IND

Trending Now

International News

Why getting work visas to New Zealand just got tougher!

As part of its efforts to amend the laws governing immigration, the government of New Zealand has tightened its regulations for some types of visas, stating that the existing levels are “unsustainable.” The modifications include things like requiring knowledge of English for entry-level positions and establishing a minimum level of education and experience required for the majority of employer-sponsored work permits.

  • Low-skilled workers face a reduction in visa duration from five years to three
  • The country might not go ahead with a plan to add 11 low-skilled roles to the Green List
  • Employers to ensure migrant workers meet qualifications and skills before hiring

New Zealand is tightening its visa rules for migrants.

This is happening while the coalition government works to change the immigration laws, claiming that current levels of migration are “unsustainable.”

According to Immigration Minister Erica Stanford, the changes will mean that the country is “better testing the local labor market and reducing the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work.”

Let’s take a closer look.

Employers Worried About New Visa Rules

On Monday, New Zealand’s Employers and Manufacturers Association raised worries about the potential unintended effects of the new visa rules.

“We are supportive of ensuring we are bringing in the right workers, and that they are not exploited, but we do need to make sure we get the balance right. Making it harder for motivated workers to come into New Zealand means they will go somewhere else, that hurts business and means our economy misses out,” said Alan McDonald, the association’s Head of Advocacy.

In neighbouring Australia, there’s also been an increase in immigrants.

However, the government announced in December that it would cut its migration intake by half by making visa rules stricter for international students and low-skilled workers.

Tightening visa rules

Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced changes to the accredited employer-worker visa (AEWV), the main temporary work visa, which was introduced in mid-2022 to help fill workforce shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The changes include measures such as introducing English language requirements for low-skilled jobs and setting a minimum skills and work experience threshold for most employer work visas. The maximum continuous stay for most low-skilled roles will also be reduced to three years from five years, according to Reuters.

More stringent rules on visas

The primary temporary work visa, the certified employer-worker visa (AEWV), was modified by immigration minister Erica Stanford. The AEWV was created in the middle of 2022 to help address a labor shortage following the COVID-19 epidemic.

The modifications include things like requiring English proficiency for entry-level positions and establishing a minimum level of education and work experience for the majority of employer-sponsored work permits. According to Reuters, the maximum continuous stay for the majority of low-skilled positions would also be lowered from five years to three years.

She stated the modifications would take effect right away.

“Where there is a skill deficit, the government is concentrating on luring and keeping highly trained migrants, including secondary teachers. In addition, we must make sure that New Zealanders are given preference for positions in areas where there is a skills shortage.

Employers must verify that a candidate meets these requirements before making an employment offer to a migrant, and they must also reveal that no other “suitable and available New Zealander” has applied for the post.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment in New Zealand requires that in addition to posting the job advertisement for a minimum of 21 days, businesses must also explain “why any New Zealanders who applied were not hired.” CNN reports that it also mentioned that some positions in the transportation and care industries won’t need to fulfill these standards.

Reducing Risk for Arrival

According to Stanford, the changes would make migrants less at risk of exploitation.

In February, the Public Service Commission released its evaluation of the AEWV initiative. The initiative was started by former Immigration Minister Andrew Little in response to claims of exploitation.

The committee found that a few “scrupulous employers” took advantage of the program and collected money from those who wanted to move to New Zealand, according to The Guardian.

The government abandoned plans to add 11 more positions, including fitters, turners, and welders, to the Green List, a list of highly skilled occupations that more Zealand is having trouble filling.

“Migrants will be better able to understand their rights or raise concerns about an employer early by having an English-language requirement,” she continued.

“These modifications mark the beginning of a more extensive work program aimed at developing a more intelligent immigration system that better manages risks, controls net migration, adapts to our shifting economic environment, draws in top talent, and renews international education.”

Also Read: How often does total solar eclipse 2024 happen — and why today’s event is so rare

Growth in the immigration population

There are currently 5.1 million people living in New Zealand.

Since the pandemic ended, the number of migrants entering the nation has rapidly increased. 173,000 non-Zealand nationals entered the nation last year, sparking worries that this may accelerate inflation.

The Reserve Bank commissioned a study last month that examined possible links between migration numbers and inflation, but the findings were conflicting.

The working-age population grew more slowly in the year that concluded in March, indicating that the number of foreign workers may have peaked.

