The site of the world's worst nuclear accident, Chernobyl, is to host official tours from next year. Ukraine's Minister of Emergencies, Viktor Baloha, made the announcement as he visited the decommissioned nuclear power station with the head of the UN Development Programme, Helen Clark. A spokeswoman said specialists were working out safe routes for visitors to learn more about the explosion.

The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has used the final day before a parliamentary vote of no confidence to appeal for support and lobby deputies. Defectors from the governing alliance say they can no longer tolerate a prime minister immersed in personal scandal and corruption allegations. But in a speech to the upper house, Mr Berlusconi warned them that allying themselves with the left would plunge the country into dark times.

"If there's an honest and real concern about the troubles the Italian economy is facing, the only possible way is to give this government a vote of confidence. A vote of support for the government would prevent Italy from entering a dark period of crisis, which it really doesn't need and could mark the beginning of a new political phase."

Twenty-six of the Chilean miners rescued in October after two months trapped underground are in Britain to watch Manchester United play Arsenal in the Premier League. The miners are at the Manchester United ground at the invitation of Bobby Charlton, one of the club's directors. One of the miners spoke of their honour of being at the famous Old Trafford ground, which he described as the "theatre of dreams".