Refugees in a western German town have been banned from setting off fireworks to mark the new year, partly out of concern that loud blasts could traumatise people who have fled war zones.

Four adults and a child were killed when a small plane crashed in western Germany, authorities said today.

German authorities are investigating the discovery of dozens of skeletons, many of babies or children showing signs of physical handicap, in a suspected Nazi-era mass grave.

MORE than a thousand Holland fans had to watch the match against the Ivory Coast in their underwear after being forced to remove orange lederhosen that had been supplied to them by a Dutch beer-makers.