At least two killed in U.S. tornadoesJanuary 23, 2012 - 20:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least two people were killed and an unknown number trapped in their homes after powerful tornadoes struck the southern U.S. state of Alabama on Monday, Jan 23, AFP quoted local emergency officials as saying. Chief Deputy Randy Christian with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department said that a 16 year-old boy in the town of Clay and an 82 year-old man in the town of Oak Grove, both on the outskirts of Birmingham, were killed by tornadoes that destroyed homes. Christian also said that emergency personnel were responding to reports of people trapped in their homes in at least three locations around Birmingham. The state utility company said that some 36,000 customers were without power across Alabama, the bulk in the Birmingham metropolitan area, population one million. Schools in Jefferson County, where Birmingham is located were closed for the day, officials said. The Alabama Emergency Management Agency warned of severe storms, tornadoes and high winds across the state. "First responders in affected areas are working hard," the AEMA said on its Twitter feed. "AEMA will assess damage when search/rescue complete." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |