News in Brief--(25-04-2018)

5.3-magnitude quake hits Hokkaido

TOKYO, Apr 24: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 struck off the southeast coast of the Nemuro Peninsula in Hokkaido Prefecture, northern Japan, at 5:53 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the weather agency here said. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the temblor, which measured 4 on the Japanese seismic scale which peaks at 7, struck at a latitude of 43.3 degrees north and a longitude of 145.8 degrees east, and at a depth of 90 km. — Xinhua

Saudi king to launch 'entertainment city'

RIYADH, Apr 24: Saudi King Salman will launch the construction of an "entertainment city" near Riyadh Wednesday, authorities said, part of a series of multi-billion dollar projects as the kingdom seeks to diversity its oil-reliant economy. The 334-square kilometre project in Qiddiya, southwest of Riyadh, would rival Walt Disney and include high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a safari park, officials say. — AFP

Israel razes Palestinian attacker's home

JERUSALEM, Apr 24: Israeli forces demolished early on Tuesday the family home of a Palestinian involved in the killing of an Israeli in the West Bank in January. The Israeli troops demolished the residence of Mohammad Qoneba in the city of Jenin in northern West Bank, the Israeli military said in a statement. It said that Qoneba was part of a group that carried out a shooting attack near the settlement of Havat Gilad in early January. — Xinhua