News compact: injuries and damage after earthquake in Peru

A powerful earthquake struck central Peru early Tuesday, causing injuries and widespread damage. At least two people were injured, and more than 30 buildings sustained damage, according to reports from the Latin American news outlet Latina Noticias citing the country’s civil protection agency. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 6.7, with its epicenter located 31 kilometers northwest of Aniso in the province of Parinacochas, at a depth of approximately 99 kilometers. Initial assessments by Peru’s Geophysical Institute had placed the quake’s strength at 7.2, though this figure was later revised downward. Tremors were felt in several major cities including Cusco, Arequipa, Junín, and the capital, Lima. According to the Peruvian navy, there was no tsunami threat following the quake. The earthquake occurred during a period of heightened seismic activity in the region, which lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. While the tremors caused damage to infrastructure, officials confirmed no fatalities. Emergency services were deployed to assess the situation and provide aid to affected communities. The civil protection authority has urged residents to remain cautious and follow official guidelines to ensure safety in the aftermath of the quake. In a separate development, a massive wildfire that broke out in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia last week has been fully extinguished. Local authorities announced that all emergency personnel have withdrawn from the area. The fire, described as the largest in the region's history, began in the town of Hürtgenwald and forced the temporary evacuation of part of the community. However, no injuries or property damage were reported. Officials praised the efforts of both professional and volunteer firefighters, as well as local residents who supported the containment efforts. The affected forest area will remain closed temporarily due to concerns over weakened trees posing a risk of collapse. Meanwhile, in Israel, the Central Council of Jews in Germany condemned remarks made by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding mass killings of Palestinians. The council’s president, Josef Schuster, criticized Ben-Gvir’s statements as dehumanizing and contrary to Jewish values, warning they could harm Israel’s international reputation. Ben-Gvir had previously claimed that up to 30 to 40 Palestinians should be killed each night in the Gaza Strip. His comments sparked outrage among political leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who expressed strong disapproval. Ben-Gvir further controversially suggested that some individuals in Gaza did not deserve to live and were “not even human,” while advocating for population exchanges in Palestinian territories. In another update, the United States has imposed new sanctions against Cuba targeting key sectors of the economy. The Department of State identified the Cuban Ministry of Construction and several state-owned enterprises in the metallurgy and mining industries as entities under the sanctions. Three senior officials from the Cuban Institute of Friendship Among Peoples were also added to the sanctions list. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused the U.S. government of attempting to undermine the country’s economic stability and the well-being of its citizens. This move follows increased pressure from former President Donald Trump, who had previously restricted oil supplies to Cuba, exacerbating economic challenges faced by the island nation. In Spain, the government has established temporary refugee camps in the northern Moroccan enclave of Ceuta to accommodate the remaining migrants after a surge in arrivals earlier this month. Approximately 1,800 migrants are still in the area, many of whom have been living on the streets or at beaches due to a lack of shelter. The Spanish Ministry of Migration stated that the new facilities aim to provide short-term housing for these individuals. Earlier in July, around 72,000 migrants attempted to cross into Ceuta via land or sea, with roughly 70,000 returning to Morocco shortly afterward. The establishment of the camps comes amid ongoing discussions about migration policies and border management in Europe.