News in Brief -(25-05-2019)

Four more die on traffic-jammed Everest
KATHMANDU, May 24: A traffic jam of climbers in the Everest "death zone" was blamed for two of four new deaths reported Friday, heightening concerns that the drive for profits is trumping safety on the world's highest peak. Nepal has issued a record 381 permits costing $11,000 each for the current spring climbing season, bringing in much-needed money for the impoverished Himalayan country. — AFP
Libya rescues 290 migrants in Mediterranean
CAIRO, May 24: Libya's navy confirmed on Friday that it rescued three boats carrying a total of 290 Europe-bound migrants off the country's Mediterranean coast, following reports by a German aid group about the disaster. Libyan coast guards first reported finding a sinking rubber boat whose bottom had collapsed on Thursday, leaving most migrants in the water and hanging onto what was left of the boat and plastic barrels. — AP
Thai king opens first parliament since 2014 coup
BANGKOK, May 24: Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Friday opened the country's first parliament since the military seized power from an elected government in a 2014 coup. Parliament will choose a new prime minister, who will form a cabinet likely next month, but its exact makeup is not yet known after a March 24 election produced no clear winner. However, a military-linked party aiming to keep current junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha in power is expected to have the edge in cementing power under rules written by the military government. — Reuters
SpaceX puts up 60 internet satellites
FLORIDA, May 24: The SpaceX company has begun the roll-out of its orbiting broadband system. A Falcon-9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida late on Thursday, packed with 60 satellites capable of giving users on the ground high-speed connections to the internet. Entrepreneur Elon Musk's firm aims eventually to loft nearly 12,000 spacecraft for its "Starlink" network. — BBC
US charges WikiLeaks founder with publishing classified info
WASHINGTON, May 24: In a case with significant First Amendment implications, the US filed new charges Thursday against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, accusing him of violating the Espionage Act by publishing secret documents containing the names of confidential military and diplomatic sources. — AP