world news: 2018-03-11

Saturday 17 March 2018

Raw video of aftermath of FIU bridge collapse

Multiple deaths, injuries reported after pedestrian bridge collapse at Florida International University in Miami.

Read Andrew McCabe's Response To Being Fired Two Days Before His Retirement

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Friday evening that he had fired

Theresa May promised to 'take every step' against Russian assassins — two years before latest attack

The widow of a former Russian intelligence officer who was poisoned to death at a London hotel in 2006 shared with Yahoo News a letter she received from May two years ago, after the British government concluded that Vladimir Putin was “probably” responsible for her husband’s murder.

Veteran Democratic Congresswoman Louise Slaughter dies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Veteran U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, a Kentucky blacksmith's daughter who went on to chair one of Congress' most important committees, died Friday at a Washington hospital where she was being treated after falling in her home, her top aide said. She was 88.

Tonnes of gold and silver bars fall from Russian plane

A Russian plane loaded with precious metals lost its glittering cargo on take-off Thursday, scattering the runway with gold and silver. The Antonov plane was taking off after refuelling in an airport at Yakutsk in Siberia when its cargo door flew open - dropping nearly 200 bars from the Kupol gold mine in the remote Chukotka region, investigators said. The cargo of bars of concentrated ore used to transport the precious metals weighed 9.3 tonnes. "As it gathered height, the cargo door became damaged due to the shifting of cargo" and "part of the cargo was scattered on the runway," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement on Telegram. The plane was forced to land back at the airport, and police immediately sealed off the area to prevent locals from rushing to the scene of the rare windfall, Yakutmedia local news site reported. It posted a video of what looked like large white-ish bricks lying on the runway. Ok. Gold rain drops looked that way on Yakutsk Airport’s runway. Pretty heavy and sonorous... Video by transport police from Whatsapp. pic.twitter.com/YYiO1P6lh7— Bolot Bochkarev (@yakutia) March 15, 2018 "172 bars have been found weighing around 3.4 tonnes," the local interior ministry told TASS state news agency. "Only part of the gold fell out - altogether there were around nine tonnes in there." Kupol mine where the cargo came from is operated by Canada-based mining company Kinross Gold. Precious metal ingots on the runway of the airport of Yakutsk Credit: Transport Police/Twitter And apparently none of the valuable cargo is missing, A Russian spokesman for the company, Stanislav Borodyuk, told Interfax news agency that "all the cargo has been picked up, there are no losses." A hole was ripped in the side of the plane, allowing its precious cargo to escape Credit: Youtube He said the bars were Dore, a semi-pure alloy of silver and gold. Investigators say the problem on take-off was likely due to the cargo not being properly stabilised.

Pregnant Widow Appeals for Help Finding Suspect Who Pushed Boulder Off Overpass, Killing Husband

Police in California are now seeking the person responsible.

Chopper flights with open doors, tight restraints grounded

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal regulators, spurred by a deadly helicopter crash into a river, ordered a temporary nationwide ban on open-door flights that have tight seat restraints that could trap people during emergencies.

Toys 'R' Us Is Closing Stores and the Internet Is Having a Hard Time

"Pouring a Capri Sun out for Geoffrey"

Hezbollah doesn't expect Israeli war, but is ready for one

By Samia Nakhoul, Laila Bassam and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah does not expect its arch foe Israel to launch a war for now in Lebanon but is prepared for one, the deputy leader of the Iran-backed Shi'ite group told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. As the war in Syria enters its eighth year, Sheikh Naim Qassem also said there was no end in sight to the conflict which would go on for at least two more years, and President Bashar al-Assad could not be forced out of an eventual settlement. "There is no solution in Syria under the title of 'excluding President Assad'.

