2 die in quake near Iran's Mashhad city

TEHERAN • At least two people died when an earthquake of magnitude 6.1 struck near Iran's Shi'ite Muslim holy city of Mashhad yesterday, local media reported. The quake struck at about 10.40am, around 80km south-east of Iran's second city in an area called Sepidsang.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Call for Japan to seal trade deal with EU

BERLIN • Mr Volker Kauder, head of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative parliamentary group, pressed Japan yesterday to quickly seal a trade deal with the European Union.

This is especially in light of protectionist signals coming from US President Donald Trump.

REUTERS

Attack by militants in Iraq kills 31

BAGHDAD • Militants opened fire and later blew themselves up in the Iraqi city of Tikrit, killing at least 31 people in an attack claimed yesterday by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria group.

Police and army officers said the attack, which began on Tuesday, also wounded at least 42 people.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE