Mar 15, 2018

Several fatalities confirmed after "brand new" bridge collapses

Vehicles are seen trapped under the collapsed pedestrian bridge in Miami, Florida. Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Authorities have confirmed that 8 cars are trapped under a newly-built pedestrian bridge after it collapsed on the campus of Florida International University in Miami on Thursday, killing several and injuring more. The number of fatalities and injured has not been released by authorities. The bridge was reportedly the "first of its kind," having been built over the course of one weekend.

  • Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted that he was traveling to the university "to be briefed by local law enforcement and university officials."
  • Miami-Dade Fire Rescue tweeted that there have been "multiple patients injured."
  • ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reported that there are "several fatalities confirmed."
  • Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said at Thursday's briefing that the White House is aware of the situation, and that "our brave first responders are working feverishly to save lives. We will continue to monitor the situation closely."

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Rebecca Falconer
Updated 41 mins ago - World

China says U.S. is "endangering peace" with high-level visit to Taiwan

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar during a June briefing in Washington, DC. Photo: Joshua Roberts/Getty Images

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced Tuesday night he will lead a delegation to Taiwan "in the coming days."

Why it matters: It's the highest-level visit by a U.S. cabinet official to Taiwan since 1979. Azar is also the first U.S. Cabinet member to visit the island state in six years. The visit has angered China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory. Chinese officials accused the U.S. Wednesday of "endangering peace" with the visit, AFP reports.

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Axios
Updated 1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3:30 a.m. ET: 18,543,662 — Total deaths: 700,714 — Total recoveries — 11,143,031— Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3:30 a.m. ET: 4,771,236 — Total deaths: 156,807 — Total recoveries: 1,528,979 — Total tests: 57,543,852 — Map.
  3. States: New York City health commissioner resigns in protest of De Blasio's coronavirus response — Local governments go to war over schools.
  4. Public health: 59% of Americans support nationwide 2-week stay-at-home order in NPR poll.
  5. Politics: Trump's national security adviser returns to work after coronavirus recovery — Republicans push to expand small business loan program.
  6. Sports: Indy 500 to be held without fans — Rafael Nadal opts out of U.S. Open.
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Dave Lawler
Updated 3 hours ago - World

At least 100 killed, 4,000 injured after massive explosion rocks Beirut

Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty Images

A major explosion has slammed central Beirut, Lebanon, damaging buildings as far as several miles away and injuring scores of people.

Driving the news: At least 100 people have been killed and over 4,000 injured in the blast — and the death toll is likely to rise, the Lebanese Red Cross said, per AP. Prime Minister Hassan Diab said the explosions occurred at a warehouse that had been storing 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate for the past six years.

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