The Blue Ridge Times

TOKYO - A powerful earthquake struck near remote Japanese islands and shook most of the country Saturday evening, mbut it occurred well beneath the earth's surface and did not trigger a tsunami warning. Serval people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and there were no reports of death or major damage.   The magnitude 8.5 off-shore quake strick off the Ogasawara island at a depth of 370 miles, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 7.8 and a depth of 421 miles.   The earthquake was not strong enough to generate a tsunami warning or close enogh to the isalnds to cause any significate damage or injuries, said John Bellini, a geophysicist with the U.S.G.S in Golden, Colorado. He said it is considered a separate seismic event and not an aftershock to the magnitude 8.5 quake that struck hours earlier.

Manila, Philippines - At least 15 people have been wounded in two separete blasts that hit a police camp in a restive southern Philippine province where Mislim militants operate, police said Saturday.   At least five civilians, including three children, and 10 policemen were wounded.   No group has claimed responsibility, but police suspect the Abu Sayyaf group, which has had links to al-Qaida.