Global News

Microsoft has been working very hard and very closely with the US National Security Agency (NSA) to ensure that the government is able to spy on users of its products:  That’s the latest revelation from the secret files that NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden sneaked out of the US.

US authorities in California are charging a Saudi Arabian princess with keeping at least one woman as a slave, and are investigating if four other women were held against their wills as well.

Are looking for a deal on a used Mercedes E-Class Convertible?  Because I know of one for sale.  It’s in Colombia, and it’s for sale because the owner is taking the Pope’s advice.

Investigators reveal a mysterious delay in evacuating a crashed passenger jet; Saudi Arabia is caught pointing missile at its neighbors; The Fukushima Daiichi reactors are still leaking large amounts of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.  That and more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

People aren’t just bringing home less money since the financial crisis of 2008 – They’re bringing home fewer babies, according to a new study on birthrates.

Egypt’s interim government issued arrest warrants for the supreme leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and nine others for inciting violence.  Some of that gruesome violence surfaced on videos uploaded to the Internet.

Dozens of people are missing in the worst flooding to strike China’s Sichuan province in 50 years.  The torrential rain caused landslides, one of which buried as many as 40 people.

The backbone of the Southern Ocean food chain is threatened by changes in the waters caused by global warming.

A railway boss was heckled by residents of the tiny Canadian town where one of his trains careened out of control and derailed, causing the deadly explosions of its oil tanker cars.  The toll is now 60 people dead or missing in the disaster.

Country Music legend Randy Travis is in critical condition after doctors implanted a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to assist his weakened heart to pump blood.  His condition is considered life threatening.

The president of Chile sparked anger across the world by declaring that an 11-year old girl, whose pregnancy was caused by being repeatedly raped by her mother’s partner, is “mature” for wanting to give birth and in her words hold the baby “like a doll”.

Edward Snowden is likely headed to Venezuela, presuming he’s able to get out of the airport transit area in Moscow.  That, from the reporter who seems to have the best connection to the fugitive surveillance contractor who spilled and continues to spill information about America’s electronic eavesdropping on the world.

People are concerned about an increasingly corrupt world; Opposing sides slow Egypt’s return to democracy; And Murdoch’s called to explain himself after blasting police and lawmakers looking into the wrongdoings at his tabloids.

One of Spain’s biggest newspapers has published the accounts ledger of a secret slush fund used to funnel secret cash payments to ruling Popular Party ministers including Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.

Italy’s highest court has set a 30 July court date to hear ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's tax fraud appeal; an earlier than expected date that throws a monkey wrench into any hopes he had in the statute of limitations running out.

The heirs of former South African President Nelson Mandela are now squabbling over the broadcast rights to his funeral, even as he clings to life in hospital.

Authorities in Kenya seized one of the largest hauls of illegal elephant ivory at the port of Mombasa, 3,287 kilograms.  It was falsely labeled as “peanuts” and loaded into a 20-foot shipping container awaiting transfer to Malaysia.

China is banning fishing off the coast of its troubling frenemy North Korea, and Japanese officials say there are increasing threats from its neighbors.

Most of the world should look out for more Hurricanes, Cyclones, and Typhoons – except the southwestern Pacific Ocean.  It’s one aspect of global warming that might actually bode well for Australia.

Pakistan points fingers in Bin Laden's demise - Five men are finally able to escape a bunch of really angry tigers - A country music legend faces a medical ordeal - And why are some Japanese companies afraid of the internet?