French TGV Train Derailed, 10 Killed

Rescuers work at the scene where a high-speed TGV train coach and engine carriage lie in a canal in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg, northeastern France, after derailing on November 14, 2015

A French high speed train carrying technicians derailed near Strasbourg, northeastern France during a test run on November 14, 2015, less than a day after the Paris attacks that killed at least 128 people – please click here.

The train ended up under a bridge in the water of a roughly 40-metre (130-foot) wide canal. killing at least 10 people.

37 people were injured, 12 of them in critical condition while 5 others are missing.

This is the first fatal accident since 1981 when the TGV (“train grande vitesse” or high-speed train) went into service in France.

AFP reported that, the train was running at around 350 kph (217 mph) on a high-speed line as part of testing for the next generation of TGV due to go into service in spring 2016, a source close to the inquiry said.

AFP also reported that Dominique-Nicolas Jane, a senior official in the Alsace region said that the accident happened “because of excessive speed” at Eckwersheim in eastern France as technicians were on board for testing.

However, police said the cause of the crash had not been determined.

Rescuers work at the scene where a high-speed TGV train coach and engine carriage lie in a canal in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg, northeastern France, after derailing on November 14, 2015

A high-speed train lies in a canal after derailing in Eckwersheim near Strasbourg, northeastern France, on November 14, 2015

Rescuers work at a canal in Eckwersheim where a high-speed train has derailed on November 14, 2015 during a test run

AirAsia QZ8501: 40 Bodies Found

Distraught family members of passengers onboard the missing AirAsia flight. Source: AFP

(news,com.au) – DEBRIS and moer than 40 bodies from the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 have been found, authorities have confirmed.

Indonesian officials said that debris spotted earlier today is from the missing plane. The debris is about 10 kilometres from when it was last seen on radar.

Indonesia’s director general of civil aviation, Djoko Murjatmodjo, told AFP: “For the time being it can be confirmed that it’s the AirAsia plane and the transport minister will depart soon to Pangkalan Bun.”

Objects that have been found include an emergency door and a life jacket while a plane ‘shadow’ was spotted on the seabed.

An Indonesian warship has recovered more than 40 bodies from the sea in the search for the AirAsia jet, a navy spokesman told AFP.

Indonesia’s national search and rescue director SB Supriyadi told reporters that bodies had been brought to an Indonesian navy ship. He said they did not have life jackets on.

As relatives of the passengers were assembled in a room in Surabaya, they watched images of a floating body that had been broadcast on local TV.

Many screamed and wailed uncontrollably, breaking down into tears while they squeezed each other. One middle-aged man collapsed and was rushed from the room on a stretcher.

 

18 Killed in Banjarnegara Landslide

Saksi mata mengatakan longsor seperti ‘dinding lumpur’

A landslide triggered by torrential rain has killed at least 18 people and left 90 others missing in Dusun Jemblung, Desa Sampang, Kabupaten Banjarnegara, in central Java (Jawa Tengah), Indonesia.

AFP reported that the landslide swept down a hillside in the village, sparing only two houses.

The ground was still unstable and most rescue work was being carried out manually.

Only two houses remain standing while the others were swept away by the disaster.

A rescue team carry away a cow after a landslide at Jemblung village in Banjarnegara, central Java province, on December 13, 2014 (AFP Photo/Dida Nuswantara)

A rescue team searches for survivors and remove bodies after a landslide at Jemblung village in Banjarnegara, central Java province, on December 13, 2014 (AFP Photo/Dida Nuswantara)

Jalan yang longsor di Banjarnegara yang membuat 5 desa terisolasi (Liputan6.com/Idhad Zakaria)

Video: Malaysia Receives MH17 Black Boxes

Below is the video of the handling over of the two MH17 black boxes from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) to Malaysian team in Ukraine.

Please click here for the news.

Malaysia Received MH17 Black Boxes, Remains Left Torez For Kharkiv

A Malaysian investigator, left, takes a black box from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 as it is handed over by a Donetsk People’s Republic official in the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Bowing to international pressure Monday, pro-Moscow separatists released a train packed with bodies and handed over the black boxes from the downed Malaysia Airlines plane, four days after it plunged into rebel-held eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Five days after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was allegedly shot out of the sky, Malaysian government had succeeded to establish contact with those in charge of the MH17 crash site.

On July 22, 2014, Malaysian Prime Minister spoke to Alexander Borodai who is in command of the region where the tragedy occurred and established an agreement for Malaysia to recover the remains of the victims and the MH17 black boxes.

