By ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER

Published: 08:46 BST, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 10:06 BST, 28 July 2026

A strong 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit southern Japan on Tuesday, sparking alerts and damaging an ancient castle, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The tremor also measured at the highest possible level seven on Japan’s own Shindo scale of shaking, the agency added.

The Japanese government issued emergency earthquake warnings for Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita, and Miyazaki prefectures, all on Japan’s southern Kyushu island.

Residents in coastal areas have been urged to move to higher ground and follow official evacuation instructions. 

Advertisement

The stone walls of the ancient Kumamoto Castle collapsed due to the earthquake.

A tsunami alert of a wave of up to one metre was activated after the quake, warning it could arrive at around 5pm local time.

Broadcaster NHK said that waves of up to that level may already have been recorded.

No immediate abnormalities were recorded at nuclear power plants, the Nuclear Regulation Authority said.

Advertisement

A damaged property pictured after an earthquake struck southern Japan on Tuesday

Damage in an arcade after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Japan

Toppled shelving after an earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1, struck Japan’s southern Kumamoto prefecture

Advertisement

Bottles of wines are scattered after the magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake hit the region

About 45,000 households and facilities have no power in the Kumamoto region, according to local utility Kyushu Electric Power.

The firm added that three nuclear reactors operating at the time in the region were continuing their normal operations.

Around half an hour after the quake, a local NHK staffer wearing a helmet reported live on air that the shaking was continuing, with the newsroom shaking so violently it was difficult to remain standing.

Advertisement

‘Shaking is continuing as I speak. Including myself, there may be some people who feel their hearts racing,’ he said.

‘When the quake struck, the shaking was so big that I could not stand up. Please be aware of possibility that shaking might continue after this.’

A quake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit northern Japan on June 25 but caused no deaths or major damage.

Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, sitting on top of four major tectonic plates along the western edge of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’.

Advertisement

People stand outside JR Kumamoto Station after the magnitude 7.1 strong earthquake

Reporters watch the news showing a large quake and possible one meter tsunami wave in Southern Japan

The archipelago, home to around 125 million people, typically experiences hundreds of jolts every year and accounts for about 18 percent of the world’s earthquakes.

The vast majority are mild, although the damage they cause varies according to their location and the depth below the Earth’s surface at which they strike.

Advertisement

It is haunted by the memory of a massive 9.0-magnitude undersea quake in 2011, which triggered a tsunami that killed or left missing around 18,500 people and wrecked the Fukushima nuclear plant.

On April 20 this year, a tremor measuring 7.7 hit the country’s north, injuring at least 10 people and shaking large buildings in Tokyo.

This prompted authorities to issue a special advisory warning of an increased risk of earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or stronger. The advisory was lifted after a week.

Emergency services are responding to an incident on a busy road in Salford.

Part of Cleggs Lane in Little Hulton has been cordoned off by police this morning (Tuesday, July 28). A large emergency response on the scene including a number of ambulance and police vehicles.

The cordon is in place near the road’s junction with Eastham Way. The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

The M.E.N has contacted Greater Manchester Police for further details.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates on this incident.

The bodies of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were discovered near Corsliehill Road in Houston after emergency services were called to reports of concern for a person.

Police have launched a probe after a man and a woman were found dead in Renfrewshire.

Emergency services were called to Corsliehill Road in Houston, Johnstone on Monday morning, July 27, following reports of a concern for a person.

Officers attended the scene, where the bodies of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were found nearby.

Police Scotland said the deaths are currently being treated as unexplained. A post-mortem will be carried out to establish the exact cause of death.

Extensive enquiries remain ongoing as detectives work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

However, officers said there is nothing at this stage to suggest anyone else was involved.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “An investigation is ongoing into the deaths of a 36-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man in the Houston area.

“On Monday, 27 July, 2026, we received a report of concern for a person in Corsliehill Road. Emergency services attended, and the body of a man and a woman were found nearby.

“The deaths are being treated as unexplained and post mortem examinations will be carried out in due course.

“Extensive enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances. At this time, there is nothing to suggest anyone else has been involved.

“Their relatives are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.”

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Kelly made a rapid start at Arsenal in the second half of the 2024-25 season, scoring twice and providing five assists, and helping the club win a second Women’s Champions League title.

