Philippine President cuts China visit short

Reports from Manila say the Philippine President, Joseph Estrada, is cutting short his state visit to China and returning home on Friday, one day earlier than planned.

Local media quoted the President's spokesman as saying Mr Estrada was ending his itinerary on Friday so he could inspect the areas in the Philippines affected by a typhoon.

Six people died in the storms.

The country is also facing increased tension in the southern island of Jolo where Muslim rebels are holding a group of foreign hostages.

On Thursday, a grenade explosion on the island killed three people.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service