Genoa bridge demolished in dramatic explosion - CNN International

Demolition experts brought down the two remaining towers of the highway bridge in dramatic fashion just after 9:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. ET), making way for a new structure to be built on the site.

4,000 people were evacuated from their homes to clear the area, AFP reported, and explosives were attached to the legs and body of the bridge, which went down in about seven seconds in a flurry of smoke.

Water tanks were on hand to prevent the spread of dust after the explosion.

Italy's Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, attended the explosion, and crowds of locals watched from a safe distance.

For 10 months, the remains of the structure have stood awkwardly on the outskirts of Italy's sixth-largest city, a painful reminder of tragedy for thousands of its residents.

The concrete viaduct collapsed in torrential rain in August 2018 after its cable stays gave way, throwing vehicles to the ground and killing scores of travelers.

The incident shocked Italy and prompted a fierce debate about the safety of the country's infrastructure.

Built in the 1960s, the Morandi Bridge was a vital link of the A10 highway that connects northwestern Italy to France, across the Polcevera river in central Genoa. It was one of the busiest bridges in the country, carrying freight and tourists to and from the port city.

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2019-06-28 08:32:00Z
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Trump tells Putin not to 'meddle in the election,' his tone was criticized - Fox News

President Trump met face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Japan and told his counterpart not to "meddle" in the 2020 elections when pressed by a reporter, but his delivery faced immediate criticism as being aloof.

Trump, who was seated next to Putin, was asked by a reporter if he would tell "the Russian president to not meddle in the election." There was some cross talk in the room at the time. Trump, without looking at Putin, responded, "Of course I will. Don't meddle in the election, president. Don't meddle in the election."

Trump's tone and delivery were immediately called out. The AP ran a headline, "Trump Jokes to Putin: Don't Meddle in the Election."

The report said his tone was "open to interpretation but would seem to do little to silence questions about Trump's relationship with Russia in the aftermath of special counsel Robert Mueller's conclusion that his campaign did not collude with Russia in 2016."

Trump's supporters will likely say the reporter's question was awkward and the serious discussion should not play out in the public eye. Trump's critics will likely conclude that he refuses to see the seriousness of defending U.S. elections from a foreign government, hence his offhanded response.

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

TRUMP HITS G20 READY TO MEET RUSSIA'S PUTIN AND CHINA'S XI JINPING

Friday’s meeting is the first between the two leaders since the Mueller Report documented the extensive ways in which Russia sought to influence the 2016 election.  The Mueller report did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump associates and the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the election. Putin has denied that Russia meddled in the American election to help Trump win.

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The two are in Osaka for the summit. Before the meeting, Trump said he expected a "very good conversation" but told reporters "what I say to him is none of your business."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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2019-06-28 07:48:41Z
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Trump tells Putin not to 'meddle in the election,' his tone was criticized - Fox News

President Trump met face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Japan and told his counterpart not to "meddle" in the 2020 elections when pressed by a reporter, but his delivery faced immediate criticism as being aloof.

Trump, who was seated next to Putin, was asked by a reporter if he would tell "the Russian president to not meddle in the election." There was some cross talk in the room at the time. Trump, without looking at Putin, responded, "Of course I will. Don't meddle in the election, president. Don't meddle in the election."

Trump's tone and delivery were immediately called out. The AP ran a headline, "Trump Jokes to Putin: Don't Meddle in the Election."

The report said his tone was "open to interpretation but would seem to do little to silence questions about Trump's relationship with Russia in the aftermath of special counsel Robert Mueller's conclusion that his campaign did not collude with Russia in 2016."

Trump's supporters will likely say the reporter's question was awkward and the serious discussion should not play out in the public eye. Trump's critics will likely conclude that he refuses to see the seriousness of defending U.S. elections from a foreign government, hence his offhanded response.

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

TRUMP HITS G20 READY TO MEET RUSSIA'S PUTIN AND CHINA'S XI JINPING

Friday’s meeting is the first between the two leaders since the Mueller Report documented the extensive ways in which Russia sought to influence the 2016 election.  The Mueller report did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump associates and the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the election. Putin has denied that Russia meddled in the American election to help Trump win.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The two are in Osaka for the summit. Before the meeting, Trump said he expected a "very good conversation" but told reporters "what I say to him is none of your business."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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2019-06-28 07:35:06Z
52780321526283

Trump tells Putin not to 'meddle in the election,' his tone was criticized - Fox News

President Trump met face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 Summit in Japan and told his counterpart not to "meddle" in the 2020 elections when pressed by a reporter, but his delivery faced immediate criticism as being aloof.

Trump, who was seated next to Putin, was asked by a reporter if he would tell "the Russian president to not meddle in the election." There was some cross talk in the room at the time. Trump, without looking at Putin, responded, "Of course I will. Don't meddle in the election, president. Don't meddle in the election."

Trump's tone and delivery were immediately called out. The AP ran a headline, "Trump Jokes to Putin: Don't Meddle in the Election."

The report said his tone was "open to interpretation but would seem to do little to silence questions about Trump's relationship with Russia in the aftermath of special counsel Robert Mueller's conclusion that his campaign did not collude with Russia in 2016."

Trump's supporters will likely say the reporter's question was awkward and the serious discussion should not play out in the public eye. Trump's critics will likely conclude that he refuses to see the seriousness of defending U.S. elections from a foreign government, hence his offhanded response.

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, Friday, June 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

TRUMP HITS G20 READY TO MEET RUSSIA'S PUTIN AND CHINA'S XI JINPING

Friday’s meeting is the first between the two leaders since the Mueller Report documented the extensive ways in which Russia sought to influence the 2016 election.  The Mueller report did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump associates and the Kremlin to sway the outcome of the election. Putin has denied that Russia meddled in the American election to help Trump win.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The two are in Osaka for the summit. Before the meeting, Trump said he expected a "very good conversation" but told reporters "what I say to him is none of your business."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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2019-06-28 06:54:14Z
52780321526283

G20 Summit Live Updates: World Leaders Gather in Osaka - The New York Times

Here’s what you need to know:

• The agenda includes trade, women and climate change.
• President Trump will talk with Presidents Putin and Xi.
• Osaka, Japan, is the host this year.
• Mr. Xi is likely to try to work around Mr. Trump.

Image

President Trump descending from Air Force One on Thursday, the evening before the start of the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan.CreditErin Schaff/The New York Times

The agenda includes trade, women and climate change.

During the two-day gathering of leaders from the Group of 20, the meeting’s official themes will include global economic risks, trade disputes, job growth and investment, innovation and artificial intelligence, and women in the workplace.

Several countries are also hoping to emphasize collective action against climate change, which could become a point of contention. Japan is emphasizing the problem of plastic litter in the world’s oceans and seas, and President Emmanuel Macron of France, in a direct challenge to President Trump, has threatened not to sign any official joint statement out of the meeting that does not include an affirmation of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

But Mr. Trump has called climate change a hoax, disputed its causes and vowed to withdraw the United States from the agreement.

In the hours before and after leaving for the summit, Mr. Trump lashed out at three nations whose leaders are attending — Germany, India and the host, Japan. He is scheduled to meet with those countries’ leaders on Friday.

The Group of 20, which is meeting in Osaka, Japan, this year, is an organization of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union. In addition to the United States and the bloc, its members include China, Japan, Germany, France, India, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Britain, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Russia, South Africa, Indonesia, Argentina and Australia.

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Police and security officers guarding the area outside the G20 venue.CreditCarl Court/Getty Images

President Trump will talk with Presidents Putin and Xi.

On the sidelines of the summit meeting, Mr. Trump is expected to meet several leaders. But all eyes will be on two of his conversations, in particular — with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, on Friday, and President Xi Jinping of China, on Saturday.

Mr. Trump has expressed the hope of refreshing relations with Mr. Putin. When the two meet, it will be the first time since the release of the report by the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, on Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election in the United States.

