IN BRIEF (Page 8)

Pakistan

Iran FM visits amid tensions with US

Iran's foreign minister was in Pakistan on Friday, a critically timed visit amid a simmering crisis between Teheran and Washington and ahead of next week's emergency Arab League meeting called by Saudi Arabia over regional tensions. The purpose of the visit by Mohammad Javad Zarif, who held talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and also Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, was not made public. But there has been speculation that Teheran is looking to Islamabad and its close relationship with Riyadh to help de-escalate the situation.

Japan

New law to tackle nation's food waste

Japan on Friday enacted legislation aimed at taking action toward reducing the amount of still-edible food waste that is discarded across the country, particularly in the commercial sector. According to official figures, around 6 million tons of still-edible food is discarded per year across Japan. The legislation, sponsored by a cross-party group of lawmakers, mandates that the government, local municipalities, businesses and consumers will work together under the auspices of a "national movement" to promote and deliver results on the reduction of food waste. In terms of businesses already committed to the scheme, convenience store operators Seven-Eleven Japan Co and Lawson Inc said last week that they will discount some of their products, including rice balls that are close to their expiration dates.

South Korea

Sailor killed as destroyer returns

One South Korean Navy sailor was killed and four others were injured on Friday morning during a ceremony to welcome the return of a destroyer from an overseas mission, according to local media reports. A rope connecting the 4,400-ton Choi Young destroyer to the dock snapped due to unidentified reason during the ceremony held at a naval base in the port of Jinhae. The 22-year-old sailor, set to be discharged from the military service about a month later, died after the rope struck him on the face. Three other sailors and one chief petty officer were wounded, but their injuries were not life-threatening. The accident occurred while hailing the return of the destroyer, which had operated for about six months in waters off Somalia to escort ships and conduct an anti-piracy operation.

United States

SpaceX launches 60 internet satellites

SpaceX has launched a rocket carrying the first 60 satellites of its "Starlink" constellation, which is intended to provide internet from space in an array that could one day contain more than 12,000 orbiting transponders. One of the company's Falcon 9 rockets blasted off without incident from Cape Canaveral in Florida around 10:30 pm on Thursday. An hour later, the rocket began to release the satellites at an altitude of 450 kilometers. The launch was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed - first because of high winds and then due to the need for a software update.

Xinhua - AP - AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 05/25/2019 page8)