News in Brief-(2024-02-25)

Astronomers spot new tiny moons
around Neptune and Uranus
WASHINGTON, Feb 24: Astronomers have found three previously unknown moons in our solar system - two additional moons circling Neptune and one around Uranus. The distant tiny moons were spotted using powerful land-based telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, and announced Friday by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center. The latest tally puts Neptune at 16 known moons and Uranus at 28. One of Neptune's new moons has the longest known orbital journey yet. — AP
Spain apartment block fire kills 10
VALENCIA, Feb 24: At least 10 people were killed by a huge fire that ripped through an apartment block in an affluent district of Spain's third largest city, Valencia, authorities said on Friday. The blaze, fanned by strong winds, engulfed the block in Valencia's El Campanar district within half an hour on Thursday evening, witnesses said. Still shaken, one of the surviving residents, 53-year-old Jose Carlos Perez, told Reuters he grabbed what he could and rushed out of his 12th floor apartment after he saw smoke outside his window. — Reuters
Thaksin weak, after detention release
BANGKOK, Feb 24: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Saturday that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was happy and in a good mood but still weak after his recent release from hospital detention. The 74-year-old billionaire, whose family's party has regained power, was released on parole on Feb 18 after six months in detention, his first day of freedom in his homeland 15 years after he fled a military coup that had deposed him. — Reuters