Disasters

Officials say an earthquake — the strongest in the region in more than 100 years — shook much of North Carolina early Sunday, rattling homes, buildings and residents.
Mauritius scrambles to contain oil spill from grounded ship
Anxious residents of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius stuffed fabric sacks with sugar cane leaves Saturday to create makeshift oil spill barriers as tons of fuel leaking from a grounded ship put endangered wildlife in further peril.
Protests grow in Beirut amid public fury over massive blast
Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators in Lebanon's capital on Saturday at the start of a planned protest over this week's massive explosion that devastated large parts of the city and killed more than 150 people.
Beirut explosion update: Lebanon detains 16 people as part of inquiry
The investigation into the massive blast continues, a Lebanese judge says. The explosion has been traced to an estimated 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse.
Lebanon probes blast amid rising anger, calls for change
The blast Tuesday, which appeared to have been caused by an accidental fire that ignited a stockpile of ammonium nitrate at the port, rippled across the Lebanese capital, killing at least 135 people, injuring more than 5,000 and causing widespread destruction.
Beirut death toll rises after enormous explosion
In Lebanon's devastated capital, at least 135 people are dead and some 5,000 injured. A question looms over the stockpile of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate believed to have exploded: Why was it there?