An international issue

Australia, a neighbor that has also experienced a significant surge in migration, announced that it would cut its immigration intake in half during the following two years.

Switzerland is also preparing for an important vote on immigration restrictions to keep the country’s population from growing beyond 10 million before 2050. By the end of 2022, the country’s population stood at 8.82 million, with immigrants making up a sizeable quarter of the total.

On Wednesday, 10 April, the European Union will take a crucial vote on a complete reform of its immigration rules. This decision will mark a dramatic change towards more stringent entrance processes for asylum-seekers and a shared responsibility among member states.

The European Parliament will discuss several regulations that are essential to the bloc’s agreement on immigration and asylum. This agreement is the result of a proposal that the European Commission presented in September 2020.

How often does total solar eclipse 2024 happen — and why today’s event is so rare

A rare total solar eclipse 2024 on April 8 will produce a “path of totality” over North America, resulting in midday darkness over large portions of the US, Canada, and Mexico.

When the moon moves in front of the sun and obscures our vision of it, this is known as a solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon shuts out the sun’s light. These are uncommon occurrences that are only seen for brief periods in particular locations.

The 2024 total solar eclipse path of totality will arc from Texas to the East Coast. If the weather is clear, cities like the town of Burl Vermont; Dallas, Texas; and Buffalo, New York, will have some of the best views.

What is a Solar Eclipse?

When the Moon moves in front of the Earth and the Sun, it can completely or partially obscure the Sun’s light, a process known as a solar eclipse.

An area of the moon that obscures the sun creates a shadow on Earth known as a “path of totality.” This path traverses the surface as a rather thin band. If the clouds and weather align, anybody standing inside this ring can see a total solar eclipse. The sky will grow gloomy, resembling dawn or dusk, when the Moon fully obscures the Sun in the line of totality.

People will only witness a partial eclipse if they are not on that line, or the path of totality. Depending on the extent to which the Moon obscures the Sun in their location, the sky will appear significantly darker to them than it did before the eclipse.

solar eclipse 2024

Total Eclipse 2024

when is the solar eclipse: April 8 is when the 2024 total solar eclipse will take place. A 185-kilometer span between Mexico, the US, and Canada will be visible for the totality, or complete darkening of the sky. It will also be viewed in up to eighteen different US states. However, skywatchers in India won’t be able to see it.,

The complete solar eclipse is scheduled to start at 9:12 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST) on April 8, reach totality at 10:08 p.m., and conclude at 2:22 a.m. on April 9, 2024. Totality is expected to strike the Pacific coast of Mexico first, at approximately 11:07 am PDT, and exit Maine at approximately 1:30 pm PDT.

What is the average amount of total solar eclipses?

It is rare to witness a total solar eclipse glasses, and even more so when it is not visible from the United States.

The occurrences take place globally every one to three years, however they are frequently only visible from the poles or the center of the ocean.

Savoring a total solar eclipse involves several considerations. To ensure that the event isn’t obscured by clouds, viewers must have clear skies. Only those who are in the path of totality will witness the entire effect of the sun being blotted out. According to NASA, those who are not in the path of totality can still witness a partial eclipse, in which part of the sun is obscured by the moon.

Solar eclipse 2024 interactive map

solar eclipse 2024

CityPercent of totalityEclipse beginsMaximum eclipseEclipse ends
Luna Pier100%1:57 p.m.3:13 p.m. (Total eclipse lasts 19 seconds)4:26 p.m.
Monroe99.9%1:57 p.m.3:13 p.m.4:27 p.m.
Detroit99.2%1:58 p.m.3:14 p.m.4:27 p.m.
Livonia98.9%1:58 p.m.3:13 p.m.4:27 p.m.
Ann Arbor98.7%1:57 p.m.3:13 p.m.4:26 p.m.
Port Huron98.4%2:00 p.m.3:15 p.m.4:28 p.m.
Lansing96.2%1:56 p.m.3:12 p.m.4:25 p.m.
Grand Rapids93.7%1:55 p.m.3:11 p.m.4:24 p.m.
Alpena90%2:01 p.m.3:15 p.m.4:27 p.m.
Traverse City87.7%1:58 p.m.3:12 p.m.4:24 p.m.

Even at 99% coverage, there is still enough sunlight to hurt your eyes during an eclipse. So you’ll want to make sure you have eclipse glasses or another form of eye safety

The last complete solar eclipse occurred when?

