Indonesia Says Magnitude 7 Quake off Sulawesi, Residents Flee Buildings

Children walk past a house that collapsed in an earthquake, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2022. (AFP)
Children walk past a house that collapsed in an earthquake, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2022. (AFP)
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Indonesia Says Magnitude 7 Quake off Sulawesi, Residents Flee Buildings

Children walk past a house that collapsed in an earthquake, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2022. (AFP)
Children walk past a house that collapsed in an earthquake, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia, Dec. 1, 2022. (AFP)

A powerful earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude struck off Indonesia's North Sulawesi province on Wednesday, the country's geophysics agency said, adding that there was no tsunami potential.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, however, warned in a bulletin that there was a risk of tsunami waves located within 300 kilometers of the epicenter.

The Indonesian agency said with the quake's epicenter was at a depth of 64 kilometers (39.77 miles), 141 kilometers southeast of the town of Melonguane.

A resident in the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, said by telephone that the quake was felt very strongly for several seconds and people were seen running out of buildings.

However, the resident said, so far, no visible damage had been seen and some people had returned to their homes.

The quake was also felt in the Maluku islands, the local disaster agency added.

Indonesia rests atop the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world, experiencing frequent earthquakes.



UK-based Persian TV Halts Live Broadcasts amid Iran Tensions

Iran International was labelled a 'terrorist' organisation by Tehran in 2022 © CARLOS JASSO / AFP
Iran International was labelled a 'terrorist' organisation by Tehran in 2022 © CARLOS JASSO / AFP
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UK-based Persian TV Halts Live Broadcasts amid Iran Tensions

Iran International was labelled a 'terrorist' organisation by Tehran in 2022 © CARLOS JASSO / AFP
Iran International was labelled a 'terrorist' organisation by Tehran in 2022 © CARLOS JASSO / AFP

A London-based Persian language channel on Monday said it had been forced to suspend live broadcasts after UK counter-terror police alerted its landlord to a potential threat from Tehran.

Manoto TV, which launched in 2010 and is an opposition channel popular with the Iranian diaspora, said the temporary suspension came as Iran faced one of the "most sensitive moments" in its history.

In recent months, Iran has seen mass anti-government protests in one of the largest challenges to the Islamic republic's clerical leadership in years, AFP reported.

"At a time when ... domestic and regional developments are unfolding at an unprecedented pace, the Islamic Republic's threats against freedom of speech -- aimed at suppressing independent reporting -- have intensified," Manoto TV said in a statement.

"Our landlord has informed us of their intention to terminate our tenancy following notification from the UK's Counter Terrorism Policing regarding a potential threat against us from the Islamic Republic of Iran Regime," the private broadcaster added.

Staff had been blocked from entering the building, resulting in the temporary suspension while alternative arrangements were put in place.

"Our priority is to return to live broadcasting from a safe and stable location as soon as possible," the station added.

Counter-terrorism police did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment.


15 Dead in Peru Military Helicopter Crash

A demonstrator waves a Peruvian flag during a protest against the government of President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce
A demonstrator waves a Peruvian flag during a protest against the government of President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce
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15 Dead in Peru Military Helicopter Crash

A demonstrator waves a Peruvian flag during a protest against the government of President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce
A demonstrator waves a Peruvian flag during a protest against the government of President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru October 8, 2021. REUTERS/Angela Ponce

Fifteen people died when a military helicopter crashed in the Arequipa region of Peru, the air force said Monday.

The Mi-17 helicopter lost radio contact Sunday afternoon and the Peruvian Air Force found the 15 people dead on Monday, AFP reported.

"Rescue personnel have confirmed the deaths of the four crew members... as well as the 11 passengers who were on board," an air force statement said.

The helicopter was carrying out rescue operations for victims of floods in Arequipa which have caused widespread damage, the air force said.

The Russian-made aircraft had taken off from the city of Pisco, in the Ica region. Rescuers located it just over 300 kilometers (186 miles) away in the town of Chala, in Arequipa.


Rubio Trip to Israel on Iran Tensions 'Subject to Change'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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Rubio Trip to Israel on Iran Tensions 'Subject to Change'

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves as he departs at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may push back a trip to Israel in which he is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential strikes on Iran, a US official said Monday.

"Secretary Rubio is still planning to travel to Israel but the schedule remains subject to change," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Rubio had earlier been expected to meet Netanyahu on Saturday, but Israeli media reports said he was now expected in the country on Monday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told CBS News that he expected new talks on Thursday with the United States and held out hope for progress.

President Donald Trump has sent a major deployment of air and sea power to the Middle East and has threatened to strike Iran if it does not reach a deal on key concerns starting with its nuclear program.

Netanyahu has long advocated a hard line on Iran's clerical state and last June ordered a 12-day bombing campaign inside the country, which the United States briefly joined.

Netanyahu visited Washington on February 11 to speak with Trump, who said afterward that he "insisted" on giving time for diplomacy.

Iran has publicly insisted that it has a right to uranium enrichment.

The United States and Israel have threatened new military action against Iran after mass protests against the Islamic republic, which authorities crushed at a cost of thousands of lives.