Strong earthquake jolts Japan

No casualties reported after 7.2-magnitude quake triggers tsunami warning for east coast of main Honshu island. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 05:36 GMT

Japan lies on the 'Ring of Fire' where about 90 per cent of the world's quakes occur [EPA] A major 7.2-magnitude quake has hit Japan, swaying buildings in Tokyo and triggering a tsunami warning, but causing no reported casualties or damage. The quake struck late on Wednesday morning, about 10km below the Pacific seafloor. The epicentre was about 160km offshore and 430km northeast of Tokyo. The Japan meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the east coast of the main Honshu island, where a 24-inch wave was first reported at Ofunato port half an hour after the quake. Police said they had received no reports of casualties from the quake, or from a 5.6-magnitude aftershock that struck nearby about 12 minutes later. Tokyo Electric and Tohoku Electric, nuclear power operators, confirmed that the quake did not damage their atomic plants and prefectures in Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima." "First I felt a jolt that pushed from underneath, then a big sideways tremor that lasted for about 20 seconds," Yoshiyuki Sato, an official at Kurihara City in Miyagi prefecture, about 300km northeast of Tokyo, told the Reuters news agency. Some Shinkansen bullet trains in the region automatically stopped when the quake hit but then resumed their services, railway operators said. Local residents in the rural seaside areas where the quake was felt most strongly reported no immediate damage from the quake. "It continued for about 30 seconds, but I don't see anything that looks different," Yoshio Hoshi, a retired fisherman in Miyagi prefecture, said. Japan lies on the 'Ring of Fire'- an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim and where about 90 per cent of the world's quakes occur.

Source: Agencies

Microcredit pioneer to lodge appeal

Noble Prize winner Muhammad Yunus to appeal, after High Court upheld his removal from Bangladesh's Grameen Bank. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 08:07 GMT

Yunus was removed as head of Grameen Bank for staying on past legal retirement age [AP] Muhammad Yunus, a Bangladeshi Nobel laureate, will lodge a Supreme Court appeal against a High Court decision upholding his removal from microlender Grameen Bank. The Nobel laureate will also ask the court to immediately suspend the central bank's order removing him from Grameen Bank, which he founded in 1983 and which provides collateral-free loans to eight million rural borrowers. The High Court on Tuesday upheld last week's order removing Yunus as head of the bank. Yunus, 70, had been removed as head of the bank on the grounds that he had stayed on past the legal retirement age of 60. Grameen Bank said in a statement that Tuesday's court decision was disappointing, adding that it would consult with its lawyers to consider what to do next. "We hope that in the meantime nothing will jeopardise the stability of Grameen Bank," the statement said. 'Government vendetta' There was no immediate explanation why the removal came now and not 10 years ago, but some say the decision was prompted by a government vendetta. In 2007, while Bangladesh was ruled by an interim military government, Yunus tried to set up a political party, but later stepped back. Though Yunus was unlikely to pose a threat to Sheikh Hasina, the country's prime minister, his proposed party could well have challenged the prime minister because of his popularity among poor voters. Action against Yunus coincides with increasing criticism of microlending in developing countries, including neighbouring India, with officials accusing bankers of exploiting the poor. But analysts said the dismissal would annoy the country's friends, including the United States. Thousands of protesters marched through Dhaka last weekend to denounce Yunus's removal. Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, set up Grameen, which means village in Bengali, and has been its managing director since 2000. Lauded abroad by politicians and financiers, he has been under attack by the government since late last year, after a Norwegian documentary alleged the bank was dodging taxes. Yunus has denied any financial irregularities and the Norwegian government found no evidence of misuse of funds or corruption.

