5 things you need to know this morning: July 6, 2023

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

Five things you need to know

1. River in Japan turns lime green and no one knows why

Authorities in a Western Japan city are investigating to determine how the water of a river that runs through the town has turned lime green. It’s caused great concern among citizens, but officials have run a test on the water and said it’s non-toxic. However, farmers have still been asked to avoid using it for agricultural purposes until safety is confirmed.

The Tatsuta River, in Japan’s Nara prefecture, turned lime green on July 5, & residents are concerned.

Officials conducted water quality tests on the river water & found that it wasn’t toxic, but they’re still asking residents not to touch or use the water for the time being. pic.twitter.com/y7HGIp0AEb

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 6, 2023

2. BC man travels around the world without a plane, train or automobile

Markus Pukonen has been on an incredible journey over the past eight years. The Tofino man left Toronto in July 2015 and returned to Canada via the Niagara Falls border this past weekend, eight years later. He circumvented the globe, a trip of more than 73,000 kilometres, without the use of a plane, train or automobile.

Over the last eight years Markus Pukonen has been circumnavigating the globe, a trip of more than 73,000 kilometres, made without a plane, train or automobile. He didn't even ride an elevator. https://t.co/lo8dQCyAET

— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) July 5, 2023

3. Meta challenging Twitter with launch of rival app Threads

A new app has arrived, but it’s from a familiar source. Meta, the tech company behind Facebook and Instagram, has launched Threads, which is meant to rival Twitter. It’s billed as a text-based version of Instagram and it comes at a time when many users are looking for an alternative to the Elon Musk-owned Twitter.

Threads, Mark Zuckerberg’s new social network, pulled in more than 10 million sign-ups within hours of making its debut on Wednesday. And the presence of big-name advertisers points to even bigger commercial stakes. https://t.co/siS24Gid6i

— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 6, 2023

4. Canadian missing in Fiji amid reports of tourist vanishing from resort

Global Affairs Canada has confirmed that there is a Canadian missing in Fiji, but would not confirm a name or whether it’s the man who went missing from a resort on the island nation in April. Media in Fiji and Australia have reported that Canadian tourist Ildar Rakhmatulim went missing from a resort along the Coral Coast more than two months ago.

Canadian missing in Fiji amid reports of tourist vanishing from resort https://t.co/gggXUJlfjF

— CTV News (@CTVNews) July 5, 2023

5. Canadians finally get into the action at Wimbledon

Wimbledon has been hammered by rain delays over the past four days, but a few Canadians finally got their first matches in. Denis Shapovalov won a match that spanned three days with all the delays and then followed it up with another win to reach round three. Milos Raonic also won in his Grand Slam return, but is currently down one set in his round two match. On the women’s side, Bianca Andreescu won her first round match, but Rebecca Marino and Carol Zhao lost theirs. Leylah Fernandez is currently playing her second round match.

Can't stop him now! ⏩

Denis Shapovalov puts forth a confident performance to advance to the third round of #Wimbledon for the second time! 💪@nationalbank pic.twitter.com/rD80s9JxeX

— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) July 6, 2023

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of @peamo228 on Twitter.}