Russia announces future space plans

MOSCOW – Russia’s space agency expects the International Space Station to stay in orbit through 2024 and plans to create its own space outpost with its segment of the station after that.

Roscosmos’ scientific council concluded Tuesday that several Russian modules eventually could be undocked to “perform the task of ensuring Russia’s guaranteed presence in space.”

The ISS, run by the United States, Russia and other international partners, is set to remain operational at least through 2024.

Toddler with measles dies in Germany

BERLIN – An 18-month-old boy has died of measles in Berlin, the first known death in an outbreak of the disease that has seen more than 570 cases in the German capital since October.

An autopsy on the child, who died Feb. 18 and wasn’t immunized against measles, showed he had an unspecified medical condition, but it wouldn’t have led to his death without the measles infection, the Charite hospital said Tuesday.

Associated Press