Japan's PM Abe Quits

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Wednesday, Sept. 12, that he is relinquishing his post to give way for political parties to approve the extension of its naval mission now currently rendering military service in Afghanistan as part of a US-led coalition.
He also said in his televised conference that he is resigning because of his party's humiliating defeat in parliamentary elections conducted last July 29.

Indonesia Hit By 7.9 Quake

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia on Wednesday at around 6:10 pm with its epicenter in Sumatra, the United States Geological reported. The earthquake caused a small tsunami in Padang, the capital and largest city of West Sumatra, Indonesia. As this developed, local authorities issued a tsunami warning on most parts of the Indian Ocean area. The quake was felt across Jakarta. As of press time, authorities said that several civilians were injured with one killed in the said disaster.

Prior to this, two moderate earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.5 and 4.9 rocked the town of Situbondo last Monday, September 10.