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Astronaut’s ‘serious medical condition’ forces Nasa to end space station mission early

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4 months ago

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Front row, from left: Pilot Mike Fincke and Commander Zena Cardman, back from left: Mission Specialists Oleg Platonov and Kimiya Yui of the Japanese space agency JAXA

Nasa has said it will return a four-person crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS), cutting short their mission a month early because of a “serious medical condition” affecting one of the astronauts.

The agency did not disclose the name of the crew member or the medical condition, citing health privacy, but said the person was in a stable condition.

“This is not an emergency evacuation,” said a Nasa official, adding: “We always err on the side of the astronaut’s health.”

On Wednesday, Nasa abruptly cancelled a spacewalk due to take place on Thursday, when two astronauts were set to step outside the ISS, citing a “medical concern”.

The decision to bring back the crew early was announced by Nasa Administrator Jared Isaacman and other agency officials at a news conference on Thursday.

They gave few details, but said the medical issue was not related to space operations, and was not an injury.

An update was expected within 48 hours on the timeline for the astronauts’ return, they added.

This is the first early evacuation in the history of the ISS, which has been continuously inhabited since 2000.

The four-person team is called Crew-11, and consists of Nasa astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui from Japan’s JAXA space agency, and a Russian cosmonaut, Oleg Platonov.

One American astronaut will remain aboard the ISS, officials say, and will be accompanied by two Russian cosmonauts.

Dr James Polk, Nasa’s chief health and medical officer, told reporters this is the first time in Nasa’s over-65 year history that a mission would return early due to a medical issue.

Crew-11 launched to the ISS in August last year on a SpaceX Crew Dragon and were expected to remain in orbit for about six months, returning around next month, after being replaced by another four-person crew a few days earlier.

The ISS has basic medical equipment, supplies and communication systems that let doctors on Earth talk privately to astronauts in space, assess their condition and advise treatment, much like a secure video or phone consultation with a GP.

Returning the four-person crew early could delay some experiments and maintenance tasks until the new crew arrive next month, according to Dr Simeon Barber, a space scientist at the Open University.

“The space station is a big, complex feat of engineering, it’s designed to be operated by a certain minimum level of crew,” he said.

He added that the remaining crew would probably be forced to “dial back on some of the more experimental work and focus more just on the housekeeping and keeping the station healthy, waiting for the full complement of crew to be restored.”

NASA The picture shows the entire International Space Station seen from directly above, floating over a textured blanket of white cloud. The station’s long central truss runs horizontally across the frame, with large rectangular solar panels fanning out to top and bottom like wings. The modules and structures along the spine form a dense, metallic knot at the centre, while smaller radiators and panels extend at angles near the ends. Below, Earth’s clouds appear as rippled, swirling patterns in pale blue and white, giving a strong sense of height and the station’s fragile isolation in orbit.
The ISS orbits Earth at an average height of about 400 km (250 miles) above the surface [NASA]

[BBC]


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Warm welcome extended to the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Presidential Secretariat

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14 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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The official welcoming ceremony for the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam,  To Lam, who is on a State visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was held this morning (08th May 2026) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Dissanayake.

President To Lam is undertaking this State visit with the aim of further strengthening the economic, cultural and social ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Upon his arrival at the Presidential Secretariat, escorted by the Police Mounted Division, President To Lam was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Following the playing of the national anthems of both countries, the official welcoming ceremony for President To Lam formally commenced.

On the occasion, President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial gun salute with full State honours.

Thereafter, President To Lam and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour, following which the Vietnamese and Sri Lankan delegations were introduced.

The two leaders also posed for official photographs.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka at the occasion were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology Professor Krishantha Abeysena, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Environment Dr Dhammika Patabendi, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aruni Ranaraja, along with a number of senior officials from both countries.

(PMD)

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BCCI to conduct surprise checks on IPL teams over compliance of guidelines

Published

15 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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The BCCI has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines [BCCI]
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said it will conduct periodic checks on the IPL teams to assess the adherence of the new set of guidelines issued to the team on Thursday evening. The surprise checks will be undertaken by BCCI/IPL operation teams.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, in his communication to the franchises, has noted that, “The BCCI / IPL Operations Team may conduct periodic checks to assess adherence to the directives set forth in this Advisory. Team Managers are required to maintain records of all approved guest visits and hotel movements.

“Any breach of the aforementioned directives must be self-reported to the IPL Operations Team or the relevant IPL Venue Team at the earliest opportunity. The BCCI trusts that all IPL franchises will treat this Advisory with the seriousness it warrants and take all necessary steps to uphold the integrity and reputation of the Indian Premier League.”

Consequences of non-compliance

Saikia has also warned teams about the consequences of non-compliance with the guidelines, stating that any violations will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter, while also outlining the possible action that could be taken against those found breaching the code.

Saikia wrote: “The BCCI and the IPL Governing Council wish to make unequivocally clear that any breach of the directives set out in this Advisory shall be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Non-compliance shall expose the relevant IPL franchise and the individual concerned to proceedings under the applicable provisions of the IPL Regulations, the BCCI Rules & Regulations, and other applicable statutes, as the circumstances may warrant.

“Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the following consequences may be imposed at the sole discretion of the BCCI / IPL Governing Council:

1. Show-Cause Notice:Issuance of a formal show-cause notice to the Franchise and/or the individual concerned.

2. Financial Penalties:Imposition of financial penalties on the Franchise or individual, as prescribed under the IPL Regulations.

3. Suspension or disqualification: Suspension or disqualification of the player, support staff member, or team official from the ongoing or subsequent IPL season(s).

4. For Legal Violations: In cases involving legal violations, including use of prohibited substances, breach of security protocol, or conduct amounting to harassment, referral of the matter to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

5. Other Action: Any other action as the BCCI / IPL Governing Council may deem appropriate in the interest of the tournament and the sport.

“Franchises are strongly advised to take cognisance of this Advisory and take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance. The BCCI reserves the right to conduct periodic audits and inspections to ascertain adherence to these directives,” the Saikia’s signed seven-page note said.

 

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President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrives in Sri Lanka on State Visit

Published

19 hours ago

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2026/05/8

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President To Lam, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,  General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of 209 members arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday (07) night on a state visit.

 

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