3 Arrested over Italian Cable Car Disaster

Rescuers work by the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, May 23, 2021. Italian Vigili del Fuoco Firefighters via AP
Rescuers work by the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, May 23, 2021. Italian Vigili del Fuoco Firefighters via AP
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3 Arrested over Italian Cable Car Disaster

Rescuers work by the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, May 23, 2021. Italian Vigili del Fuoco Firefighters via AP
Rescuers work by the wreckage of a cable car after it collapsed near the summit of the Stresa-Mottarone line in the Piedmont region, northern Italy, May 23, 2021. Italian Vigili del Fuoco Firefighters via AP

Three people were arrested early on Wednesday in an investigation into a cable car disaster in northern Italy that killed 14 people, including two children, Italian media reported, citing prosecutors.

On Sunday the gondola on a cable way connecting the town of Stresa, on the shore of Lake Maggiore, to the nearby Mottarone mountain, plunged to the ground, killing all aboard apart from a five-year-old Israeli boy.

The investigation showed a clamp, placed on the brake as a patchwork repair effort, prevented the brake from engaging after the lead cable snapped.

Carabinieri Lt. Col. Alberto Cicognani told RAI state television on Wednesday that the three people admitted to their involvement during questioning overnight, the LaPresse and ANSA news agencies reported.

He said the fork-shaped clamp was placed on the brake as a temporary fix to prevent further interruptions in the funicular service.



Biden Announces Surge in Ukraine Military Aid

US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024).  EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024). EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
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Biden Announces Surge in Ukraine Military Aid

US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024).  EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI
US President Joe Biden speaks at the 'Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction' meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024 (issued 26 September 2024). EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," Biden said in a statement.

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US fiscal year on Monday.

Another $2.4 billion was pledged via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield, as the munitions need to be procured from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from US stockpiles.

Biden also announced Washington would provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition, "to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities."

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," Biden said in a statement.

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US fiscal year on Monday.

Another $2.4 billion was pledged via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield, as the munitions need to be procured from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from US stockpiles.

Biden also announced Washington would provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition, "to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities."

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a "surge" in assistance to Ukraine, including nearly $8 billion in military aid and new long-range munitions, ahead of a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Today, I am announcing a surge in security assistance for Ukraine and a series of additional actions to help Ukraine win this war," Biden said in a statement.

However, the statement did not mention Kyiv's hoped-for permission to launch US-made long-range missiles into Russia -- which Zelensky has been pushing hard for, and which Biden has so far refused.

Russia has strongly warned against such a step, and President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced plans to broaden Moscow's rules on the use of its nuclear weaponry, allowing it to unleash a nuclear response in the event of a "massive" air attack.

The Kremlin said the updated doctrine should be seen as a warning to the West.

Kyiv has relied on the United States as its main military backer, and Zelensky said his country would use the new assistance in the "most effective and transparent way possible to achieve our main common goal: a victorious Ukraine, a just and lasting peace, and transatlantic security."

But the white-knuckle US vote on November 5, pitting Biden's Vice President Kamala Harris against firebrand Trump, means that support may now hang in the balance.

Biden will host Zelensky in the Oval Office at 1:45 pm local time (1745 GMT), the White House said.

Biden pledged nearly $8 billion in military aid, including $5.5 billion to be authorized before it expires at the end of the US fiscal year on Monday.

Another $2.4 billion was pledged via the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), meaning it will not immediately arrive on the battlefield, as the munitions need to be procured from the defense industry or partners, rather than drawn from US stockpiles.

Biden also announced Washington would provide Ukraine with the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) long-range munition, "to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities."

The United States has provided around $175 billion in both military and economic assistance to Ukraine during the war, despite frequent opposition from Republicans.