New Zealanders begin voting on new flag

WELLINGTON • New Zealanders began voting yesterday to select a potential new flag, as the South Pacific country considers dropping Britain's Union Jack from its national banner.

Voters are being asked to choose from five options in a postal referendum that will continue until Dec 11.

The winning design will then go head-to-head with the existing flag in a second referendum to be held in March next year.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Russia, Egypt ink deal for nuke power plant

CAIRO • Russia has signed two agreements to finance and build Egypt's first nuclear power plant in a televised ceremony attended by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The signing "carries a message on the weight of relations between us and Russia", Mr Sisi said.

Under the second deal, he said Russia will grant a 35-year loan to the North African country. He did not say how much the loan will total or what its terms are.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE