China's homegrown C919 aircraft completes 1st int'l commercial flight, lands in Mongolian capital
China's homegrown C919 large passenger aircraft landed safely at the new Ulan Bator airport in Mongolia on Wednesday afternoon after departing from Beijing Capital International Airport, marking the completion of the aircraft's first scheduled international commercial passenger flight.
A grand water salute ceremony was held at the airport. Passengers gradually disembarked from the aircraft, watched a unique ethnic dance performance, and were greeted by a procession of attendants dressed in traditional Mongolian attire.
New Zealand PM survives caucus confidence vote, retains party leadership
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon survived a caucus confidence vote on Wednesday and will remain leader of the governing National Party, after an hours-long caucus meeting in the capital Wellington.
Luxon said he had survived the confidence vote with the "full support" of his caucus and confirmed he would remain National Party leader at a press conference at parliament.
1 killed, 172 evacuated after Indonesia's ferry catches fire
One person was killed and 172 others evacuated after a passenger ferry caught fire in waters off Lombok island, Indonesia's West Nusa Tenggara province, on Wednesday morning, local authorities said.
Muhammad Hariyadi, the head of the local rescue agency, said the ferry, the Putri Yasmin, was sailing from Bali to the adjacent island of Lombok when the fire broke out.
Colombia quake death toll rises to 265
The death toll from Monday's earthquake in Colombia has risen to 265, with 3,494 people injured and 496 still missing, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella said Wednesday.
The president said more than 53,000 people had been affected by the disaster.
Total solar eclipse draws crowds in Spain, Portugal
Spain and Portugal witnessed a total solar eclipse on Wednesday, with the path of totality sweeping across northern Spain and a small area of northeastern Portugal near the Spanish border.
Viewing events were held in many locations across the two countries, drawing crowds of residents, tourists and astronomy enthusiasts.■
