Hello! Here’s what’s happening on Thursday.
1. China’s foreign minister fired a warning shot at the US over new tariffs. Wang Yi said Beijing would have a “justified and necessary response” if a trade war were to happen.
2. US President Donald Trump asked witnesses in the Russia investigation about their discussions with special counsel Robert Mueller. The conversations will likely contribute to the obstruction-of-justice case Mueller has been building against Trump.
3. UK Chancellor Philip Hammond demanded a unique Brexit deal hours after the EU rejected it. European Council president Donald Tusk had said such a deal was “out of the question.”
4. South Korean officials headed to the US to pitch talks with North Korea. The delegation will reportedly deliver an 'unconventional' message from Kim Jong Un.
5. Sri Lanka banned social media after declaring a state of emergency. The temporary ban follows violence erupting between Muslim and Buddhist communities.
6. New images of Jupiter reveal clusters of giant cyclones unlike anything else. NASA says these weather systems extend far deeper than previously realized.
7. Uber's founder and ex-CEO is launching a venture fund focused on India and China. Travis Kalanick announced a "10100" that invests in real estate, commerce, and emerging innovation.
8. Japan punished seven cryptocurrency exchanges for lacking internal control systems. It's hoped the move will increase consumer protection following a $530 million crypto heist at Tokyo-based exchange Coincheck.
9. The US Holocaust museum revoked a top humanitarian award to Aung San Suu Kyi. The museum said the decision was based on Suu Kyi's inaction in stopping attacks on the country's minority Rohingya Muslims.
10. Amazon confirmed a creepy glitch with its home assistant service Alexa.Amazon said it was aware that its Echo smart speakers were having random - and creepy - fits of laughter.
And finally...
Inside the lavish lifestyles of people who made a fortune off cryptocurrencies.
