Good Morning Australia!! - Italy searches for responsibility in the deadly bridge collapse - Unprecedented vindictiveness at the White House - Big business invests heavily in the day people can legally enjoy a beer and a joint - And more in your CareerSpot Global News Briefs:

The death toll in the bridge collapse in Genoa, Italy has risen to 39 lives lost, and searchers say they doubt they will find any more survivors.  A 200-meter span suddenly, and so far inexplicably, collapsed and rained thousands of tons of concrete and steel onto the industrial valley below.  It was raining and there was a lightning strike, but engineers have cast doubt on their importance in the disaster.  The Ponte Morandi was built in the 1960s and was part of the important roadway that connects southern France and Italy, and most Italians are still in shock that such a familiar and crucial structure could just collapse. 

But there were concerns over the aging bridge's safety for a number of years.  In 2011, the private company that is paid to operate and maintain the bridge - Autostrade per l'Italia - said it had been suffering from degradation due to heavy traffic. A year later, the Genoa city council heard from local industry officials worry about the collapse of the Morandi bridge "in 10 years".  And the Autostrade company this week says that work to shore up the bridge's foundation was being carried out at the time of the collapse.  Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte confirmed that the government is working to pull Autostrade's contract:  "These are unacceptable tragedies that should not happen in a modern society," Conte said, "This government will do everything to prevent such tragedies from happening again."

Moving along..

A suicide bomber walked into an education center in Kabul, Afghanistan, and set off a device that killed 48 people and injured 68 more.  Many of those killed were teenagers who were getting extra tuition as they prepared for university entrance exams.  The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack in a predominantly Shi'ite neighborhood.

The Vatican is refusing to comment on the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report that concluded some 300 Roman Catholic priests molesting at least 1,000 kids over several decades.  The report detailed the abuse and how the Vatican and US Catholic officials covered-up the crimes.  Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro tweeted, "The abuse scarred every diocese.  The cover up was sophisticated.  Their own Secret Archives formed the backbone of this investigation - it's how Church officials referred to troves of documents sitting in filing cabinets just feet from the Bishops' desk." 

And now..

Donald Trump revoked the security clearance of ex-CIA director John Brennan, apparently in retaliation for comments made last year in which Mr. Brennan supported the investigation into collusion with Russia to skew the 2016 presidential election.  In a classic case of gas-lighting, the White House accused Mr. Brennan of "erratic conduct and behaviour", a claim belittled by the US media and Brennan's associates past and present.  Trump has in the past threatened to pull the security clearance of former Obama Administration intelligence officials.  Most ex-spy chiefs don't bother to get daily, weekly, or monthly intel briefings after they leave government; it's a courtesy extended to them in case of national emergencies so that a sitting president can consult with the widest variety of voices needed.

Mr. Brennan his week had tweeted at the White House occupant: "It's astounding how often you fail to live up to minimum standards of decency, civility, and probity.  Seems like you will never understand what it means to be president, nor what it takes to be a good, decent, and honest person.  So disheartening, so dangerous for our Nation."  But Brennan didn't say this about his own situation - he was responding to Trump's caustic tweet to fomer aid Omarosa Manigault, whom Trump called "a dog".  Manigault has been making the rounds of the US media with her tell-all book about the chaos, racism, and backstabbing in White House.  Despite coming under criticism for being an opportunist from the right, Left, and apolitical, Maigault has been able to produce audio recording that appear to back up much of her claims.

Today, Mr. Brennan tweeted: "My principles are worth far more than clearances.  I will not relent."

Anyway..

Qatar is throwing Turkey a US$15 Billion lifeline in Ankara's trade dispute with Washington.  Qatari state media said the money would go toward economic projects, investments and deposits.  That, and a ban on short-selling the Lira helped the Turkish currency rally to about 16 to 17 Cents on the US Dollar.  Relations between Washington and Ankara have rapidly soured in recent weeks over Turkey's detention of the American pastor Andrew Brunson, who Turkey accuses of plotting with anti-government groups.  Donald Trump slapped harsh tariffs on Turkey after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused his demand to release Bunson.

Constellation brands sunk US$4 Billion into the Canadian cannabis company Canopy Growth, signalling that the multi-national beverage behemoth believes that widespread legalization of Marijuana is coming - soon.  The investment gives the maker of Corona and Modelo beers a 38 percent stake in the company, up from the 9.9 percent it made in its initial purchase last October.  "Over the past year, we've come to better understand the cannabis market, the tremendous growth opportunity it presents, and Canopy's market-leading capabilities in this space," said Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands.

New Zealand's ban on foreign ownership of homes won't apply to Australians and Singaporeans because of existing free-trade deals.  But other non-resident foreigners will be forbidden from buying existing homes in the country - a move aimed at making properties more affordable.  "This government believes that New Zealanders should not be outbid by wealthier foreign buyers," New Zealand's Trade and Economic Development Minister David Parker said.