No backdated ballots Myanmar bribes claim Everard autopsy inconclusive Nasa tests moon rocket engines
US Postal Service investigators did not find evidence of any backdated presidential election ballots in the post office in Erie, Pennsylvania, according to a report summarising the investigation into claims by a postal worker that spurred calls from Republicans for a federal probe. The presidential battleground of Pennsylvania was a key target for unfounded claims of election fraud by former President Donald Trump and fellow Republicans after Trump lost the state, and the election, to Democrat Joe Biden.
A wealthy businessman in Myanmar told state television he gave Aung San Suu Kyi £400,000 (NZ$777,000) in bribes, claims that come as the country’s last independent newspaper ceased publishing. Maung Waik, a construction tycoon with military links, alleged he personally handed the money to Suu Kyi from 2018 to 2020, when she headed a civilian-led government. The popular Suu Kyi hasn’t been seen since she was detained in a military coup on February 1, along with members of her democratically elected government. At least 217 people have died and thousands more have been arrested as the army cracks down on protests against its takeover, the Thailandbased Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said.
An inquest into the death of Sarah Everard in London heard that her boyfriend was the first to report her missing as her body was released to her family for a funeral. The marketing executive vanished while walking home from Brixton to Clapham in south London on March 3. Her body was found in woodland near Ashford, Kent, on March 10. Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her kidnap and murder. Senior coroner Patricia Harding said an initial post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death was inconclusive and police were awaiting the final results of further examinations.
Nasa completed an engine test firing of its moon rocket yesterday, after the first attempt in January ended prematurely. This time, the four main engines of the rocket’s core stage remained ignited for the full eight minutes. The SLS or Space Launch System rocket is what Nasa intends to use to send astronauts back to the Moon. The first flight is planned for late this year or next, to send an empty Orion capsule to the moon and back.
Burns confirmed CIA director
Without opposition, the US Senate yesterday confirmed veteran diplomat William Burns as CIA director, giving him control of the nation’s premier spy agency as the US government confronts threats from China, Russia, Iran and elsewhere. Burns is a former ambassador to Russia and Jordan who served at the State Department for more than 30 years.