Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Nebraska factory explosion kills two

Explosion at Nebraska animal feed factory kills two

International Nutrition, an Omaha animal feed processing plant, is seen after an explosion in this picture taken by Ofc Mike Bossman, courtesy of the Omaha Police Department, in Omaha, Nebraska, 20 January 2014 Thirty-eight people were inside the Omaha plant at the time of the explosion

An explosion and partial building collapse at an animal feed processing plant in Omaha, Nebraska, has killed two people, authorities say.

Ten others were injured in the blast at the International Nutrition plant. Nineteen other workers managed to escape, officials say.

Rescuers worked into Monday evening to stabilise the building, before the search was suspended.

The cause of the blast has not yet been determined.

The fire that followed the explosion around 10:00 local time (16:00 GMT) has been extinguished. Thirty-eight people were inside the building at the time of the blast.

All have now been accounted for and the death toll is not expected to rise.

One of those working at the building was Jamar White, who told the Associated Press news agency he had heard a loud crack and then looked up to see the back wall of the building collapsing.

"I ran at least 150ft," Mr White said. "I ran far enough to make sure nothing else would keep falling."

Afterwards, Mr White said, he could see inside the third floor of the building where at least two other workers were screaming for help.


Australia announces 'one-punch' laws

Australia 'one-punch' laws announced in New South Wales

File photo: NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said he was 'horrified' by the alcohol-fuelled attacks in Sydney

New laws are to be introduced in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), toughening sentences against drunken violence including one-punch assaults.

The measures include minimum eight-year sentences for fatal one-punch assaults influenced by drugs or alcohol.

Liquor shops will close earlier and premises in parts of Sydney will have to stop serving drinks by 03:00.

The move comes after the death of an 18-year-old who was attacked in Sydney.

Campaigners called for measures tackling alcohol-fuelled violence after Daniel Christie died after being punched in Sydney's King's Cross area on New Year's Eve.

Another 18-year-old, Thomas Kelly, died after being punched in 2012.

'Coward punches'

Single-punch attacks have been described colloquially as "king hits". However, campaigners and families of victims have called for them to be referred to as "coward punches" instead.

In a statement, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said: "I have been horrified by the continued drug and alcohol-fuelled attacks on city streets and the increase in violence used in these attacks."

"The idea that it's OK to go out, get intoxicated, start a fight or throw a coward's punch is completely unacceptable."

"I expect opposition to some or all of the measures," he said. "These new measures are tough and for that I make no apologies."

The measures also include lockouts in parts of Sydney's central business district, where people will be prevented from entering venues after 01:30, and the introduction of a state-wide 10pm closing time for liquor stores.

Similar lockout laws are in place in NSW's Newcastle area, and South Australia.

Supporters say the laws have been successful in reducing alcohol-related violence, but some venue owners say the measures have hurt businesses and that other measures, such as increased policing, are more effective.

Thomas Kelly's parents said they welcomed the measures, which had gone "way above what we were asking for".

"It's bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly but it's also still terrible for us as a family," they said.


Delhi leader stand-off continues

Arvind Kejirwal's stand-off with Delhi police continues

Delhi state Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal waves to his supporters during a demonstration against the police in Delhi on 20 January 2014 Mr Kejriwal was sworn in as chief minister after his anti-corruption party caused a surprise in recent state elections

A stand-off between the Chief Minister of the Indian capital Delhi Arvind Kejriwal and the police on a busy city road has entered its second day.

Police stopped Mr Kejriwal near India Gate on Monday and blocked roads leading to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's office.

His anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party is demanding more control over police.

Mr Kejriwal spent the night on the road with his supporters and said the demonstration would continue.

Mr Kejriwal took over as Delhi's chief minister earlier this month after his party won 28 of the 70 seats in recent elections on a pledge to fight corruption.

But Delhi's police force is run by the federal government and Mr Kejriwal was on his way to the home minister's office to demand the suspension of a number of policemen.

Several thousand policemen have cordoned off the site of Mr Kejriwal's demonstration and at least four metro stations have been shut down.

'Anarchist'

Mr Kejriwal slept on a mattress on the road at the site of the protest on Monday night.

"Since yesterday no food or water has been allowed to enter the protest site. What message the central government wants to convey? Many people want to come but they are stopped through barricades. Police is carrying people selectively in to the bus and beating them up. Is this called democracy?" Mr Kejriwal told reporters.

The Delhi Chief Minister prepares to spend the night on the street during his dharna demanding action against police personnel for alleged dereliction of duty at Raisina Road, near Rail Bhavan in New Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal spent the night on the road with his supporters

Mr Kejriwal and his ministers have been signing government files sitting on the road since Monday.

Monday's protest was prompted by an incident last week when the Aam Aadmi Party became embroiled in a bitter row with police and members of Delhi's African community, that threatened to become a diplomatic issue.

Last Wednesday Mr Kejriwal's Law Minister, Somnath Bharti, and various party supporters allegedly confronted four Ugandan women in a Delhi neighbourhood accusing them of prostitution.

Media reports said a row erupted when police refused to search a nearby house for evidence of a suspected drugs and prostitution racket because they did not have a warrant.

Mr Bharti and Aam Aadmi Party supporters were accused of threatening and intimidating the women, forcing their way into homes and making racist remarks.

Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said a judicial inquiry on the role of the police had been ordered into the alleged incident and that Mr Kejriwal "should wait for its result" before protesting.

But Mr Kejriwal says his protest encompasses more grievances than the latest confrontation.

