Briefly

MADAGASCAR

Chinese embassy warns against trafficking

The Chinese embassy in Madagascar announced on Wednesday that local law enforcement authorities have recently cracked a case involving cross-border marriage-related human trafficking, leading to the arrest of several Chinese nationals. The embassy reiterated its reminder to Chinese citizens to strictly abide by relevant laws and regulations concerning international marriage. It highlighted that, according to Chinese law, no matchmaking agency is permitted to engage in international marriage matchmaking services, and that individuals are prohibited from using deceptive means or pursuing profit through international marriage brokerage activities.

THE NETHERLANDS

Duterte anticipates long legal proceedings

Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, who is in the Netherlands, said on Thursday that he will take responsibility for everything during his presidency. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Duterte said he expected a long legal proceeding, and that he will continue to serve his country. The video, taken inside the chartered plane carrying Duterte to the Netherlands, was posted before his plane landed at Rotterdam The Hague Airport. A spokesman confirmed Duterte was in court custody after he arrived in Rotterdam.

UNITED STATES

Mission to bring back astronauts delayed

NASA and SpaceX on Wednesday delayed the launch of a replacement crew of four astronauts to the International Space Station that would have set in motion the long-awaited homecoming of US astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — stuck in space for nine months after a trip on Boeing's Starliner. The launch was called off due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket, NASA said in a statement. NASA said it is now targeting on Friday. If successful, the mission with astronauts Wilmore and Williams would depart the space station on March 19, it said.

China Daily - Agencies - Xinhua