Here are today’s top stories.
Angela Merkel warns against dark forces on the rise in Europe
In an exclusive interview with CNN, German Chancellor Angela Merkel says “Germany can and will not uncouple itself” from the dark forces that are finding mainstream support in Germany and other parts of the world.
Two killed including girl, 12, in Japan stabbing spree
Two people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed and 16 other children hurt in a stabbing spree in Japan on Tuesday — a rare act of public violence in a country considered one of the safest in the world.
China’s tech workers burn out in a rat race they call ‘996’
Wang Shichang, 28, works 12 hours a day often for six days a week. He’s says he’s so busy he barely has time for his new wife. He blames what’s known in China as “996” — a grueling work schedule from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
How ‘document hunters’ spirited thousands of government files out of Syria
Col. Anwar R. worked for Syria’s intelligence services until he defected in 2012. He fled to abroad, but eventually his history caught up with him. He’s one of the first big catches for investigators who have smuggled hundreds of thousands of government documents out of war zones.
Neymar stripped of Brazil captaincy
Neymar has been replaced as Brazil captain for next month’s Copa America by his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Dani Alves, the country’s football federation (CBF) has said.
Man dies on plane after swallowing 246 packets of cocaine
A Japanese man died on board a flight from Mexico City to Tokyo with 246 packets of cocaine in his stomach.
57 inmates killed in Brazil prison riots
Fifty-seven inmates have died in riots at four prisons in western Brazil, authorities say.
Man found behind car glove box in bid to enter Europe
Two young African refugees going to extraordinary lengths to reach Europe were found crammed in the glove compartment of cars traveling from Morocco, local police said.
Sports Illustrated brand sold for $110 million
The brand and intellectual property of Sports Illustrated have been sold to marketing company Authentic Brands Group for $110 million.
30 dead, more than 150 missing after boat sinks on Congo lake
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Boat ban after deadly DR Congo accident
Wooden passenger boats that are more than five years old are to be banned from a lake in the Democratic Republic of Congo where hundreds of people are feared to have drowned at the weekend. Some 45 people are known to have died when an overcrowded boat sank on Lake Mai-Ndombe.
Europe’s leaders launch fight for EU top jobs
EU leaders are heading to Brussels to assess the post-election political landscape and consider rival candidates for the EU’s top jobs. The haggling over jobs – including a replacement for EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – is likely to last several months. The UK is involved in the discussions.
Match-fixing in football: Spanish police make arrests in top two divisions
Police in Spain have made a number of arrests as part of an investigation into match-fixing. Current and former players as well as club executives – reportedly from the country’s top two divisions – have been detained. “The police action follows complaints about possible match-fixing in a May 2018 match from La Liga to the Spanish authorities,” said a La Liga spokesman.
The woman defying tradition with pistachios
“You hear that sound?” asked Mariannina Basile, shaking a few nuts. “They should sound like a maraca. That’s how you know pistachios are ready to be shelled.” Her intuitive technique tells her just when the purple-skinned, bright-green pistachio (which is technically classified as a drupe rather than a nut) hits its apex of dryness, and thus readiness.
The city in the shadow of an ageing nuclear reactor
Metsamor has been described as one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear power plants because of its location in an earthquake zone. It sits just 35km (22 miles) from Armenia’s bustling capital, Yerevan, with distant views of snowy Mount Ararat across the border in Turkey.
Why you shouldn’t trust your food cravings
When we’re hungry, just about any food will do, but a craving can leave us fixated on a particular food until we get our hands, or indeed mouths, on it. Most of us know what it feels like to experience food cravings.
Facebook’s engagement is sinking with no end in sight
If you’ve found yourself spending less time on Facebook over the last year, you’re not alone. As the beleaguered company has battled scandal and tried to emphasize “meaningful” interactions over fake news and clickbait, it appears users are spending less time on the service.
HP adorns its Envy laptops with wood
If you’re looking for a laptop with premium materials, you might check out the offerings of HP, which has lately been enthusiastic about the idea. After launching a fancy leather-clad HP Spectre Folio last year, the company has now embraced wood for its Envy line of devices.
Teen who hacked Apple told to use ‘gifts for good rather than evil’
One sharp Australian teen caught a break this week after being caught hacking tech giant Apple. The 17-year-old Adelaide student was one of two teens who were charged with hacking Apple twice, once in 2015 and once in 2017, and downloading a digital ton of internal documents.
AMD’s new 12-core, $499 processor is a pretty big deal
Nowadays, most computer users don’t need to worry about the exact specifications of the chips running in their machines – a mid-range processor will run the majority of common tasks without issues. But every once in a while comes a processor that promises to make everyday computers far more powerful without breaking the bank.
The best ‘Game of Thrones’ secrets revealed in ‘The Last Watch’
On a set where dragons live and the dead walk again, even the most mundane of details can seem pretty magical. Luckily, Game of Thrones: The Last Watch didn’t settle for good enough – instead hunting down the best of the best behind-the-scenes nuggets to feed our mourning fandom.
‘Orange is the New Black’ cast sings that catchy theme song for a final season teaser
One of Netflix’s original originals says goodbye in 2019, and the cast of Orange is the New Black sang a very special song to announce the final season. Netflix shared the Season 7 premiere date with a video featuring Uzo Aduba, Dascha Polanco, Danielle Brooks, Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Kate Mulgrew, Adrienne C.
