Morning Brief: Thousands likely killed in Indonesia quake

Posted By Joshua Keating

Top Story: Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is telling citizens to "be prepared for the worst" after a devastating earthquake in Sumatra last night. At least 500 people have died but government officials say the final tally will likely be in the thousands. The 7.6-magnitude earthquake began off the coast of Sumatra and the coastal town of Padang bore the brunt of the devastation.Tremors were felt as far away as Singapore.

More than 500 buildings were destroyed including schools, hospitals, hotels, and a shopping mall. A relief effort is currently underway with the Indonesian military assisting rescue workers, but a shortage of heavy machinery remains a problem.

A second powerful quake today caused damage but no reported fatalities. 

No good options: President Barack Obama met with senior advisors yesterday to consider possible new U.S. strategies in Afghanistan. 


Middle East

Asia

  • China celebrated 60 years of Communist rule with its biggest military parade ever. 
  • A relief effort has begun in Samoa, where a deadly tsunami killed dozens of people and flattened villages yesterday. The earthquake that caused the tsunami was not directly related to the quake in Indonesia. 
  • Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with a Burmese minister in New York. 

Europe

Africa

Americas



BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images
EXPLORE:MORNING BRIEF
 
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January/February 2010