Connect with us

Published

on

US vice president Kamala Harris was involved in a car accident that was initially reported to Secret Service chiefs as a “mechanical failure” – though the vehicle hit a kerb and she was transferred to another car.

The agent driving her on Monday to work at the White House struck the side pavement of a tunnel hard enough that the tyre needed to be replaced, The Washington Post reported.

Secret Service director Kim Cheatle was said to have expressed concerns that the incident had been initially described as a mechanical failure, and was then relieved to get the fuller account, according to the newspaper report.

“During a protective movement Monday, a vehicle in a motorcade had a minor overcorrection and struck a kerb,” agency spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said.

“The protectee [Harris] was transferred to a secondary vehicle and the motorcade continued to its destination. There were no injuries to anyone.”

He added that although the incident was initially reported as a mechanical failure, later “leadership was verbally updated with additional pertinent facts that the vehicle struck a kerb”.

Ms Harris’s press secretary, Kirsten Allen, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying: “The vice president sustained no injuries and appreciates the quick response by her USSS detail to get her to the White House safely.”

More on Kamala Harris

Stopped motorcade ‘a big no-go’

A source familiar with the incident told NBC News Ms Harris was headed to work at the White House in her motorcade when the vehicle she was riding in clipped a high kerb with its back wheel and was disabled.

The source said that a stopped motorcade is considered a situation of concern – “a big no-no for us” – and that Ms Harris was quickly transferred to the replacement vehicle.

Her previous vehicle had been traveling at an estimated 50mph on city streets, the source said.

When the motorcade arrived at the White House, she was examined by medical staff to ensure she had no injuries, the source added.

Mr Guglielmi told NBC News there would be no disciplinary action.

“We are proud of the detail. How they handled this was exactly as they should,” he said.

Continue Reading

US

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

Published

on

By

US and EU agree trade deal, says Donald Trump

The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.

The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.

Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.

The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.

He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.

Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.

He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.

More from World

For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.

Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.

In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.

Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.

Follow the World
Follow the World

Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday

Tap to follow

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

US

Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket – with six in critical condition

Published

on

By

Michigan: 11 people stabbed in US supermarket - with six in critical condition

At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.

Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.

Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.

The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.

“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”

Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.

More from US

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”

A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.

“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.

Pic: AP
Image:
Pic: AP

At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.

Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.

Continue Reading

US

Plane plunges 300ft in 36 seconds to avoid another aircraft

Published

on

By

Plane plunges 300ft in 36 seconds to avoid another aircraft

A US passenger plane made a dramatic plunge minutes after take-off to dodge another aircraft – injuring two cabin crew and causing passengers to shoot out of their seats.

The Southwest flight had just taken off from Burbank in California when the pilot received an alert about a nearby plane.

Data from FlightAware shows the aircraft dropped by 91m (300ft) in just 36 seconds. Those on board said they felt panicked, and some feared the plane was about to crash.

Comedian Jimmy Dore posted on X: “Pilot had to dive aggressively to avoid mid-air collision … myself and plenty of people flew out of their seats and bumped heads on ceiling, a flight attendant needed medical attention.”

Stef Zambrano saw a woman who wasn’t wearing her seatbelt thrown out of her seat, who then said: “I want to get off this plane. I want to be on the ground.”

Another passenger, Steve Ulasewicz, told NBC Los Angeles that it felt like the plane was in freefall for 10 seconds.

“People were screaming. You know, it was pandemonium. People thought the plane was going down,” he added.

More from US

The aircraft was able to continue to its destination of Las Vegas, where it safely landed without any further incident.

It is believed the Boeing 737 was in the same vicinity as a Hawker Hunter Mk. 58, a British fighter jet.

Southwest is now working with the Federal Aviation Administration “to further understand the circumstances” of the event.

Read more US news:
Trump issues warning as he arrives in Scotland
US justice department interviews Ghislaine Maxwell

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

January: Footage of Washington plane crash

This is the second time in a week that a passenger plane has had to make abrupt flight manoeuvres to avoid a potential mid-air collision.

Concerns have been raised about aviation safety in the US following a series of recent incidents.

In January, a mid-air collision in Washington DC killed 67 people.

Continue Reading

Trending