Blast on tanker kills 2 in Russia's Far East

10:55, November 03, 2019

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  2 killed in 6.6-magnitude earthquake in southern Philippines

  Medical workers and residents evacuate patients to a safe place outside the hospital after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit Makilala town, North Cotabato, on the southern island of Mindanao on October 29, 2019. (Photo: VCG)MANILA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and hundreds reportedly injured in a 6.6-magnitude earthquake which struck Cotabato province in southern Philippines on Tuesday, Philippine officials said.A local government disaster agency and police reported that a 66-year-old man from Koronadal City in South Cotabato and a 15-year-old boy from Magsaysay town in Davao del Sur died after they hit by falling debris. At least 43 were injured in Kidapawan City and Mlang town in Cotabato province, officials added.The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the inland tremor, which struck at 9:04 a.m. local time hit at a depth of 7 km, about 25 km southeast of Tulunan town.It was the second powerful earthquake that rocked the province in the central Mindanao region this month. Tulunan town was also the epicenter of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that jolted the region on Oct. 16.The tremor, which was tectonic in origin, so far triggered dozens of large and small aftershocks, ranging from magnitude of 1.5 to 6.1, the institute said. More than an hour after the initial quake, the institute recorded a 6.1-magnitude aftershock.Police are also verifying reports that one villager was killed and at least two are missing in a quake-triggered landslide in Magsaysay town. At least 300 people were also reportedly injured in that town.The powerful earthquake was strongly felt in Kidapawan City, Sarangani province, Davao City, Koronadal City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Zamboanga City, and Bukidnon province.Local officials said the strong earthquake sent panicking people out of their houses and buildings.The officials said the tremor cut the power supply in many of the affected provinces, knocked down electric posts an...

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  2 people killed in clashes in election dispute

  A woman holds the Spanish message: "Neither Mesa nor Evo in October" to protest the reelection of President Evo Morales, and also protest rival candidate, former President Carlos Mesa, in La Paz, Bolivia, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. (Photo:AP)Bolivian authorities say at least two people have been killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of President Evo Morales over the disputed presidential election.Health officials in Santa Cruz province say the people were fatally shot at around midnight Wednesday in the town of Montero. Santa Cruz is an opposition stronghold.The government of Morales is blaming the opposition led by Carlos Mesa for the deaths.Backers of Mesa say results from the Oct. 20 vote were rigged to give Morales enough of a majority to avoid a runoff. Morales denies irregularities.The Organization of American States sent a team to Bolivia to begin an election audit Thursday. Mesa rejects the audit, saying it is a deal between the OAS and Morales that excludes the opposition.

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  2 killed, 23 wounded in protests in southern Iraq

  BAGHDAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Two protesters were killed and 23 others wounded during clashes on Monday night in Iraqs southern province of Dhi Qar, the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights said Tuesday.The Iraqi security forces used tear gas, rubber and live bullets to disperse protesters, and 283 protesters were also arrested, according to a commission statement.The commission condemned the use of live ammunition and demanded to hand the case to a special investigation committee, urging all sides to stick to the peaceful demonstration standards.On Tuesday, protesters blocked the roads and burned tires in many areas in the capital Baghdad, a police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.He noted that the three major bridges leading to the fortified Green Zone which houses government headquarters and foreign embassies are still closed, saying riot police managed to prevent the protesters from crossing these bridges.Since Oct. 25, demonstrations have been going on in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq, demanding comprehensive reform, accountability for corruption, improvement of public services and job opportunities.Early in October, mass protests erupted across Iraq for similar reasons.(Photo: VCG)