Here’s a look at some of the day’s top stories from WTOP:
Russia is to release a list Thursday of agricultural products from the United States that it plans to ban.
It’s retaliation against the U.S and other countries in the West that have imposed sanctions on Moscow for its intervention in Ukraine. President Barack Obama says the sanctions are putting a strain on the Russian economy.
Headed to see the Skins? Bring your wallet
It’ll be even costlier to see the team in action at FedEx Field this year, as some parking fees are on the way up again – and longtime fans are starting to notice. WTOP’s Megan Cloherty breaks down what it’ll cost to see the Skins play the Patriots Thursday night – let’s just say you might want to go easy on the beer and hot dogs.
Security contractor says it was hit by computer breach
A government contractor that handles hundreds of thousands of security clearance background checks for civilian and military workers says that it was targeted by a recent computer breach. A government official said the intrusion may have compromised information of some workers.
The contractor, USIS, said in a statement Wednesday that the cyberattack had “the markings of a state-sponsored attack.” USIS has already been under fire in recent months for its performance in conducting background checks on National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden and Aaron Alexis, who killed 12 people during shootings at the Navy Yard in September 2013.
Hawaii is about to get its first direct hurricane in 22 years.
State officials are telling the islands to get ready but don’t panic. Hurricane Iselle is expected to arrive on the Big Island Thursday evening, bringing heavy rains, winds gusting up to 85 mph and flooding in some areas.
New Zealand fishing boat hauls in plane with body
A fishing boat off the coast of New Zealand has hauled up a small plane with a body inside.
Authorities with New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority believe the remains found Thursday are those of 53-year-old Daroish Kraidy, whose plane disappeared March 25. Kraidy’s ex-wife and daughter told local media in May that Kraidy had battled depression for years, and they believed his disappearance was deliberate.
Get a taste of the beach without leaving the city
August means vacation near the water for a lot of people, but if you can’t leave the District you’re pretty much stuck with heat and humidity. This weekend, though, you can get some relief — and experience water slides, human-sized hamster balls and a full-on water battle — without leaving the city. On our Living page, Rachel Nania lets you in on where and when to find the free, adult-only water festival.
Fighting back against CryptoLocker
Thousands of computer users were hit by the ransomware known as CryptoLocker, which encrypted your files and gave you 72 hours to pay a ransom to get them back. The feds say the threat has been neutralized, but a lot of people are still stuck – until now. On our Tech page, Neal Augenstein lays out the details of a free service to beat CryptoLocker – and why it isn’t perfect.
Shark Week begins Sunday, and here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about everyone’s favorite underwater killing machine: Do some sharks really eat polar bears? Does a seal stand a chance against a shark? And how creepy is the goblin shark? Get those answers and more on our Entertainment page.
Can technology help prevent sports injuries?
Injuries deprive fans and teammates of some of the most talented athletes; it leaves the injured player facing weeks or months of lonely rehab, and it costs teams millions of dollars. The technology for treating injuries has advanced tremendously in recent years, but what about prevention?
On our Sports page, WTOP’s Noah Frank talks with officials of a company that may give doctors a new tool for diagnosing injuries – and finding weaknesses that predict serious injuries. He’ll walk you through the process – as well as the obstacles.
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