The last total solar eclipse glasses, which could only be seen from Antarctica, occurred in 2021. As per NOAA, the duration of totality was a mere minute and fifty-four seconds.

2017 saw the last total solar eclipse that North Americans could see. There were reports of the unusual occurrence in states ranging from South Carolina to Oregon. Before then, just five states were in the path of totality during the last total solar eclipse that could be seen in the United States since 1979.

solar eclipse glasses

What to know if your solar eclipse glasses are safe if they are “ISO certified”

When is the next solar eclipse that is total?

According to NOAA, the next total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026. Views of this eclipse will be possible from Iceland, northern Spain, eastern Greenland, and the Arctic.

In the United States, observers of a total solar eclipse will have to wait a lot longer. The contiguous United States won’t see a total solar eclipse until August 2044.

FAQ’s

what time is the solar eclipse 2024?

The total solar eclipse will begin at 9:12 pm on April 8, totality will start at 10:08 pm, and will end on April 9, 2024, at 2:22 am.

when was the last solar eclipse?

August 21, 2017.

what time is the eclipse tomorrow?

The solar eclipse will begin at 9:12 pm on April 8.

What happens during lunar eclipse?

Earth’s shadow falls upon the surface of the Moon, dimming it and sometimes turning the lunar surface a striking red over a few hours. 

Where to get eclipse glasses?

 Get a free pair at Warby Parker or your local library, or buy a pair at these select retailers. 

What is solar eclipse time?

9:12 pm on April 8, totality will start at 10:08 pm and will end on April 9, 2024, at 2:22 am.

How long will the eclipse last?

About two and a half hours.

Elon Musk wants Judge Alexandre de Moraes of the Brazilian Supreme Court to be removed: “Constitution betrayed”

On Sunday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk demanded the removal of Justice Alexandre de Moraes from the Brazilian Supreme Court, accusing him of suppression for preventing accounts thought to be distributing false information.

On April 7, Tesla CEO Elon Musk demanded the removal of justice from the Brazilian Supreme Court, charging him with regulation for removing accounts that were allegedly distributing false information.

Alexandre de Moraes “has brazenly and repeatedly betrayed the constitution and people of Brazil,” according to the millionaire businessman. Either he quits or he gets impeached.”

The chief of Space X came to social media platform X (previously Twitter) on Saturday evening and declared, “We will probably lose all revenue in Brazil and have to shut down our office there.” This marked the beginning of a series of harsh comments against the Brazilian court system. “But principles matter more than profit,” Elon Musk remarked, alleging that Alexandre de Moraes was threatening to “cut off access” to the platform.

Also Read: During her first visit to Namesake City, Dasha brings the viral hit song “Austin” to the 2024 CMT Music Awards.

According to a court document, Elon Musk was accused of impeding justice through his social network platform X by the Brazilian Supreme Court Justice, who launched an investigation into him on Sunday.

“X shall refrain from disobeying any court order already issued, including performing any profile reactivation that has been blocked by this Supreme Court,” declared Alexandre de Moraes in his ruling. “If X fails to comply with the order to block certain accounts, the company will be fined 100,000 reais (USD 19,740) per day,” the judge further penalized non-compliance.

All about Brazilian Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes

The Brazilian Supreme Court justice, who is in the limelight, is one of the 11 members of Brazil’s High Court who presides over the country’s Superior Electoral Tribunal, or TSE.

Critics accuse Alexandre de Moraes of limiting and prohibiting free speech in Brazil. However, the judge is known to have led the battle against disinformation in Brazil. Recently, Moraes ordered the blocking of accounts of influential figures on social media. It was reported that most of these blocked influential figures were supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Jair Messias Bolsonaro, a Brazilian politician and retired military officer, served as the 38th President of Brazil from 2019 to 2022. The Moraes-led TSE accused Jair Messias Bolsonaro of spreading false information about Brazil’s electoral system, and hence, he was declared ineligible to run for office in the 2023 polls.

A growing political gap between the two countries leads to Ecuadorian police breaking into the Mexican embassy in London!

Tensions between the two nations erupted the day before when Mexico Ecuador viewed remarks made by Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on the most recent elections, which Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa won, as “very unfortunate.”

Ecuadorian police officers on Friday forcibly broke into the Mexican embassy in Quito, where former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas is holed up.

The raid took place hours after the Mexican government granted Glas political asylum as diplomatic tensions between both countries deepened.

