It is wednesday, may 6th. Im yasmin vossoughian. We have a lot to cover on this morning. Despite the u. S. Death toll from coronavirus now topping 71,000, the president continues his push to reopen the country. Nbc news has learned that over the coming weeks, the white house plans to wind down the Coronavirus Task force. Two sources saying the tasks for no longer meets every day. And discussions in the situation room have been shorter recently. Doctors, deborah birx and dr. Anthony fauci are still expected to be at the white house each day. But other members of the task force may not appear as frequently. Vice president mike pence told nbc yesterday that there is no set date for the task force to formally complete its work. But the panel expects to begin shifting its response back to individual federal agencies later this month or in early june. And heres what President Trump had to say about the task force just yesterday. So, i think as far as the task force, mike pence and the task f
Dig its new way out of debt. Wait until you see the usps duds. Our top story, Oscar Pistorius is back in courts as prosecutors lay out their case in the alleged murder of his girlfriend. They say pistorius put on his prosthetic legs before walking and killing Reeva Steenkamp who was locked in his small bathroom. Pistorius thought that an intruder got into the house and he had no intention of killing reeva. Chapman bell is joining us live. There have been some new revelations this morning. Lot of it has to do with what a witness heard, what is that . Good morning, peter. Well, Witnesses Police and prosecution today have claimed that witnesses heard screaming before gunshots. The prosecution did concede that stop of these witnesses lived a thousand feet away from the house. Hearing a scream from that distance might not have been coming from Oscar Pistorius home. The lead investigator in this, on the stand, agreeing with the prosecution that this was a premeditated crime that he strapped
Schiavocampo. Cadaver dogs are being sent into kansas city to search for possible victims this morning after a blast leveled a section of the citys shopping district. Local Officials Say a gas explosion around 6 00 p. M. Caused a massive fire at the popular jjs restaurant. Witnesses say the blast came out of nowhere. As of yet no confirmed fatalities. Officials express concern to find those who are missing. A guy came in, and said were supposed to evacuate. Next thing i knew, boom, everything just exploded. The scariest thing ive ever witnessed, ever been through in my life. It was just next to it. People evacuating the Apartment Building over here. People with their animals, getting them out of the Apartment Building so it was just kind of crazy. Those in the area smelling gas the moments leading up to the explosion but city Officials Say they have to investigate further before any cause can be determined. In south africa today another emotional day in court for track star Oscar Pisto
Veto, but may be heading to his desk anyway. What happens next . Major signs the economy is bouncing back in a big way. Who gets the credit for that . What happens if it still doesnt feel like its bouncing back to many americans. Again, we start this hour in paris where, we just mentioned, final preparations are under way for this mornings truly massive unity rally. 40 leaders mostly from europe as well as hundreds of thousands of others all expected to take part this morning. Just in from paris, prosecutors are assaysaying the alleged gunman has now been linked to a third shooting. Ballistics show the same gun was used in the shooting of a jogger on wednesday. The same day as the Charlie Hebdo attacks. That jogger was seriously wounded. Also a new propaganda video that appears to show the suspects in all three of those incidents incidentsplegic his support to isis. It has emerged and making the rounds online. Meanwhile, the search continues on the ground for his girlfriend. They belie
According to a french lawmaker they told police they want to die as martyrs. One final point, the incident in which a policewoman was shot on thursday and the attack on Charlie Hebdo offices on wednesday have now been linked by the french prosecutors office. That means both these standoffs as well as the people involved appear to be somehow connected. The question is how will it end. Joining me now is nbc producer chapman bell who just arrived at the scene of this Kosher Grocery standoff. Chapman, good morning, what can you tell us . Good morning, jose. When i arrived, police shifts getting ready, putting on full riot gear helmets and as well as bulletproof vests, armed with rifles, as well as sidearms. They then loaded into vans and moved closer to the scene. Theyve cordoned off the area. In addition to the heavy Police Presence there are helicopters as well earlier. Theres also a heavy ambulance presence. There are several ambulances. They set up a medical tent as well as it looks li