Worldwide / 360

Deadly Brazil dam collapse was disaster waiting to happen | AP business

February 04, 2019

Friends and relatives hold signs with the names of victims, during a march paying homage to the victims of the mining dam collapse in Brumadinho , Brazil . Located in Minas Gerais state, Brumadinho is 450 kilometers (279.6 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. "Everybody, the majority worked in mining", he said.

Authorities are searching for escaped prisoner considered extremely risky

February 04, 2019

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office's initial tweet about the escape said Marks was facing three "pending murder charges", but it didn't immediately respond to requests for further information about those charges. Police in Bloomington, Minnesota, say Marks remains a person of interest in the 2009 disappearance of April Pease, with whom he had a child. Maya Maxwell is charged with evidence tampering and is jailed in Bell County, Texas, on US$150,000 (NZ217,000) bond.

Illinois State Police announces Super Bowl weekend enforcement

February 03, 2019

It runs from Saturday until 4 a.m. on Monday. The patrol asks those planning to host Super Bowl parties ensure their guests have a safe and sober way home. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. Anyone who sees a drunk driver should call 911.

USAID assistance in the West Bank and Gaza has ceased

February 03, 2019

Since US President Donald Trump took office, relations between the Palestinian Authority and the White House have deteriorated. In one of a series of tweets on Friday defending the administration, he wrote that the aid was cut at the Palestinian Authority's request "because they didn't want to be subject to US courts".

Strong quake rattles southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador

February 03, 2019

A 6.5-magnitude quake shook Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, leaving three people injured and causing infrastructure damage, authorities said. People in the capital, Mexico City , were forced to leave office buildings and gather in the streets due to severe tremors that began at about 10 am local time (16:00 GMT).

Nissan 'To Cancel Manufacturing New Model In The UK'

February 03, 2019

The news came a day after a free trade agreement between the European Union and Japan came into force, creating a marketplace of 635m people accounting for nearly one-third of the world's GDP. Unite's assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Steve Turner, said the "rumours are disturbing" and numerous workforce will endure a "very anxious weekend".

Leopard runs loose in northern India, attacks residents

February 03, 2019

The injuries are not believed to be life threatening. The forest officials arrived after a few people raised an alarm on seeing the leopard hiding inside a house. The leopard also injured a resident who was pelting rocks at it. According to Punjab conservation officials, the leopard came from the hills of Himachal Pradesh, a neighboring state, and reached Jalandhar through the forests and fields.

Record Breaking Fentanyl Seizure In Arizona

February 03, 2019

Customs and Border Protection, a canine officer alerted other officers to the presence of 254 pounds of fentanyl hidden inside an 18-wheeler carrying cucumbers, during a secondary inspection at the Mariposa port of entry just past noon on Saturday", The Arizona Republic reported.

U.S. Declares Visa Restrictions On Ghana

February 03, 2019

Without an appropriate response from Ghana, the scope of these sanctions may be expanded to a wider population, a statement released by the US Department of Homeland Security read. The decision by the USA government is as a result of the failure of the Ghana government to accept into the country Ghanaian nationals removed from the U.S.

Iran announces 'successful test' of new cruise missile on revolution anniversary

February 03, 2019

Back in February 2018, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran's defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country's missile program. "40 years later, Iran's ruling regime has broken all those promises, and has produced only #40YearsofFailure", the US State Department wrote on its official Twitter account.

Venezuelan general recognizes opposition leader Guaido as president

February 03, 2019

The newspaper on Saturday quoted Guaido as replying: "We hope to soon hear a pronouncement by the pope". Bolton referenced his tweet on Thursday, adding, "the sooner he takes advantage of that, the sooner he's likely to have a nice, quiet retirement on a pretty beach rather than being in some other beach area like Guantanamo", referring to the United States naval base at Guantanamo Bay in eastern Cuba, where the U.S.

Leopard Cub Found In Passenger’s Luggage

February 03, 2019

On Saturday, AIU officers noticed the detained passenger moving in a suspicious manner in the arrival area. Authorities are investigating whether the suspect is part of an global smuggling ring, officials told AFP. India's NTV quoted a senior official as saying: "He says he was supposed to handover it to someone at the Chennai airport ". They inspected the cub and informed that it is a one month old female weighing 1.1 kg and measuring 54 cm nose to tail and in good condition.

130 students arrested in visa sting face only civil immigration charges

February 03, 2019

The remaining one is a Palestinian, Voice of America quoted official sources as saying. A number of students enrolled in this fake institution, University of Farmington in MI state, were also taken into custody by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an early morning swoop - "5:00 am and thereabouts", said someone who was told of it by witnesses - all over the country.

