Mexico: volcano stirs again

The Mexican authorities have warned communities living near the Popocatepetl volcano that they may have to be evacuated from their homes again if further volcanic activity is registered.

On Thursday, the volcano - which had been calm since its dramatic eruption last month - spewed gas and steam into the air.

A state of alert remains in place.

Tens of thousands of local residents spent Christmas in temporary shelters after the eruption in mid-December forced them from their homes.

They only returned to the area a week ago.

Popocatepetl, which is about 65km south-east of Mexico City, was dormant for almost 70 years before becoming active again in 1994.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service