Fidel Castro himself told surgeons not to perform a colostomy, opting instead for a course of surgery that produced complication which left him in far worse condition, according to new details published in a Spanish newspaper today.

French president Jacques Chirac drew scorching criticism in Europe today for threatening a nuclear response to state-sponsored terrorism.

Police found detailed data on Spanish trains, a map of the London Underground and information on Montreal’s rail system on the personal computer of a Moroccan who was questioned over the Madrid terror bombings and later released, it was reported today.

Spanish and Moroccan officials had no comment on reports today that their respective security forces were responsible for shooting at five immigrants who were killed when hundreds rushed a barrier at one of its two enclaves on the northern Morocco coast.

Spanish intelligence agents warned police last November that an Algerian now identified as a ringleader of the Madrid train bombings was preparing an attack, a newspaper claimed today.

A 114-year-old Spanish shoemaker, who was believed to be the world’s oldest man and who was known for riding a bicycle even after he turned 100, has died, it was reported today.