Your Thursday morning news round up

Rotted wooden beams are the likely cause of the Berkeley balcony collapse that killed six students, a white man opened fire during a prayer meeting inside a historic black church in the US, New Rangers manager - Mark Warburton - has signed former Ireland Under 21 captain Rob Kiernan, and Simon Cowell is being honoured with the 24th Music Industry Trusts Award. These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Thu, 18 Jun, 2015 - 01:00

TOP STORY

Rotten wood blamed for Berkeley balcony collapse

Rotted wooden beams are the likely cause of the Berkeley balcony collapse that killed six students, the US city’s mayor has signalled.

IRELAND

Berkeley tragedy: Two countries in mourning

The balcony below the one that collapsed, killing six young students, including five Irish, was removed yesterday after being branded an immediate “collapse hazard” by Berkeley city inspectors.

MOST READ: Man gets eight years for ‘racist’ headbutt attack

A sentence of eight years was imposed yesterday on the man who carried out a head-butt assault on a man in Cork city centre in an unprovoked attack which the judge described as vicious, cowardly and one which probably had “some element of racism.”

SPORT

Brazil continue to struggle in Copa America

Colombia got their Copa America campaign up and running with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in Group C last night.

MOST READ: New Rangers boss makes Irish U21 his first signing

New manager Mark Warburton has started his Rangers revolution by signing former Ireland Under 21 captain Rob Kiernan.

WORLD

Nine dead as white gunman opens fire at black church in South Carolina

A white man opened fire during a prayer meeting inside a historic black church in the US, killing nine people in an assault that authorities described as a hate crime.

MOST READ: Hungary eyes fence to stop migrants

The Hungarian government is considering building a four-metre-high (13ft-high) fence along the border with Serbia to stop the flow of migrants reaching the country, said the foreign minister.

BUSINESS

Non-Japanese car manufactures encouraged by latest quality survey

The quality of vehicles made by European, Korean and US companies has improved so much in recent years that Japanese manufacturers, long the industry standard, are having trouble keeping pace.

MOST READ: Home loans slump to 10-year low

The squeeze on first-time buyers has intensified as the amount of home loan credit has shrunk to the lowest level for 10 years, official figures show.

VIEWPOINTS

Berkeley balcony collapse: The darkest hour

When a child dies, you not only mourn their loss but also the future that was denied them, and even perhaps the best of you, writes Dan Buckley

LIFESTYLE

The bald truth: How we react to women with hair loss

Long, luscious hair is considered feminine, so Anthony Griffin photographed sufferers of

alopecia — partial or total hair loss — to test our reactions to bald women, says Ellie O’Byrne

EXAMVIRAL

PHOTO: One of the better reasons to miss school

We have all tried to come up with the most believable excuse to miss school at one stage or another, but this kid has outdone us.

MOST READ: Broke Irish lad in Vegas selling his car on DoneDeal

We really feel for Mark.

TECHNOW

Game of Thrones finale breaks piracy records http://t.co/xcx8YZWJA2 (PSR) #GoTFinale #GoTSeason5Finale pic.twitter.com/0KdPoRRDVm
— Irish Examiner Lifestyle (@IELifestyle_) June 17, 2015

Game of Thrones finale breaks piracy records

Say what you will about the bloodbath which was the season finale of Game of Thrones series 5 but it definitely got people talking and watching, and a lot of them were online.

SHOWBIZ

X Factor's Simon Cowell to receive prestigious music award | http://t.co/WoMf1CVaVN (GM) pic.twitter.com/wlCt67IR9J
— Irish Examiner Arts & Culture (@IEArtsCulture) June 18, 2015