European Union will allow visa-free travel to United Kingdom citizens post-Brexit

February 03, 2019

The announcement appears to lay waste to a series of sensational newspaper reports in recent months that alleged the British government was preparing to warn holidaymakers not to book European trips in case of a so-called hard Brexit - something the government denied - and that Brits would have to pay €7 to obtain a visitor's visa.

Trump again weighs national emergency ahead of SOTU speech

February 03, 2019

President Trump said Friday his administration is already making such good progress in building the border wall that his iconic campaign chant should change from "build the wall" to "finish the wall". Democrats have proposed billions of dollars for border security, but no money for a wall. Drew Hammill, a spokesman for Pelosi, in a statement condemned Trump's " wild and predictable misrepresentations about Democrats' commitment to border security".

Punxsutawney Phil says spring is on the way

February 03, 2019

In reality, Phil's prediction is decided ahead of time by the group on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill just outside Punxsutawney. He was not able to see his shadow. German settlers to Pennsylvania brought this belief with them but found no hedgehogs here. The event is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada on February 2 and this year marks the 133rd Groundhog Day in Pennsylvania.

Facebook, Twitter remove hundreds of malicious accounts

February 02, 2019

Twitter said a second "state-backed influence campaign" found and disabled in Venezuela focused on the country's own citizens. The groups also hosted eight events, but Gleicher said there was no way to verify whether they actually took place.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo survives crash landing

February 02, 2019

The spokesperson of the vice president also said his principal still went to Kabba and met with the monarch in charge of the town. He tweeted, "We are safe and sound!" Political party candidates have been campaigning across the country to market their plans on how they intend to lead one of Africa's top economies over the next four years, with the key issues being corruption, security and the economy.

Virginia governor now denies he was in racist yearbook picture, won’t resign

February 02, 2019

The page also included Mr Northam's full name and other photos of the politician. Virginia has become an key battleground state for US elections. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam on Saturday resisted mounting pressure from his Democratic party to resign after a photograph surfaced which he said showed him and another person in racist garb at a party decades earlier.

Knife-wielding man causes security lockdown at Australian Airport

February 02, 2019

Police later sent an update saying that one man was taken into custody without any " reported injuries to any members of the public or police ". The Queensland Police Service tweeted that trains to the airport have stopped. Hundreds of people remain outside of Brisbane Airport, and as police continue safety checks. Police are conducting clearance searches of the International Terminal.

ISIS Threatens Mariah Carey Concert in Saudi Arabia

February 02, 2019

The petition aimed to publicly pressure Carey because "she has power to stand for women.as an artist and as a female", Al-Najjar said. Choosing 18 hot picks from her albums, the New York-born singer swept away an attending mixed gender audience.

No-Deal Brexit? Goldman Sachs It's More Likely After Parliament Vote

February 02, 2019

And BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said there had been "growing chatter" about a potential delay and a potential extension to Article 50 - the mechanism by which the United Kingdom leaves the EU. The Institute for Government said that most of the problems come as a result of the scale of the task. Instead of finding a safeguard against no deal, the Commons passed an amendment put forward by Conservative backbencher Graham Brady, under which it will accept May's withdrawal ...

Groundhog doesn't see his shadow, predicting early spring

February 02, 2019

If Phil wakes and finds himself shadowless, he takes it as a sign of an early spring and stays above ground. Just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Punxsutawney (puhnk-suh-TAW'-nee) Phil emerged from his burrow in Pennsylvania at sunrise and didn't see his shadow.

United Kingdom carmakers issue stark warning on Brexit

February 02, 2019

With two months to go, the country has still not managed to agree divorce terms from the other 27 European Union member states, and the proposed exit agreement Prime Minister Theresa May managed to hammer out with European Union leaders has been heavily rejected by members of Parliament back in London .

Russia, US last-ditch talks to break nuclear pact deadlock fail

February 02, 2019

Washington said last month it would withdraw from the INF within 60 days if Russian Federation did not dismantle missiles that the U.S. claims breach the deal. Close cooperation between Russian Federation and China is not aimed against third states, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on 30 January following USA intelligence claims that Moscow-Beijing ties were meant to defy the United States.