(Please click here for: “Prime Minister Najib Razak Statement on MH17 Agreement.”)

Malaysian officials received the two MH17 black boxes from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in Ukraine.

Members of the media take pictures as a pro-Russian separatist places black boxes belonging to Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 on a desk, before their handover to Malaysian representatives, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as senior Ukrainian separatist leader Aleksander Borodai handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

The black boxes, which record cockpit activity and flight data, were handed to Malaysian officials by the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Borodai, in front of journalists at the DPR government headquarters in Donetsk.

AFP reported Alexander Borodai as saying, “We will order a ceasefire in an area of 10 kilometres around” the site of the disaster, which killed all 298 people on board the plane.

The DPR leader Alexander Borodai thanked Malaysia and the Netherlands for sending teams here on Monday to resolve the MH17 matter:

“(Our) thanks to Malaysia and Netherlands for coming here without protection or help from Kiev (the Ukrainian government),” he said, according to a rough translation by a local – The Star.

The DPR and Malaysian officials later signed various documents at the handover ceremony .

A representative (seated L) from pro-Russian separatists and Colonel Mohamed Sakri (seated R) of the Malaysian National Security Council sign documents after the handing over of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17’s black boxes, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as Senior Ukrainian separatist leader Aleksander Borodai (back L, in blue blazer) handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

The Star reported that DPR produced a white sack containing the black boxes which were then inspected and accepted by the Malaysian officials.

A Malaysian expert (C) examines a black box belonging to Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 during its handover from pro-Russian separatists, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as Senior Ukrainian separatist leader Aleksander Borodai handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

Malaysian National Security Council’s Kol Mohd Shukri then thanked Alexander Borodai for handing the boxes back to Malaysia, saying:

“I would like to convey our sincere appreciation to Borodai for giving us the opportunity and entertaining our special request to hand over the two black boxes to Malaysia.” – The Star.

DPR had released the remains of the victims which had been taken by train to the city of Kharkiv accompanied by six Malaysian members of the recovery team.

The train is expected to arrive in Kharkiv on Tuesday where the remains will be handed over to representatives from the Netherlands and later to be flown to Amsterdam on board a Dutch C130 Hercules, together with the Malaysian team.

Following any necessary forensic work, the remains of Malaysian citizens will then be flown home to Malaysia.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Senior Ukrainian separatist leader Aleksander Borodai (C) speaks during a handover of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17’s black boxes to Colonel Mohamed Sakri (centre R, in red) of the Malaysian National Security Council, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as Borodai handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

Senior Ukrainian separatist leader Aleksander Borodai (C) speaks during a handover of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17’s black boxes to Colonel Mohamed Sakri (front, 2nd R) of the Malaysian National Security Council, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as Borodai handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

A pro-Russian separatist shows members of the media a black box belonging to Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, before its handover to Malaysian representatives, in Donetsk July 22, 2014. The remains of some of the 298 victims of the Malaysia Airlines plane downed over Ukraine were making their way to the Netherlands on Tuesday as Aleksander Borodai handed over the plane’s black boxes to Malaysian experts. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev

A Malaysian investigator, left, takes a black box from Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 as it is handed over by a Donetsk People’s Republic official in the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Bowing to international pressure Monday, pro-Moscow separatists released a train packed with bodies and handed over the black boxes from the downed Malaysia Airlines plane, four days after it plunged into rebel-held eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

A pro-Russian fighter places a black box from the crashed Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 on a table while handing it over from Donetsk People’s Republic officials to Malaysian representatives in the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine Tuesday, July 22, 2014. Bowing to international pressure Monday, pro-Moscow separatists released a train packed with bodies and handed over the black boxes from the downed Malaysia Airlines plane, four days after it plunged into rebel-held eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

In Photos: Typhoon Wipha Hits Japan, 17 killed

Typhoon Wipha strikes Japan’s pacific coast on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people while 50 others are still missing.

The typhoon caused flooding and mudslide that destroyed homes and other buildings.

Izu Oshima island, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Tokyo was hardest hit by the disaster.

Police and firefighters were having difficulty getting to some stricken areas.

