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Tragic Airliner Crash in Brazil Claims 62 Lives

A tragic airliner crash in Brazil has claimed the lives of 62 individuals, leaving families and communities in mourning. Discover the details of this heartbreaking incident and its impact on aviation safety.

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Tragic Airliner Crash in Brazil Leaves 62 Victims

Tragic Airliner Crash in Brazil Leaves 62 Victims

Families of the victims from a devastating airliner crash in Brazil have gathered at a local morgue, collaborating with forensic experts to identify the remains of the 62 individuals who tragically lost their lives in the incident. Local authorities confirmed that the bodies of the pilot, Danilo Santos Romano, and co-pilot Humberto de Campos Alencar e Silva, were the first to be positively identified by the forensic team.

The government of São Paulo state announced on Saturday evening that all victims’ remains had been recovered from the wreckage. Among the deceased were 34 males and 28 females, highlighting the diverse group affected by this tragedy.

The ill-fated aircraft, an ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop operated by Brazilian airline Voepass, was en route to Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo. It had 58 passengers and four crew members on board when it crashed on Friday in Vinhedo, located approximately 78 kilometers north of the bustling metropolis. Notably, a three-year-old girl, Liz Ibba dos Santos, was the sole child listed among the passengers, traveling alongside her father. Additionally, the remains of Luna, a dog belonging to a Venezuelan family, were also discovered in the wreckage.

The São Paulo morgue began receiving the victims’ bodies on Friday evening and requested that relatives provide medical records, including X-rays and dental information, to aid in the identification process. Blood tests were also conducted to assist with identifying the victims more accurately.

Witnesses captured harrowing images of the aircraft during its final moments, showing it engaged in a flat spin and descending vertically before crashing into a residential area, leaving behind a devastated fuselage engulfed in flames. Fortunately, residents reported that there were no injuries on the ground.

Tragic Airliner Crash in Brazil Claims 62 Lives

The meteorological company Metsul, one of Brazil’s most reputable weather services, indicated that there were reports of severe icing conditions in São Paulo state around the time of the crash. Local media cited experts speculating that icing could potentially have been a contributing factor to the accident.

Access to the main entrance of the São Paulo morgue has been restricted by police, where families of the victims were present to identify their loved ones. Some relatives arrived on foot, while others traveled in minivans. Out of respect for their grief, authorities requested that the families not be filmed as they made their way to the morgue.

Brazilian aviation expert Lito Sousa warned that analyzing the crash solely based on images could lead to erroneous conclusions about its causes. He explained, “Evaluating an air crash from just visuals may result in misunderstandings regarding the circumstances.” He further noted that the plane appeared to have lost stability and horizontal speed, stating, “In this flat spin condition, reclaiming control of the aircraft is virtually impossible.”

On Saturday, Brazil’s air force confirmed that both of the aircraft’s flight recorders had been retrieved and sent to their analysis laboratory in the capital, Brasília. The findings from this investigation are expected to be released within 30 days.

Marcelo Moura, the director of operations for Voepass, addressed reporters on Friday night, acknowledging that while there were forecasts of icing, the conditions were within acceptable thresholds for the aircraft type. Earlier, the Brazilian air force’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents stated that the pilots did not issue any distress calls nor indicated that they were experiencing adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash.

The ATR 72, manufactured by a joint venture between Airbus in France and Leonardo S.p.A. in Italy, is commonly utilized for shorter flights. Historically, various models of the ATR 72 have been linked to approximately 470 fatalities dating back to the 1990s, as recorded in the Aviation Safety Network database.

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Dominique Pelicot Testifies in Harrowing Rape Trial

Join us as Dominique Pelicot courageously testifies in a harrowing rape trial, shedding light on the complexities of trauma and justice. Her powerful story raises crucial questions about the legal system and the importance of support for survivors.

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Dominique Pelicot Takes the Stand in Shocking Rape Trial

In a courtroom drama that has captivated France and garnered international attention, Dominique Pelicot, the man at the center of a harrowing rape trial, finally addressed the court. With tears streaming down his face, he recounted how his wife had been instrumental in helping him cope with a tumultuous past marked by trauma. He revealed that he had endured a sexual assault at the tender age of nine while hospitalized, and he also witnessed a gang rape during his teenage years while working as an apprentice electrician on a construction site.

“She didn’t deserve this, I acknowledge that,” Mr. Pelicot stated, his voice barely audible as he struggled to convey his emotions. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and the courtroom fell silent, straining to catch his every word.

Now 71 years old, Mr. Pelicot faces serious allegations of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, whom he has been married to for half a century, over a span of nearly ten years. Prosecutors contend that he used drugs to render her comatose, allowing him to rape her repeatedly. Furthermore, authorities allege that he went so far as to invite numerous men into their home, facilitating a nightmarish scenario where they, too, engaged in the assault of his wife.

Overall, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are on trial concurrently, primarily facing charges related to the aggravated rape of Ms. Pelicot. Among them, one individual has already pleaded guilty to similar crimes, admitting to drugging his own wife to assault her and inviting Mr. Pelicot to partake in the horrific act while she was incapacitated.

Mr. Pelicot’s unexpected testimony came after a tumultuous start to the trial. Just a week in, he was stricken with severe health issues that forced him to miss four consecutive days in court. The head judge ultimately decided to postpone proceedings, as Mr. Pelicot was diagnosed with kidney stones, a kidney infection, and prostate complications, adding yet another layer of complexity to this already harrowing case.

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Meta Bans Russian State Media Outlets from Social Media Platforms

Explore the implications of Meta’s decision to ban Russian state media outlets from its social media platforms. Understand the impact on information dissemination and the ongoing battle against misinformation in the digital landscape.

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Meta Imposes Global Ban on Russian State Media Outlets

In a significant move, Meta Platforms, Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has announced the prohibition of Russian state media outlets, including RT (Russia Today) and Rossiya Segodnya, from all its social media platforms. The decision stems from the company’s concerns regarding the deceptive strategies employed by these media organizations to execute covert influence operations across the internet.

Meta made this announcement on Monday, emphasizing that the ban will be enforced worldwide across its various platforms, such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. The rollout of this ban is expected to take place over the coming days.

Statement from Meta

A spokesperson for Meta elaborated on the decision, stating, “After careful consideration, we have expanded our ongoing enforcement actions against Russian state media outlets. As a result, Rossiya Segodnya, RT, and other affiliated entities are now banned from our applications globally due to their involvement in foreign interference activities.”

For further insights into this development, watch the video in the player above.

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Trump Recalls Alleged Assassination Attempt While Golfing

Explore Donald Trump’s chilling recollection of an alleged assassination attempt he experienced while enjoying a round of golf. Delve into the tense moments and his reflections on safety, fame, and the unpredictability of public life.

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In a recent interview on the social media platform X, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump recounted a harrowing incident he claims to have experienced while playing golf. Trump described how, during a peaceful Sunday morning round with friends, the tranquility of the day was abruptly shattered by the sound of gunfire in the air.

“It was a beautiful day, everything was just perfect,” Trump reflected. “Then all of a sudden, we heard shots being fired—probably around four or five in total.” He went on to explain that a Secret Service agent was the first to spot the suspect, who was allegedly armed with an AK-47, a powerful assault rifle.

“The agent saw the barrel of the weapon and immediately took action, returning fire at the barrel and aiming in the direction of the bushes,” Trump detailed. “I would have loved to have sunk that last putt, but we decided it was best to leave the scene promptly.”

Trump expressed his gratitude towards the agents and a vigilant civilian who aided in tracking down the suspect, who was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase.

Suspect Faces Multiple Federal Gun Charges

The FBI has identified the suspect as Ryan Wesley Routh, accusing him of targeting Trump during his time at the golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. According to an FBI report, Routh had allegedly hidden among the hedges of the golf course for an astonishing 12 hours. Authorities discovered an SKS-style assault rifle, a GoPro camera, and a bag of food at the scene.

The 58-year-old Routh is now facing two serious federal gun charges. If convicted on both counts, he could face a combined maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Notably, neither of the charges is directly related to an assassination attempt. The first charge pertains to possessing a firearm despite a prior felony conviction, which carries a potential 15-year sentence, a fine of $250,000 (€225,000), and three years of supervised release.

The second charge involves possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, which could result in a five-year prison term, the same financial penalties, and also three years of supervised release. As the investigation continues, additional charges could be forthcoming.

While the motive behind Routh’s actions remains unclear, his digital footprint reveals strong political affiliations, particularly concerning issues surrounding Ukraine and China. Routh consistently expressed support for Ukraine across various social media platforms, even claiming to have orchestrated a recruitment scheme for international volunteers aiming to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion. This behavior has been denounced by Ukrainian soldiers and members of the International Legion, who disavowed Routh’s actions and motives.

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