A TSUNAMI that pounded remote islands in western Indonesia following an earthquake off the coast of Sumatra killed at least 113 people, officials said, and hundreds more were missing.

Two Irish detectives are being sent to Brazil to help identify the bodies pulled from the Atlantic Ocean after the Air France disaster, it was announced today.

Officials from Israel and Iran put aside any political animosity today as they worked together to identify their dead nationals from Sunday’s plane crash on the Thai resort island of Phuket.

Sandra Bullock and Queen Latifah were named Women Of The Year at the American edition of Glamour magazine's annual awards on Monday.

Rescuers said hopes of finding more survivors from a devastating earthquake that killed more than 5,400 people were waning today, as aid workers from around the world arrived in the disaster zone in central Indonesia.

A trickle of aid began reaching survivors of the Indonesian earthquake that killed more than 5,400 over the weekend, but desperate villagers said today the meagre deliveries were not enough.

A pulsing heart of red lights shone out from Sydney’s Harbour Bridge as tens of thousands of people gathered to watch fireworks marking the start of the new year, while revellers throughout the world partied, visited places of worship and gathered with families to welcome 2006.

The unlikely couple of a baby hippo and a 130-year-old tortoise are still together, a year after the hippo was separated from its family in Kenya by last year’s Indian Ocean tsunami.

Pope Benedict XVI today offered his prayers for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami, saying those struck by natural disasters throughout the world were still waiting for effective solidarity.

The world remembered the fury of the Indian Ocean tsunami that swept away at least 223,000 people in 12 countries and laid waste to entire communities in one of the worst natural disasters in memory.

Christmas celebrations were muted today in regions struck by the Indian Ocean tsunami 364 days ago, as mourners mixed with revellers on beaches where some of the hundreds of thousands of victims died.

Survivors today launched a boat laden with flowers, candles and incense in the first ceremony marking one year since the Indian Ocean tsunami swept away at least 216,000 lives in one of the world’s worst natural disasters in memory.

The European Union today gave an additional €20m to help victims of last year’s Indian Ocean tsunami, saying it would meet other major donors next week to take stock of the disaster, which killed more than 176,000 people.

As the first anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami approaches, 805 of the 3,750 bodies received by Thailand’s victim identification centre remain unidentified, officials said today.

A guitar signed by such rockers as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Eric Clapton has been sold at auction for a record $2.8m (€2.4m) in aid of the Indian Ocean tsunami victims.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan beseeched the world's governments and private donors yesterday to give more generously to help millions of Pakistanis rebuild lives and homes destroyed by last month's earthquake.

Health authorities today launched a two-week campaign to immunise 800,000 children among quake victims in divided Kashmir following concerns that infectious disease could thrive in the crowded and sometimes squalid tent camps for survivors.

THE United Nations said yesterday it has received only $85 million of the $550m it has requested for the survivors of Pakistan’s devastating earthquake.

Former President George HW Bush, reminiscing about his political life, said at a fundraiser yesterday that he has enjoyed working with former President Bill Clinton.

THE UN’s top relief official has warned that the aid shortfall for Pakistan’s earthquake victims has led to a logistical nightmare and made the situation worse than after the Indian Ocean tsunami last year.

Ricky Martin has issued an apology after he donned a traditional Arab kaffiyeh headscarf with the slogan "Jerusalem Is Ours" written in Arabic on it.

Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have recruited 137 children into their ranks since the Indian Ocean tsunami, nine of whom were taken directly from relief camps, the UN children's agency said today.

THE Government has so far spent €11 million of the €20 million it pledged in aid to the countries devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami on St Stephen's Day.

Singer Yusuf Islam has announced he's won substantial damages from two British newspapers which alleged he supported terrorism.

DNA test results showed today that a baby boy found in the debris of the Indian Ocean tsunami belongs to the couple who launched a heart-wrenching court battle for his custody.

An international aid group is offering to return some of the money it has received to help victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami because it has more than enough cash to cover its immediate operations in the area.

The international Red Cross said today it was winding down its appeal for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami because it has raised enough money.

Flags across Europe will be lowered to half-staff, stock exchanges will stop trading, and workers, shoppers and businesses across the continent will join a silent tribute tomorrow for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami.

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has donated £50,000 (€70,000) to the relief effort for areas ravaged by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

GOAL is dispatching engineers, doctors and nurses to stricken regions after the devastation of the Indian Ocean tsunami.