Many clutched a razor wire fence, desperately searching the crowds on the other side for a familiar face as they tried to discover whether their loved ones were still alive and at liberty, or in another of the camps, where the overcrowded conditions and made worse by poor sanitation, inadequate food and severe water shortages.

The refugees are not allowed to leave the camps even if they are not suspected of being Tamil Tiger fighters. While the Colombo government has said that it will clear the camps during the course of the year, it is anxious not to allow separatist fighters to evade their reach by posing as civilians and simply walking free.

Bhuvaneswari, whose son and two daughters are missing, held photographs through the wire. “Nine members of my family are missing, please help me find them,” she said. “They’ve been missing since the mass exodus on April 20th. When the army entered the safe zone and cut the area in two, we were separated. We don’t know if they’ve been killed by the army or what.”

At “Zone Four”, a camp for recent arrivals, men stripped to the waist were washing themselves in an open drain. One man showed his camp ration card which recorded only two evening meals in six days, while another emaciated elderly man was so weak from an infection that he could not stand or speak and appeared close to death as he lay in a crowded tent.

Many said they had been shelled from their homes in the army’s ferocious advance across the north-east of the island, and they had been forced to flee more than a dozen times before reaching the so-called “no-fire zone”.

Thangaraja, 59, a carpenter, said that his family had moved 14 times since January as the Tigers retreated into the “no-fire zone” on the north-east coast. He said they had been shelled by the army, shot at by Tamil Tigers to stop them escaping, and lost several relatives in the cross-fire.

“My son and daughter-in-law, my brother-in-law, my cousin, all died in shelling attacks. We built bunkers and kept moving from one place to another. Shells were falling everywhere. Four people died in my family while I was there. We just left their bodies in the bunker and filled them in,” he said.

He wants to go back to his home “in freedom”, but his main concern is for other missing relatives. “Lots of my relatives have been injured but we don’t know where they are. We can’t go outside the camp to contact people,” he said.

An army spokesman said that up to 6,000 families had been reunited to date, and that they were working to bring separated families together.

But he added: “At the moment we don’t know how many families are separated or how many disappeared.”

One refugee said that thousands of fleeing civilians were separated from their families when they reached the army check-point, where they were pushed onto buses and taken to different hospitals and camps. Navamani, 43, from Vattuvagal in Mullaitivu district, said she had lost her three children, aged 16,18 and 21, in the chaos.

At Vavuniya’s Zone Two, a few miles down the road, a mother and daughter who had been separated for five months had finally found one another, but were not allowed to embrace.

Kandaswamy, 73, was weeping on one side of the razor-wire, and reaching out to her daughter, Laxmi, 45, who has been in detention since fleeing the final battle earlier this month. She needed all the comfort she could get – four of her five children had been killed in shelling, she said.

The rogue state fired three short-range missiles on Tuesday, and there are suspicions that it may be trying to scare off US spy planes from hovering above sensitive military installations.

“The North is continuing its sabre-rattling,” an unnamed South Korean Defence official told Yonhap, without clarifying the possible intent of the missiles. South Korean intelligence has identified “brisk activity” along the coast line, as the North manoeuvres its arsenal. Pyongyang has also banned all shipping from the region.

Pyongyang continued its fierce rhetoric, accusing the US of hostility and warning that its army and people are ready to defeat an American invasion.

“The current US administration is following in the footsteps of the previous Bush administration’s reckless policy of militarily stifling North Korea,” said the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

As the United Nations Security Council prepares to discuss fresh sanctions and punitive actions against North Korea, Barack Obama, the US president, reassured North Korea’s neighbours that he would protect them in the event of any attack.

Mr Obama telephoned the leaders of Japan and South Korea to repeat long-standing US security guarantees. Mr Obama told Lee Myung-bak, the South Korean president, that the United States will protect his country from any possible North Korean aggression, a South Korean presidential spokesman said in Seoul.

