News

Pilot in NYC crash called ‘mayday,’ cited engine failure

NEW YORK (AP) — A pilot who survived when his helicopter went down in Manhattan’s East River, killing five passengers, said in an emergency radio transmission that he had engine failure.

The pilot is heard saying “Mayday, mayday, mayday” during the crash on Sunday night. The pilot reported “an engine failure over the East River” and referenced a hotel, while the person at the other end of the transmission had trouble making out what the pilot was saying.

Plane carrying 71 people crashes, catches fire in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A plane carrying 71 people from Bangladesh swerved erratically and flew dangerously low before crashing and erupting in flames as it landed Monday in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, killing at least 50 people, officials and witnesses said.

US officials: North Korea will face no more conditions for talks

Trump administration officials say there will be no more conditions imposed on North Korea before a first-ever meeting of the two nation’s leaders beyond the North’s promise not to resume nuclear testing and missile flights or publicly criticize U.S.-South Korean military exercises.

The officials’ comments Sunday followed the surprise announcement last week that President Donald Trump has agreed to meet the North’s Kim Jong Un by May.

Chad, a counterterror ally, still smarting over travel ban

N’DJAMENA, Chad (AP) — The United States came to central African nation of Chad on Monday seeking to strengthen a key counterterrorism partnership with a country that still can’t figure out why the Trump administration seems adamant about keeping its citizens out of the U.S.

Chadian President Idriss Deby had hoped the visit by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson would present an opportunity to put the bitter episode between the two countries behind them.

Kim, Trump summit preceded by other landmark meets

By stunning the world after seven decades of war and enmity, the projected face-to-face rendezvous between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would immediately take its place in the historic pantheon of electrifying summits between sworn foes.

From World War Two’s Yalta gathering through U.S.-Soviet summits in the Cold War, President Nixon’s trip to Chairman Mao’s China and various attempts to forge peace among Israeli, Egyptian and Palestinian leaders, the art of the summit has long been a rare and rarified moment where the world stops agape.

‘Pharma Bro’ lawyer sometimes wants to punch him in face

NEW YORK (AP) — “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli’s lawyer said he sometimes wants to hug his client and sometimes wants to punch him in the face, but he told a federal judge at his sentencing hearing Friday that his outspokenness shouldn’t be held against him.

Attorney Benjamin Brafman wants U.S. District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto to sentence the former pharmaceutical company CEO known for trolling critics on the internet to 18 months in prison. He was convicted of securities fraud last year for defrauding investors in two failed hedge funds.

Aid delivered to Syria’s Ghouta amid renewed violence

BEIRUT (AP) — An aid convoy crossed into the embattled rebelheld suburbs of Damascus Friday, delivering desperately needed aid despite heavy fighting that broke out “extremely close” to the convoy and renewed airstrikes by the Syrian government.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said the close-range fighting came despite security guarantees from the parties involved in the conflict that humanitarian aid could enter the town of Douma, in eastern Ghouta.

US stocks climb on strong jobs report; inflation fears ease

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising sharply Friday following strong jobs figures, while investor concerns about inflation eased as wage growth slowed down slightly. Technology companies are climbing and banks are rising in tandem with interest rates. Industrial companies are rallying as well. Investors also digested President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and news that Trump plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Mayor of tough Berlin district among new German ministers

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s center-left Social Democrats announced Friday they’re nominating the mayor of one of Berlin’s toughest districts among six ministers the party will have in the country’s next government.

Franziska Giffey is considered a rising star within the party and will take charge of the Families Ministry — the first ministerial position held by Chancellor Angela Merkel from 1991 to 1994. Like Merkel, Giffey was born in the former East Germany.

DALLAS-BASED SOUTHWEST AIRLINES UNVEILS LOUISIANATHEMED JET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A giant pelican will soon be landing and taking off at airports in a salute to its namesake state.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines unveiled Louisiana One on Wednesday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The Boeing 737-700 is painted with an artist’s rendition of Louisiana’s flag.

Gov. John Bel Edwards says the plane is a tribute to the Pelican State and a flying ambassador.

In 1979, New Orleans became Southwest’s first destination served beyond its home state of Texas.