The police broke the external doors of the Mexican diplomatic headquarters in the Mexico Ecuador capital and entered the main patio.

A day earlier, tensions between the two countries escalated after Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made statements that Ecuador considered “very unfortunate” about the last elections in which the Ecuadorian president Daniel Noboa won.

(Capital of bolivia: La Paz and Sucre). In reaction, the Ecuadorian government declared the Mexican ambassador persona non grata.

The situation of former Vice President Glas was not immediately known. Uniformed officers closed the main access avenue to the site.

The Mexican embassy in Quito remained under heavy police guard late Friday.

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month: Let’s Get Ready!

Why was Glas in the Mexican Embassy?

In December 2023, Glas, who has been convicted twice on corruption charges, sought asylum from Mexico, arguing that he was being persecuted by the attorney general’s office and has been lodged at the Mexican Embassy in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito since.

The Mexican foreign ministry on Friday granted political asylum to the vice president after Ecuador’s government made Mexico’s ambassador persona non grata amid growing tensions between the two countries.

Ecuador’s presidential communications department said in a statement that Glas, who has been “sentenced to imprisonment by the Ecuadoran justice system, has been arrested tonight and placed under the orders of the competent authorities”.

What are the charges against the VP?

The ex-Vice President of Ecuador, Glas was released from prison last November after serving time for corruption in a vast scandal involving the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

He faces another arrest warrant for allegedly diverting funds that were intended for reconstruction efforts after a devastating earthquake in 2015.

Aftershocks from the 4.8-magnitude earthquake in New Jersey tremble the Philadelphia area!

At first, the aftershock’s magnitude was reported as 4.0. The initial 4.8 magnitude earthquake, which struck at 10:23 a.m. and was centered between the communities of Whitehouse Station, Califon, and Lebanon, was followed throughout the day by some aftershocks. Philadelphia is roughly 60 miles northeast of that region.

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month: Let’s Get Ready!

WPVI (Philadelphia earthquake) — Less than eight hours after a powerful aftershock struck northern New Jersey, the Philadelphia region was rocked by another one on Friday.

The United States Geological Survey indicated that the aftershock, which was felt at roughly 6 p.m., had a magnitude of 4.8 earthquake and was located close to Gladstone, New Jersey. At first, the aftershock’s magnitude was reported as 4.0.

There have been several aftershocks throughout the day following the original 4.8 earthquake, which happened around 10:23 a.m. and centered between the towns of Whitehouse Station, Califon, and Lebanon. That area is about 60 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

Aftershocks will continue for days and weeks ahead, the USGS said.

The Friday morning quake startled millions of people in a region of the country unaccustomed to such tremors.

The 4.8 magnitude registered by this earthquake is just below what’s considered to be a moderate quake.

The earthquake had a depth of about three miles, the USGS said.

The agency’s figures indicated that over 42 million people might have felt the rumbling.

There are an estimated 13,000 earthquakes in the 4.0 – 4.9 range worldwide every year, according to a chart from Penn State University.

It originated near the Ramapo Fault Line, which extends from near the Hudson River in southeastern New York to just south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Earthquake rattles New York City, felt in Washington, D.C.

The quake also rattled New York City, but officials there say there have been no major impacts.

The earthquake could be felt as far south as Washington, D.C. and as far north as Maine, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

While there were no immediate reports of serious damage, officials were checking bridges and other major infrastructure.

What causes an earthquake?

Earthquakes are violent shaking from the planet’s surface, according to AccuWeather. They’re caused by movement from Earth’s outermost layer, the crust.

The crust is broken up into pieces called tectonic plates that are always on the move, though usually in ways we cannot feel.

When the plates hit a roadblock, stress builds and leads to cracks in the Earth called faults.

In time, the energy from within builds to the breaking point. That sudden release leads to an earthquake.

The shaking begins at a central region called the epicenter and spreads far and wide. An earthquake can then be followed by additional shaking known as an aftershock.

What to do after an earthquake

Here are some tips for what to do after an earthquake hits:

  • First, check on yourself on those around you to make sure everyone is okay.
  • Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage
  • If any lines are damaged, shut them off if you can
  • Be alert for more shaking as aftershocks are common after earthquakes

April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month: Let’s Get Ready!

