A look at some of the stories making world headlines today.
Trump received letter from North Korea’s Kim on Aug. 1: White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump received a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday that followed up on their recent discussions about denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, the White House said on Thursday.
Congo opposition leader Bemba files presidential candidacy
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba filed his candidacy on Thursday for December’s presidential election, cementing an unlikely comeback after a decade in prison for war crimes. Bemba returned to Congo on Wednesday to a hero’s welcome from tens of thousands of his supporters who lined the streets of the capital Kinshasa and chanted slogans against President Joseph Kabila.
Apple hits $1 trillion stock market valuation
Apple Inc became the first $1 trillion publicly listed U.S. company on Thursday, crowning a decade-long rise fueled by its ubiquitous iPhone that transformed it from a niche player in personal computers into a global powerhouse spanning entertainment and communications.
WHO warns there may be no vaccine option for new Ebola outbreak
It may be impossible to use a vaccine to tackle Democratic Republic of Congo’s new Ebola outbreak, which has spread over 10s of kilometers and may have begun in May, a senior World Health Organization official said on Thursday.
Apple revenue by segment, product units
Apple revenue by segment, product units
Four U.S. cities sue over Trump ‘sabotage’ of Obamacare
(Reuters) – Four major U.S. cities filed a lawsuit on Thursday contending that President Donald Trump’s administration is unconstitutionally seeking to undermine Obamacare by failing to faithfully execute the healthcare law. The complaint in federal court in Baltimore, filed by the cities of Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, alleged that the Republican president is “waging a relentless campaign to sabotage and, ultimately, to nullify the law.”
Tesla shares jump after cash burn worries abate, Musk apologizes to…
Shares of Tesla Inc jumped 10 percent in premarket trade on Thursday, after the company convinced investors that it was able to produce positive cash flow and turn a profit, and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk apologized for past incendiary remarks.
Record temperatures could scorch Spain, Portugal
Forecasters have warned of potentially record-breaking temperatures in Spain and Portugal this week as much of Europe swelters in a heat wave.
Apple is now worth $1,000,000,000,000
Apple just became the first American public company to cross $1 trillion in value. The iPhone maker achieved that big number on Thursday when the stock passed $207.04 a share. Apple is now up more than 20% this year. Shares surged after Apple reported earnings that topped forecasts and a healthy outlook on Wednesday.
Pope declares death penalty inadmissible, changing Church’s stance
The Pope has declared that the death penalty is never admissible “because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” the Catholic Church formally announced Thursday.
Trump to Kim: Thanks and see you soon
US President Donald Trump tweeted his thanks to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Thursday, after the possible remains of American war dead killed in the Korean War arrived back on US soil.
Tesla reported the biggest loss in its history. But it could’ve been worse
The electric car company said it lost more than $717.5 million in the second quarter. But its cash burn rate was less than investors expected, and the company had $2.2 billion in cash at the end of the quarter. Tesla’s stock was up more than 10% at one point in after-hours trading.
Who were the people buried at Stonehenge? New study sheds light
As one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge still holds many secrets despite centuries of study. For the first time, new research is lifting the veil on the people who are buried at Stonehenge.
Shops shut in Harare as army patrols
Businesses have shut in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, as the nation awaits the release of heavily disputed presidential election results. Armed soldiers and police are on patrol, ordering people to “behave”. Three people were killed in the city on Wednesday in clashes between the security forces and supporters of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
Warning as Europe’s heat nears record
As Europe bakes in another heatwave, forecasters say the all-time temperature record could be broken in the coming days. The current European record is 48C (118.4F) set in Athens in July 1977. Temperatures are rising in Spain and Portugal, aided by a surge of hot air sweeping in from Africa.
Outcry over Vogue India’s cover
Vogue India’s decision to put the 18-year-old daughter of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on their cover has come in for major criticism. Many have posted angrily on social media that Suhana Khan doesn’t deserve the cover because she hasn’t achieved anything to warrant being there.
The woman who found a new threat in plastic
Young researcher Sarah-Jeanne Royer set out to measure methane gas coming from biological activity in sea water. Instead, in a “happy accident” she found that the plastic bottles holding the samples were a bigger source of this powerful warming molecule than the bugs in the water.
Google is developing a censored news app for China
Google’s recently leaked plans to re-enter the Chinese market doesn’t end with a mobile search engine app. The company is also getting into the (censored) news business. The Information reports that a news-aggregation app for China, which would be government censor-friendly, is under development at Google.
Google street view captures man swearing at camera for the entire length of a street
Swearing at a passing Google street view camera is nothing new – plenty of people have done it before, and chances are plenty of people will be doing it for as long as street view is still a thing. But one man who was captured in Brisbane, Australia deserves credit simply for his level of dedication.
Airbnb offers to renovate a room in the Riverrun Castle from ‘Game of Thrones’
If you have enough money to purchase the castle of your dreams, or any castle really, you probably don’t need to Airbnb your home. But, Airbnb is here to let you know that it’s still very much an option.
