A man wielding a machete stormed two churches in southern Spain late on Wednesday, killing a church official and seriously injuring a priest, the government said.
The attack took place in the port city of Algeciras in Spain's southern Andalusia region, with prosecutors immediately opening a terrorism investigation.
"Just after 7pm this evening, a man entered the church of San Isidro in Algeciras where, armed with a machete, he attacked the priest, leaving him seriously wounded," the Interior Ministry said.
"Subsequently, he entered the church of Nuestra Senora de La Palma in which, after causing damages, he attacked the verger.
"The verger managed to get out of the church but was caught by the attacker outside and sustained mortal injuries."
The Ministry said he had died on the spot.
"Moments later, [the assailant] was disarmed and arrested and is currently in police custody," it said.
The two churches are several hundred metres apart in an area very close to the port.
Police initially said several people had been wounded but later clarified it was only the priest, with the emergency services confirming he had sustained injuries "to the neck".
The Mayor of Algeciras said the verger who died was Diego Valencia. He identified the priest as Antonio Rodriguez.
In a post on Twitter, the local congregation said Rodriguez, 74, had been celebrating the Eucharist at San Isidro church when he was attacked. They described his condition as "serious but stable".
A police source told AFP the assailant was wearing a long robe and had "shouted something" as he carried out the attack.
Witnesses at Nuestra Senora de La Palma told local media that a man ran into the building about 7.30pm, just as they were finishing the Eucharist service.
They said he was shouting and had started to throw icons, crosses and candles to the floor.
Prosecutors opened an investigation that is being led by a judge from the Audiencia Nacional, Spain's top criminal court, which handles terrorism-related cases.
Police did not identify the suspect but released a video in which he is seen from behind wearing a black, white and grey hoodie and black trousers, and being led away handcuffed by two police officers.
Algeciras town hall said it would hold an official day of mourning on Thursday when flags would be lowered to half-mast. A demonstration would take place at midday to express outrage at the bloodshed.
The attack drew swift condemnation from across the political spectrum.
"I send my deepest condolences to the families of the verger who die in this terrible attack," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on Twitter, wishing a quick recovery to the injured priest.
Opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo of the right-wing Popular Party said he was "appalled" by the incident.
Police have not commented on the possible motives, or political and religious affiliation of the attacker.
But the incident was denounced by the local Muslim community, which said it condemned "the brutal and vicious attack in Algeciras" and deplored the verger's death.
"These criminal acts, which some want to link to Islam or Muslims, tarnish the coexistence that society in Algeciras has historically enjoyed," it said on the Facebook account of Ishbilia mosque in Seville, the regional capital.
"These reprehensible acts are far from our religion and the Muslim community."
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MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
57%20Seconds
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km
Price: from Dh547,600
On sale: now
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
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The specs
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TERMINAL HIGH ALTITUDE AREA DEFENCE (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
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