5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Australia's state of Victoria
September 22, 2021, 3:57 am

5.8 magnitude earthquake hits Australia's state of Victoria

map

The Xinhua reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 jolted Australia's state of Victoria at 9:15 a.m. local time Wednesday. Residents felt violent shaking but no serious injures were reported.

The epicenter, around Mansfield in Victoria's northeast, is about 130 km away from Australia's second largest city of Melbourne. Australia's Seismology Research Center reported that preliminary readings showed the quake lasted around 20 seconds.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison who is in New York for a UN meeting said that there had been no reports of serious injuries.

Morrison said: "They are very rare events in Australia, and as a result I'm sure people would have been quite distressed and disturbed by that, particularly in the most immediate area affected."

Residents across metropolitan Melbourne and rural Victoria reported violent shaking. Building damage has been reported across Melbourne, and apartment buildings are being evacuated in inner Melbourne.

Jen Qiu who lived in Metropolitan Melbourne told Xinhua: "I felt the shaking start from upstairs. I thought someone was skipping upstairs, the shaking became stronger and stronger. The curtain pullcord started banging against the window, and gradually the whole building started shaking and making noises. At first, I thought it was the wind, but when I went out on to the balcony, I saw that there were already many people gathering in the street."

Victoria State Emergency Service tweeted, "If you have building damage or require SES assistance, phone 132500 and please be patient as lines may be busy."

Victorian Emergency issued an earthquake warning, saying a number of aftershocks have occurred and can continue to occur for sometime after the main earthquake.

Seismology Research Center head Adam Pascale told national broadcaster ABC that "there is a small likelihood that there could be a larger event but we'll see as we go.

Source: xinhua

US opening new chapter of diplomacy after ending two-decade Afghan war Taliban asks to address world leaders at UN General Assembly

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.