, three American service members were killed in two separate incidents in central and northern Iraq. At the Ghazlani Training Center, south of Mosul, two American soldiers were killed when an Iraqi soldier attacked them during a training event being conducted by U.S. forces. In the other incident. in central Iraq, an American service member was killed during an operation, but no other details were released.




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Apple CEO Jobs to take medical leave 17 Jan 2011 9:07 PM (14 years ago)

Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs on Monday announced that he will take a medical leave from the technology company.

Jobs, 55, informed that he is taking another medical leave due to his latest health struggle for the head of the world-known company. The announcement provoked uncertainty over Apple's future direction.

Apple's CEO is a pancreatic cancer survivor who received a liver transplant in 2009. He informed his decision via an email sent to his staff on Monday morning. Jobs said that he intends to focus on his health in the near future.


"At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence," said Apple's Jobs. "I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company."

In the meantime, jobs designated Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations. Cook, 50, is currently Apple's Chief Operating Officer. In addition, Cook covered Jobs first absence.

"I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011," added the CEO.

Jobs was diagnosed with islet cell neuroendocrine tumor, a rare type of pancreatic cancer. In 2008, the Apple executive began exhibiting noticeable weight loss which he credited to a hormone imbalance.

"I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy."


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Afghan official blames Iran's blockade for fuel shortage 17 Jan 2011 8:50 PM (14 years ago)

Afghanistan's commerce minister has blamed Iran for the country's fuel shortage, the DPA news agency reported on Monday.

"Afghanistan is suffering. The stoppage of fuel tankers has created great problems and a crisis for us in terms of fuel supply," Anwarul Haq Ahadi told journalists.

Iran cut its fuel supply route to Afghanistan for more than a month without providing a convincing reason in early December. It has been allowing only small numbers of trucks, 40 tankers a day, to cross the border. There were still about 1,800 to 1,900 tankers on the other side, Ahadi said.
Afghanistan was importing 2,000 tons of fuel daily through Iran before the problem started.

Meanwhile, the government and the private sector have approached other fuel sources, like Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. In addition, according to the minister, Russian oil companies had concluded a number of deals with private companies in Afghanistan, and the fuel would reach Kabul in three weeks.

Afghans protests have increased since the month-long blockade started. Five demonstrations took place in front of the Iranian Embassy in Kabul where protesters also threw stones, DPA reported.

Fuel prices have gone up across the country by up to 35 per cent with the first snows of winter falling earlier this week in the capital.

Afghanistan annually needs at least two million tons of fuel to supply its domestic needs. Around 40 per cent of the fuel, according to officials, usually comes from Iran.

NATO arranges its fuel needs separately.

Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Man sets himself on fire near Egyptian parliament 17 Jan 2011 6:55 PM (14 years ago)

An apparent protester set himself on fire near the Egyptian parliament in Cairo on Monday, police and local media said.

The Al-Ahram newspaper said 49-year-old Abdo Abdel Hameed, a restaurant owner, had poured a container of petrol on himself before lightning a match to his clothes, engulfing him in flames. It was not immediately clear if he did it in protest or in a failed suicide attempt.

After Abdel put himself on fire, witnesses attempted to contain the flames before a cab driver used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Abdel was transported to a serious hospital, where he is said to be in a stable condition. 

The act appeared to be similar to a protest earlier this month in Tunisia, leading to last week's rebellion that led to Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's resignation. There, Mohsen Bouterfif set himself on fire after a meeting with the mayor of Boukhadra in Tebessa who was unable to offer Bouterfif a job and a house.

Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Chinese President Hu proposes four points to improve US relations 17 Jan 2011 6:39 PM (14 years ago)

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday proposed four points to improve U.S. relations, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The Chinese leader spoke about his proposal for improving China-U.S. ties ahead of his scheduled visit to Washington D.C. from Tuesday to Friday. He remarked that both nations will benefit from a improved relationship.


"We should act in the fundamental interests of our two peoples and uphold the overall interests of world peace and development," said Hu. "We should rise up to challenges, remove disturbances, work for shared goals and promote continuous growth of our relations."

The Chinese leader said that first the two countries should increase dialogue and contact and enhance strategic mutual trust. The second point is developing a new mentality and respect on the tow-way relationship.

"Third, we should respect each country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests and properly address each nation's major concerns. And fourth, we should make constant efforts to expand our converging interests so that China and the United States will be partners for cooperation in broader areas," said the Chinese president.

Hu highlighted that since U.S. leader Obama took office there has been a close communication between the two leaders through visits, meetings, telephone conversations and letters.

"We agreed to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century and together, we instituted the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues mechanism," Hu added.

In December, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced President Hu will visit the White House on January 19. Gibbs added that Obama is looking forward to welcome Hu and continue building a partnership to advance the nation's common interests and address their shared concern.

Hu said there is great potential for an improved and mutually beneficial cooperation between China-U.S. in fields such as advancing Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, improving global economic governance and promoting sustainable growth of the world economy.

China and the United States have cooperated in a wide range of areas including economy and trade, energy, the environment, counter-terrorism, law enforcement and culture during the last two years.

