Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Italy train crash: 'Twelve killed' near Bari


Italian train crash scene near AndriaImage copyrightITALIAN FIRE SERVICE
Image captionSeveral carriages were completely destroyed in the collision on a single-track line near Andria

Twelve people have been killed and dozens more hurt in a head-on collision involving two passenger trains in southern Italy, reports say.
The two trains were on a single-track line at the time of the crash, between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta.
Emergency services are trying to free passengers from the wrecked carriages near the town of Andria.
"I think there are many dead," local police chief Riccardo Zingaro told Rai TV.


Media captionFootage from Sky Italia shows emergency crews arriving at the train crash site

Some of the carriages were extensively damaged, he said. There were fears the number of deaths could rise further.
One of those rescued from the wreckage was a small child who was airlifted to hospital.
It was unclear what led to the collision, which happened in good weather at 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT) in the southern region of Apulia.
A local prosecutor in nearby Trani said it was too early to speculate on the cause, although human error was likely to have been a factor.

Italy map

Italian reports said one of the trains had come from Andria, and the other from Corato, a short distance to the south-east. Both were travelling at high speed.
Both trains had four carriages and images from the fire service showed wreckage strewn across a large area. Some of the carriages were so badly damaged there was little left but debris.
Corato Mayor Massimo Mazzilli said the damage was so extensive it was as if a plane had crashed.

Italian fire brigade picture shows extent of crashImage copyrightITALIAN FIRE SERVICE
Image captionFirefighters are trying to free trapped passengers

Rescuers set up a field hospital at the scene to help care for the large number of wounded passengers.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi interrupted a trip to Milan after the crash and returned to Rome.
The line, managed by Ferrotramviaria, is used by thousands of people daily on about 200 trains. Work is under way to make it a double-track line.
Apulia regional leader Mario Loizzo said he was "deeply shaken" by the crash.
Italy's FS state rail operator expressed its condolences to the dead and wounded.
Earlier this year, 11 people died on a single track in southern Germany when two trains collided head-on at Bad Aibling near the Austrian border. Investigators said a signal controller had mistakenly allowed both trains to use the line, disabling an automatic safety system.
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NFF owing another former Super Eagles coach Read more

– Augustine Eguavoen cries out about his outstanding payment from the NFF – The former coach of Enyimba says deliberately refused the national team job – Eguavoen wants to expand his knowledge before he coaches again Former Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen has revealed that he is still being owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). According to Punchng, the former Golden Eaglets coach said that the glass house are yet to pay his outstanding wages while he was serving the national team as coach. Eguavoen said, “People have been talking of coaches being owed here and there. I’m also being owed, not by (Pinnick) Amaju’s board but by the past administration. But it’s still the Nigeria Football Federation. “I have called Amaju several times, I have called Musa Amadu and he apologized, I have called everybody but nobody has said anything about it. “So, I’m not going to cry over it. Who would blame any Nigerian athlete who doesn’t give his best to the country? When you get hurt, you will be left to your fate.” Eguavoen also disclosed reasons he did apply for the vacant Super Eagles job saying that he needed to add to his coaching knowledge abroad.
Read more:

“For the Eagles job, I don’t think I want it right now because I’m trying to leave the country so that I can improve myself.” “If you count the first three coaches in this country today, I’m among the knowledgeable ones and I know that. But why I’m not being called to the national team is what I don’t know.” “A coach is as good as his last game, so if I’m employed today, you will raise eyebrows and ask questions. So, not until I put my house in order first, and I come back bigger, leave me out of the Eagles job,” he said. Meanwhile The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to give the vacant Super Eagles coaching job to Frenchman Paul le Guen and will be unveiled July 18.

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Eagle tries to carry off Australian boy


Eagle attempts to lift small boy into airImage copyrightCHRISTINE O'CONNELL / INSTAGRAM: 55CHRIS
Image captionAn eagle attempted to lift a little boy into the air during a bird show at Alice Springs in Australia

A wedge-tailed eagle tried to fly away with a terrified boy at a popular wildlife show in central Australia.
A crowd of stunned onlookers watched the enormous bird latch its talons on to the screaming boy's head during a show at Alice Springs Desert Park.
Witnesses said the bird attempted to pick him up "like a small animal".
The boy - believed to be between six and eight years old - escaped with a "superficial" gash to his face.
Christine O'Connell from Horsham in Victoria state was visiting the park with her husband on 6 July when the attack occurred.
She told the BBC the eagle flew straight for the boy from about 15m away.

