World briefs 10/7/04

Strong earthquake rattles eastern Japan

TOKYO -- An earthquake struck eastern Japan late Wednesday, shaking buildings in Tokyo and other nearby areas, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The 5.8-magnitude quake hit at 11:40 p.m. and was centered some 40 miles beneath the earth's surface in Ibaraki state, northeast of the capital, the Meteorological Agency said.

Hong Kong activist raisese ruckus in legislature

HONG KONG -- New Hong Kong lawmakers were sworn in Wednesday, and one of their newest members -- a longtime activist -- shattered the solemnity by shouting pro-democracy slogans as he joined the system he has spent years protesting. "Long live democracy! Long live the people!" Leung Kwok-hung yelled, his voice bellowing through the Legislative Council chamber -- in a preview of the troubles that unpopular Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa can expect during his last three years in office.

Soldiers revolt in Guinea-Bissau

BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau -- Soldiers recently back from a U.N. peacekeeping mission and angry over unpaid wages staged a revolt in this tiny, impoverished West African nation Wednesday, killing the armed forces chief of staff and another senior officer, officials said. Most troops returned to their barracks after nightfall, and the country was reportedly mostly calm throughout the day.