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Who’s in the news today? Check out our blog to find out! We’ll keep you up to date on the latest news and events happening around the world.
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General News
In the news today, we have the story of a woman who was fired from her job after she was caught autoblogging. We also have the story of a man who was arrested for DUI after he crashed his car into a tree. Lastly, we have the story of a company that is being sued for discrimination.
U.S.
The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or simply America, is a country consisting of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions.[fn 10] At 3.8 million square miles (9.8 million km2),[15] it is the world’s third- or fourth-largest country by total area and is slightly smaller than the entire continent of Europe.[16] With a 2019 estimated population of over 328 million,[17] it accounts for more than 4% of the world’s human population.[18][19]
International
The International section features stories about events and people from around the world.
Business News
The Democrats are in the news today for their efforts to raise the minimum wage. Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, is spearheading the effort. They are trying to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
U.S.
The United States has been the top country for foreign direct investment (FDI) for the past four years, with inflows totaling more than $US253 billion in 2016. This figure is up from $US128 billion in 2012, according to a new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The U.S. is followed by China ($US136 billion), the United Kingdom ($US76 billion), India ($US61 billion) and Brazil ($US59 billion). FDI inflows to these five countries account for more than 60% of global FDI.
The UNCTAD report notes that FDI flows to developed countries rebounded in 2016, while those to developing economies continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace. The overall global FDI growth rate was 8%, down from 10% in 2015.
Developed economies received $US1.75 trillion in FDI inflows last year, an increase of 13% from 2015. This is largely due to a significant increase in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving developed countries, which reached a record high of $US1.2 trillion in 2016. In contrast, FDI flows to developing economies grew by just 2% to $US781 billion in 2016.
The UNCTAD report attributes the slowdown in FDI growth to declining flows to some large developing economies, including China, Brazil and South Africa. At the same time, there was an increase in outflows from developing economies, which reached a record high of $US646 billion in 2016. This is largely due to increased divestment by Chinese firms.
International
The United Nations’ human rights chief called on Saudi Arabia to ensure a “thorough, independent and impartial” investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as Riyadh’s close ally the United States warned against a “rush to judgment”. Michelle Bachelet said she was deeply concerned about reports that the Saudi writer was tortured and killed inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul last week.
Technology News
Apple is in the news today as they are set to release their new iPhone 11. The new phone is said to have a better camera, longer battery life, and a new processor.
U.S.
The United States has always been a leader in technology, and today is no different. From the latest trends in consumer electronics to cutting-edge advancements in medical research, the U.S. is at the forefront of innovation.
In the consumer electronics space, one of the hottest trends is wearable technology. Smartwatches and fitness trackers are becoming increasingly popular, as more and more people look for ways to integrate technology into their everyday lives. Major players in the space such as Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit are all vying for a piece of the market, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
In the medical world, one of the most exciting advancements is in gene editing. Using a technique called CRISPR, scientists are now able to make very specific changes to DNA, which could potentially lead to treatments for a wide range of diseases. This is still very much in the early stages, but it’s an extremely promising area of research that has everyone in the medical community very excited.
International
Apple’s iPhone 5s and 5c Go on Sale in China
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple’s new iPhones went on sale in China on Friday, a crucial test of the consumer electronics giant’s ability to maintain its momentum in the world’s largest smartphone market.
The debut was low-key compared with the crowds and hoopla that have greeted new Apple products in the past. But it was an important milestone for the company, which is counting on China to help drive growth as sales of its flagship product, the iPhone, begin to slow in mature markets like the United States.
Analysts say that how well the new iPhones do in China could be a bellwether for their performance elsewhere. “The initial response will give us some indication of how they will do long term in other emerging markets,” said Anshul Gupta, principal research analyst at Gartner, a research firm.
In recent months, Apple has been working to increase its presence in China, which is already its second-largest market after the United States. Earlier this year, it struck a deal with the country’s biggest mobile carrier, China Mobile, to offer the iPhone on its network. It also announced plans to open 25 new retail stores in China over the next two years.
For now at least, there seems to be strong demand for Apple’s new phones among Chinese consumers. At an Apple store in Beijing on Friday morning, about 100 people were waiting in line when the doors opened at 8 a.m. By late morning, there was still a steady stream of customers coming into the store. Many said they had preordered their phones online and were picking them up Friday.
Entertainment News
Today’s top entertainment stories include Angelina Jolie filing for divorce from Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner officially divorcing, and Charlie Sheen opening up about his HIV diagnosis.
U.S.
There is a lot of entertainment news happening in the U.S. today. Here are some of the top stories:
-The new season of “Dancing with the Stars” has begun and the first eliminations have already been announced.
-The new Marvel movie “Avengers: Infinity War” is set to be released this weekend and it is expected to break box office records.
-The popular HBO show “Game of Thrones” returns for its final season tonight and fans are eagerly anticipating what will happen.
International
In today’s international news, we are following a developing story out of Japan where a strong earthquake has struck near the city of Osaka. Early reports indicate that there has been significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in the area, and injuries and fatalities have been reported. We will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
In other news, North and South Korea have announced that they will be holding talks in an effort to improve relations between the two countries. This comes after a period of heightened tensions between the two nations. It is hoped that these talks will lead to a situation where the two countries can peacefully coexist.
And finally, Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx have announced their engagement! The couple has been dating for six years and they have one daughter together. We send our congratulations to the happy couple!
Sports News
In today’s sports news, the Chicago Cubs have been having a great season so far and are currently in first place in their division. They have a chance to make the playoffs and are one of the most popular teams in baseball. Also, in football, the New England Patriots are still undefeated and are looking like they might make it to the Super Bowl again.
U.S.
In the U.S., the biggest sports story today is the National Football League (NFL) playoffs. The NFC and AFC championship games will be played today, with the winner of each game advancing to the Super Bowl. In the NFC game, the Green Bay Packers will take on the Atlanta Falcons, while in the AFC game, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off against the New England Patriots.
International
Today’s top international sports stories from around the world including results, analysis and opinion on football, cricket, rugby, golf, tennis, motorsport and more.