Wedge-tailed eagle attempts to lift boy into the air in AustraliaImage copyrightCHRISTINE O'CONNELL / INSTAGRAM: 55CHRIS
Image captionThe attack lasted for seconds before staff from the park intervened

"A fellow who was sitting closer said the little boy kept running his zipper up and down," said Mrs O'Connell, who caught the attack on her camera.
Distracted by the noise, the eagle grabbed the boy's green hoodie and attempted to him lift away before park staff moved in.
The attack left the boy crying and bleeding, but his injuries were not severe.
A Victorian man who was in the crowd, Keenan Lucas, told the NT News the show was ended quickly after the attack.
"We're at the bird show in the afternoon, having a great time and looking forward to seeing the wedge-tailed eagle come out for the finale," he said.

Eagle attacks boy while another boy doubles over with laughterImage copyrightCHRISTINE O'CONNELL / INSTAGRAM: 55CHRIS
Image captionThe boy suffered minor injuries in the attack and was taken for medical treatment

"The bird then flew over the crowd and tried to grab on to a young boy's head. He screamed, the mother was distraught and the presenters wrapped up the show very quickly."
The park issued a statement to the media after being contacted about the event.
"On Wednesday, 6 July, an incident occurred at the Alice Springs Desert Park where an eagle made contact with an audience member," the park said in a statement.
"A thorough investigation regarding the circumstances behind this incident is under way and the eagle will be removed from the show while this investigation is ongoing."

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South China Sea: Tribunal backs case against China brought by Philippines


Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly IslandsImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionChina has accelerated construction on some disputed reefs

An international tribunal has ruled against Chinese claims to rights in the South China Sea, backing a case brought by the Philippines.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration said there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or resources.
China called the ruling "ill-founded" and says it will not be bound by it.
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, including reefs and islands also claimed by others.
The tribunal in The Hague said China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights. It also said China had caused "severe harm to the coral reef environment" by building artificial islands.
The ruling came from an arbitration tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which both countries have signed.
The ruling is binding but the Permanent Court of Arbitration has no powers of enforcement.
The Philippines has had diplomatic spats with China over the Scarborough Shoal and Spratlys in particular.
It says China's "nine-dash line", which China uses to demarcate its territorial claims, is unlawful under the UNCLOS convention.

Map showing the South China Sea

Philippe Sands, a lawyer for the Philippines in the case, said it was a "clear and unanimous judgement that upholds the rule of law and the rights claimed by the Philippines".
However, the Chinese state news agency Xinhua said that "as the panel has no jurisdiction, its decision is naturally null and void".
The tribunal was ruling on seven of 15 points brought by the Philippines. Among the key findings were:
  • Fishermen from the Philippines and China both had fishing rights around the disputed Scarborough Shoal area, and China had interfered by restricting access
  • China had "destroyed evidence of the natural condition of features in the South China Sea" that formed part of the dispute
  • Transient use of features above water did not constitute inhabitation - one of the key conditions for claiming land rights of 200 nautical miles, rather than the 12 miles granted for rocks visible at high tide.

Reaction

As expected, China is standing firm and re-asserting its claim to the area.
"China's territorial sovereignty and marine rights in the South China Sea will not be affected by the so-called Philippines South China Sea ruling in any way," said Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He said China was "determined to maintain peace and stability" and was committed to resolving disputes "through negotiations based on respects to historical facts and according to international laws".
The Philippine government says it is now studying the ruling. However, the BBC's Jonah Fisher, in Manila, says the lack of celebrations may be a result of the recent change of government.
Our correspondent says many Filipinos believe newly elected President Rodrigo Duterte may have sought promises of Chinese investment, in return for a quiet, dignified response.
Taiwan, which also claims the disputed area, said the ruling had "seriously damaged" its rights.
"We hereby solemnly state that we will definitely not accept this ruling," the foreign ministry said.
The US sent an aircraft carrier and fighter jets to the region ahead of the decision, while the Chinese navy has been carrying out exercises near the disputed Paracel islands.

Conciliatory tone - Stephen McDonell, BBC News, Beijing

This result represents a major loss of face for China, and yet the first response from Beijing to the UN tribunal's demolition of its claims seems be rather conciliatory.
On the one hand, the Chinese government has re-stated that it has territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the area and that the activities of its people there date back to over 2,000 years ago.
However, it then goes on to talk about "consultation with the states directly concerned" and proposes "joint development in relevant maritime areas".
Airlines and shipping companies will be pleased to hear that China has also restated that it respects "freedom of navigation and over flight enjoyed by all states under international law in the South China Sea" and that it stands ready to ensure "unimpeded access to international shipping lanes".
All this seems to point towards Beijing possibly seeking some sort of negotiated settlement rather than ramping up the pressure on the Philippines following Manila's comprehensive victory in The Hague.
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