His party is also demanding the suspension of a number of policemen - he alleges police refused to take action in one case involving the death of a woman, reportedly killed over a demand for dowry by her in-laws.

They have also condemned the police for their handling of another case involving the alleged gang-rape of a Danish woman in the city last week - six people have so far been arrested in connection with the attack.


Teenager Bouchard reaches semi-finals

21 January 2014 Last updated at 04:09

Australian Open 2014: Eugenie Bouchard reaches semi-finals

Teenager Eugenie Bouchard continued her impressive run at the Australian Open as she beat Ana Ivanovic to set up a semi-final against Li Na.

The Canadian, 19, had to come from behind after the Serb edged a topsy-turvy first set 7-5.

Both players struggled to hold serve in set two, but Bouchard took control after an Ivanovic medical timeout.

And she dominated the third set to win 5-7 7-5 6-2, ensuring a semi-final against Li, who beat Flavia Pennetta.

Rod Laver Arena

Li (Chn) [4] beat Pennetta (Ita) [28] 6-2 6-2

Two-time finalist Li raced into a fourth Melbourne semi-final as she produced a ruthless display against Pennetta.

The fourth seed from China broke the Italian in the first game of the match, following it up with two more to lead the first set 5-0.

Pennetta, the 28th seed, stopped the rot with a break of her own but Li still took the set 6-2.

And the second set was equally one-sided as Li eased to a 6-2 6-2 victory.

Li said her belief that she can repeat her final appearances of 2011 and 2013 has been growing ever since she recovered from the brink of defeat in the third round against Lucie Safarova.

"I've got a lot of confidence because I was match point down and I came back to win that match," said Li. "I believe in myself even more. I hope I can take one more step this year."

Bouchard (Can) [30] beat Ivanovic (Ser) [14] 5-7 7-5 6-2

Berdych (Cze) [7] v Ferrer (Spa) [3]

Wawrinka (Swi) [8] v Djokovic (Ser) [2]

Quote of the day

"The racquet is my friend. She is with me on the court all the time, so I have to be friends with her and then she can be good to me." Li Na explains why she treats her racquet well and is unlikely to be seen smashing it in frustration


Family 'devastated' by US killings

Utah shooting: Northampton relatives 'devastated'

Joshua Boren Jnr, Joshua Boren, Haley Boren and Kelly Boren, Marie King (l-r) The bodies of the family were found in their home in Spanish Fork, Utah

The family of two Northampton women who were found dead in the US state of Utah along with two children and a man say they are "devastated" at the deaths.

Joshua Boren, 34, a police officer in Lindon City, is thought to have shot his wife Kelly and mother-in-law Marie King, who had both moved to America.

It is reported Mr Boren also killed his two young children at the family home before turning the gun on himself.

Jeanette Malpas, Marie King's sister, said: "They were all truly loved".

Police in Lindon, Utah, asked their colleagues in the neighbouring town of Spanish Fork to check on Mr Boren, a patrol officer, late last Thursday as he had not arrived for his night shift, the Reuters news agency reported.

'Close-knit family'

Officers who looked through a window into the front room of the unlocked two-story house, 50 miles (80 km) south of Salt Lake City, saw blood and spent ammunition.

They then discovered the bodies of Mr Boren, Kelly Boren, 32, seven-year-old Joshua, five-year-old Haley and Mrs Boren's mother Marie King.

Ms King, 55, had been a pupil at Northampton School for Girls and lived in the town before moving to America to live with her daughter and her family.

In a statement, Ms Malpas told the BBC: "We as a family are devastated.

Vigil in memory of family of five shot dead in Spanish Fork, Utah A vigil was held in Layton in memory of the family

"We are a close-knit family even though we all lived far away from them.

"They were all truly loved and we will carry this with us for all time."

A Spanish Fork Police spokesman said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Over the weekend, a vigil was held in the city of Layton to remember the family, with candles being lit and balloons and Chinese lanterns released.

A post-mortem examination is due to take place later.

Ms Malpas said a short memorial would take place on Wednesday evening at the Queen Eleanor pub in Wootton, south of Northampton, to coincide with the planned time of the family's funeral in America.


VIDEO: Villages under water in Philippines

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Villages under water in Southern Philippines

21 January 2014 Last updated at 03:48 GMT

The Philippines has been facing another tropical storm only two months after the deadliest typhoon ever to hit the country.

Floods and mudslides caused by Tropical Depression Agaton have forced the evacuation of thousands of families from the Southern Philippines.

Mariko Oi reports.


10% of rail level crossings closed

Network Rail says 10% of Britain's level crossings closed

Woman on bike narrowly missing being hit by train at level crossing 750 level crossings have been closed since 2010 with safety upgrades at many others

Some 10% of Britain's level crossings have been closed since 2010 as part of a programme to improve rail safety, Network Rail has said.

Measures to improve crossing safety have also been introduced across the country, including power operated gates and electronic warning systems.

More than £130m has been spent by Network Rail during that period.

Network Rail said it would invest a further £100m and close 500 more crossings over the next five years.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) announced an increase in funding to close and improve level crossing safety in October.

Ten people were accidentally killed at level crossings in 2013, Network Rail said.

Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: "Reaching our target to close 750 crossings in four years is good news for Network Rail, train operators and of course the public, but we cannot be complacent.

"There is much more we can do to make the level crossings that remain safer and we will continue to introduce new technology, upgrade crossings to include lights or barriers where appropriate and work with schools, communities and other organisations to spread awareness of our safety message."

He added that closing level crossings is not straightforward "so we will need the support from local authorities, landowners and the public to help us achieve our new target and improve safety further still".