Rocket explodes on launch pad in blow to Elon Musk's SpaceX
An explosion destroyed a Falcon 9 rocket belonging to Elon Musk's SpaceX and its cargo during preparations for a routine test firing at Cape Canaveral in Florida, two days before it had been due to blast off and place a satellite in orbit.
SpaceX said there were no injuries and that an "anomaly" during the static fire test resulted in the loss of the rocket and a communications satellite owned by Israel-based Space Communication which was going to be used by Facebook to expand Internet access in Africa.
Video showed a fiery blast ripping through the upper part of the rocket before the vehicle collapsed in flames on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. A plume of black smoke poured into the air.
Tsunami but no damage after powerful 7.1 quake jolts New Zealand
The east coast of New Zealand was hit by a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake before dawn, generating a small tsunami, but officials said there was no significant damage or injuries.
A swarm of aftershocks, several of nearly 6.0 magnitude, rocked the region for many hours after the initial jolt as coastal residents made their way to high ground by torchlight.
But less than three hours later they were advised they could return home after a 30cm tsunami was detected.
Dropbox says 68 million user IDs stolen
Cloud-based data storage company Dropbox said that user IDs and passwords of some 68 million clients were stolen four years ago and recently leaked onto the Internet.
The company said it had no indication that any of its user accounts were improperly entered, and that it had notified the users and made them reset their passwords on the accounts.
The company learnt of the theft of the data only two weeks ago after the 68 million user credentials were posted online, but indicated it still does not know how or by whom.
Jackie Chan to get lifetime achievement Oscar
Martial arts expert and actor Jackie Chan will receive a lifetime achievement Oscar, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced.
Chan, 62, the Hong Kong-born star of Hollywood movies such as Kung Fu Panda, The Karate Kid and the Rush Hour franchise, will join documentary maker Frederick Wiseman, British film editor Anne V. Coates and casting director Lynn Stalmaster as recipients of the 2016 Governors Awards.
Each will get an honorary Oscar statuette recognising their lifetime contribution to film at a gala in Los Angeles in November.
Formula One: Defiant Max Verstappen refuses to temper aggression
Max Verstappen repeated that he does not intend to change his aggressive racing style despite much criticism from fellow Formula One drivers.
The under-fire Dutch teenager sensation who won his debut race with Red Bull at the Spanish Grand Prix in May, said incidents that took place at last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix were now in the past. Verstappen was involved in a first corner collision with both Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen in Spa.
"The way I drive brought me to Formula One, so I don't think there is any reason to change - I didn't get any penalties," he said.