Here are the photos of the disaster…

Fire fighters stand on rocks fallen from a cliff over a garage and a road in a residential area in Kamakura, southwest of Tokyo, after a powerful typhoon hit Japan’s metropolitan area Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, 2013. Typhoon Wipha triggered landslides and caused multiple deaths on a Japanese island off Tokyo, before sweeping up the country’s east coast, grounding hundreds of flights and paralyzing public transportation in Tokyo during Wednesday morning’s rush hour. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Several houses in a residential area in Oshima are covered by debris of mudslides after a powerful typhoon hit Izu Oshima island, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Tokyo Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, 2013. Typhoon Wipha has lashed Japan, leaving at least seven people dead on a Pacific island south of Tokyo as it cut across the capital region and headed north. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Rescue workers look for survivors as they stand on the rubble of a house buried by mudslides after a powerful typhoon hit Oshima on Izu Oshima island, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Tokyo Wednesday morning, Oct. 16, 2013. Typhoon Wipha has lashed Japan, leaving at least seven people dead on a Pacific island south of Tokyo as it cut across the capital region and headed north. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Firefighters search for missing people among collapsed houses following a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. A typhoon killed 17 people in Japan on Wednesday, most on an offshore island, but largely spared the capital and caused no new disaster as it brushed by the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power station, the plant’s operator said. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

Rocks are seen in a residential area following a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha in Kamakura, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Eight people were killed and over 30 missing, with nearly 20,000 people ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights cancelled as Typhoon Wipha pummelled the Tokyo region on Wednesday, leaving piles of wreckage on one small island but largely sparing the capital. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

Furniture and electrical appliances are scattered following a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha in Ibaraki, North of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Eight people were killed and over 30 missing, with nearly 20,000 people ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights cancelled as Typhoon Wipha pummelled the Tokyo region on Wednesday, leaving piles of wreckage on one small island but largely sparing the capital. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

Rescue workers recover the body of a victim from a site that was damaged by a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha in Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Eight people were killed and over 30 missing, with nearly 20,000 people ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights cancelled as Typhoon Wipha pummelled the Tokyo region on Wednesday, leaving piles of wreckage on one small island but largely sparing the capital. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

The body of a victim is carried away from a house that was damaged by a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha in Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Eight people were killed and over 30 missing, with nearly 20,000 people ordered to evacuate and hundreds of flights cancelled as Typhoon Wipha pummelled the Tokyo region on Wednesday, leaving piles of wreckage on one small island but largely sparing the capital. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

An aerial view shows collapsed houses following a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Four people were reported killed, schools closed, hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands were advised to evacuate as Typhoon Wipha pummelled Tokyo on Wednesday, although the Japanese capital escaped major damage. Mandatory Credit. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

An aerial view shows collapsed houses following a landslide caused by Typhoon Wipha on Izu Oshima island, south of Tokyo, in this photo taken by Kyodo October 16, 2013. Four people were reported killed, schools closed, hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands were advised to evacuate as Typhoon Wipha pummelled Tokyo on Wednesday, although the Japanese capital escaped major damage. Mandatory Credit. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

A man struggles against strong wind and rain caused by approaching Typhoon Wipha at a business district in Tokyo October 16, 2013. A once-in-a-decade typhoon threatened Japan on Tuesday, disrupting travel and shipping and forcing precautions to be taken at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant. (REUTERS/Toru Hanai)

People struggle against strong wind and rain as Typhoon Wipha churns past Tokyo on October 16, 2013

Parts of a house and an electric pole are crushed by large rocks in Kamakura, as Typhoon Wipha passed close to Tokyo on October 16, 2013

Graphic showing the path of Typhoon Wipha, which left at least 13 people dead in Japan on Wednesday

Fukushima Governor Yuhei Sato (3rd R) inspects contaminated water tanks at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant on October 15, 2013

A golf course is submerged under water at Matsudo as Typhoon Wipha churn past Tokyo on October 16, 2013

The Ugliest Animals

Blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus)

The blobfish, a denizen of the Pacific has been voted as the unofficial world’s ugliest animal.

The winner was announced at the British Science Festival in Newcastle.

The grumpy-looking, gelatinous blobfish has won a public vote which was organised by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.

As the winner, the blobfish is now the official mascot of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society.

Biologist and TV presenter Simon Watt, president of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society, said he hoped the campaign would draw attention to the threats facing these weird and wonderful creatures.

It is part of the campaign to raise awareness of unsightly species that play an important role in the ecological web.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Green Kakapo (Strigops habroptila)

Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophidae)

Probocis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

European Eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Pig Nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)

Dromedary jumping slug (Hemphillia dromedarius)