Underground tunnel found leading toward bank in Pembroke Pines

February 02, 2019

Crews used heavy equipment to tear up a two lane road that leads to the shopping plaza after Pembroke Pines Public Works was called out Tuesday night after someone called in a pothole. Rain over the weekend may have caused the ground to sink to the hollow space below, Leverock said. Pembroke Pines is about 20 miles (32km) south-west of Fort Lauderdale.

Ghani govt losing control of Afghanistan

February 02, 2019

In his interview Wednesday, Stanikzai said Americans have assured the Taliban they do not want their soldiers to stay in Afghanistan nor do they intend to maintain permanent bases in the country. "We are getting closer to the peace talks and we hope to witness direct peace talks between armed Taliban and the government". President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday alleged the "keys to war are in Islamabad , Quetta, Rawalpindi, accusing Pakistan of being a safe haven for cross-border militant ...

College Student Froze To Death In Iowa Amid Polar Vortex

February 02, 2019

The University of Iowa student who died after being found outside on campus in subzero temperatures was "a momma's boy with a tough exterior", his dad said . Gerald's father, Michael Belz, spoke to our sister station KCRG-TV9 Wednesday afternoon. "There are still questions that need to be answered and those answers will be coming in due time ".

Toxic Smog in Bangkok Forces Over 400 Schools to Close

February 02, 2019

Officials have pinned the worsening air on everything from auto exhaust, to factory pollution trapped in the city, to relentless construction. The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, sparking social media criticism of the uneven response by the government and prompting rare scenes of residents donning masks on streets and on public transport.

What are 'frost quakes'? Here's a brief explainer

February 02, 2019

The expansion and pressure build-up causes stress on the frozen soil and rocks around it which can create a boom noise. Per CNN , meteorologists suspect the sounds were caused by underground water freezing and expanding-a weather phenomenon known as cryoseism , aka a " frost quake ".

Northam Apologizes For Yearbook Photo Of Blackface And KKK Robes

February 02, 2019

Northam, in a statement Friday , acknowledged that he was one of the two men but didn't say which. "No woman seeks a third trimester abortion except in the case of tragic or hard circumstances, such as a nonviable pregnancy or in the event of severe fetal abnormalities, and the governor's comments were limited to the actions physicians would take in the event that a woman in those circumstances went into labor", the statement said.

Cherokee officials say Elizabeth Warren apologized to them over DNA test debacle

February 02, 2019

Elizabeth Warren has apologized for taking a DNA test to push back against President Donald Trump's taunts about her claim of Native American heritage. Potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speaks about federal government employees working without pay and workers trying to unionize at Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., January 21, 2019.

Venezuela's Interim President Accuses Maduro of Intimidating His Family

February 02, 2019

European Union lawmakers voted 429 in favor to 104 against, with 88 abstaining, at a special session in Brussels to recognize Venezuelan congress head Guaido, who illegally declared himself interim president last week. Juan Guaidó , an opposition leader and Venezuelan parliamentarian, announced earlier this month that he would be assuming the duties of the country's president.

Polar Vortex in a nutshell

February 02, 2019

The death toll rose from a previous 12 after at least nine more people in Chicago were reported to have died from cold-related injuries, according to Stithies Poulakidas, a doctor at John H. The wind chill at the time officers found Belz was -46°C, according to the National Weather Service. "They are life-threatening temperatures, and they should be treated accordingly", Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel cautioned residents Wednesday evening.

Judge in Roger Stone case says she's considering gag order

February 02, 2019

The judge asked both sides to file briefs by February 8 on the possible gag order. Stone pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday. She also said that if a gag order is imposed, that wouldn't limit all of Stone's public speaking. After his arrest he was released on $250,000 (£189,000) bail and with restrictions allowing him to travel only for court appearances in Florida, Washington DC and NY.

No 10 hits out at EU's claim Gibraltar is a British colony

February 02, 2019

It is likely to pass through, as well. A document that outlines the proposal reads: "Considering the geographical proximity, the link between economies, the level of trade and the extent of short-term movements of persons between the United Kingdom and the Union for business, leisure or other purposes, visa-free travel should facilitate tourism and economic activity, thereby bringing benefits to the Union".

In Corsica the unknown opened fire on passers-by

February 02, 2019

Police evacuated nearby buildings and blocked off the apartment building where the man lived and urged residents to avoid the area. A police operation is underway to try to launch negotiation with the shooter and neutralize him after he was hiding in the building where he lives.

Al Roker calls Matt Bevin a nitwit after weather comments | Raleigh

February 01, 2019

At least three deaths had been attributed to the growing deep-freeze. "This is serious business". The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory , saying wind chills as low as minus 15 degrees were expected for parts of the state .