The presidents had planned to meet last year, but Mr. Trump called their meeting off at the last minute, citing Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian ships and detention of two dozen Ukrainian sailors, who remain in Russian custody. At Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin’s last formal session, in Helsinki, Finland, last year, Mr. Trump drew criticism and scorn for giving Mr. Putin’s denial of election interference equal weight to the contrary conclusion of American intelligence agencies.

Hanging over Mr. Trump’s meeting with Mr. Xi is the bitter trade standoff between the two countries; efforts to reach a deal fell apart this year. Economic, trade and security disputes have led to mutual tariffs that have put world markets on edge.

Mr. Trump is expected to meet with at least nine leaders directly. On Friday, he has scheduled talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Mr. Putin and President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil. On Saturday, he is to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Xi and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

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Mr. Trump is expected to meet with at least nine world leaders at the summit meeting.CreditErin Schaff/The New York Times

Osaka, Japan, is the host this year.

With so many world leaders in town, Osaka is going through the intensive security drill experienced by past hosts. According to Japanese news reports, 32,000 police officers will be guarding the city, where many streets will be closed and trash cans have been sealed to keep bombs from being placed. Even the city’s red-light district will be hanging discreet curtains and curbing illicit activities.

Japanese officials are campaigning this year to reduce the amount of plastic waste that flows into the oceans. Japan’s own record is mixed. Although it has been praised for improvements in trash collection and recycling, it is also a huge driver of plastic use, and the world’s second-largest generator of plastic waste per capita.

At a Group of 7 meeting last year, Japan and the United States did not sign on to a charter aimed at reducing marine waste. Japan and many Western nations also export their trash to poorer countries that may not have sophisticated recycling systems, resulting in more plastic waste that ends up in the sea.

A group of environmental ministers met this month in Japan and agreed on a set of voluntary measures to study the problem and clean up litter, which can destroy ecosystems, interfere with shipping navigation and clog beaches. Critics have said those measures do not go far enough.

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, left, and President Xi Jinping of China during a meeting on Thursday.CreditPool photo by Kimimasa Mayama

Mr. Xi is likely to try to work around Mr. Trump.

By the time Mr. Xi meets Mr. Trump on Saturday, he will already have met with the leaders of Russia, India, Japan and several other nations — a choreography devised by the Chinese to portray Mr. Xi as a man of the world with enough friends to offset the animosity of the United States.

Beyond that posturing, the meeting between the two men is unlikely to do much other than offer a pause in the trade conflict between China and the United States. Mr. Trump played down the importance of securing a trade deal with China this week and threatened to impose new tariffs, suggesting there is little chance of a resolution soon to the trade war, which has bruised both nations’ economies.

The Trump administration recently blacklisted several Chinese entities, restricting their access to American technology. Most prominently, the United States banned the sale of American technology to the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, and American officials have tried to convince allies in Europe that the company is a security threat.

Chinese and Western analysts expect Mr. Xi to try to maneuver past any rough talk by Mr. Trump on trade, seeking to avoid provocation and, ultimately, to string out trade negotiations until the 2020 presidential elections in the United States have been completed.

Reporting was contributed by Michael Crowley and Motoko Rich from Osaka, Japan, and by Jane Perlez from Beijing.

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2019-06-27 21:25:18Z
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China wants a 'balanced' trade deal at summit, but the US isn't interested - CNBC

One of the key issues that will be discussed between U.S. and China officials at this week's G-20 summit in Japan is getting a balanced deal.

China believes any new agreement will need to be evenhanded, while U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told his Chinese counterparts that balance won't happen, according to CNBC's Kayla Tausche, citing a person with knowledge of the White House position.

The reason why the U.S. will not prioritize balance is because of China's past trade transgressions. Among other things, China has been accused of stealing U.S. technology.

President Donald Trump has targeted China for tariffs as he seeks level ground and to reduce the deficit the U.S. has consistently run in trade between the two sides. The deficit in 2018 stood at $419.5 billion and was already at $106.9 billion through the first four months of 2019, according to Census Bureau data.

Trump said Wednesday he would like to see a deal but is content with where things are now. "They want a deal more than I do," he told Fox Business Network.

