Indonesia

Strong earthquake hits; no tsunami reported

An undersea earthquake that hit Sunday near the Indonesian island of Sumatra sent people fleeing from their homes in panic, but the temblor was not strong enough to generate a tsunami, seismologists and meteorologists said.

The 6.8-magnitude tremor’s epicenter was centered about 70 miles southwest of Padang, a city in western Sumatra, at a depth of nearly 19 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

“Many people in Padang are panicking,” said Yusuf, an official from Indonesia’s Geophysics and Meteorology Agency who uses only one name. “People have left their houses, especially those living on the coast.”

Tremors from the earthquake were felt in several areas surrounding the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur, national meteorological chief Chow Kok Kee told TV 3 news.

The quake was recorded at 5:29 a.m. in the Kepulauan Mentawai region, the USGS said. There have been no reports of damage, USGS spokeswoman Clarice Ransom said.

Monaco

Prince: Country feels orphaned after death

Monaco’s new ruler, Prince Albert II, said Sunday the recent death of his father left residents of this tiny Riviera principality feeling orphaned and united in a profound sense of loss.

The nationally televised address was the first public reaction by Albert since the death of his father, Prince Rainier III, on Wednesday. Rainier, who ruled since 1949, died at age 81 after a monthlong hospitalization for heart, kidney and breathing problems.

The body of Rainier lay in state Sunday for the first day since his death.

“The sad time we never thought would come, is alas upon us,” Albert said, speaking directly to the camera.

“Today, we are all orphans of this great man, and the profound sadness and mourning we feel bring our hearts closer together and binds our community like never before,” Albert said. He did not mention politics or his role as the new leader of a principality smaller than New York’s Central Park.

Viewing was to continue through Wednesday ahead of Rainier’s funeral on Friday, which is expected to draw leaders and royalty from around the world.

Lebanon

Thousands run through Beirut in show of unity

There were people in wheelchairs, fathers pushing strollers, young men in T-shirts and designer sunglasses — all in all at least 20,000 Lebanese took part in a run Sunday to demonstrate unity after two months of political turmoil.

Under a warm spring sun, the runners set off from Beirut’s Riad Solh Square on three-mile course that passed near the seafront boulevard where former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 19 others were killed in a massive bomb attack on Feb. 14.

They finished at Martyrs’ Square, the scene of a demonstration that brought down the government and numerous other protests during the past seven weeks.

Hariri’s sister, lawmaker Bahiya Hariri, released 50 white pigeons to start Sunday’s event, which was dubbed “United We Run.”

The run is part of a series of activities that will mark the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Lebanon’s 15-year civil war on April 13, 1975.

The organizers, Beirut Marathon Assn., said about 50,000 people took part, but The Associated Press estimated the crowd to be about 20,000.