Both leaders agreed that North Korea’s decision to test a second device was “a reckless violation of international law” and that they would seek “concrete measures [at the United Nations] to curtail North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities,” a statement from the US State Department added.

Mr Obama also spoke by telephone with Taro Aso, the Japanese prime minister, with the leaders agreeing to step up co-ordination with South Korea, China and Russia. Mr Obama also reiterated the US commitment to defend Japan, the White House said.

China and Russia have joined the condemnation of North Korea, however both nations have argued in the past that further sanctions and isolation of Pyongyang could be counterproductive in efforts to restart the stalled Six Party talks on nuclear disarmament.

China said yesterday that it was “resolutely opposed” to the test, but weakened the tone of its statement from the strong words it issued in response to North Korea’s first nuclear test in October 2006 – an act Beijing described as “brazen”. It also called for a “calm response” to the crisis and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved through dialogue, a possible indication that China will not permit heavily-punitive sanctions.

Meanwhile South Korea has announced that it will join a US-led initiative to curb the trade in weapons of mass destruction, an decision which Pyongyang has previously said it would consider an “act of war”.

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), set up by the Bush administration in 2003 and now joined by 90 countries, is aimed at stopping and searching shipping suspected of carrying weapons of mass destruction or their related components.

South Korea had retained “observer” status in the initiative in an attempt to preserve relations with its Northern neighbour, however a foreign ministry spokesman said that following Monday’s test Seoul could wait no longer.

Howard’s two free throws with 21 seconds remaining capped a 10-point effort in the extra session as the center, who is nicknamed “Superman”, finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds to help the Magic leave LeBron James’s Cavs facing a stunning series defeat.

“Now it’s time to close it out,” Howard told reporters after guiding his team to a 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“We have to have the killer instinct. If we want to win a championship this is what it takes.”

James, the League MVP, recorded 44 points to reach the 40-point barrier for the third time in the series, but all those games have ended in losses for the top-seeded Cavs.

James made two free throws with less than a second remaining in regulation time to send the game into the extra session but his three-point attempt to win the contest at the overtime buzzer hit the rim of the basket before bouncing away.

MINNEAPOLIS—Justin Morneau’s three-run homer capped a five-run fifth inning for Minnesota against Boston starter Jon Lester, and the Twins beat the Red Sox 5-2 on Tuesday night.

Notes:@ Crede had X-rays on his right hand, where he was hit by a pitch Sunday. He came out of that game and hasn’t played since, unable to squeeze a bat with much strength. … Clay Buchholz took a perfect game into the ninth inning for Boston’s Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket Monday. Francona acknowledged the concern of prospects like Buchholz growing frustrated by spending too much time in the minors, but said: “If the call-ups were on their schedule, we’d have a 55-man roster.” … Mauer failed to get a hit for just the fourth time in 24 games. He took a foul ball by Kevin Youkilis off the right shoulder in the eighth, but remained in the game. … Ellsbury extended his hitting streak to 21 games, the longest run by a Red Sox player since Kevin Youkilis had a hit in 23 consecutive games two years ago.

Possessions that belonged to Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe are to be auctioned in Las Vegas.

Personal effects including Monroe’s receipts for alcohol and Presley’s pill bottles are among the lots up for sale.

Monroe’s bath robe – purported to be the last item of clothing that she wore – has a guide price of up to $6,000 (£3,745) at the auction.

The event, which includes a whole host of celebrity memorabilia, takes place on the 26 and 27 June.

Minutiae

A number of items from Monroe’s final home in California, including two bricks from the house and furnishings are also among the lots.

Medical paraphernalia from Elvis Presley’s doctor is also listed in the Julien’s Auctions catalogue, including a nasal douche and his leather bag.

A chunky lapis stone ring that belonged to the musical star is expected to fetch $20,000 (£12,500).

A number of photographic images of actress Monroe are in the sale, along with a fur stole – a garment which became closely associated with the screen star.

The minutiae of her life, including signed cheques and a newspaper bill, will also be made available to bidders.

