Nicolas Roche came within 10 metres of winning the fourth stage of the Vuelta A Espana yesterday but was foiled by a fast-finishing trio which denied him a place on the podium.

A powerful typhoon that has killed at least one US airman slammed central Japan, disrupting transport and triggering mudslides, before swerving to the Pacific Ocean.

Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 20 people off southern Spain following a shipwreck involving would-be immigrants last weekend, officials said.

Rescue teams have recovered the bodies of 20 people off southern Spain following a shipwreck involving would-be immigrants last weekend, officials said today.

Tens of thousands of protesters denouncing the United States-led war in Iraq today marched to Spanish military bases used by the US to refuel planes and help care for wounded soldiers.