Indonesian quake death toll rises

At least 2,900 people died in the powerful earthquake that rocked Central Java on Saturday.

Measured at magnitude 6.2, the quake in the early morning at 5:54 a.m. when most peole were still sleeping.

alt="A man collects items from his house in Yogyakarta after the earthquake on May 27.">
A man collects items from his house in Yogyakarta after the earthquake on May 27. Reuters photo from Yahoo News.

Many buildings collapsed particuarly in the Bantul district. Roads and bridges were destroyed and hospitals are crowded with casualties.

Volcanologists fear the quake might compromise the dome at the Mount Merapi volcano which is threatening to erupt.

The quake hit near the ancient ruins of Borobudur and Prambanan. The latter site, consisting of ancient Hindu temples, was said to have suffered damage but to what extent is not clear. It is not known if Borobudur, a Buddhist temple pyramid, was damaged by the quake.




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Earthquake kills 46 in Central Java

A strong earthquake near Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano killed at least 46 people Saturday and injured dozens more.

The 6.2 quake also interacted with the volcano causing Merapi to belch hot ash clouds and lava.


Area in Central Java hit by earthquake on Saturday, May 27. AFP photo from Yahoo News.

Centered around 15 miles southwest of the ancient royal city of Yogyakarta, the quake damaged that city and two other nearby population centers.




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Peace talks begin in Nepal

After a decade of fighting, Maoist and Nepalese government leaders met on Friday to end the deadly insurgency.

More that 12,500 have died since the Maoists took up arms in 1996.

For joining the political process, the Maoists are demanding a new constitution, with particular emphasis on solving the role of the monarchy.

Already the king has been stripped of his powers as commander-in-chief of the military and of exemption from taxation. Nepal also has been formally declared a secular state rather than a Hindu kingdom, and succession to the throne is the hands of parliament.

Maoists however are pressing for a full abolition of the monarchy and that Nepal be declared a republic.






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