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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |