U.S & WORLD NEWS DIGEST | Strong earthquake hits New Zealand

Strong earthquake hits New Zealand

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch today, seriously injuring people and damaging buildings throughout the city. Live video footage showed parts of buildings collapsed into the streets, which were strewn with bricks and shattered concrete. Sidewalks and roads were cracked and split, and hundreds of dazed, screaming and crying residents wandered through the streets as sirens blared throughout the city.

Stepmom charged with girl’s murder

HICKORY, N.C.

The stepmother of a 10-year-old disabled girl was indicted Monday on a charge she murdered the child, and officials released the latest gruesome detail in the case of little, freckle-faced Zahra Baker: Her head is missing.

Medical examiners said Zahra’s death was caused by “undetermined homicidal violence.” An autopsy was done even though authorities haven’t recovered many bones, most notably the girl’s skull, months after she was reported missing. Several bones showed cutting tool marks consistent with dismemberment.

The revelation came in documents released by the state’s chief medical examiner shortly after officials in western North Carolina had a news conference about the second-degree murder charge. Authorities said Elisa Baker, who has been jailed since the weekend the girl was reported missing, desecrated Zahra’s remains to cover up the slaying.

36 die in stampede at ceremony in Mali

BAMAKO, Mali

At least 36 people were killed in a stampede Monday when a crowd surged against a metal barrier after a Muslim ceremony, Mali’s minister of interior security and civil protection said.

Sadio Gassame said the stampede at Bamako’s Modibo Keita Stadium took place during a ceremony marking the Muslim holy period of Maouloud. The incident occurred as tens of thousands of people were attempting to leave through a metallic enclosure.

Opposition leader to return to Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain

A prominent opposition figure accused by Bahrain of plotting against the state plans to return from London, an aide said Monday, in a move that could bolster protesters and force authorities into difficult choices. Hassan Meshaima, head of a group known as Haq, is scheduled to arrive late today as the embattled monarchy tries to engage demonstrators in talks aimed at easing the weeklong series of clashes and marches that have deeply divided the strategic Gulf nation.

Honduras: Call cops for smokers in home

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras

The last refuge is vanishing for besieged smokers — at least in Honduras.

A new law says family members can call in the police on people who smoke at home.

The law bans all smoking in most closed public or private spaces and orders smokers to stand at least 6 feet away from nonsmokers in any open space.

The law that went into effect Monday doesn’t clearly ban smoking at home. But it expressly says relatives or visitors can summon police to deal with smokers at home.

Some analysts say the law will be almost impossible to enforce in the Central American nation, which is also a significant producer of cigars.

Associated Press