NEWS OF THE DAY

_1 Pyramids opened: Egypt opened two of its oldest pyramids, located about 25 miles south of the capital Cairo, to visitors Saturday for the first time since 1965. Antiquities Minister Khaled elAnany told reporters that tourists were are now allowed to visit the Bent Pyramid and its satellite pyramid in the Dahshur royal necropolis, which is part of the Memphis Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bent Pyramid, which was built during the Old Kingdom of the Pharaoh of Sneferu, in about 2600 B.C., is unique in that it has two internal structures. Egypt has been whipping up publicity for its new historical discoveries in the hopes of reviving a devastated tourism sector still recovering from the turmoil following a 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. _2 Pretty toxic: Residents of a city in Siberia don’t need to fly off to tropical locales for picturesque selfies taken by pristine turquoise waters. Thousands of Novosibirsk residents — ranging from scantily clad women to newlyweds — have been busy Instagramming near a brightblue lake nicknamed the “Siberian Maldives.” The lake is blue, however, due to a chemical reaction between toxic waste elements from a local power station. Environmentalists are warning people against coming into contact with the water. Dmitry Shakhov, a Russian environmentalist, warned that the water in the lake can cause allergic reactions or even chemical burns if ingested or touched. The Siberian Generating Company said Friday it has deployed guards to keep trespassers at bay, but insists the lake presents no environmental danger. _3 Opposition jailed: Venezuelan authorities have detained two members of opposition leader Juan Guaido’s security team, keeping pressure on their U.S.backed adversary even as the two sides hold talks aimed at finding a solution to the country’s political standoff. The two men planned to sell four guns belonging to the state that were allegedly used during Guaido’s failed military rebellion on April 30, socialist party boss Diosdado Cabello said Saturday. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez also said the alleged attempt to sell weapons while negotiating with the government reflected opposition deceit. He said the government would later present proof of the allegation, which the opposition says is false. _4 Buffalo race: Farmers in eastern Thailand celebrated the start of the sowing season Saturday by racing their buffaloes, whose usual duty is to plow the fields. The annual Wooden Plow Buffalo Race in Chonburi, 37 miles southeast of Bangkok, is held to express gratitude to the buffaloes for working for the farmers all year long. “It’s a longinherited tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation,” said Supanee Saengue, one of the race organizers. Around 60 buffaloes were registered for the race, with the farmers coaxing and goading the animals to the finish line. “You have to whip them as much as you could to make them go fast, otherwise you could lose. The more you whip them, the faster they go,” said race competitor Suchai Saengdee. Another competitor, Apichart Kongtrupjareon, said his two buffaloes had to be trained from the ground up, starting by slowly walking them abreast 10 times a day until their rhythm matches. “They’re just like humans — if they don’t exercise, their muscles get sore,” Apichart said.