CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand was braced for further aftershocks yesterday after it was struck by a series of strong earthquakes.

A series of strong earthquakes struck Christchurch, New Zealand, today, rattling buildings, sending goods tumbling from shelves and prompting terrified Christmas shoppers to flee into the streets.

Floodwaters washing through Australia’s third-largest city crested today just shy of levels residents had feared most but high enough to submerge entire neighbourhoods and cause damage one official likened to the aftermath of war.

England enjoyed a golden hat-trick on the third night of athletics in the Commonwealth Games today in Melbourne.