China-donated COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Myanmar

A batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese government has arrived in Myanmar.

The Chinese embassy says the delivery demonstrates the friendship between the two countries and the spirit of a community with a shared future.

Since the start of the pandemic, China has not only provided medicines and medical equipment, but also sent experts to assist Myanmar in combating COVID-19.

Demand for oxygen rising in Nepal as severe COVID-19 cases surge

Demand for oxygen has been rising in Nepal as more and more people are hospitalized with COVID-19.

Hospitals in the country's capital Kathmandu are planning to increase beds amid surging numbers of coronavirus patients.

They are reporting a shortage in beds, and the majority of the patients required oxygen support from outside.

Considering the potential shortage of oxygen, the Nepali government has asked private plants to import oxygen cylinders while offering them exemption of taxes including customs duty, excise duty and value-added tax.

Suspect, two others die in Wisconsin casino shooting

Three people, including a suspect, are dead in a casino shooting near Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Investigators believe the suspect was targeting a specific person, but the person wasn't at the casino at the time.

Police say the shooter instead opened fire on some of the targeted person's friends or co-workers.

Earlier reports said at least seven people were shot at the casino.

SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts splashdown off Florida

SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts have splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico after undocking from the International Space Station.

The four crew members are back home after 167 days in space.

It's the longest for a U.S. spacecraft since the final Skylab mission in 1974.

Crew-1 is the first of six crewed missions NASA and SpaceX will fly under a program that works with the U.S. aerospace industry to return launches with astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil.

Pacers make history in 152-95 rout of Thunder

The Indiana Pacers have made history by handing Oklahoma City Thunder the largest margin of defeat by a home team in NBA history.

Domantas Sabonis had 26 points, 19 rebounds and a career-high 14 assists to lead the Pacers to a 152-95 victory.

Their 152 points were also the most in franchise history since the team moved to the NBA in the 1976-77 season.

Iran negotiator: Possible to lift U.S. sanctions on oil, banks

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator says that Tehran is expecting U.S. sanctions on oil, banks and most individuals and institutions to be lifted based on agreements so far in the Vienna talks.

The official did not specify under which mechanism will the sanctions be lifted or refer to how Tehran would meet Washington's demands and return to its commitments under the deal.

The U.S. State Department referred back to its past statements, including remarks national security adviser Jake Sullivan who said the talks were in "an unclear place."

Officials are hoping to reach a deal by May 21, when an agreement between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog on the monitoring of Iranian nuclear activities is due to expire.

Chinese Embassy in France opposes official contact between U.S., Taiwan

The Chinese Embassy in France has expressed resolute opposition to official contact between Washington and Taiwan "in any form" after the U.S. Embassy in France invited an official from the island for a meeting.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy reiterates that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, urging the United States to cease undermining China-U.S. relations by using Taiwan-related issues.

DPRK warns U.S. to face worse consequences after Washington calls Pyongyang "threat"

North Korea has warned that the United States "will face worse and worse crisis" after U.S. President Joe Biden called Pyongyang a "serious threat" in his first Congressional speech.

Officials with the North Korean Foreign Ministry say Washington will face a crisis beyond control if it holds on an outdated policy from Cold War-minded perspective and viewpoint when approaching bilateral ties."

China kicks off consumption promotion month

China has kicked off a month-long campaign amid efforts to bolster consumer spending.

The National Consumption Promotion Month, in its 10th year now, will feature over 1,300 promotional activities across the country.

Pro-consumption measures, including coupons and subsidies, will be rolled out during the period.

The national event commenced in conjunction with the launch of the second annual Double Five Shopping Festival in Shanghai.