Iran 'confirms' shooting down drones in the Persian Gulf 17 Jan 2011 6:31 PM (14 years ago)

Iran on Monday confirmed that it shot down several Israeli, American and British unmanned drones in the Persian Gulf, claims which the Pentagon has denied.

The announcement was made by a senior Iranian military official who spoke under the condition of anonymity, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. The official added that Iran has eliminated several drones during the last 7 years. "We have experienced similar incidents many times in the past and there have even been drones belonging to the occupying Israel, the United States and Britain which have been shot down in the Persian Gulf during the past 7 years," the official said.

On Sunday, reports surfaced indicating that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) air defense units shot down several U.S. drones outside Iranian airspace. The information was later confirmed by Deputy Head of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Major General Gholam Ali Rashid.

However, Iran did not present any evidence to support its claims. On Monday, the United States denied Iranian claims that the IRGC shot down U.S. drone surveillance aircraft in the Persian Gulf.

Pentagon officials acknowledged that some unmanned drones have crashed in the region in the past due to mechanical difficulties, however the U.S. said there was no evidence to support the Iranian claims.


Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

12 inmates escape from prison in northern Mexico 17 Jan 2011 6:14 PM (14 years ago)

Mexican authorities on Monday informed that 12 inmates escaped from a prison facility in northern Mexico.

The twelve criminals broke out from the Aquiles Serdan prison in Chihuahua State located approximately four kilometers (two miles) from the state's capital of Chihuahua. The prison break took place at about 5.00 a.m. local time.

Local officials said that a loud blast was heard and initially it was thought that a grenade had exploded. However, it was later determined that the explosion was only a distraction while a vehicle demolished a wire fence.

The vehicle left a hole with one meter and a half of diameter through which the twelve inmates fled. At about 8.20 a.m., police forces managed to capture one of the twelve criminals who escaped through the west side hole.


Security inside the Aquiles Serdan prison was reinforced and authorities are currently questioning the captured escapee, identified as Fernando García Rocha. The Mexican Army also arrived to the scene to aid in the search and protection efforts.

The situation inside the prison facility was later reported to be stable and calm. The criminals that managed to escape are Lucio Urias Cazares, Rafael Peña Peña, Monserrat Chávez Moreno, Jesús Farid Estrada Lerma, Elías Daniel Espino Hernández, Víctor Hugo Téllez Macías, Juan José Rodríguez Hernández, José Leobardo Aranda Aranda, Miguel Gildardo J. Ochoa, Jorge Eduardo Aranda Aranda, and Maurino De la Cruz. It was not immediately clear why they were in prison or if it was drug-related.

Earlier this month, eleven inmates were killed when a violent fight broke out at a rehabilitation center in the northern region of Mexico. And last month, nearly 200 prisoners escaped from a prison facility in Nuevo Laredo in northern Mexico, not far from the Mexico-U.S. border.




Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

U.S. air traffic increases 5.6 percent in October 17 Jan 2011 4:45 PM (14 years ago)

U.S. air traffic in October experienced a 5.6 percent increase compared to the previous year's rate, according to a recently released U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) report.

According to the report, U.S. airlines carried 62.1 million scheduled domestic and international passengers last October with a passenger total 4 percent above that of two years ago in October 2008. However, it still remained 3.3 percent below the pre-recession level of October 2007.


BTS, a part of DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration, also reported that U.S. airlines carried 4.9 percent more domestic passengers in October 2010 than in October 2009, while international passengers on U.S. carriers increased 11.8 percent.

Furthermore, last October's load factors of 83.1 percent systemwide - 83.4 percent domestic and 82.3 percent international - were the highest recorded for any October on record.

For the first 10 months of 2010, the number of scheduled domestic and international passengers on U.S. airlines increased 2.0 percent compared to the same period in 2009, which recorded 603.6 million. The number of passengers, however, declined 4.5 percent from the first 10 months of 2008 to the first 10 months of 2010.

U.S. airlines also carried 1.4 percent more domestic passengers and 5.9 percent more international passengers in the first 10 months of 2010 than in 2009.

Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.

Strong quake hits off Southern Sumatra 17 Jan 2011 2:15 PM (14 years ago)

A strong earthquake struck off Southern Sumatra in Indonesia on early Tuesday morning, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake at 2.20 a.m. local time (1920 GMT Monday) was centered about 155 kilometers (95 miles) south-southeast of Bengkula on the west coast of Sumatra. It struck about 34.4 kilometers (21.4 miles) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the country's seismological agency.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the strength of the earthquake at 5.8 on the Richter scale, considerably weaker than Indonesia's estimate. The USGS estimated that some 2,000 people could have felt moderate shaking, which would unlikely result in damage.

Indonesia's seismological agency said there was no threat of a tsunami.

Indonesia is on the so-called 'Pacific Ring of Fire', an arc of fault lines circling the Pacific Basin that is prone to frequent and large earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions also occur frequently in the region.

On December 26, 2004, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The 9.1-magnitude earthquake unleashed a deadly tsunami, striking scores of countries. In all, at least 227,898 people were killed.

Most recently, on October 25, a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck just off the Mentawai Islands off the western coast of Sumatra. As a result, a wall of water killed at least 435 people on the islands and impacted more than 20 villages.

Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.