News in Brief (2022-04-20)

French govt to resign if Macron wins
PARIS, Apr 19: French Prime Minister Jean Castex said Tuesday that his government would tender its resignation if Emmanuel Macron is re-elected president, in a bid to provide a "new impetus" for Macron's centrist party ahead of parliamentary elections in June. Macron is facing a close race in the run-off on Sunday against far-right veteran Marine Le Pen, with analysts warning that low turnout could prove a wildcard even though most polls show Macron in the lead. — AFP
Romanian piano legend Radu Lupu dies
BUCHAREST, Apr 19: Radu Lupu, widely regarded as one of the world's greatest pianists, has died at the age of 76, the organisers of the George Enescu Festival in Bucharest announced. "We are deeply saddened to find out about the death of Maestro Radu Lupu, a dear friend of the Enescu Festival and a magnificent musician!" the festival wrote on its Facebook page. — AFP
Suu Kyi urges peoples’ unity
YANGON, Apr 19: Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has called for unity among her people, according to a source familiar with her legal proceedings, in rare remarks since her overthrow in a military coup last year. Suu Kyi, the daughter of Myanmar's late independence hero Aung San, is on trial accused of a litany of offences including violating a state secrets law and multiple counts of corruption, which carry combined maximum jail terms of more than 150 years. — Reuters
NASA's Moon rocket returning for repairs
WASHINGTON, Apr 19: NASA's Space Launch System rocket is heading back to its assembly building for repairs next week, pushing the earliest possible launch date for its uncrewed test flight to the Moon to later this summer, officials said Monday. — AFP