World Affairs Overview

Annan holds crunch talks with Assad

SYRIA: Kofi Annan met on Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for crunch talks in which he is expected to convey international outrage over the Houla massacre of more than 100 people.

On his arrival in Damascus on Monday, the UN and Arab League peace envoy called the "tragic" massacre in the central region "an appalling moment with profound consequences."

"I intend to have serious and frank discussions with President Bashar Al-Assad.

I also look forward to speaking with a range of other people while I am here," he told reporters on Monday.

AFP

Eight dead as new quake rocks north Italy

ITALY: At least eight people were killed on Tuesday when a strong earthquake rocked northeastern Italy, just nine days after another quake in the same region wrought death and destruction.

The 5.8 magnitude quake struck about 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of the city of Parma, according to the Geographical Institute of Modena, and sent panicked residents rushing into the streets.

It followed a 6.0 magnitude quake in the industrial northeast on May 20 which killed six people and left thousands in makeshift tent dwellings, with many homes and historic buildings reduced to rubble.

"Last night was the first night we'd spent back in our homes after the first quake. Then another one hit," one resident told SKY TG24 television in Sant'Agostino.

At least three victims were workers crushed by falling rubble.

Three were killed in San Felice del Panaro when a factory collapsed, two others died in the town of Mirandola, one in Concordia and one in Finale, police captain Salvatore Iannizzotto in Modena told the ANSA news agency. The eighth victim, the parish priest in the town of Rovereto di Novi, was also found dead but Iannizzotto said it was not clear whether he died of shock or was killed in the quake.

Tuesday's quake was felt throughout northern and central Italy, causing the the collapse of several structures already weakened by the quake earlier this month.

In Pisa, home of the famous leaning tower, offices were evacuated as a precautionary measure. People ran out into the streets from shops and offices in Milan, Bologna and the Aosta Valley, close to the French border.

AFP