Quake strikes near Iran n power plant
Tehran: An earthquake struck Iran on Friday less than 50 kilometres from the country’s only nuclear power plant, monitors said. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage. The US Geological Survey said the 5.1 magnitude quake struck 44 kilometres from the southwestern city of Borazjan and at a depth of 38 kilometres.
2020 Mars mission: China launches rocket
Beijing: China on Friday launched one of the world’s most powerful rockets in a major step forward for its planned mission to Mars in 2020. The heavy lift Long March 5 rocket carrying a test satellite payload blasted off from the Wenchang launch site on the southern island of Hainan at 8:45 pm (1245 GMT), a livestream from state broadcaster CCTV showed.
12 killed as plane crashes in Kazakhstan
Almaty: Twelve people died when a plane carrying 100 passengers and crew crashed shortly after takeoff in Kazakhstan on Friday and collided with a house, but many onboard survived without serious injury.
Iraqis split on prez threat to quit
Baghdad: Iraqis were divided on Friday by their President’s threat to resign rather than accept a pro-Iran coalition’s candidate for premier, with some saying it was unconstitutional but others praising his civic-mindedness. Barham Saleh has resisted recent attempts by a pro-Iran coalition to put forward nominees for prime minister that included a resigned minister and a controversial governor.