Canada to cut Cuba presence after another diplomat falls ill

February 01, 2019

The unidentified diplomat has become the 14th person in Canada's Cuban embassy to fall victim to the illness, the origins of which are still shrouded in mystery. "Over all, we have a multifaceted relationship with Cuba, which is very positive and continues", another official said. "I think I can safely say the Cuban officials are as frustrated as we are that we cannot get any closer to determining a cause", the Canadian government official told reporters.

Mystery of Trump Jr.’s blocked calls has been solved

February 01, 2019

Donald Trump Jr. hit out at Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., for pushing a narrative that Trump Jr. spoke to his father on the phone before meeting with a Russian lawyer who had connections to the Kremlin. Trump Jr. told the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2017 that his father had no knowledge of the June 2016 meeting with the Russians. Schiff wants to see whether Don Jr.

Gov. Cuomo shrugs off Catholic criticism of abortion law

February 01, 2019

The law allows for abortions up to the point of birth if the life or health of the mother is at risk or the baby is not viable. "Today we are taking a giant step forward in the hard-fought battle to ensure a woman's right to make her own decisions about her own personal health, including the ability to access an abortion", Cuomo said.

May's Brexit deal stumbles as European Union refuses to renegotiate

February 01, 2019

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the government was "not talking about extensions" to Brexit at the moment, saying the focus should be "getting on with the job of completing the deal". Supporters of a sharp exit with the European Union fear it will trap Britain in regulatory lockstep with the trading bloc and want the backstop replaced with "alternative arrangements", though it remains unclear what those provisions might be.

Man charged over fake 'slip and fall' insurance claim

February 01, 2019

Prosecutors say Mr Goldinsky purposely threw ice on the floor in the cafeteria at his workplace, placed himself on the ground, and waited until he was discovered. He later filed a claim for an ambulance and treatment at the hospital for the injuries he claims he sustained. The investigation forms part of a statewide insurance fraud crackdown by the Attorney General through its County Prosecutor Insurance Fraud Reimbursement Program.

Trump Slams Schumer, Dems Over Iran

February 01, 2019

During that summit, Trump and Kim agreed to "work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula". Regarding North Korea, they said Pyongyang was not likely to permanently shed itself of nuclear weapons - contradicting a prediction Trump has made based on what he has called the "best" relationship the two nations have ever had.

Senator Arashukov's father suspected of embezzling from Gazprom

February 01, 2019

Russia's Investigative Committee later confirmed that Arashukov had been apprehended over his suspected involvement in two murders committed in 2010 "and other crimes". "For us as a house, it's an extremely unpleasant situation", said Andrei Klishas, chairman of the Federation Council's Constitutional Law Committee, according to Tass.

‘Courage is contagious’: Sen. Cory Booker formally announces his 2020 presidential campaign

February 01, 2019

A prominent Booker supporter, San Francisco attorney Steve Phillips, says he is working on millions of dollars in committed donations to a so-called super PAC that would boost the senator's candidacy, but Booker's campaign is openly against super PACs playing any role in the presidential race.

US to suspend compliance with Russian missile treaty, officials say

February 01, 2019

Tensions have raged for months over the fate of the INF agreement signed in 1987 by USA president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The U.S. US officials also have expressed concern that China , which isn't part of the treaty, is deploying large numbers of missiles in Asia that the USA can't counter because it's bound by the treaty.

Temp closure of Hoërskool Driehoek, 3 pupils die in walkway collapse

February 01, 2019

Lesufi questioned the school's age (45 years old) and its capacity (1 060). The death toll at school in Vanderbijlpark where a walkway collapsed has been revised back to three. The exact details as to what lead to the collapse is unknown and will form part of an investigation. The national Department of Education extended condolences to the families of the students killed.

UN Rights Expert Independently Investigates Khashoggi Murder

February 01, 2019

Callamard and her team did not enter the consulate on Tuesday. "We just wanted to have a sense of it", she told reporters . In a tweet, the Turkish president's communications director, Fahrettin Altun, welcomed the visit: "We still do not know where Khashoggi's body is, who ordered the hit and who the "local collaborator" was".

Interim budget 2019-20

February 01, 2019

From income tax slabs to farmer woes, the Budget 2019 is the Modi government's last shot before the elections to appease the Indians. All those earning up to Rs 5 lakh a year will now receive a full tax rebate. The time has nearly come for the Modi government to present its last budget before the much-anticipated Lok Sabha polls. In the health department, the Budget allocation is likely to be increased by 5% from past year.

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