Briefly

INDONESIA

Magnitude 6.2 quake kills 7, injures dozens

A strong and shallow earthquake hit off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island on Friday, killing seven people and injuring 85, damaging buildings and sending people in Sumatra and neighboring Malaysia and Singapore into panic. The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake measured 6.2 magnitude and struck about 66 kilometers northwest of Bukittinggi, a hilly town in West Sumatra province. It struck about 12 km below the Earth's surface. Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said the earthquake also triggered a landslide in the West Pasaman district, the closest area to the epicenter.

INDIA

2 militants die in gunfight, police says

Police in restive India-controlled Kashmir on Friday said two militants were killed in a gunfight with government forces in the region. The gunfight broke out at Amshipora village in Shopian district, about 56 kilometers south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir. "Today contingents of police, paramilitary and army cordoned off Amshipora village here. The moment they reached the suspected area, militants fired upon them, triggering a gunfight. In the exchange of the fire, two militants were killed," a police official said. The operation was launched on a specific intelligence suggesting the presence of militants, the police said, adding that the government forces have not suffered any damage during their fight with the holed-up militants.

UNITED KINGDOM

COVID-hit queen postpones meetings

Queen Elizabeth II postponed two virtual sessions as she continued to experience cold-like symptoms from COVID-19, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday. It was the second time this week that Elizabeth, 95, had canceled virtual sessions. However, she spoke by telephone with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday in what was seen as an encouraging sign of her recovery. The monarch's age, COVID-19 diagnosis and a health scare last year have caused worry among officials and the public. Her positive test for the coronavirus over the weekend prompted concern and well wishes from across Britain's political spectrum.

Agencies - Xinhua