Vietnam Bridge Collapse Kills 60

Rare twister destroys some 200 houses

(AP) - A tornado tore through a city northeast of Japan's capital today, killing one person, injuring dozens of others, and destroying scores of houses. Firefighters and medical teams rushed to the area after the tornado struck Tsukuba city, 40 miles from Tokyo. The city is a science center, with dozens of research and academic institutes, but the tornado appeared to mostly hit residential areas. More»

Second-quarter output surpasses Asian rival

(NEWSER) - In an unprecedented feat for a still-developing country, China has become the world's second-largest economy after edging ahead of Japan. Second-quarter GDP figures show China's output at $1.339 trillion, well ahead of Japan's $1.288 trillion. Because China is already in the habit of outperforming Japan in the later months of the year, an edge in the second quarter is a strong sign Beijing will finish 2010 ahead of Tokyo. More»

(NEWSER) - A 7.2-magnitude earthquake jolted northern Japan today, killing at least 6 people and injuring more than 140 others, the AP reports. Landslides trapped another 100 bathers at a hot springs resort, but no tsunami warning was issued. At a nuclear power plant, 5 gallons of radioactive water splashed from two pools storing spent fuel, but officials said there was no leakage outside the plant. More»

Victims eligible for $400K apiece

(NEWSER) - Minnesota will establish two funds totaling $38 million to compensate victims of the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people last summer, the Star Tribune reports. One pool allows victims up to $400,000 each; the other provides those "extraordinarily impacted" by the collapse with extra funds for medical bills and other needs. In exchange, victims will waive their right to sue the city or state. More»

Hoisted school bus part of tragedy that could have been worse

(NEWSER) - Divers recovered more human remains from the Mississippi River bridge site today after being kept out of the water in a thunderstorm last night, CNN reports. The divers fought dangerous river currents to bring up the remains, which were not identified on the scene. Five people are still missing in the collapse, which has injured 100 and taken 8 lives so far. More»