A horror film based on the real story of cannibal Armin Meiwes can now be shown in Germany, a court has ruled.

Screenings of Rohtenburg were banned in 2006 after a court ruled the film infringed the convicted 47-year-old’s personal rights.

But a court in Karlsruhe said public interest outweighs his complaint the film would cause him emotional damage.

Meiwes was convicted of murder and given a life sentence in 2006 after admitting partially eating another man.

The film, which was released internationally under the title Grimm Love, starred Mission Impossible: 3 actress Keri Russell as an American exchange student, studying criminal psychology in Germany, who chooses the notorious cannibal case for her thesis.

The makers of the movie argued that Meiwes’ case did no more than provide inspiration for their film in which German actor Thomas Kretschmann plays a cannibal named Oliver Hartwin.

Marketing deal

The court ruled that the producers’ right to artistic freedom, together with Meiwes’ own previous efforts at marketing the gory deed, outweighed his personal rights.

The film did not misrepresent the facts of the case, which were in any case widely known, a court statement said.

Meiwes gave many interviews on himself and the crime and signed a marketing contract with a production company in 2004.

The case has been the subject of a book, several additional films, and songs by Rammstein and Marilyn Manson.

In the real tale that horrified Germany, engineer Meiwes met IT manager Bernd-Juergen Brandes after posting an advert on the internet asking for a willing victim in 2001.

A Frankfurt court sentenced Meiwes, rejecting the argument that his act of cannibalism amounted to euthanasia since Brandes had wanted to be eaten.

It was not immediately clear whether the movie will now be screened in German cinemas.

A US judge has ended a bitter two-year battle over the late soul singer James Brown’s estate.

Judge Jack Early has ruled half of his assets will go to a charitable trust, a quarter to his wife and young son, and the rest to his six adult children.

Brown’s family and wife Tomi Rae Hynie Brown have fought over his fortune since he died of heart failure in 2006.

Judge Early wrote in his court report that the undisclosed settlement is “just and reasonable”.

‘Relieved and happy’

He added: “From the perspective of the charitable beneficiaries, the risks of not approving the settlement agreement are substantial.”

The settlement also establishes that Tomi Rae Hynie Brown is the star’s surviving spouse and her son is his child.

Last year, a US court ordered a DNA test to be carried out on the boy to prove Brown was his father, but that is no longer required.

In a statement to news agency The Associated Press, Brown’s widow said: “I am so relieved and happy that the court has approved this settlement.

“I want to be able to work with the trustees and other Brown family members to promote James Brown’s legacy.

“My son James and I are grateful to the judge and hope this nightmare is finally over.”

The judge has also ruled that Brown’s relatives will create a museum or some other memorial for the late singer.

Brown’s daughter, Deanna Brown, said: “It has been a struggle, but God has blessed us and we are thankful.

“We look forward to working towards the goals of our father by providing education scholarships for impoverished students and his own grandchildren, and making his home a museum for the world to come and see.”

Lawyers have said the soul singer’s accounts have little money in them.

Last July, some of his possessions were auctioned off, partly to pay off debts, however royalties from the musician’s music will continue to make future income.

Facebook has sold a 1.96% stake for $200m (£126m) to a Russian internet firm, a move that values the social networking website at $10bn.

Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg said he had been impressed by Digital Sky Technology’s (DST) “impressive growth and financial achievements”.

DST has investments in a number of internet firms across Russia and Eastern Europe.

US-based Facebook has more than 200 million global members.

‘Ongoing success’

Facebook said DST would not be represented on its board or hold special observer rights.

“This investment demonstrates Facebook’s ongoing success at creating a global network for people to share and connect,” added Mr Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive.

“A number of firms approached us, but DST stood out because of the global perspective they bring.”

DST’s internet businesses account for more than 70% of all page views on Russian language websites.

It has investments in sites including Mail.ru, Forticom and vKontakte.

The deal comes two years after Facebook sold a 1.6% stake to Microsoft for $240m.

