News in brief
Two dead in explosion at Russian military base
AFP, Moscow
Two people were killed in an explosion at a military base used for missile tests in the far north of Russia yesterday, the defence ministry said in a statement to news agencies.
During the test of a liquid propellant jet engine, an explosion occurred and the equipment caught fire, the ministry said. As a result of the accident, six defence ministry employees and a developer were injured. Two specialists died of their wounds, it said, adding that radiation levels near the facility were normal.
Theres no radioactive contamination, a spokeswoman for the Arkhangelsk region, where the base is situated, told AFP.
Maduro freezes talks with opposition, blames US
AFP, Caracas
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed Washington on Wednesday in cancelling scheduled talks with the political opposition, as his embattled regime struggles under the weight of US sanctions.
Maduros oil-rich leftist government has been hurt hard since US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a freeze on all Venezuelan government assets in the United States and barred transactions with its authorities.
In response, Maduro has decided to not send the Venezuelan delegation to the latest round of talks, which were scheduled for Thursday and Friday and were to be held in Barbados and mediated by Norway, according to a statement.
Myanmar floods force thousands from homes
AFP, Shwegyin
Raging floods across Myanmar have forced tens of thousands of people from their homes in recent weeks, officials said yesterday, as monsoon rains pummel the nation. Aerial images from Shwegyin township in Bago region showed how the area had become a vast lake of water.
Only the rooftops could be seen of many homes lining the Sittaung river. Emergency services have been helping bring people to dry ground, many seeking shelter in local monasteries. Others waded through waist-deep floodwaters or rowed on wooden boats with pets and any belongings they could take with them.
