A bridge collapses in Washington; North Korea expresses its desire for peace; the C.I.A. shifts focus back to spying; an earthquake shakes eastern Russia; IRS director Lois Lerner placed on administrative leave; a photograph of the skyline of Pittsburgh was posted on Anthony Weiner’s campaign site; four tourists were rescued from an iceberg in Iceland, and the Boy Scouts of America vote to allow gay members. Meanwhile, A&E series ‘Intervention’ is cancelled, and Amanda Bynes is arrested.
Maura + Alexis
CRUCIAL:
Wash. I-5 Bridge Collapse Caused by Oversize Load, http://apne.ws/1afkcQS
At 7 p.m. on Thursday a bridge between Seattle and Canada unexpectedly collapsed. The blame was placed on a tractor-trailer carrying a tall load that must have hit a section of the top of the bridge sending it crashing down into the Skagit River. Two vehicles were sent into the water as a result of the collapse, but the three occupants incurred only minor injuries.
North Korea says will take ‘positive steps’ for peace, http://reut.rs/18mTmXK
A North Korean envoy told China’s president on Friday that his country desired to ensure peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. The United States has intervened, insisting that North Korea begin denuclearization before the dialogue between North Korea and China continues. China also encourages North Korea to return to the six party talks process, which is aimed at denuclearization.
C.I.A. to Focus More on Spying, a Difficult Shift, http://nyti.ms/10pjkYY
President Obama spoke at the National Defense University in Washington Thursday discussing changes in the nation’s counterterrorism strategy. Obama outlined a new plan to take back some of the power the C.I.A. used to have in deciding whom to go after and ultimately whom to kill via drone strikes. While some drone activity will continue, director of the C.I.A, John O. Brennan, is now trying to shift the C.I.A.’s focus back to traditional spying and strategic analysis.
Powerful earthquake strikes eastern Russia, http://usat.ly/12RzY37
An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 shook the ground in Russia’s Far East and even so far as Moscow in Russia Friday. The earthquake was reported by the U.S. Geological Survey as having a magnitude of 8.2. A tsunami warning was issued for Sakhalin and the Kuril islands but was lifted after a short period. The epicenter of the earthquake was traced back to the Sea of Okhotsk, just north of Japan.
IRS Source: Lerner Placed On Administrative Leave, http://bit.ly/16Wu7ye
The Internal Revenue Service’s Director of Exempt Organizations, Lois Lerner, has been placed on administrative leave. Lerner used her Fifth Amendment right and refused to answer questions at a House oversight-committee hearing Thursday stating only that she “did nothing wrong.”
Anthony Weiner’s mayoral campaign website contains Pittsburgh skyline, http://nydn.us/1223hDf
Just after announcing he will be running for mayor of New York, a photograph of Pittsburgh was posted on his campaign site, anthonyweiner.com. While some people missed the message, a host of Pittsburgh natives did not. After several bloggers and tweeters pointed out the mistake, the backdrop was quickly changed to a skyline including the empire state building.
Tourists Rescued after Dining Out on Iceberg, http://bit.ly/YUANau
Four tourists had to be rescued from an Iceberg in East Iceland Thursday afternoon after the piece of ice they were dining on broke away from the larger ice sheet and began to float away. One of the tourists managed to jump to shore before the iceberg drifted too far away and called 112, the emergency help number to send rescue teams for the others.
Boy Scouts vote to allow gay members, http://usat.ly/197bsyu
The Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to allow gay members. More than 1,400 members of the organization’s national council voted on the issue. With 61% in favor of allowing homosexual members into the organization, the vote has revoked a 22-year-old ban on openly gay boy scouts.
CULTURAL:
‘Intervention’ Canceled: A And E Series Ending After 243 Episodes, http://huff.to/12AZUhD
Nicola Benedetti, The Violin Prodigy Who Outsold Bieber, Tells Us Why Popularity Matters, http://huff.to/14Z5xIl
Summer Festival Guide: Outside Lands, Warped Tour, EDC And More, http://huff.to/13NQn6o
Rolling Stone Gathers Library Fines, http://nyti.ms/10t2epK
Amanda Bynes: The Troubling Events Leading Up to Her NYC Arrest, http://eonli.ne/19a5tss