German interior minister declares 'Islam does not belong' in the country

Angela Merkel’s new government got off to a rocky start on Friday as the chancellor and her interior minister clashed publicly over the role of Islam in Germany society. Horst Seehofer, who became interior minister this week under a coalition deal, used his first interview since taking office to declare “Islam does not belong in Germany”. Mrs Merkel lost no time in slapping down the minister, telling a press conference: “Muslims are also part of Germany, and so their religion is just as much a part of Germany”. Mr Seehofer’s controversial remarks echoed last year’s election slogans from the nationalist Alternative for Germany party (AfD), which campaigned on an anti-Muslim platform. But they were most clearly aimed as a broadside against Mrs Merkel, who famously declared “Islam belongs in Germany” in a 2015 press conference after opening the country’s borders to over 1 million asylum-seekers. “Islam does not belong in Germany,” Mr Seehofer told Bild newspaper. “Germany is shaped by Christianity. That means not working on Sundays and celebrating religious holidays such as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. Horst Seehofer talks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German parliament in Berlin Credit: AP Photo/Markus Schreiber “Of course the Muslims who live with us belong in Germany. But that doesn’t mean we should give up our national traditions and customs.” The leader of Mrs Merkel’s Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), Mr Seehofer was the leading opponent of her refugee policy and the dispute almost ended the longstanding alliance between the two parties. But they patched up their differences ahead of last year’s election and Mr Seehofer was given control of migration and asylum policy as interior minister under the new coalition deal. His remarks on Friday suggest he is ready to reopen the feud in government. Mrs Merkel responded angrily to Mr Seehofer’s comments. “We want an Islam based on the constitution and compliant with constitutional law,” she said on a visit to Paris. “I think we must do everything we can to allow religions to live together in peace.” Mr Seehofer also came under attack from Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the chairman of Mrs Merkel’s Christian Democrat party (CDU) who is widely seen as her chosen successor. Profile | Angela Merkel “Freedom of religion undoubtedly belongs in Germany, just as the Muslims in Germany, together with their faith, belong in our country,” Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer said. More than 4 million Muslims live in Germany, 1.9 million of whom are German citizens. More than 60 per cent are of Turkish heritage and were living in Germany long before Mrs Merkel’s decision to open the borders to asylum-seekers. Mr Seehofer later sought to clarify his remarks. “Our country Germany has been shaped by Christianity for centuries. That's why it’s wrong to say Islam belongs in Germany, ” he said. “Of course we have tolerance and respect for other religious communities. And of course the Muslims living in Germany belong in Germany.” It was Wolfgang Schäuble, the former finance minister and current speaker of the German parliament, who first declared in 2006 that “Islam is part of Germany and Europe”. The phrase at the centre of the dispute,“Islam belongs in Germany” was first coined in 2010 by Christian Wulff, the Germna president at the time, and later taken up by Mrs Merkel.

'Stress test' preceded bridge collapse that killed 6 in Florida

An innovative pedestrian bridge being built at Florida International University was put to a "stress test" before it collapsed over traffic, killing six people and sending 10 to a hospital, authorities said.

Couple Fleeing Immigration Officials Killed in Crash, Police Say

The SUV raced away when the agents exited their vehicle, police say

Ivanka Trump to meet South Korean minister in light of Tillerson firing

Senior White House adviser and first family member Ivanka Trump is scheduled

Parkland armed deputy did not enter building during shooting, new surveillance video shows

Newly released surveillance video shows deputy Scot Peterson approaching the freshman building where gunman Nikolas Cruz was shooting, but never going inside.

Homeless family of 4 found dead in parked van in California

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) — A homeless couple and their two young children, all dressed for bed, were found dead from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a parked van that had its windows covered with blankets and a shade to block out the light outside a Southern California strip mall, police said Friday.

Intensifying assaults in Syria spark dual evacuations

Syrian civilians in the last rebel-held pockets of besieged Eastern Ghouta have been urged to flee as Russia-backed regime forces storm into the beleaguered area near Damascus, with intense airstrikes killing dozens and causing thousands more to evacuate. Syria's war enters its eighth year with another deadly assault also unfolding in the north, where Turkish-led forces pressed an operation to seize the Kurdish-majority region of Afrin. The operation has sent thousands onto the roads, with bombing of the city of Afrin on Friday killing 43 civilians, a third of them killed in a deadly strike on a hospital.

Sean Hannity Slams Shepard Smith For Calling His Kind Of Fox Show Strictly Entertainment

Fox News host Sean Hannity ripped colleague Shepard Smith on Friday after

Witnesses describe harrowing Florida bridge collapse: "It's totally smashed to the ground"

Rescue crews are searching for survivors after a newly installed pedestrian bridge collapsed in Miami. Witnesses are talking about what they saw, and how they tried to help. CBS News national correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reports.

Haley Anderson Case: Police Report Details Murdered Student's Complaint About Suspect Before Her Death

Binghamton police have released the report made after a call Haley Anderson made regarding Orlando Tercero.

Pro-Trump Candidate Attacks Mexicans With Video Of Migrants In Morocco

Ohio GOP congressional candidate Christina Hagan is using dramatic video

My Lai ceremony highlights peace, but dark memories recalled

MY LAI, Vietnam (AP) — Talk of peace dominated the 50th anniversary commemoration of the My Lai massacre in Vietnam, but among the hundreds in the audience were survivors and a former U.S. Army photographer whose gruesome images galvanized anti-war opinion.

What to Do If You Have a Toys 'R' Us Gift Card

Toys “R” Us, which is liquidating its remaining 735 stores in the U.S., is giving gift card holders 30 days to use their remaining card balances. Consumers should use those balances as soon as p...

Democrats' Surrender On Torture Is Nearly Complete

In the same tweet he used to unceremoniously fire Secretary of State Rex

Saudi crown prince amassing power by hiding his mother

The Saudi crown prince who has been a controversial figure is accused to hiding his mother in order to solidify his authority and succession to rule.

