A strong earthquake shook parts of eastern Indonesia on Monday, sending residents and hotel guests running. the earthquake of 6.3 magnitude on the Richter scale shook the islands of the Moluccas, causing no casualties or any significant damage.

The epicenter of the quake occurred about 87 miles southeast of the city of Ambon, capital of Maluku province in the south, at a depth of 22 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. About 20 minutes after the quake, an aftershock of 4.9 magnitude struck the area again.

Federal law establishes today as a public holiday for Federal employees. Please note that most Federal employees work on a Monday through Friday schedule. For these employees, when a holiday falls on a nonworkday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the holiday usually is observed on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday.

CHAVEZ VICTORIOUS AGAIN. Wins Fourth Term in Venezuela
Venezuelan voters have re-elected their controversial socialist president Hugo Chávez for another term quashing the opposition’s best chance at unseating him in 14 years.

OBAMA CAMPAIGN CLAIMS. On Target Despite Poor Debate Performance.
Despite his lackluster debate, he remains optimistic and on top of reliable Democratic states, if the president takes Ohio, New Hampshire, Iowa and either Wisconsin or Nevada, he will win the White House.

IRAN SCRAMBLES. Using Force To Strengthen Rial.

New York City is internationally known as a bank and finance hub, with Wall Street as its center, but now NYC has ambitious plans to build a high-tech Silicon Island right next door.

Roosevelt Island has been used as a prison, it has been a mental asylum and an isolation hospital. But now, this thin patch of land beside Manhattan may soon become a $US2 billion hi-tech launchpad for the industries of the digital age.

City officials have drawn up plans to build a state-of-the-art campus and to develop another global reputation as a center for technology and digital enterprise.

Harnessing wind power as an energy source continues to make news headlines. Over the years, wind power has been one of the fastest-growing sources of energy all over the world. Wind energy is popular for its potential to generate a clean and abundant source of electricity.

This Week in History, Oct 7 - Oct 13

Oct 07, 2003
Arnold Schwarzenegger becomes California governor. Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, the most populous state in the nation with the world's fifth-largest economy. Despite his inexperience, Schwarzenegger came out on top in the 11-week campaign to replace Gray Davis, who had earlier become the first United States governor to be recalled by the people since 1921. Schwarzenegger was one of 135 candidates on the ballot, which included career politicians, other actors, and one adult-film star.

Oct 08, 1871

ACCUSED TERRORISTS.Five al-Qaeda Backers Arrive in U.S. For Trial.
These men had been fighting British extradition for some years. Two of them are charged of ties to 1998 embassy bombings.

SALAFISTS INFLUENCE BUILDING. With Ballots and Bullets.
At the polls and at gunpoint the governments in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya face challenges from the right.

HUGO CHAVEZ FIGHTS. Political Survival
Hugo Chavez fights for his life in politics as election gets underway. The ailing Venezuelan leader faces his rival, who has energized the opposition.