World News: At least ten people killed as two earthquakes strike Spain

Two earthquakes struck south-east Spain yesterday in quick succession, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens.

The epicentre of both quakes, with magnitudes of 4.4 and 5.2, was close to the town of Lorca. The second came around two hours after the first.

Many escaped the buildings they were in during the first quake, which struck shortly before 6pm UK time, only to be hit by falling rubble as they stood outside during the second, according to reports from the scene.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dozens of injured people were being treated at the scene and a field hospital was set up in the town of around 85,000 people.

Spanish TV showed images of cars that were partially crushed by falling rubble, and large cracks in buildings.

Large chunks of stone and brick fell from the facade of a church in Lorca as a reporter for Spanish state TV was broadcasting live from the scene.

A large church bell was also among the rubble, which missed striking the reporter, who appeared to be about 30ft away.

The broadcaster said schoolchildren usually gathered at that spot around that time and if it had happened 10 minutes later, a further "tragedy" could have occurred.

Verdict expected on Nazi accused

A MUNICH court is poised to deliver its verdict today in the case of John Demjanjuk, the retired Ohio car worker accused of being a Nazi death camp guard, with a ruling that could set new precedent in German law. The verdict could end more than 30 years of legal wrangling.

Diary reveals Osama's aims

Osama bin Laden kept pressing followers to find new ways to hit the US and kill Americans, as his terror organisation became increasingly fragmented, according to his diary, recovered in the raid on his Pakistan hideout.

US officials said bin Laden had suggested striking smaller cities and targeting trains as well as planes, but above all killing as many Americans as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His journal and computer files reveal his hand at work in every recent major al-Qaida threat.

N Korea rejects offer to host leader

North Korea has rejected South Korea's offer to host Kim Jong Il at an international nuclear summit in Seoul next year.

South Korean president Lee Myung-bak made the bid after a high profile summit with German chancellor Angela Merkel - but North Korea said the proposal was a "ridiculous" attempt to disarm the North.

Sanchez plans US Senate bid

Former Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez, who oversaw coalition forces in Iraq before retiring after the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, is running for the US Senate from Texas as a Democrat.

Mr Sanchez, 59, of San Antonio, announced the decision on his Facebook page.

25 injured as stun grenades disperse mob

Greece: At least 25 people were injured as riot police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse youths throwing stones and petrol bombs, as demonstrators marched through Athens to protest against austerity measures.

Syria: Security forces broke up the largest demonstration yet by students in Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, as protesters demanded an end to the military siege of cities including Homs, Deraa and Banias.

Related topics: