Around the world: Supporters gather to see Suu Kyi's first taste of freedom

Scores of people holding a vigil were disappointed that she was not given an early release last night, but colleagues said an order to set her free had already been signed by Myanmar's junta. The period of her latest detention expires Saturday.

Jailed or under house arrest for more than 15 of the last 21 years, Suu Kyi has become a symbol for a struggle to rid the Southeast Asian country of decades of military rule.

Adding to the expectant atmosphere was a sharply stepped-up security presence in Yangon, with truckloads of riot police cruising the streets.

The country's first election in 20 years was held on November 7, and critics allege it was manipulated to give a pro-military party a sweeping victory. Results have given the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party a majority.

The 1990 election was won by Suu Kyi's party, but the military refused to hand over power.

More bodies pulled from volcano village

Rescuers pulled more bodies from a village smothered a week ago by searing gases from Indonesia's most volatile volcano as more people died from their burns, raising the death toll to 240.

Mount Merapi shot out more hot clouds, though no new deaths were reported.

The mountain, the most active volcano in Indonesia, has continuously spewed ash since it roared to life on October 26 after years of dormancy.

Protest against Jintao's visit

Several thousand protesters waving Japanese flags opposed Chinese Premier Hu Jintao's visit to Yokohama for an economic summit.

Organisers said Saturday's march drew about 4,000 demonstrators.

Protesters also shouted "defeat Chinese imperialism."

Bombers try to storm Nato base

A group of would-be suicide bombers tried to storm a major NATO base in eastern Afghanistan early Saturday but were repelled before they could enter.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack - their second assault on the NATO base in six months.

Palin e-mail hacker jailed

A FORMER student who hacked into Sarah Palin's e-mail account during the 2008 election campaign was given a year and a day in custody, with the judge recommending a halfway house instead of prison.

The sentence by US District Judge Thomas Phillips fell short of the 18 months sought by prosecutors, but went beyond the probation recommended by the defence for 22-year-old David Kernell.

Kernell apologised to the Palin family.

Pirates hijack ship with 29 sailors

Pirates hijacked a cargo ship with 29 Chinese sailors aboard in the Arabian Sea and told the shipping company they were taking it towards Somalia, China said.

The attack came just two days after another 17 Chinese sailors returned home after being held by Somali pirates for four months.