Updated Mar 12, 2018

Plane crash in Nepal kills at least 40, injures 23

Erica Pandey, author of @Work

The scene of the crash at Tribhuvan International Airport. Photo: Prakash Mathema / AFP via Getty Images

US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211 crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday. At least 40 of the 71 people on board are confirmed dead, per a local police spokesperson. The plane was en route from Dhaka, Bangladesh. When attempting to land in Kathmandu, it crashed into a field and erupted into flames.

The latest: Another 23 passengers are injured and 8 are currently missing. The Nepali Times posted a full recording of the conversation preceding the crash. The precise cause of the crash is still unknown, but, on the recording, pilots flying other planes are telling ATC in Nepali that Flight 211 appears to be disoriented due to low visibility in the hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley.

Go deeper

Caitlin Owens, Jacob Knutson
13 mins ago - Health

Trump considering order on pre-existing condition protections, which already exist

President Trump. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

President Trump announced on Friday he will pursue an executive order requiring insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions, something that is already law.

Why it matters: The Affordable Care Act already requires insurers to cover pre-existing conditions. The Trump administration is currently arguing in a case before the Supreme Court to strike down that very law — including its pre-existing condition protections.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 18 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 8:30 p.m. ET: 19,266,406 — Total deaths: 718,530 — Total recoveries — 11,671,253 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 8:30 p.m. ET: 4,928,802 — Total deaths: 161,052 — Total recoveries: 1,623,870 — Total tests: 60,415,558 — Map.
  3. Politics: Trump says he's prepared to sign executive orders on coronavirus aid.
  4. Education: Cuomo says all New York schools can reopen for in-person learning.
  5. Public health: Surgeon general urges flu shots to prevent "double whammy" with coronavirus — Massachusetts pauses reopening after uptick in coronavirus cases.
  6. World: Africa records over 1 million coronavirus cases — Gates Foundation puts $150 million behind coronavirus vaccine production.
Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Alayna Treene
40 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Trump says he's prepared to sign executive orders on coronavirus aid

President Trump. Photo: Jim watson/Getty Images

President Trump, speaking from a podium at his golf club in Bedminster, N.J., on Friday announced that he is prepared to issue executive orders suspending payroll taxes and extending enhanced unemployment benefits through the end of 2020, and halting student loan interest and payments indefinitely.

Why it matters: The impending orders come after talks between the White House and Democratic leadership collapsed Friday afternoon. But Trump said he remains committed to striking a deal with Congress on a broader stimulus package before signing the orders.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow