A bus crashed and fell into a ravine in the eastern Portuguese city of Castelo Branco yesterday, killing 10 people and injuring 33.
Television images showed a large rescue operation mounted on the approach roads, including more than 260 firefighters and at least one rescue helicopter.
The bus was reportedly travelling from the Spanish city of Badajoz to the tourist destination of Santa Maria da Feira.
Civil Protection spokesman Rui Esteves said all the dead were Portuguese citizens. (AP)
Man brings bomb to police
A man triggered a major security scare in Cyprus when he walked into a police station carrying a bomb, saying he wanted officers to examine it.
Police said the 33-year old man discovered a suspicious device on the back window of his car and after drawing a blank on what it was doing there, decided to take it to a police station in the capital Nicosia for further scrutiny by experts. (Reuters)
Amateur finds gold nugget
An amateur Australian prospector who hadn’t had much luck searching for gold has struck it rich, unearthing a nugget heavier than a newborn baby and worth more than $300,000.
The anonymous prospector discovered the 5.5 kg nugget near the country town of Ballarat and in an area known as the “Golden Triangle” due to its rich veins which sparked a gold rush in the 1850s. (Reuters)
Gearing for the World Cup?
Brazilian police are rounding up crack addicts in Sao Paulo and making them undergo treatment.
The move comes as many Brazilian cities face a crack epidemic like one the US saw in the 1990s.
Similar action has already taken place in Rio de Janeiro, which like Sao Paulo has seen areas of the city turned into chaotic “cracklands” where addicts roam the streets and use the drug night and day. (PA)
Doctor Who milestone coin
Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary is to be celebrated with the issue of a commemorative coin in New Zealand.
The series hits its half century this year and it has long been popular in the country, which was the first territory outside the UK to screen the Time Lord’s adventures.
The special two-dollar denomination coin will be legal tender and features an engraved image of the Tardis.
There will also be collectible coins available later in the year featuring the face of 11 different actors who have portrayed The Doctor, from William Hartnell to Matt Smith. (AP)
McCartney recalls Linda
Sir Paul McCartney has recorded a song to accompany a new TV advert for his late wife Linda’s vegetarian food range.
The commercial also features an animated version of Linda, who died in 1998. It is thought to be the first time Sir Paul has specifically recorded a tune for an advert, although his songs were made available for licensing to commercials several years ago.
The frozen food firm that Linda launched has not advertised on TV for 15 years. (AP)