17-yr-old fakes identity, posts pics with world leaders

Beijing: China’s crackdown on online rumour-mongers and fraud has snared a fresh target-a 17-year-old junior high school dropout who pretended to be a billionaire, gave himself fake titles and posted Photshopped pictures of himself with world leaders. The police said they were investigating the suspect, identified by the surname Shi, who called himself the “Sh Runlong Jocker” on social media. Shi made false claims about his identity and also circulated fake images of himself with US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Reuters

Reclusive pop star Sia celebrates 8 years of sobriety

Los Angeles: Singer Sia, best known for her viral hits “Cheap Thrills” and “Titanium”, has shared that she has completed eight years as sober. The reclusive pop star, who has spoken about her battle with substance abuse in the past, took to Twitter to share the milestone with her fans. “Eight years sober today. I love you, keep going. You can do it,” the 42-year-old singer wrote. In an interview with the New York Times in 2014, Sia, whose real name is Sia Furler, said it took her a long time to realise that she was an alcoholic. “None of my friends thought I was an alcoholic, and neither did I,’ she said. PTI