Source: Agencies

Japan names new foreign minister

Takeaki Matsumoto's appointment comes with a long list of challenges, including managing strained ties with China. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 09:37 GMT

Matsumoto, a former banker, was first elected to parliament in 2000 [Reuters] Naoto Kan, Japan's prime minister, has picked Takeaki Matsumoto, a junior cabinet minister, as the country's new foreign minister. The new minister will take over from Seiji Maehara, pro-US security hawk, who quit on Sunday after admitting he had taken about $3,000 in donations from a Korean national. "The prime minister made the decision based on his (Matsumoto's) abilities and knowledge, as well as on his diplomatic consistency - the fact that he has been involved in some important matters as state foreign secretary," Yukio Edano, chief cabinet secretary, told a news conference on Wednesday. Matsumoto was first elected to parliament in 2000. Key challenges The appointment comes with a long list of challenges including managing strained ties with China and keeping ties with ally Washington on an even keel. The resignation of Maehara, once seen as a likely successor to the unpopular Kan if he bows to pressure to quit, was a fresh blow to the premier and his Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Kan is trying to pass bills needed to implement a $1 trillion budget for the year from April, through a gridlocked parliament, and craft policies to curb Japan's massive public debt. The successor will have to hit the ground running, attending a G8 ministerial meeting in Paris on March 14-15 and a trilateral meeting with his counterparts from China and South Korea later this month. Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow at the Tokyo Foundation think tank, said that Matsumoto's policy views were pro-US and similar to Maehara's. The two men share a "moderated engagement position" on China, "not hawkish, but not dovish", Watanabe said. Delicate ties Japan's relations with Beijing chilled markedly last year after Japan held a Chinese trawler captain following his boat's collision with Japanese patrol boats near disputed isles in the East China Sea. In a sign that ties are still strained, Japan scrambled jets this month after Chinese naval planes flew near the isles, though they did not enter Japan's airspace. Tokyo also complained to Beijing this week after a Chinese helicopter flew close to a Japanese destroyer in the East China Sea. The relationship between Japan and Washington, Tokyo's biggest security ally, was also damaged after the DPJ took power in 2009 and Yukio Hatoyama, then-premier, tried to keep a campaign pledge to move a US airbase off the southern island of Okinawa. Kan, who took over last June when Hatoyama suddenly quit, has promised to implement a 2006 deal to shift the base to a less populated part of the island, but faces stiff opposition from local residents. Adding to the difficulties, Kevin Maher, the head of the Japan affairs office at the US state department, was recently quoted by Kyodo news agency as telling US college students that Okinawans were masters of "manipulation" and "extortion", sparking outrage in Okinawa.

Source: Agencies

Tunisia dissolves Ben Ali party

Tunis court announces the end of the Rally for Constitutional Democracy in accordance with demands from protesters. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 09:24 GMT

Pro-democracy protesters have been calling for the party's dismantling since Ben Ali was ousted [EPA] A Tunisian court has dissolved the former ruling party of the country's deposed leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The court in Tunis, the capital, announced the end of the Rally for Constitutional Democracy (RCD) on Wednesday, but the party said it would appeal against the decision. The chamber "decided to dissolve the Rally for Constitutional Democacy and to liquidate its assets and funds," the court said in its ruling, triggering a burst of applause. Pro-democracy activists have been demanding the party's dismantling since Ben Ali was ousted on January 14 after a popular uprising, that triggered unrest across the Arab world. The RCD was suspended from official activities in February by the interior ministry, after Ben Ali fled the country. The party, which claimed a membership of two million people out of a population of around 10.4 million, was accused of violating the constitution to set up a one-party "totalitarian regime" under Ben Ali. Since it was created in 1988, the party had never been audited and had never filed annual accounts, the interior ministry said.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Suicide blast hits Pakistan funeral

At least 37 killed and another 40 wounded as bomber blows himself up at funeral in country's northwest. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 07:40 GMT

