Here are the stories making headlines today.
Police kill suspected driver in Barcelona attack
Abouyaaqoub was killed during an operation in Subirats, west of Barcelona. Police earlier said they had shot a man wearing an explosive belt but did not immediately identify him as Abouyaaqoub. A robot was sent to remove the explosives belt from the body before officers were cleared to approach it and make a positive identification, authorities said.
US destroyer collides with merchant ship near Singapore
The USS John S. McCain collided with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while the destroyer was making its way to a port visit in Singapore, the Navy said. Search and rescue efforts are under way, the statement said.
Angela Merkel: Germany could ban gas and diesel cars
Chancellor Angela Merkel hinted that it’s only a matter of time before Germany followed France, Britain, India and other countries in banning new sales of cars fitted only with gas or diesel engines.
Report: Secret Service can’t pay agents for Trump and his family
Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles told USA Today more than 1,000 agents have already hit the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances — which were meant to last the entire year. “The president has a large family, and our responsibility is required in law,” Alles told USA Today.
Gazan children visit Jerusalem for first time
The group of about 100 children were too busy snapping their own pictures around the holy site, scarcely able to believe they were really in Jerusalem. “When we saw Al-Aqsa mosque, we felt so happy,” said 13-year-old Hind Slameh Abu Hilu, who couldn’t stop smiling following afternoon prayers.
Sierra Leone survivors remember day the mountain moved
Early last Monday morning Manga, 25, was preparing to head to work as a carpenter in the Regent area of Freetown, Sierra Leone, when he realized something was badly wrong “The land was trembling and the whole area was trembling with me,” he tells CNN, his eyes still red-rimmed with emotion.
Elon Musk backs call for global ban on killer robots
Tesla boss Elon Musk is among a group of 116 founders of robotics and artificial intelligence companies who are calling on the United Nations to ban autonomous weapons. “Lethal autonomous weapons threaten to become the third revolution in warfare.
Nigerian President silent on mystery illness
In a brief, televised address, the president called for unity and pledged to tackle terrorism and security threats. “I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters,” said Buhari. “But I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation.”
Eclipse spectacle set to grip US public – BBC News
Skywatchers in the United States are preparing for a spectacular eclipse that is without precedent in their country’s 241-year history. A total solar eclipse will sweep across the nation on Monday, from Oregon on the west coast to South Carolina on the eastern seaboard.
Grace Mugabe: South Africa immunity decision condemned – BBC News
South Africa’s main opposition party has condemned the government’s decision to grant Zimbabwe’s first lady diplomatic immunity despite an assault claim. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for a parliamentary inquiry, accusing the government of protecting its “dodgy friends”. Mrs Mugabe, 52, is accused of assaulting model Gabriella Engels at a hotel in Johannesburg.
How Innsbruck sold bells to the world
Every late Friday afternoon, in a dimly lit workshop at the intersection of Leopoldstrasse and Olympiastrasse in Innsbruck, Austria, a small group of artisans gather to conduct a rather peculiar ceremony. Bowed solemnly in prayer and lead by a plainclothes vicar, they murmur the Lord’s Prayer in hushed tones.
James Bond’s best and worst cars of all time
As Daniel Craig confirms he’ll return as 007, here are the car hits… and misses
Ethiopia’s miraculous underground churches
I have always questioned God’s existence, but in the northern Ethiopian town of Lalibela, I was presented with fairly substantial evidence. Officially Christian since 330AD, Ethiopia claims to be the oldest Christian country in the world. And despite being ravaged by poverty, faith has remained strong over the centuries; Lalibela’s medieval rock-hewn churches are clear proof of that.
A space nerd’s guide to the Great American Eclipse
On August 21, the skies above a large swath of the contiguous United States will darken to an eerie twilight as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a dark shadow on the face of our planet. And we’re here for it — in a big way.
‘Game of Thrones’ ventured ‘Beyond the Wall’ and the critics are not thrilled
Do you think the zombie ice dragon version of Viserion will breathe frosty death instead of the usual dragonfire? There’s one episode remaining in Game of Thrones seventh season, and it’s shaping up to be a big one.
‘Game of Thrones’ left the internet speechless with tonight’s dragon drama
Spoilers are below. About Game of Thrones. That show you watch. Spoilers for that are below. Tonight’s episode, “Beyond the Wall” gave some real sh*t to Game of Thrones’ dragons. The final scenes, in which Dany literally swoops in on Drogon, flanked by her other dragon Viserion, rescues the GAG-nificent seven as they are backed into a corner by the white walker horde.
The Secret Service spent $60,000 on golf carts alone protecting Trump
President Donald Trump is bankrupting the Secret Service. In an exclusive interview with USA Today , Secret Service Director Randolph “Tex” Alles said that more than 1,000 agents have already hit the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances that were meant to last the entire year.
Yes, you can now tip strippers with Bitcoin
If you’ve amassed a fortune in Bitcoin and don’t know how to spend it, here’s an idea: Go to Las Vegas and squander it all on booze and lap dances. Legends Room is a “gentleman’s club” that accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, and its own cryptocoin LGD for all transactions.
