Chinese rocket debris falls near Philippines

Beijing: Debris from a rocket that boosted part of China’s new space station into orbit fell into the sea in the Philippines on Sunday, the Chinese government announced. Most of the final stage of the Long March-5B rocket burned up after entering the atmosphere at 12:55 am, the China Manned Space Agency reported. The agency said earlier the booster would be allowed to fall unguided. There was no immediate word from Philippine authorities about whether anyone on the ground was affected. AP

Cockroaches in food, 2 cafes in Pak Parl sealed

Islamabad: Authorities have sealed two cafeterias situated in Pakistan’s Parliament House here after lawmakers complained that cockroaches were found in the food served to them, a media report said. Officials from Islamabad’s district administration conducted raids on the two cafeterias in Parliament House after receiving a flurry of complaints, including that of cockroaches in food, from lawmakers. PTI

Pelosi confirms trip to Asia, but no mention of Taiwan

Beijing: The speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, confirmed on Sunday that she would visit four Asian countries this week, but made no mention of a possible stop in Taiwan that has fuelled tension with Beijing, which claims the island democracy as its own territory. Pelosi, in a statement, saidshe was leading a congressional delegation to Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan to discuss trade, the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, security and “democratic governance”. AP

Chinese vessel to dock at Lankan port in August

Colombo: Sri Lanka has allowed a Chinese research vessel to dock at the Hambantota port next month, the island nation’s Army spokesman said on Sunday, days after India said it carefully monitors any development having a bearing on its security and economic interests. The southern deep-sea port of Hambantota is considered strategically important for its location.