She then played an instrumental role in England retaining the European Championships that summer, including scoring the title-winning penalty against Spain in the shootout.

Last season however, was less successful. Hampered by injury, she only started four times in the Women’s Super League – so is itching to get going in the new campaign, which kicks off on Friday, 4 September.

“I had big goals to do amazing things at Arsenal in my first full season and I was a little disappointed I wasn’t able to,” she says.

“I think I needed this summer to work on myself physically, balancing working in the gym, on the pitch and getting downtime.

“I am in a really good place at the moment. My main goal is to stay fit and fresh all season and be ready when called upon.”

And despite the added allure of a World Cup in Brazil next summer should England navigate the play-offs this autumn, Kelly is keeping her focus on the short term.

“My goals and assists are really important so I’ll make sure I’m right at it,” she adds. “For me, I’ll think about [the World Cup] closer to the time.”

Whether you’re embarking on a city break in Lisbon, a long weekend in Barcelona or a week’s sojourn in Sicily, ensuring you’ve got the right size hand luggage for the airline you’re flying with is part and parcel of planning any trip. If it’s Easyjet your flying, here’s everything to know about its luggage allowance.

The carrier sits in the middle of UK airlines: every standard ticket includes one small under-seat bag up to 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (including handles and wheels). If your luggage exceeds this or you bring an extra unbooked item, you will face a hefty £48 gate fine. For travellers who struggle to pack light, upgrading to an extra cabin bag allowance grants you a larger 56cm x 45cm x 25cm overhead case, which is significantly cheaper to book online than at the airport terminal.

Citing overstuffed bins, safety concerns for air stewards and slow boarding times, airlines have been slowly clamping down on carry-on restrictions. RyanAir’s allowance is the most stringent at 40 x 30 x 20cm, while British Airways is the most generous, offering economy flyers one larger cabin bag and one smaller bag (40cm x 30cm x 15 cm).

When choosing compliant baggage, premium holdalls and sleek rucksacks from Away and Antler offer excellent durability. Meanwhile, affordable cabin backpacks from Amazon and Primark frequently go viral for maximising every millimeter of packing space. The IndyBest travel team has flown globally with the market’s best hand luggage to discover which options slip seamlessly through airport checks. Read on for our ultimate guide to the best EasyJet-approved cabin bags for your next holiday.

What is EasyJet’s hand luggage allowance?

EasyJet allows one bag per economy flyer, measuring 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels). It can weigh up to 15kg, and must be kept under the seat in front of you. You can also bring a large cabin bag – 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm – on board at an extra cost. Every customer who books a large cabin bag can also enjoy the benefit of Speedy Boarding. If your hand luggage is too large or you bring an extra bag without paying, you’ll recieve a £48 fine at the gate.

The best EasyJet hand luggage bag

Discover more of the best carry-on luggage for 2026, tested by a travel writer

There will also be an Absolutely Fabulous drag night and a celebration of Disney+ show Rivals

A popular Manchester festival will return this summer with its biggest line-up ever, opening with a special Traitors-themed party and celebration.

SCENE has been described as Manchester’s only LGBTQ+ film and TV festival since it was first held in 2024. Now in its third outing, this year’s event will feature a series of premieres, screenings, Q&A panels, events, parties and more across eight days from August 20 to 27.

A special panel discussion honouring hit BBC series The Traitors, moderated by TV critic and author Scott Bryan, will officially kick the festival off and will feature the likes of Maddy and Wilf from series 1 and Amanda from series 4, as well as more guests to be confirmed. It will be proceeded by a Traitors-style opening party with themed cocktails and more.

Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter

The festival, which is an official Manchester Village Pride fringe partner, will also feature a special fifth anniversary screening and panel discussion of Russell T Davies’ critically-acclaimed series It’s A Sin. It will also feature a preview of the upcoming ballet adaptation of the show, which will receive its world debut at Aviva Studios next year.

TV creator Davies, alongside executive producer Nicola Shindler, will also appear at the event to recognise the significant impact of this year’s gripping Channel 4 series Tip Toe, which starred Alan Cumming and David Morrissey as feuding neighbours in a socially-charged climate.