General Motors’ bondholders have rejected a key part of the carmaker’s restructuring plan, which makes it more likely to seek bankruptcy protection.

The board will now meet to discuss its “next steps” after a large number of investors refused to exchange their debt for company shares.

Meanwhile, the German government is set to begin a series of meetings later to consider bids for GM’s Europe arm.

Four bidders are currently in the running for Opel and UK’s Vauxhall.

Owner General Motors will have the final say, but the German government’s backing is crucial, as GM would struggle to do a deal without it.

But a spokesperson for UK Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said GM wanted to keep talking with all bidders. All had committed to maintain Vauxhall production in the UK, he added.

Bidding war

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be meeting GM representatives and US government officials at 2000 BST on Wednesday night.

Her government is being asked to put up hefty loan guarantees for the winning bidder for GM Europe, so its backing could sway US parent GM’s ultimate decision on who to sell to.

This is because Opel has its headquarters in Germany, and 25,000 of the firm’s 50,000 workers are employed in the country.

The four bidders for GM Europe are Italy’s Fiat, Canada’s Magna, Belgium’s RHJ and China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC).

With an election looming, Berlin does not want to see too many job losses arising from the takeover.

Magna says it will lay off 2,500 workers in Germany, while Fiat says it will cut 10,000 jobs across Europe, including 2,000 in Germany.

BAIC, however, says it will not cut any jobs for at least two years.

But the takeover will also affect 5,000 Vauxhall workers at plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton in the UK, and there are fears that the German government’s influence could prejudice UK jobs.

Derek Simpson, general secretary of the Unite union in the UK, fears the Germans will support a bid which offers no protection to British workers.

The UK government has said it might consider making a financial contribution to help secure the future of Vauxhall.

Scientists have finished sequencing the mouse genome after a 10-year effort.

The humble mouse is the experimental workhorse in laboratories worldwide, so this high-quality genome sequence will aid in the fight against human disease.

The search for novel treatments could benefit from a greater understanding of the mouse genetic code, which is about 75% similar to our own.

An international team of researchers have published details of the work in the open-access journal PLoS Biology.

The sequence comprises the full complement of genetic material in the nucleus of a cell. It is effectively the genetic “instruction booklet” for a living animal.

The mouse (Mus musculus) becomes only the second mammal after humans to have its complete genome laid bare.

But draft sequences have been published for the chimp, dog, rat, cat, macaque and even the duck-billed platypus

The mouse is the animal most often used to better understand human illnesses and how they develop.

Research carried out using mice has led to advances in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and countless other conditions.

Good model

Co-author Professor Chris Ponting, from the University of Oxford, told BBC News the work confirmed that the mouse was an excellent experimental model for human disease.

“Completion of the genome is extremely important in helping us to identify the genes that underpin biology that is the same across all mammals,” he said.

But he said it was also important to separate the genes humans shared with mice from those which differed between them.

About 75% of mouse genes have a single equivalent in humans. But some 5,000 genes arose after the ancestors of mice and humans went their separate evolutionary ways.

“In retrospect, our previous picture of the mouse genome was incomplete,” said Dr Leo Goodstadt from the University of Oxford.

“Only when all the missing pieces of the genomic puzzle had been filled in did we realise that we had been missing large numbers of genes found only in mice, and not in humans.”

The mouse genome sequencing effort began in 1999, and a draft sequence was published in 2002.

The cost, borne by US and UK sequencing centres, is estimated to exceed $100m (£62m).

Some groups oppose animal experimentation, campaigning to ban or limit the animals used.

In the UK, growth in the use of genetically modified (GM) animals – mainly mice – is largely responsible for a steady rise in the numbers of animals used in experiments since 1997.

Professor Ponting, from the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) Functional Genomics Unit at Oxford, said the complete genome could provide insights into the evolution of mammals.

Humans and mice share a remarkable level of similarity, despite having evolved independently for the last 90 million years.