The U.S. has levied 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods and has threatened to put additional duties on the remaining $300 billion of imports.

Chinese officials have hopes that they can get some of their issues resolved since Trump has tightened the clamps on the trade issue. Among their priorities will be a lifting of the ban on the sale of U.S. technology to Huawei Technologies and to get all current tariffs dropped, CNBC has confirmed.

Trump is being joined in Osaka by multiple members of his trade team, including Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and economic advisor Peter Navarro, who has pushed for an aggressive posture with China, Tausche reported, adding that the key deputies have reached out to their Chinese counterparts.

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2019-06-27 15:11:33Z
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Angela Merkel seen shaking at event in Berlin, second time in just over a week - Fox News

Angela Merkel seen shaking at event in Berlin

For the second time in a week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared unsteady and shaking. The most recent instance occurred during a ceremony with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

For the second time in just over a week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared unsteady and began visibly shaking at a public event in Berlin on Thursday, rekindling concerns about her health.

Merkel was standing alongside President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a ceremony in Berlin where Germany's new justice minister was being formally appointed when she was seen trembling as she folded her arms across her chest.

The 64-year-old chancellor was handed a glass of water but rejected it

ANGELA MERKEL SEEN VISIBLY SHAKING WHILE STANDING NEXT TO UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT; BLAMES DEHYDRATION

About a half hour later, when she arrived in parliament, Merkel appeared to be fine, according to Sky News. She then set off a few hours later to Japan for the annual summit of the Group of 20 global powers.

Angela Merkel was seen shaking at a public event for the second time in less than two weeks as she stood alongside President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at a ceremony in Berlin. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP)

A spokesman for the German leader, Steffen Seibert, dismissed any concerns over her health, telling news agency dpa that "everything is going ahead as planned. The chancellor is fine."

Germany is currently experiencing a record-breaking heatwave that has engulfed much of Europe. German weather agency Deutscher Wetterdienst said Wednesday a preliminary reading showed it reached 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit in Coschen, Germany, near the Polish border. The new record is a tenth-of-a-degree higher than the previous national record for June, set in 1947 in southwestern Germany.

Angela Merkel was seen shaking at a public event for the second time in less than two weeks. A spokesman on Wednesday dismissed any concerns over her health, saying "the chancellor is fine." (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP)

It is not publicly known if Merkel, who has led Germany since 2005, has any health problems as German privacy laws are very strict on that type of information.

But the incident came after Merkel's whole body was seen shaking last Tuesday as she stood outside in hot weather at an event in Berlin. The German leader, who is set to step down in 2021, then pursed her lips as she tried to remain steady as she stood next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Merkel dismissed concerns at the time, saying it was just dehydration and she felt fine after drinking three glasses of water that she "obviously needed."

ANGELA MERKEL ADMITS ANTI-SEMITISM IS A PROBLEM IN GERMANY, COUNTRY NEEDS TO FACE 'SPECTERS OF THE PAST'

This was not the first time Merkel has been seen shaking under similar circumstances in the hot sun, according to the dpa news agency. It did not give a date for that incident but said it was also ascribed to Merkel not drinking enough water.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, trembles strong as she and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, left, attend the national anthems as part of a military welcome ceremony in Berlin, Germany. AP Photo/Michael Sohn (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

The chancellor has a reputation for stamina garnered in years of late-night domestic and European negotiating marathons.

On Wednesday, she was on her feet in public for around two hours for events that included answering lawmakers' questions in parliament before giving a speech across town. During that period there was no sign then of any health issues, according to the Associated Press.

Merkel has rarely had to cut back her work schedule significantly — though she did so for a few weeks in 2014 when she cracked her pelvis while cross-country skiing in Switzerland during a winter vacation.

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Last year, Merkel said she won't seek a fifth term as chancellor and won't seek any other political job after her current term ends in 2021.

She gave up the leadership of her center-right party after a pair of poor state election performances that followed a rocky start to her fourth-term government. She has shown no sign since of wanting to give up the chancellorship before her term is up.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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2019-06-27 13:55:16Z
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