A look at some of the stories making headlines today.
Pompeo set to unveil US “Plan B” to confront Iran
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will unveil the administration’s “Plan B” for countering Iran on Monday, an idea that some critics call a “pipe dream,” while others question whether the administration is coming clean on its goals for the country.
Trump demands Justice Department examine whether it or FBI spied on campaign
“I hereby demand, and will do so officially tomorrow, that the Department of Justice look into whether or not the FBI/DOJ infiltrated or surveilled the Trump Campaign for Political Purposes – and if any such demands or requests were made by people within the Obama Administration!” Trump wrote on Twitter.
Congo to begin vaccinating against Ebola
Healthcare workers in Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur Province and home to 1.2 million people, will be the first to receive the vaccine, World Health Organization spokesman Tarik Jašarević said. The confirmation of the first case in Mbandaka last week has raised concerns that the virus could spread faster than expected.
Elon Musk: The amped-up version of Tesla’s Model 3 will cost $78,000
Musk said on Twitter over the weekend that the performance version of the Model 3 will sell for about $78,000. That’s more than double the price of the basic Model 3, which starts at $35,000. Musk said the price is comparable to the BMW M3, a high-performance version of the BMW 3-series sedan.
FYI: English isn’t the official language of the United States
It might be news to him that nothing in the Constitution or any federal law supports his comment that “they should be speaking English” because “this is America.” A lot of multilingual countries promote an official language, but the United States has never done so with English.
Starbucks is opening its bathrooms to everyone
The company informed US employees on Friday that people can gather in their cafes and patios even if they don’t buy drinks, and that store bathrooms are available to everyone. “Any person who enters our spaces, including patios, cafes and restrooms, regardless of whether they make a purchase, is considered a customer,” Starbucks said in an email to employees.
‘Deadpool 2’ topples ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ at the box office
20th Century Fox’s R-rated superhero film ” Deadpool 2″ won the domestic box office this weekend with an estimated $125 million opening weekend, according to Fox. That was enough to knock Disney and Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” off the top spot, which it held for three weeks.
Police remove 106 drug capsules from woman
India police say they have successfully extracted 106 cocaine capsules from a woman who was allegedly trying to smuggle the drugs into the country. The 25-year-old foreign national was arrested at the international airport in the capital Delhi on 14 May after a tip-off, police said.
Italian Open: Rafael Nadal beats Alexander Zverev to win Rome title for an eighth time
Rafael Nadal survived a stunning fightback from Alexander Zverev to win a record eighth Italian Open. Nadal cruised to the first set before defending champion Zverev won nine of the next 11 games to take the second set 6-1 and lead 3-1 in the decider.
Ebola-hit DR Congo to begin vaccination
Health workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo are to begin an immunisation campaign in an attempt to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. The experimental vaccine proved effective when used in limited trials during the epidemic which struck West Africa in 2014-16.
UK ‘turns blind eye to dirty Russian money’
The UK has been accused of turning a “blind eye” to Russia’s “dirty money”, putting national security at risk. The Commons foreign affairs committee said London was being used to hide the “corrupt assets” of President Vladimir Putin and his allies.
Maduro wins controversial Venezuela poll
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has won re-election to another six-year term, in a vote marred by an opposition boycott and claims of vote-rigging. Amid food shortages stemming from a severe economic crisis, just 46% of the electorate turned out to vote. The main opposition candidate, Henri Falcón, rejected the result soon after the polls closed.
Deadly Nipah virus claims victims in India
Health officials in the south Indian state of Kerala say nine people have died in confirmed and suspected cases of the deadly Nipah virus. Three victims tested positive for the virus in the last fortnight. The results of the remaining six samples will be available later on Monday.
Trump Sets Up Showdown With DOJ Over Claims Of Campaign Surveillance
President Donald Trump said on Sunday he intends to direct the Department of Justice to investigate whether his 2016 presidential campaign was “infiltrated” or surveilled” by the government under the orders of officials in the administration of his predecessor, Barack Obama.
Oliver North Blames School Shootings On Ritalin
Just two days after a young man opened fire on his classmates and teachers at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, the National Rifle Association’s incoming president, Oliver North, blamed Ritalin and a “culture of violence.”
Porn Industry Group Schools Trump On The Difference Between HPV And HIV
The top trade association for the adult entertainment industry wants to teach President Donald Trump a thing or two about sexual health. The Free Speech Coalition penned a blistering open letter to the president on Friday after footage emerged of Microsoft magnate Bill Gates talking about Trump’s alleged confusion about the difference between HPV, the human papillomavirus, and HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus.
‘Deadpool 2’ Steals No. 1 Spot At The Box Office From ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Deadpool might not consider himself a superhero, but its latest installment is off to a powerful start. The Marvel Comics film from 20th Century Fox debuted in North American with $125 million in 4,349 locations.
Chrissy Teigen, John Legend Announce Name Of Baby Boy With Adorable Photo
Chrissy Teigen introduced the world to her and husband John Legend ‘s new baby boy, Miles Theodore Stephens. In a photo posted to Instagram on Sunday, Teigen wrote that the couple was “drowning in his little peeps and nuzzles.” Teigen announced baby Miles’ arrival last week over Twitter, writing “Somebody’s herrrrrrre!”
OnePlus 6 review: Flagship Killer
OnePlus 6:Flagship Killer OnePlus is no longer the rookie you can ignore. Review by Raymond Wong OnePlus 6:Flagship Killer OnePlus is no longer the rookie you can ignore. Review by Raymond Wong There are no shortcuts to greatness and no smartphone maker knows this more than Chinese startup OnePlus.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister is the latest world leader to beam in as a hologram
Once the domain for dead musicians, or those who couldn’t be bothered touring anymore, the hologram is becoming a handy tool for politicians. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern appeared as a hologram at the annual Techweek innovation festival in Auckland on Monday, after she couldn’t appear in person.
Serena Williams’ royal reception outfit had a very relatable surprise
There are a lot of ways in which Serena Williams is nothing like us. For starters, she was invited to Harry and Meghan’s nuptials and we weren’t. But there is one thing Williams has in common with every ordinary schmuck getting dragged to a friend’s wedding this summer: Even she can only take so many hours of standing around in high heels.
‘The Fifth Element’ director Luc Besson under investigation for rape
Luc Besson, director of The Fifth Element and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, is under investigation by French authorities for alleged rape. The accusation comes from a formal complaint lodged by an unnamed 27-year-old French actress.
