Factory fire kills 55 in Morocco

CASABLANCA, Morocco - A fire roared through a mattress factory yesterday, killing 55 people and injuring a dozen others, the official news agency reported. Most of the deaths occurred on the building's third floor where women sew, according to a worker who escaped.

Rachida Darif, 29, said she saved herself by crawling through a space to the roof, then jumping down from a neighboring building that was under construction. She said she used a construction cord to lower herself part way and then jumped.

About 100 people were in the factory when the fire broke out about 10 a.m. and quickly spread through the four-story building, according to the news agency. Chemical products in the factory added to the fury of the flames. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known. - AP

Saudi blogger freed from prison

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's most popular blogger was released yesterday after serving four months in prison without charge. Fouad al-Farhan, 33, was detained Dec. 10 after authorities warned him about his online support of an activist group.

Farhan's arrest, believed to be the first of an online critic in Saudi Arabia, had been condemned by bloggers around the world, including more than 200 in the kingdom. In February, protesters demonstrated against the arrest in front of the Saudi Embassy in Washington.

Farhan had used his blog to criticize corruption and call for political reform in Saudi Arabia. In a telephone interview yesterday, Farhan described his time behind bars as "a unique experience." He added: "I will be blogging soon." - Washington Post

Hijacked boat's crew released

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The 26 crew members onboard a fishing boat hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia a week ago have been freed, Spanish and Somali authorities said yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega declined to say whether a ransom had been paid, insisting the release of the Playa de Bakio had been achieved by "cooperation and diplomacy."

The 250-foot tuna boat from Spain's Basque region was captured last Sunday while it was fishing in international waters off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia. Piracy is rampant along Somalia's 1,880-mile coast, which is the longest in Africa. - AP

Elsewhere:

Thousands of passengers were stranded in Toronto yesterday morning after an unexpected strike by transit workers who had rejected a tentative contract. The union had promised to give 48 hours' notice, but its president said "threats and abuse" from passengers had prompted an immediate strike.

Conservatives consolidated control of Iran's legislature in run-off elections but opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gained strength, according to final results yesterday. The results indicate that the hard-line leader may be vulnerable in a bid for reelection next year.