US aid to victims of the earthquake that sent deadly waves crashing onto shores in Asia and Africa has been doubled to $35m (€25.7m) and is likely to be much more in an international aid effort expected to run into the billions.

SATELLITE photos of the Darfur region of western Sudan show more than 300 villages completely destroyed, confirming the many reports of systematic killings by Arab militias.

Nine Sudanese working for an American aid agency have been killed during clashes between warring tribes.

US transport planes airdropping relief supplies into Afghanistan will fly with fighter escorts.