Hello there, April is National Earthquake Preparedness Month—did you know that? It serves as a reminder that earthquakes can occur anywhere, at any moment, and that being ready can make all the difference in the world. The following are some important points to remember:

Earthquake today

Checking out if you live in an earthquake-prone location is crucial. Earthquakes today can still happen without warning, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

New York Earthquake

Earthquake New York One of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded in New Jersey, with a magnitude of 4.8 magnitude earthquake, rocked citizens of neighboring states as well as New York City on Friday morning.

The United States Geological Survey detected the earthquake at around 10:23 a.m. on Friday, approximately 5 miles north of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. There were reports of shaking floors and furniture in New York City, which was roughly 45 miles away from the epicenter.

Earthquakes NYC in this region are uncommon but not unexpected. It’s likely people near the epicenter are going to feel aftershocks for this earthquake in the magnitude 2-3 range, and there’s a small chance there can be an earthquake as large or larger, following an earthquake like this,” Paul Earle, a seismologist at the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program told reporters. “In terms of our operations, this is a routine earthquake … Immediately we knew this would be of high interest and important to people who don’t feel earthquakes a lot.”

After 4.8 earthquake shakes New York, schools continue operations as normal

New York Earthquake

Also Read: GT vs PBKS IPL 2024 Match: Punjab Kings win by 3 wickets against Gujarat Titans

On Friday morning, a 4.8 earthquake rocked New York City and the surrounding areas, sending schools reeling.

According to the city’s Education Department, as of about midnight, no injuries had been reported in the city’s schools, and officials had not received any information suggesting that any school facilities were penetrated.

Following the incident at 10:23 a.m., officials indicated that schools throughout the city were operating as usual.

Families received texts from many schools on Friday morning reassuring them that their children were safe. Recess at some schools was relocated indoors due to a city emergency alert advising people to stay inside. (A further advisory noted that while aftershocks might be felt, residents of New York could go about their regular business.)

Schools Chancellor David Banks stated during a news conference with other city agencies that he was at a function at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts when the earthquake occurred.

“All of our school principals have been instructed to carry on with regular operations and dismissals,” stated Banks. “We ask that all of our students and children see the schools, staff, and families as role models for maintaining composure.”

Also Read: Taiwan Earthquake: Rescuers search for people out of contact in Taiwan after strong earthquake!

New Jersey earthquake thought the sound from the earthquake was an explosion

New Jersey earthquake: Madeline Nafus had just finished feeding her 7-week-old baby when, simultaneously, she was thrown off balance and the loudest sound she’d ever heard rang out.

“I thought it was either an explosion or a bombing because of how loud it was,” said Nafus, who lives in Long Valley, New Jersey, a few miles from the earthquake’s epicenter. “It was just terrifying.”

The 29-year-old Nafus saw her light fixtures swing and framed pictures, wine glasses, and a 6-foot-tall elk head smash into the floor. Her “house was going to crumble,” she thought as she picked up her infant son, gathered some blankets, and went outside. Olivia, Nafus’s trembling little golden doodle, was lifted by her pal who had come dashing downstairs in the meantime.

The rumble stopped after about fifteen seconds, and there were just sporadic, mild tremors left. Nafus first phoned their two-year-old’s daycare, then her husband, who was at the time teaching a golf lesson.

She remarked, “They said the kids were all confused and asking a lot of questions, but they were okay.”

What to know if your solar eclipse glasses are safe if they are “ISO certified”

One of the most eagerly awaited events of the year is the solar eclipse, which is expected to occur on Monday (weather allowing) and be seen by an estimated 31 million Americans.

Checking to see if the solar eclipse glasses you have managed to obtain, whether free or at a cost, have been approved for use during a solar eclipse is one of the greatest methods to guarantee that you will be able to enjoy this rare occasion securely and comfortably.

The following is information about solar eclipse glasses that have received ISO certification from the International Organization for Standardization.

Also Read: GT vs PBKS IPL 2024 Match: Punjab Kings win by 3 wickets against Gujarat Titans

What does ISO mean? 

The American Mathematical Society defines ISO as an acronym for International Organization Standardization, a “non-governmental organization composed of members from the national standards bodies of 167 countries.”

“Develop international standards for a wide range of activities, including the manufacture of products, management of processes, and delivery of services,” is the mission of the ISO, which has its headquarters in Switzerland.

About 45,000 subject matter experts participate, working with numerous technical committees, subcommittees, and working groups to assist in this endeavor. 

