World News: Chilean miners' ordeal set to end in the next 24 hours

The agonising ordeal for 33 Chilean miners who have spent two months trapped underground was nearing its end today.

Rescuers have reinforced the escape shaft and the 13-foot-tall rescue chamber sliding, as planned, nearly all the way to the men.

They will come up one by one in green overalls bearing their names on their chests - first the fittest, then the weakest, twisting in a steel cage that proved itself with four flawless test runs deep into the earth. "It didn't even raise any dust," mining minister Laurence Golborne said.

If all goes well, everything will be in place to begin pulling the men out tomorrow.

The lead psychologist for the rescue team recommended the extractions begin at dawn. No official decision was announced, but Andre Sougarret, the rescue team co-ordinator, tweeted that "today the miners sleep their last night together!".

Yesterday the Phoenix I capsule made its first test run after the top 180ft of the shaft was encased in tubing, the rescue leader said. Then it was winched 2,000ft, just 40ft short of the shaft system that has been the miners' refuge since August 5.

Hungary spill boss arrested

The chief executive of the industrial plant at the centre of the toxic sludge spill in Hungary has been taken in for questioning by police.

The arrest of Zoltan Bakonyi was announced by the prime minister Viktor Orban.

Eight people have so far died due to the spill.

New coca law is annulled

The Bolivian government has said it has annulled a new coca production law which cut by a third the number of coca leaves which growers could sell.

The law triggered widespread protests by growers, who blocked the main road to La Paz city from the Amazon region.

Fort Hood hearing starts

US Army major Nidal Hasan will come face to face today with dozens of people he is accused of attacking during a massacre that killed 13 at a Texas base.

An Article 32 hearing, which starts in military court and is expected to last at least three weeks, will determine whether there is enough evidence to put the army psychiatrist on trial. It will also be the first time witnesses have testified about the shooting at Fort Hood.

Oprah slams school abuse ruling

Oprah Winfrey expressed her shock today after a woman accused of abusing teenagers at a school for girls in South Africa set up by the TV host was cleared by a court.

Winfrey said she was "profoundly disappointed"and praised the pupils who testified against Tiny Virginia Makopo.

French unions plan another huge strike

France: Nicolas Sarkozy will face a showdown with the unions today as they stage another massive strike to try to stop his government from raising the retirement age by two years.

North Korea: The eldest son of leader Kim Jong Il says he opposes a hereditary transfer of power to a third generation of his family.

Kim Jong Nam's remarks come after North Korea unveiled his younger half-brother, Kim Jong Un, as successor.