Briefly

AFGHANISTAN

At least 4 killed, 10 wounded after blast

At least four people are dead and 10 wounded after an explosion went off near a mosque in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul on Friday, with a hospital confirming the number of casualties. A column of black smoke rose into the sky and shots rang out several minutes after the blast in the city's diplomatic quarter. Interior Minister spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said the blast went off on the main road near the mosque. He said the cause was under investigation.

UNITED NATIONS

Micronesia attacks Fukushima water plan

The president of the Pacific island state of Micronesia denounced at the United Nations on Thursday Japan's decision to discharge what he called nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the sea. In an address to the UN General Assembly in New York, David Panuelo said Micronesia had the "gravest concern" about Japan's decision. "The impacts of this decision are both transboundary and intergenerational in nature. As Micronesia's head of state, I cannot allow for the destruction of our Ocean resources that support the livelihood of our people," he said.

UNITED STATES

Boeing agrees to $200m fine to settle charges

US securities officials fined Boeing $200 million over the aviation giant's misleading assurances about the safety of the 737 MAX airplane following two deadly crashes, regulators announced on Thursday. Boeing agreed to the penalty to settle charges it "negligently violated the antifraud provisions" of US securities laws, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in a statement.

Agencies via Xinhua