Those injured in the attack were rushed to a hospital in Peshawar A suicide bomber has attacked a funeral procession in Matani, 20km west of the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, killing at least 37 people and injuring at least 40 others, a government official said. Siraj Ahmed, Peshawar's top administrator, told the Reuters news agency that Wednesday's attack targeted the funeral for the relative of a pro-government, ethnic Pashtun tribal elder. The attacker mingled with the mourners before setting off his explosives, Ahmed said. Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder reported that the death toll may rise as "a number of wounded are said to be in serious condition". Taliban fighters have claimed responsibility for the attack. Tribal peace committees Like in other parts of the northwest, Matani is home to several tribal armies that fight against the Taliban and get some government support. Taliban fighters have often targeted members of these tribal peace committees. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Zahir Shah, bureau chief of Pakitsan's Dawn News, said that "most of those who got killed appear to be members of the peace committe. "The injured have been rushed to a hospital in Peshawar." The attack came a day after a car-bomb went off at at a natural gas filling station in the central city of Faisalabad killing 25 people and wounding about 125 others. Our correspondent reported that the "tribal peace committee is a voluntary force that has been battling the Pakistani Taliban". "There was a lull over the past few months but we have seen an escalation in attacks which is perhaps indicative of the fact that the Pakistani Taliban have regrouped." "In the past week alone, up to a 100 people have been killed and twice that number wounded, in similar attacks by Pakistani Taliban."

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

Libya oil tanks seen as 'time bomb'

Desperate Gaddafi might hit oil facilities in an attempt to fend off encroaching rebels, sparking a human catastrophe. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 02:19 GMT The oil producing town of Ras Lanuf in Libya has seen some of the worst fighting in the last few days. Home to a huge facility at the very heart of Libya’s massive oil and gas industry, the plant could become a new target. For now, opposition forces control this and virtually every other natural energy facility in the country. But as this conflict wears on, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi will need oil. He will have to try and take it by force or, as many fear, he could bomb oil and gas complexes to prevent anyone else from using them “ We expect that he will destroy everything because he is crazy," Fahad Kheri, superintendent in Libya's oil and gas Industry, told Al Jazeera. The installation is only a few hundred kilometres away from Gadaffi’s hometown and stronghold of Sirte. Al Jazeera has found that the frontlines are fluid and that the rebel fighters lack organisation. As a result, the natural gas plant here is a potential time bomb waiting to go off. The oil workers there spoke to our correspondent Tony Birtley.

Gaddafi blames unrest on foreigners

Rebel-held towns continue to be under attack as defiant Libyan leader alleges plot to colonise his country. Last Modified: 09 Mar 2011 07:01 GMT

