MANILA // A moderate earthquake shook buildings in the Philippine capital Manila today, seismologists said, although there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties according to the government.
The earthquake struck in the rural north of the country, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology chief Renato Solidum told AFP, describing it as "moderate" and adding he did not expect damage in the capital.
The US Geological Survey said the 5.3-magnitude quake struck at 10.27am (6.27am UAE), 158 kilometres northeast of Manila. It had a depth of 38 kilometres.
Eunice Fernando, a staff member at the upscale Manila Hotel, said they were jolted by the quake but guests did not panic.
"The chandeliers swayed and rattled, and we were a little scared," she said, adding they did not advise guests to evacuate.
Ishmael Narag, chief seismologist at the earthquake institute, said the epicentre was near the town of Casiguran, 220 kilometres north of Manila, and was also felt in surrounding areas including Manila.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire — a line around the Pacific Ocean dotted by active volcanoes and tectonic trenches.
In February, a powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern island of Mindanao triggering panic, although there was no damage nor casualties.
In August last year, a 7.6-magnitude quake on the country's eastern coast triggered a tsunami alert that forced tens of thousands to flee their homes and caused a landslide that killed one person.
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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The flights: South African Airways flies from Dubai International Airport with a stop in Johannesburg, with prices starting from around Dh4,000 return. Emirates can get you there with a stop in Lusaka from around Dh4,600 return.
The details: Visas are available for 247 Zambian kwacha or US$20 (Dh73) per person on arrival at Livingstone Airport. Single entry into Victoria Falls for international visitors costs 371 kwacha or $30 (Dh110). Microlight flights are available through Batoka Sky, with 15-minute flights costing 2,265 kwacha (Dh680).
Accommodation: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara is an ideal place to stay, within walking distance of the falls and right on the Zambezi River. Rooms here start from 6,635 kwacha (Dh2,398) per night, including breakfast, taxes and Wi-Fi. Water arrivals cost from 587 kwacha (Dh212) per person.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013