Here are today’s top stories.
China accuses US of ‘economic terrorism’ as trade war tensions escalate
China accused the Trump administration of committing “economic terrorism” on Thursday, escalating its war of words with the United States amid rising trade tensions between the two countries.
Huawei calls on Washington to ‘halt illegal action’ against the company
Huawei is pressing on with its lawsuit against the United States, challenging the constitutionality of a US law banning federal agencies from buying its products.
Israel faces new elections after Netanyahu fails to build coalition
Israel will hold new national elections in late summer after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to put together a coalition government from the parties elected to parliament on April 9th.
She was the world’s smallest baby. Now she’s a healthy infant
The smallest surviving baby in the world left the hospital five months after she came into the world at a San Diego, California hospital.
White House Military Office and Navy officials emailed about moving USS John McCain before Trump Japan visit
The White House Military Office and lower level Navy officials exchanged emails about moving the US Navy warship the USS John McCain ahead of President Donald Trump’s recent Japan visit, according to two US Navy officials.
Ultraprocessed foods are easy, cheap and could be killing you
Two separate studies link eating the popular factory-made fare with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of early death.
‘Forbidden Planet’ found by astronomers in Neptunian Desert
Astronomers have found an exoplanet so rare that they have deemed it “The Forbidden Planet,” according to a new study.
Caster Semenya launches second appeal over testosterone ban
“The IAAF will not drug me,” said the two-time Olympic gold medal winner.
Chelsea dominate Arsenal to win the Europa League
Chelsea beat Arsenal 4-1 amid a strange atmosphere at the Baku Olympic Stadium.
Seven dead after boat capsizes in Budapest
At least seven people have died and 19 are missing after a boat capsized on the Danube river in Hungary’s capital Budapest, state media reported. Thirty-three people, mostly tourists from South Korea, were on board the boat when it was hit by another vessel while moored, the MTI news agency said.
South Africa gets gender-balanced cabinet
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a new cabinet in which, for the first time in the country’s history, half of all ministers are women. In another unexpected move, one of the women is from the opposition. He appointed veteran opposition politician Patricia de Lille, who had stood for the Good Party, as minister of infrastructure development.
Baby born size of an apple defies odds to survive
A baby born weighing just 245g (8.6oz), believed to be the tiniest on record to survive premature birth, has been discharged from hospital in the US. Baby Saybie weighed the same as a large apple when she was born at 23 weeks and three days in December 2018.
Luciano Spalletti sacked as Inter Milan manager
Luciano Spalletti has been sacked as Inter Milan boss, with the Italian club expected to replace him with former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. Spalletti, who had a contract until 2021, led Inter into the Champions League for the first time in six years in the first of his two seasons.
Disney may quit Georgia over abortion law
Bob Iger, the CEO of Disney says Georgia’s controversial new anti-abortion law would make it “difficult” for the company to keep filming there. Blockbusters like Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame, were recently shot in the state, due to its generous tax breaks for film productions.
The remarkable scent memories of perfumers
Francois Robert can tell fragrances apart with extraordinary precision. It’s a skill that taps into knowledge accumulated over four generations.
The mystery of the ‘identical’ Miss India contestants
It is the contest that kick-started Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra’s career, so it is unsurprising that this year’s Miss India finalists have such wide smiles in their publicity shots. After all, this is a competition with the power to change lives.
We toured Disneyland’s new Star Wars park. Here’s what we learned.
BLACK SPIRE OUTPOST, BATUU – The Outer Rim is about to open for business. Earthling visitors should prepare for a wild ride. The largest expansion in the history of Disney Parks, the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opens to the public in Anaheim Friday. (A Florida version hits the docking bay in Orlando on August 29.)
Nancy Pelosi accuses Facebook of ‘lying to the public’ after it refuses to remove fake video
Nancy Pelosi is calling bullshit. The Speaker of the House publicly castigated Facebook on Wednesday for both enabling Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and its refusal to take down a video of the congresswoman that was edited to make it appear she was drunk.
Uber will now kick off riders with low ratings
Every product here is independently selected by Mashable journalists. If you buy something featured, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps support our work. Uber drivers with low ratings can get deactivated from the Uber platform. Now, passengers who consistently get well below a five-star rating will get the same treatment.
Intense, emotional trailer for ‘The Goldfinch’ aims straight for an Oscar
Amazon Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures have cooked up a solid contender for awards season in the form of The Goldfinch, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Donna Tartt published in 2013. Directed by John Crowley, the movie follows a young Theo Decker, whose mother was killed in a bombing.
Huawei asks court for speedy end to its U.S. equipment ban
Huawei is looking for a speedy end to its lawsuit against the U.S. government. The Chinese tech giant filed a summary judgment in the case against the U.S. on Tuesday, in which it challenged the constitutionality of a law which prohibits government agencies from buying Huawei equipment.
TikTok owner reportedly planning its own smartphone
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could soon be launching yet another ambitious project: their own smartphone. The Financial Times reported the new project, citing “two people familiar with the project,” on Monday. The plan is to focus on launching the phone with the company’s many apps pre-installed to lure buyers into choosing their phone over competitors.
