Buildings wobbled and the ground rumbled after an earthquake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale shook neighbouring counties in the UK.

A teenager was abducted in north Belfast and released more than two hours later after a ransom was paid, police said today.

A man in his early 30s is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed in North Belfast early this morning.

Disinfecting stations are being set up on main roads surrounding Scotland's foot-and-mouth hotspot as part of heightened measures to contain the outbreak.