The standards set, at least in the words of ISO, can be “described as the best way of doing something.” 

“‘Best’ can mean ‘most efficient,’ ‘most cost-effective,’ ‘most sustainable’ or some other appropriate superlative depending on the activity,” the Astronomical Society wrote.

What are ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses? 

Eclipse glasses that are “ISO certified” means that those lenses you either purchased or got for free are considered safe to use in the event of a particular celestial phenomenon, such as a solar eclipse.

Proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker than sunglasses to block nearly all visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking toward the sun.

The ISO has established a standard for “direct observation of the sun” that is categorized as “ISO 12312-2:2015.” This means that any goods that are sold or promoted as “solar eclipse” viewing glasses and meet this standard will offer a “comfortable view” and “protect your eyes from injury.”

ISO 12312-2:2015, according to the American Astronomical Society, “supersedes” a patchwork of previous national and regional standards. In 2015, it was first “adopted,” and five years later, it was “affirmed.”

Therefore, it might be “not recommended to buy or use such a product, as failure to meet the requirements of an applicable standard likely means the product is not genuinely safe, not well suited to its purpose, or both” if you purchase eclipse glasses from unapproved suppliers.

For additional safety information on standard application, requirements, and conformance assessment, see the website of the American Astronomical Society.

Does NASA certify solar eclipse glasses? 

No, NASA isn’t in the business of “endorsing any sort of merchandise.” 

“We are simply not a certification agency,” a NASA spokeswoman previously told USA TODAY. 

So, be wary of any solar eclipse merch, or solar eclipse glasses that claim to be endorsed by NASA. 

Also Read: How much prize money does the winner get at the Valero Texas Open?

Where can you get ISO solar eclipse glasses? 

Before you check out the list of places you can get ISO glasses below, make sure you double-check that the glasses you were given or are purchasing can be used to safely observe the solar eclipse. 

You can check if your specs are ISO-certified by visiting the online list of verified North American vendors compiled by the Astronomical Society. 

Another way to check if your glasses are safe for use is to look for an ISO label somewhere on the product, USA TODAY previously reported. 

There is a chance “you could permanently damage your eyes or lose vision forever” on eclipse day if  you opt out of protective eyewear. Even observing the eclipse through camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes without a specialized solar filter could instantly cause severe eye injury, USA TODAY reported.

A couple of vendors that might still have ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses, for free or for purchase, at Great American Eclipse, National Eclipse, American Paper Optics, or Warby Parker. 

Government organizations and participating public libraries may be able to provide pairs of solar eclipse glasses, while supplies last. 

What is the path of the eclipse? 

The solar eclipse is set to chart a 115-mile-wide path of totality, shrouding portions of Mexico, the United States, and Canada in unnatural darkness and unveiling the sun’s elusive outermost layer for a brief moment.

Taiwan Earthquake: Rescuers search for people out of contact in Taiwan after strong earthquake!

Taiwan Earthquake some of the destroyed structures had their ground floors crushed and were slanted at dangerous degrees.

Earthquake in Taiwan Today — Following Taiwan’s worst earthquake in 25 years, which sent rocks and dirt flying down mountainsides and blocked highways, rescuers attempted to reach hundreds of people who were stranded while searching for missing persons on Thursday. Over 1,000 people were hurt, and 10 people lost their lives.

One day earlier, a strong earthquake hit during the morning rush hour, sending families running out of their flats through the windows and youngsters running outside. Some buildings’ ground floors fell, leaving them slanting at dangerous angles. Authorities did not issue the normal cautions because they were anticipating a smaller tremor, even though the island is frequently shaken by earthquakes and is usually well-prepared.

Intense earthquake strikes Taiwan

  • Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island just before 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Taiwan Earthquake

Taiwan Earthquake

Although the main road connecting Hualien County, near the epicenter, to Taipei, the nation’s capital, remained closed on Thursday afternoon, and some 200 people of the county were placed in temporary shelters, most aspects of daily life in Taiwan have resumed. According to the Central News Agency, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., one of the major producers of computer chips worldwide, opened up most of its activities, and some local rail service to Hualien was restored.

There were around 1,100 injuries from the earthquake. At least four of the ten fatalities occurred inside Taroko National Park, a popular tourist destination in the hilly Hualien region located roughly 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Taipei and known for its cliffs and canyons. Two bodies were discovered: one inside a collapsed structure and the other in the Ho Ren Quarry. From a hiking trail, rescuers also removed the body of a man who had suffered terrible wounds to his head.

