‘Climate change causing change in rainfall’

Manila: Climate change is driving changes in rainfall patterns across the world, scientists said in a paper published on Friday, which could also be intensifying typhoons and other tropical storms. Taiwan, the Philippines and then China were lashed by the year’s most powerful typhoon this week, with schools, businesses and financial markets shut as wind speeds surged up to 227 kph. Reuters

Venezuelans vote in highly charged election

Caracas: Venezuelans waited in line at polling stations and cast ballots on Sunday in the most consequential election in a quarter-century of socialist party rule, with President Nicolas Maduro confident of victory. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been the star of the coalition campaign, even after a ban on holding public office forced her to pass the torch to candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. Reuters

SpaceX, NASA to launch Crew-9 mission

Washington: SpaceX and NASA said they plan to launch the space agency’s Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station no earlier than August 18. The announcement comes a day after the Federal Aviation administration cleared SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to return to space following a rare mid-flight failure this month. Reuters