Around the world: David Cameron and Queen gifted mine rocks by Chilean chief

Chilean president Sebastian Pinera arrives in the UK today, bringing lumps of rock from the San Jose mine at the centre of this week's rescue. He will give them to David Cameron, with whom he is having talks, and the Queen.

The billionaire is fresh from greeting the last of the 33 miners to be freed after 69 days underground. All but two men remain in hospital today. President Pinera will visit Churchill's War Rooms tomorrow and Mr Cameron on Monday. The men were found on the day that the president's father-in-law died, with his last words to Mr Pinera being: "Don't give up. Keep working to rescue the miners."

Mr Pinera, 60, said: "I will never forget that day. My father-in-law losing his life and the 33 miners recovering theirs."

Meanwhile, a coal mine blast in China's Henan province killed 20 and trapped more than 30 workers underground today. Chinese TV said the blast came this morning, local time. An official confirmed the accident but had no details.

Jackson to direct 3D Hobbit

Peter Jackson will direct The Hobbit, the 3D two-part prequel to his popular Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Warner Bros said today. The movies, based on JRR Tolkien's books, had been delayed by union issues and problems at partner MGM. Shooting begins in February.

Fatal sludge plant reopens

Production has restarted at the Hungarian metals plant whose broken reservoir unleashed a massive flood of caustic red sludge, killing nine people. Villagers have begun returning to one affected town, despite warnings from environmentalists that it was too early to go back.

Somalia aid worker taken

A BRITISH consultant working for Save the Children was being held by masked gunmen in Somalia today, along with his native colleague.

The pair were taken from a guesthouse in Adado, a small town close to the border with Ethiopia, the aid agency said.

Spokeswoman Anna Ford said: "Save the Children can confirm that a British national and a Somali national working with the agency were taken by armed gunmen on Thursday night."

France to fold over gypsies

France said it would alter some of its laws after the storm over the government's expulsions of Roma gypsies to eastern Europe. The country was given until midnight yesterday by the European Commission to fully implement the EU's directive on freedom of movement across the 27-nation bloc or face legal action.

Soldier who killed Afghan civilians safe

A soldier who told investigators that he and other members of his unit executed three civilians in Afghanistan for sport will not face the death penalty if convicted, the US Army said. Spc Jeremy Morlock is one of five defendants charged with murder and conspiracy over the deaths this year. The case is based on statements Morlock gave describing the killings.The military has not executed anyone since 1961.