Hundreds of people were stranded when rocks and mud blocked the roads leading to their hotel, campground or work site — though most were safe while they awaited rescue. It wasn’t clear Thursday if any people were still trapped in buildings.

Liu Zhong-da, a 58-year-old construction worker, and his colleague were on their way to work on a road in the national park and were inside a tunnel when the quake hit. A boulder blocked their exit and they were trapped along with some other people.

“We almost got covered up,” Liu said. “No communication could be made (to the outside world).” Liu and his colleague were rescued Thursday afternoon and received a quick medical checkup outside the park.

Also Read: How much prize money does the winner get at the Valero Texas Open?

About 60 workers who had been unable to leave a quarry because of damaged roads were also freed, authorities said. Six workers from another quarry were airlifted out.

Some 700 people remain cut off, the vast majority of them employees and guests at a hotel in the national park. Authorities said they were safe and had food and water, and that work to repair the roads to the hotel was nearly finished. Another 10 workers from the same hotel were stranded elsewhere in the park, after most of the others in the group were rescued or managed to walk out.

Authorities said they were unable to contact about 15 people, and their condition was not known. Numbers have fluctuated frequently as authorities have learned of more people in trouble and rescued others.

Taiwan Earthquake History

The strongest quake recorded each day of at least a 5.0 magnitude since April 1990.

Taiwan Earthquake

Also Read: A “Strongest Earthquake In 25 Years” strikes Taiwan, leaving one dead and sixty injured.

In the city of Hualien on Thursday, workers used an excavator to stabilize the base of a damaged building, as chickens pecked among potted plants on the flat roof slanting at a severe angle.

Mayor Hsu Chen-wei previously said 48 residential buildings were damaged in the quake. Hendri Sutrisno, a 30-year-old professor at Hualien Dong Hwa University, spent Wednesday night in a tent inside a shelter with his wife and baby, fearing aftershocks.

“We ran out of the apartment and waited for four to five hours before we went up again to grab some important stuff such as our wallet. And then we’re staying here ever since to assess the situation,” he said.

Others also said they didn’t dare to go home because the walls of their apartments were cracked or they lived on higher floors. Taiwanese Premier Chen Chien-jen visited some earthquake evacuees in the morning at a temporary shelter.

The earthquake was the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, measured at magnitude 7.4 by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Huang Shiao-en was in her apartment when the quake struck. “At first the building was swinging side to side, and then it shook up and down,” she said.

The Central Weather Administration recorded more than 400 aftershocks from Wednesday morning into Thursday night. The national legislature and sections of Taipei’s main airport suffered minor damage.

Hualien was last struck by a deadly quake in 2018 which killed 17 people and brought down a historic hotel. Taiwan’s worst recent earthquake struck on Sept. 21, 1999, a magnitude 7.7 temblor that caused 2,400 deaths, injured around 100,000, and destroyed thousands of buildings.

Israel War On Gaza : Today latest Update

In addition, Pope Francis has made his latest appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza, expressing his “deep regret” for the seven humanitarian workers killed in an Israeli strike.

Pope Francis said, “I reiterate my firm request for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel War On Gaza Strip,” during his weekly general audience at the Vatican, according to Vatican press, the Holy See’s official agency.

He said he was praying for the seven humanitarian workers that World Central Kitchen had murdered.

Before urging everyone to work “tirelessly for an end to this and other wars that continue to bring death and suffering to so many parts of the world,” he added, “let us avoid any irresponsible attempts to escalate the conflict in the region.”
Samantha Power of the US Agency for International Development called the deaths of the seven charity workers in an Israeli bombing “devastating and deeply alarming.”

They “were there to do one thing — to help get food to desperate, starving people,” she said in a statement issued late yesterday. “Their deaths are heartbreaking and extremely concerning, as are the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians and 200 aid workers in this conflict.”

Regarding the killings in Israel war On Gaza , the speaker said that Israel’s investigation “must be swift, it must bring accountability, and its findings must be made public.” In addition, Israel “needs to take much more action to shield civilians and aid workers from the intolerable numbers of casualties they still suffer as a result of IDF military operations.” Power sent her “deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those killed.”

