World News: Volcano and tsunami kill hundreds across Indonesia

Meanwhile, off the coast of Sumatra, about 800 miles west of the volcano, rescuers battled rough seas to reach the remote Mentawai islands, where a 10ft tsunami triggered by an earthquake swept away hundreds of homes, killing at least 113 villagers, said the health ministry's crisis centre. Up to 500 others are missing.

The twin disasters happened hours apart in one of the most seismically active regions on Earth.

Scientists have warned that pressure building beneath Merapi's lava dome could trigger its most powerful explosion in years.

But Gede Swantika, a government volcanologist, expressed hope that the 9,737ft mountain, which sent rocks cascading down its southern slope, could be releasing steam slowly.

Pope's message to immigrants

Pope Benedict has called on immigrants to respect the laws and national identity of their host countries.

He said that every country had the right to regulate the flow of migration and immigrants had a duty to integrate. His comments are likely to add to the Europe-wide debate about integration.

Cubans face new tax rules

The Cuban authorities have set out in detail new rules and taxes for the self-employed and small businesses as they move to overhaul the economy.

Taxes will range from 25 per cent for incomes more than 5,000 pesos (142) a year, to 50 per cent for those earning more than 50,000 pesos.

Haiti disease unit attacked

Protesters in Haiti threw rocks at a cholera treatment centre as it was preparing to open in the city of St Marc.

The attack on the Doctors Without Borders-Spain clinic highlighted the fear surrounding a disease that was almost unknown in the country before it began spreading, aid workers said.

Some of the 300 protesters said they feared the clinic would bring more of the disease to their seaside town, one of the hardest hit in the week-old epidemic that has killed 284.

Jacko's dad loses estate bid

A California court rejected a bid by Michael Jackson's father to challenge the administration of his son's lucrative estate.

The California Second District Court of Appeal backed a probate judge's ruling that Joe Jackson did not have standing to intervene in his son's estate.France set for final vote on pension bill

France: The national assembly is to take a final vote on a controversial pension reform bill, with President Nicolas Sarkozy hoping it will bring an end to a series of damaging strikes.

The bill is almost certain to pass but may still face a number of challenges.

New Zealand: Crisis talks between the prime minister and Hollywood studio executives have ended with no decision on where The Hobbit will be filmed.