Global News

Brazil’s biggest city is experiencing a critical water shortage less than a month before the opening game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is to be played in Sao Paulo on 12 June, following one of the driest summers on record.  As hundreds of thousands of football fans descend on the city, the reservoir that serves it at less than 10 percent of capacity.

India’s incoming PM makes a shocking offer – Italy demands help with almost 1,000 immigrants in two days – The Fast, The Furious, and The Expensive – Apparently, no one in charge in Iran has ever seen “Footloose” – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

For the first time in 35 years, organizers cancelled the remainder of Spain’s San Isidro Bullfighting Festival in Madrid.  It’s because two of the half-ton beasts gored or trampled all three matadors scheduled to appear at the Las Ventras bull-fighting ring.

Protesters seeking a living wage for fast food employees around the world shut down the international headquarters of McDonald’s outside Chicago.  Although about 100 people were arrested, many of the protesters say they’ll be back tomorrow.

Russia's Gazprom has finally reached a multi-billion dollar deal, 30-year deal to sell natural gas to the China National Petroleum Corporation.  After ten years of negotiations, it opens a new market for Moscow as it risks losing European customers over the Ukraine crisis.

Boko Haram is suspected in attacks on two more villages in Nigeria, one of them located close to the school where the Islamist terror group kidnapped more than 200 girls last month.  At least 27 people were killed.  And they came hours after a double bombing killed 118 in the central city of Jos, another atrocity blamed on Boko Haram.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday insisted he is committed to the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes with its neighbors.  But at the same time he is warning other countries that strengthening military alliances against a third party will not benefit security.

With less than a month to go before the World Cup, thousands of cops in 14 Brazilian states are holding a one-day strike over pay.  Authorities were quick to play down any risk of major disruption, but it’s raising more worries about Brazil’s readiness to host the tournament.

The suspect in a series of computer hackings and threats of mass murder at some of Japan’s most important national landmarks has reversed course and admitted his guilt.  It’s a twisted tale of wrongly elicited confessions and innocent people framed by what appears to be a real goofball.

Putin is selling gas in China – Venezuela peace talks hit a snag – Authorities say a trusted dog walker is responsible for the deaths of six pets – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister is pleading with the military to act peacefully and within the constitution following its declaration of martial law.  The military claims it is not taking power through a coup, but intends to “preserve order and bring back peacefulness” after months of political unrest.

Two powerful car bombs exploded in Nigeria's central city of Jos, killing at least 118 people and leaving streets strewn with bloodied bodies as the wounded scrambled to get help.  There are fears that the death toll could go even higher.

New research suggests that prostate cancer may be caused be a sexually-transmitted disease that a lot of people may not even know they have.  But some scientists say it’s probably too soon to add it to the list of cancers caused by infections and more research is needed.

Colombia investigates a shocking and deadly tragedy on a Sunday school bus – A radical cleric linked to the death of a Sydney man is convicted – Miss Thailand apparently wants to ruthlessly slaughter people who don’t agree with her politics – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet has unveiled the first part of her education reform package, to answer the call from millions of students who’ve taken to the streets in the last couple of years to demand free, quality education for all – not just for the elite upper class, as the leftover policies of the Pinochet dictatorship have done.

Beijing is denouncing the criminal charges brought by the US against five high-ranking People’s Liberation Army officers accused of economic cyber-espionage.  Prosecutors say the five stole secrets led China’s drive to hack into American nuclear, metal, solar companies, and unions to steal trade secrets.

The military in Thailand early Tuesday morning declared Martial Law, to “keep law and order” amid the political crisis that began last year.  The order, issued at 3:30 AM local time while most were asleep, comes less than a week after the head of the Thai army issued a stern warning to protesters to avoid violence. 

A Swiss court is ordering Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev to pay his ex-wife roughly half of his fortune – a settlement of more than A$4.8 Billion.  After six years in court, this might be the most expensive divorce in the history of the world.

The only man to have designed, built, and driven a championship winning Formula 1 car is dead.  Sir Jack Brabham died at his home on the Gold Coast after a long battle with liver disease at age 88.

South Korean President President Park Geun-hye went on national TV to issue another formal apology for the sinking of the passenger ferry Sewol – and to announce new repercussions.  The South Korean Coast Guard is being broken up.