Israel War On Gaza

The US “will continue to do all we can to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza,” stated the president, “but the government of Israel and the IDF must do much more to facilitate this work.” The United States has faced criticism for denouncing Israel verbally without offering the country financial or diplomatic backing.


Yesterday night, police and anti-government protestors clashed outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home on the third day of protests calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza and early elections in Israel.
According to an Israel Police statement on X, the march was authorized and started out peacefully. However, as hundreds of protestors tried to break through the gates to Netanyahu’s house, the march turned violent.

Two protestors allegedly lay beneath a patrol car, and one of them threw a flaming torch at a police officer.

It went on to say that five people were arrested for violating public order.

You can also check for Rajya Sabha chairperson Kharge writes an emotional letter in honor of former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Details are available here!

You can also check for Reviving Tradition with Brass: A Journey of Health and Heritage P-TAL

A “Strongest Earthquake In 25 Years” strikes Taiwan, leaving one dead and sixty injured.

Authorities declared that the earthquake and its subsequent powerful aftershocks were the worst to hit the island in decades and issued a warning of additional tremors in the days to come.

A strong earthquake in Taiwan on Wednesday caused damage to dozens of buildings, triggered tsunami warnings that reached to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted, and at least one person was thought to be dead and almost sixty injured. Authorities declared that the earthquake and its subsequent powerful aftershocks were the worst to hit the island in decades and issued a warning of additional tremors in the days to come.

“The earthquake is shallow and occurs near land. The director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center, Wu Chien-fu, stated that the earthquake was felt throughout Taiwan including offshore islands.

Given that the island is located close to the meeting point of two tectonic plates, strict building codes and disaster awareness seem to have prevented a significant tragedy.

Must Read : Big Meech Net Worth 2024!

Wu stated that the earthquake was the strongest since a 7.6-magnitude one that occurred in September 1999, the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the island, killing around 2,400 people.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that the epicentre of Wednesday’s magnitude 7.4 earthquake was 34.8 kilometers deep and located 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien City, Taiwan. The earthquake occurred immediately before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT).

“I wanted to flee, but I had no clothes on. That was really powerful,” remarked Kelvin Hwang, a visitor to a hotel in Taipei’s capital who sought take cover in the ninth-floor elevator lobby.

Shared videos and pictures of buildings trembling around the nation went viral on social media as soon as the earthquake occurred.

After it ended, dramatic pictures of multi-story buildings in Hualien and other places tilting over were broadcast on local television.

There have been reports of landslides blocking roads leading to Hualien, a 100,000-person coastal city surrounded by mountains.

One person on a hiking trail was reportedly crushed to death by a loose boulder, according to the Central Emergency Operations Center, which also stated that about 60 individuals had received treatment for injuries sustained during the earthquake.

Authorities in Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines first issued a tsunami warning, however the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center declared that the threat had “largely passed” by around 10 am (0200 GMT).

The metro in the nation’s capital briefly stopped operating but soon resumed, and local borough leaders issued cautions to citizens to check for any gas leaks.

Because Taiwan is located close to the meeting point of two tectonic plates, it is frequently struck by earthquakes; Japan, to the north, receives about 1,500 shockwaves annually.

Social media users in the eastern Chinese province of Fujian, which borders the southern province of Guangdong, as well as other places, reported feeling powerful earthquakes across the Taiwan Strait.

According to state news agency Xinhua, China, which views self-ruled Taiwan as a colony gone wild, was “paying close attention” to the earthquake and “willing to provide disaster relief assistance”.

Even though the bulk of the earthquakes in the region are small, the harm they cause vary depending on the location and depth of the epicenter under the surface of the Earth.

The power of tsunamis, which are enormous, potentially catastrophic waves that can travel hundreds of kilometers per hour, is also dependent on a number of variables.

The largest recorded earthquake in Japan occurred in March 2011 off the northeast coast of the country and measured 9.0 magnitude. The earthquake caused a tsunami that killed or left over 18,500 people missing.

The Fukushima nuclear facility experienced the biggest post-war disaster in Japan and the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl as a result of the 2011 tragedy, which also caused three reactors to melt down.

Japan saw a major quake on New Year’s Day this year, when a 7.5-magnitude tremor hit the Noto Peninsula and killed more than 230 people, many of them when older buildings collapsed.

Also Read : Elections for the Lok Sabha: Congress fields Tariq Anwar from Katihar and Y S Sharmila Reddy from Kadapa.