Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has attempted to diffuse the political furore he has created after awarding Valencia grand prix status earlier this week.

The Spanish city of Valencia has signed a contract with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone to host a grand prix for the next seven years.

Eighteen people gathered in a mountain hostel in eastern Spain for a birthday party died in their sleep from an apparent gas leak, officials said today.

A car bomb killed two people, including an eight-year-old girl, in front of the Civil Guard barracks last night in the Spanish resort town of Santa Pola.