NATION AND WORLD BRIEFS
Dow says no injuries reported at site of explosion in Louisiana
PLAQUEVILLE, La. – No injuries are being reported after an explosion shook a Dow chemical plant in Louisiana.
Dow Louisiana Operations said in a Facebook post that a “vessel” had ruptured at its facility near Plaquemine on Sunday morning. The company said there were no injuries on the site.
Other details were not immediately released.
The company said it is conducting air monitoring and that there appears to be no off-site impact other than a loud noise heard nearby.
13 injured after Turkish bus driver slams into bus stop, stabs people
ISTANBUL – Police in Istanbul said they have detained a driver who rammed his bus into a crowded stop and attacked people who tried to prevent him from escaping with a knife. At least 13 people were injured.
A police statement said the 33-yearold bus driver was detained Sunday after he jumped into the sea to try and get away from the scene.
The injured included a man who was stabbed as he tried to prevent the driver from running away after he drove the city bus into the stop.
French minister: New Jan. 31 Brexit date ‘is not negotiable’
PARIS – A French minister says the new Brexit date of Jan. 31 “is not negotiable” and “the risk of a no-deal Brexit remains.”
Minister for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin told Europe 1 radio on Sunday that she’s advising French companies to continue preparing for a scenario in which Britain leaves the bloc on Jan. 31 without a divorce deal, despite getting a three-month Brexit extension from the European Union.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had promised to take Britain out of the EU by Oct. 31 with or without a deal but the British Parliament blocked his plans. Now Britain is holding a Dec. 12 election and Johnson hopes to get a more Brexit-friendly Parliament.
El Salvador orders expulsion of Venezuelan diplomats
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – El Salvador has ordered the expulsion of Venezuelan government diplomats, joining the U.S. and more than 50 other countries that have said opposition leader Juan Guaidó is Venezuela’s rightful leader.
El Salvador said Saturday that the diplomats, who are loyal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, had 48 hours to leave the country.
Venezuela condemned the decision and responded in kind Sunday, ordering Salvadoran diplomats to leave Caracas within two days.