Magnitude 5.5 quake shakes CyprusApril 15, 2015 - 13:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck 71 km (44 miles) northwest of Limassol in Cyprus on Wednesday, April 14, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, Reuters reported. The quake was mainly felt in the western Paphos region but also in the capital Nicosia. Cyprus state radio reported the tremor was a magnitude 5.3, at a shallow depth of 3 km west of Kissonerga, a village in Paphos popular with European and British retirees. "The chair I was sitting on started moving and my sister came running down the stairs to tell me the wardrobes and doors were rattling," said Sarah Ktisti, a journalist living in the region. Cyprus lies in an earthquake zone but large tremors are infrequent. The highest recorded in recent years was a 6.3 earthquake in 1996 which caused some damage, but no casualties. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |