SpaceX launches cargo mission to space station

Washington:  After several attempts earlier, SpaceX on Saturday successfully  launched a Dragon spacecraft for its 17th resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). "@SpaceX's #Dragon spacecraft launched at 2.48am ET on a mission to deliver more than 5,500 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware to the @Space_Station," NASA said in a tweet. Loaded with about 2,500 kg of research, supplies and hardware for crew members living and working on the orbiting laboratory, the spacecraft launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to reach the ISS on May 6, NASA said. IANS

Facebook shutting down group video chat app Bonfire 

San Francisco:  Facebook has decided to shut down a clone of the main Group video chat app called "Houseparty", which is a virtual hangout for its users in a group. According to The Verge on Friday, the clone app called "Bonfire" which Facebook began testing in 2017, will stop working this month."In May, we'll be ending support for the Bonfire tests. We'll incorporate elements of what we learned into other current and future products," Facebook said in a statement. IANS

Prince Harry puts royal baby watchers on alert 

LONDON:  The UK's Prince Harry has shortened a forthcoming trip to the Netherlands, prompting inevitable speculation that his wife, Meghan, could be about to give birth, the media reported on Saturday. Harry had been due to visit the country for two days starting May 8, but will now fly in and out the next day. The decision has been attributed to logistical challenges, but the Duchess of Sussex is known to be in the late stages of her pregnancy, the media reported. IANS