Sicily: Gunman kills 5, self in shooting rampage

A disgruntled town worker opened fire with a handgun Friday in a town hall in eastern Sicily, killing five people and injuring one before committing suicide, police said.

The suspect fled the scene of the attack in the town of Aci Castello, just outside Catania, prompting a manhunt through eastern Sicily. Police in the southeastern city of Ragusa said Friday night that the suspect killed himself in a church near the town of Vittoria, 60 miles southwest of Catania.

The victims of the shooting rampage included the Aci Castello mayor, police said, another town official and two women. A fifth man, an elderly bystander, was killed outside the building.

Police identified the assailant as 42-year-old Giuseppe Leotta, who had done some occasional work for the town. Leotta had been seeking a permanent job as the mayor’s driver for some time, police in Aci Castello said, but had been turned down several times. On Friday, the man had tried to talk to the mayor, but his request was refused.

Spain: Pope schedules weekend visit

Pope John Paul II arrives today on the fifth visit to Spain of his 24-year papacy. His 32-hour stay will be limited to Madrid.

The main events are a youth prayer meeting today and an open-air Mass Sunday at which the pope will canonize five 20th century Spanish priests and nuns known for their work with the poor.

The church says it expects up to 300,000 people at the rally and a million at the Mass.

Argentina: Flood toll hits 13

Rescuers found the body of an elderly man Friday, the 13th death from flooding that that has forced tens of thousands from their homes in northwest Argentina.

Waters from the flooded Salado River began receding, though many people remained on their rooftops and vowed to defend homes and businesses against looters.

Many businesses and supermarkets were shut and power was still off to many neighborhoods in Santa Fe, some 250 miles northwest of Buenos Aires. Authorities said the floods had caused at least $200 million in damages to crops and livestock alone.

Local reports said more than 50,000 people were evacuated from the floods, though some news accounts put the number as high as 100,000.