The Most Powerful Signs From National School Walkout Day

Historically, we've seen what happens when the younger generation comes to take their power

FIU student Alexa Duran identified as victim of Florida bridge collapse

Alexa Duran was driving from a doctor’s appointment with her best friend Richard next to her in the passenger’s seat, when the bridge collapsed on top of them. Her best friend Richard speaks out about his amazing story of survival.

Several dead, at least four injured in Miami bridge collapse

First responders search for rubble survivors of catastrophic accident near Florida International University.

Uber’s Biggest Rival Is Experimenting With All-You-Can-Ride Monthly Subscriptions

For all-you-can-ride access to the car-hailing service

Putin Will Undoubtedly Win Re-Election. But He Has Plenty To Be Nervous About.

Russians will head to the polls on Sunday to determine Russia's next

Fired top diplomat Tillerson says he's praying for America

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fired top diplomat Rex Tillerson says he's praying for America.

Trump signs U.S.-Taiwan travel bill; China 'strongly dissatisfied'

By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday signed legislation that encourages the United States to send senior officials to Taiwan to meet Taiwanese counterparts and vice versa, angering China, which views Taiwan as a wayward province. The bill, which is non-binding, would have gone into effect on Saturday morning, even if Trump had not signed it, said the White House. The move adds to strains between the two countries over trade, as Trump has enacted tariffs and called for China to reduce its huge trade imbalance with the United States, even while Washington has leaned on Beijing to help resolve tensions with North Korea.

Nasa astronaut twins Scott and Mark Kelly no longer genetically identical after space trip

Nasa astronauts Scott Kelly and his identical twin brother Mark have shared a lot throughout their extraordinary lives. Born just a few minutes apart, the pair were both US Navy captains, both flew on the Endeavour and Discovery space shuttles, and both spent time on board the International Space Station (ISS). But new findings by Nasa have found that life away from planet Earth has exacted a surprising toll. The pair are no longer genetically identical twins. Astronauts Mark, left and Scott Kelly embarked on a groundbreaking experiment looking at genetic impact of spaceflight Credit: Robert Markowitz - Nasa After Scott Kelly, 54, spent 340 days on board the ISS, experts found that seven per cent of his genes no longer match those of brother Mark. Scott may even now be biologically older than his twin, scientists fear. On learning of the change, Scott said: “What? My DNA changed by 7 per cent. Who knew?! I no longer have to call Mark my identical twin brother anymore.” Scott Kelly may even be biologically older than his twin brother now Credit: AFP Alexander Nemenov It is well known that astronauts’ bodies change to adapt to living in micro-gravity, but it was generally assumed the effects wore off on returning to Earth. However Scott landed in March 2016, and his body has yet to return to normal. Some of the genes which appear to have changed permanently involved DNA repair, bone formation and how the cells use oxygen. Nasa took the unique opportunity of having astronaut twins to learn more about the genetic changes of long periods in space, the first time such a study has ever been attempted. The human body is evolved to live in Earth’s gravity, and the long term effects of space habitation are unknown. The space agency said the experiment was a ‘stepping stone’ in its three-year mission to Mars. Scott Kelly gives himself a flu shot for a study on the human immune system Credit: Nasa While Scott was on the ISS, experts were monitoring Mark’s DNA as well as Scott’s so they could compare the two, a groundbreaking experiment known as The Twins Study. “Some of the most exciting things that we’ve seen from looking at gene expression in space is that we really see an explosion, like fireworks taking off, as soon as the human body gets into space,” said Twins Study Principal Investigator Dr Chris Mason, of Weill Cornell Medicine. “With this study, we’ve seen thousands and thousands of genes change how they are turned on and turned off. This happens as soon as an astronaut gets into space, and some of the activity persists temporarily upon return to Earth. “This study represents one of the most comprehensive views of human biology. It really sets the bedrock for understanding molecular risks for space travel as well as ways to potentially protect and fix those genetic changes.” Overall the study suggests that a year in space had a detrimental affect on Scott Kelly Credit: Robert Markowitz - Nasa Nasa measured huge amounts of data, collecting regular readings for metabolites, cytokines and proteins and discovered that spaceflight is linked to oxygen deprivation stress, increased inflammation and dramatic nutrient shifts which affect gene expression. However there was some good news from the experiment. Scott’s telomeres - the caps at the end of chromosomes that shorten with age - actually became longer in space, suggesting a possible protective effect against ageing. They shortened back to normal within two days of returning to Earth. Overall, the results appear to show that Scott's year in space had a detrimental affect. Tests showed immune cells rose suggesting inflammation, which can lead to disease and there were even signs that he may now be biologically older than his twin, based on the speed of detrimental changes to his DNA. Dr Mason said his team had found 'hundreds of genetic mutations' unique to Scott since his spaceflight as well as increased levels of mitochondria in the blood, indicating damage to the power plants of the cells. Several hundred 'space genes' were still disrupted after his return to Earth, the experts found. The researchers are now evaluating how the findings will impact future space travel beyond Earth’s orbit.