5 Things posted Aug 19, 2022 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: Aug. 19, 2022

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Trio charged with murdering notorious Boston gangster

Three men have been charged over the prison murder of notorious Boston criminal James "Whitey" Bulger. The 89-year-old gangster was killed at a maximum-security facility in West Virginia in 2018.

Three men have been indicted in the beating death of imprisoned Boston gangster and convicted murderer James "Whitey" Bulger, prosecutors announced Thursday https://t.co/pnC29gdRkA
— CNN (@CNN) August 19, 2022

2. New coffee chain takes over Starbucks outlets in Russia

A new coffee chain is taking over Starbucks outlets in Russia after the corporation puled out of the country in response to the Ukraine war. The imaginatively named "Stars Coffee" is owned by a pro-Putin rapper.

Starbucks replacement 'Stars Coffee' opening in Russia https://t.co/v7K0kCb3Qf pic.twitter.com/ySkB86o7kb
— New York Post (@nypost) August 18, 2022

3. Apple says flaw could allow hacking of devices

Apple has said a flaw in its phones, tablets and computers may have been "exploited" by hackers before the firm released security updates on Wednesday and Thursday. The vulnerability could have allowed criminals to take complete control of a device, according to experts.

Apple warns of a flaw that is allowing hackers to seize control of iPhones, iPads and Mac computers.

It urges users to install emergency software updates but has not disclosed the extent to which the flaw has been exploitedhttps://t.co/HLusZwGSSQ pic.twitter.com/GHj9UFrN6j
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) August 19, 2022

4. Sister of North Korean dictator says South's offer of aid is absurd

The sister of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has said South Korea's offer of financial aid is the "height of absurdity." Kim Yo-jong said "no-one barters their destiny for corn cake" in response to Seoul's offer, which was contingent on de-nuclearization talks.

North Korea tells South Korean president to 'shut his mouth' after offer of aid https://t.co/An4Rcv6ZZw pic.twitter.com/d8VmvIdNN2
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 19, 2022

5. At least 12 dead after floods in Europe

At least a dozen people have died in flooding across central and southern Europe. Deaths have been reported in Austria, France and Italy.

At least 12 people, including three children, died yesterday in storms that hit central and southern Europe. This video shows strong flood water cascading down streets and roads.https://t.co/meuyBxY20n
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) August 19, 2022

And lastly...

In happier news, scientists have claimed they brought about a 20 per cent boost in a crop's yield by making photosynthesis – the process plants use to absorb energy from the sun – more efficient. The UK–US research team said they achieved the feat by successfully altering the genetics of a soybean plant.