There will also be an intimate in-conversation event with Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman, reflecting on the impact the book series has had around the world as well as with its Netflix series, which has just concluded with a feature-length film.

Other highlights include a drag-inspired celebration of Absolutely Fabulous starring Manchester stars Anna Phylactic and Banksie, a tribute night to comedy icon Caroline Aherne, and a 25th anniversary of acclaimed stage show Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Events will take place at HOME, New Century Hall, Cultplex, Kampus, Treehouse Hotel, Aviva Studios, Vada Vada, Cruz 101 and more.

SCENE will also feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Disney+’s hit series Rivals with cast members Gary Lamont and Hubert Burton alongside executive producer Alexander Lamb, as well as a return of Channel 4’s An Altogether Different Comedy Night which will feature a special line-up of stars.

The festival will also feature a celebration of BBC’s ground-breaking dating shows I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl, hosted by Charley Marlowe, which will feature appearances from stars from both series as they reflect on its significance on LGBTQ+ visibility on screen.

Over the eight days, SCENE will also feature a number of film premieres, including Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas, Jane Schoenbrun’s Cannes Queer Palm-winning Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan’s Chatlines, and a special screening of Adam Shankman’s wildly-anticipated drag comedy Stop! That! Train! starring RuPaul and a host of famous drag queens.

In addition, the festival line-up also includes a St Trinian’s party screening, live podcasts, a free outdoor photography exhibition at Kampus, and a free outdoor cinema at First Street, as well as a showcase of documentaries, shorts and productions highlighting new voices.

Tickets start from £5 with many of the events free of charge to attend. Profits from all ticket sales, alongside booking fees from Skiddle, will be donated to Manchester Village Pride Charities. The festival has been made possible thanks to a number of local and international partnerships, including CityCo, Screen Manchester, SCRUFF, Aviva Studios and many of Manchester’s hoteliers.

Gary James Williams, Head of Events at CityCo and producer of SCENE, said: “We’re thrilled that SCENE is back for a third edition, and after doubling our audience last year, the festival is going from strength to strength with thousands of fans from all over the UK and across the world coming to Manchester for the ultimate celebration of queer screen culture.

“We’ve always wanted SCENE to be a festival where audiences can discover their next favourite film alongside celebrating the shows and stories they already love. This year’s programme is our biggest and most ambitious yet – from Almodóvar to Ab Fab, Barbara Hammer to I Kissed A Girl, old classics, new stories, shorts, docs, live comedy, dance shows, parties and exhibitions there’s something for everyone.

“Whether you’re coming just for the festival or extending your visit to Manchester ahead of our city’s Pride celebrations, we’re welcoming artists, filmmakers, writers, producers, programmers and importantly amazing audiences with open arms and a bucket of popcorn.”

The full line-up and ticket details for SCENE 2026 can be found here.

BEIJING (AP) — A remote province in China was struck by two earthquakes just 18 minutes apart late Tuesday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The earthquakes in Qinghai province at 11:16 a.m. and 11:34 a.m. had magnitudes of 5.7 and 5.8 at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), the USGS reported.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Qinghai province in China’s northwest is sparsely populated and often experiences earthquakes.

A video from state broadcaster CCTV showed dust clouds rising from cliffs as the land shook.

The earthquakes also impacted Lanzhou in neighboring Gansu province, one of the largest cities in the area.. Social media videos showed lamps swinging inside residences in the city.

TransPennine Express said crews are dealing with an incident in the Mirfield area this morning (Tuesday, July 28).

Recommended reading:

Services are currently being cancelled at the West Yorkshire station, with one eyewitness saying the entrance has been cordoned off.

Rail replacement transport is in operation from Huddersfield to Manchester Piccadilly and has been requested to Leeds.

National Rail said operating trains may be delayed by up to 60 minutes and is advising customers to check its real-time Journey Planner.

A spokesperson for TransPennine Express said routes from Manchester to York, Scarborough, Newcastle and Redcar Central are all affected by delays or short-notice cancellations in both directions.

Network Rail said delays in the area are expected until 10.30am.

Passengers are advised to check live journey updates at journeycheck.com/tpexpress.

The Press has contacted West Yorkshire emergency services.

We will provide updated information to this breaking news when we receive it.