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said rebels in his country are being drugged and armed by foreign forces [Reuters] Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's embattled leader, has once again alleged involvement of foreigners in the rebellion against his more than 41-year-old rule. In an address on State TV , Gaddafi warned of a plot to colonise Libya. As proof, he said his security forces had captured several foreigners during a raid on Monday. His focus this time was on alleging that foreign influence was driving the rebel movement in this country, and he warned of the potential for colonisation of Libya. As proof, he said his security forces have captured several foreigners during one raid on Tuesday." "Yesterday, the mosque that the security forces regained power over, they had in this mosque, they had weapons and alcohol has well. Some of them come from Afghanistan, some of them come from Egypt, some of them come from Algeria, just to misguide our children alleging that foreign influence was driving the rebel movement in this country, and he warned of the potential for colonisation of Libya. As proof, he said his security forces have captured several foreigners during one raid on Tuesday. "Yesterday, the mosque that the security forces regained power over, they had in this mosque, they had weapons and alcohol has well. Some of them come from Afghanistan, some of them come from Egypt, some of them come from Algeria, just to misguide our children," Gaddafi said. He alleged "foreign forces" were recruiting vulnerable youngsters in Zentain, Az Zawiyah and Benghazi - cities currently being held by rebels ranged against him. "Those who exhibit weakness are targeted ... Otherwise, why did they not come after you? ... so you see. This means only the scum who could not be strong," he said. His address came after the rebels served him an ultimatum to step down within 72 hours. "If he leaves Libya immediately, during 72 hours, and stops the bombardment, we as Libyans will step back from pursuing him for crimes," Mustafa Abdel Jalil, head of the opposition National Council, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday. "Conditions are that firstly he stops all combat in the fields, secondly that his departure is within 72 hours; thirdly we may waive our right of domestic prosecution ... for the crimes of oppression, persecution, starvation and massacres," Jalil said. Conflicting reports The offer came amid reports that Gaddafi had sent feelers to the opposition movement, expressing willingness to negotiate his exit. Read more of our Libya coverage Unconfirmed reports indicated that Gaddafi was willing to step down in return for having war crimes charges against him dropped and a guaranteed safe exit for him and his family. He also reportedly wanted guarantees from the UN that he will be allowed to keep his money. Libyan state television has, however, denied the reports. An official from the Libyan foreign ministry described the reports as "absolute nonsense". Hoda Abdel-Hamid, Al Jazeera's correspondent in the eastern city of Benghazi, said she was hearing conflicting accounts of what happened. "The head of the opposition National Council says there were indirect talks with people from Tripoli, who were given the green light from the regime," she said. "But the spokesman for the National Council denies any of that." The US, on its part, rejected any possible amnesty for Gaddafi. "Any departure from Libya does not exempt Mr Gaddafi or his family from any responsibility and accountability for what has occurred," PJ Crowley, spokesman for the White House, said on Tuesday. No-fly zone debate Gaddafi has triggered international outrage by seeking to violently quell the uprising sweeping across his North African nation. His forces, backed by war planes, are attempting to wrest back territories under rebel control. The intense fighting has resulted in deaths and destruction, and the rebels have been pressing the international community to impose a no-fly zone. LIVE BLOG "We don't want a foreign military intervention, but we do want a no-fly zone," rebel fighter Ali Suleiman told AP news agency. "We are all waiting for one,'' he said. The rebels can take on "the rockets and the tanks, but not Gaddafi's air force''. But Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, told a British television network on Tuesday that a no-fly zone over Libya ought to have international backing rather being a US-led effort. "We want to see international community support for it," said Clinton. As the international community debates its future course of action, pro-Gaddafi forces have strengthened their military position, squeezing rebel-held towns in the west and checking the advance of rebel fighters westwards towards the capital, Tripoli. Gaddafi told Turkey's state media on Tuesday that Libyans would fight a no-fly zone imposed by Western nations, saying that such an order from the US or the UK would show that the West is only interested in seizing Libya's oil. Reverses for rebels Al Jazeera has heard reports that Gaddafi snipers were on Tripoli rooftops shooting randomly from the main square and that they were storming houses in some neighbourhoods and killing residents. Fighting is also intensifying in Ras Lanuf - a key Libyan oil terminal in the centre of the country - amid reports of several air strikes on Tuesday. Az Zawiyah, 50km west of Tripoli, remains under siege, the towns of Misurata and Bin Jawad are also under attack. Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from Tripoli, said Gaddafi appears increasingly confident. Flashpoint cities in Libya "Whatever wishful thinking rebel groups may have been engaging in - that Colonel Gaddafi was somehow in the mood for compromise ... you have to look at the reality on the ground, and that is the use of force and the confidence of Gaddfi's forces is increasing, not decreasing," she said. She said Az Zawiyah is "almost entirely crushed by continued bombardment" and that there's been an escalation of force further to the east of the country. Reuters news agency reports that tanks were closing in on the rebel-held main square of Az Zawiyah on Wednesday and that according to residents, snipers were shooting at anything that moved. Hundreds if not thousands of people have died since Libya's uprising began on February 14 in an effort to end Gaddafi's rule, although tight restrictions on media make it near impossible to get an accurate number. According to the International Organisation for Migration, over 215,000 people have fled the violence in Libya in recent weeks, although Ibrahim Osman, a Red Crescent official, said forces loyal to Gaddafi have prevent roughly 30,000 migrant workers from crossing into Tunisia, and forcing many to return to work in Tripoli.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies