3 confirmed dead in Rio de Janeiro building collapseJanuary 26, 2012 - 18:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Three people were confirmed dead and 16 were still missing early Thursday, January 26 after three office buildings, one of them 20 stories high, collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro, authorities said. Officials in Brazil's second largest city said the three bodies were retrieved as rescue teams with search dogs and heavy clearing equipment sifted through the rubble. Rio state security officials said six people were hurt, including a woman who sustained head injuries and required surgery. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and described scenes reminiscent of September 11, 2001, with walls of dust and debris, AFP reported. The collapse, apparently caused by structural problems, occurred late Wednesday as Brazil races to prepare to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, events which it hopes will highlight the country's emerging economic and political prowess. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |