WORLD
First US private astronaut mission to space station to return on Sunday
The mission, codenamed Ax-1, was launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 8, Xinhua news agency reported. The four-person multinational crew is composed of Commander Michael Lopez-Alegria and Pilot Larry Connor of the United States, Mission Specialist Eytan Stibbe of Israel, and Mission Specialist Mark Pathy of Canada.
Iran nuclear deal awaits final decisions after talks stalled
While negotiations in the Austrian capital of Vienna stalled a year after they began, Tehran and Washington have ramped up their rhetorical war, demanding political decisions from the other side to bridge the final gap, Xinhua news agency reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Thursday said his country "does not pay attention to excessive demands nor will it retreat from its red lines".
China assures help to solve urgent economic crisis: Sri Lankan PM
Rajapaksa on Friday said in a telephone conversation with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who assured him that China will support Sri Lanka for economic and social stability. "Had a very productive conversation with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. I reiterated #SriLanka's gratitude to #China for the longstanding friendship and for assuring support to address some of the crucial needs affecting peoples' livelihoods and well-being in these difficult times," the Sri Lankan PM tweeted".
33 killed in mosque blast in Afghanistan: Official
"We are saddened to learn that an explosion took place in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province this afternoon. As a result 33 villagers, including several children, were killed and 43 were wounded," the spokesman wrote on social media. He condemned the crime, saying the culprits behind the attack will be brought to justice, Xinhua news agency reported.
Covid-19 was third leading death cause in US in 2021
The report released on Friday showed that the overall age-adjusted death rate increased by nearly 1 per cent in 2021 from 2020. Overall death rates in the country were highest among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan native and non-Hispanic Black or African-American people, according to the CDC.
No foreign conspiracy to topple Imran Khan: Pak NSC
"The NSC discussed the telegram received from the Pakistan Embassy in Washington. Pakistan's former ambassador to the US briefed the committee on the context and content of his telegram," it stated, Dawn reported. The meeting of the NSC, which is the highest forum for coordination on security issues, was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Shehbaz Sharif chairs Pak NSC meeting to discuss 'threat letter'
The meeting is being attended by the services chiefs and federal ministers. Sources privy to the matter said that former Pakistani ambassador to Washington Dr Asad Majeed Khan will brief the NSC over his diplomatic cable that carried the alleged threat sent to the PTI government last month by US officials, Geo News reported.
Russia bans tech honchos, including Zuckerberg, from entering country
According to TechCrunch, the list includes high-profile US politicians such as Vice President Kamala Harris, tech leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and LinkedIn chief Ryan Roslansky, as well as journalists and others who it says are promoting a 'Russophobic' agenda. These shutdowns have included snapping access to Facebook and Instagram, limiting access to Google News and issuing warnings about YouTube.
Covid curbs intensified in Shanghai, residents forced to move out temporarily
The new measures include placing electronic door alarms to prevent those infected from leaving, as well as evacuating people to disinfect their homes. Earlier this week, hundreds were forcibly evacuated from their homes to allow for buildings to be disinfected. The restrictions will take Shanghai's lockdown into its fifth week, BBC reported.
Dry, windy weather feared to fuel wildfires in US
"Significant winds continue to fuel the Cooks Peak Fire (in Mora County), along with severe drought conditions and an abundance of fine fuels like grasses," said New Mexico State Forestry Division spokesperson Wendy Mason. The blaze was first reported on Sunday afternoon on private land near the Mora County-Colfax County line, reports Xinhua news agency.
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