Thousands dead in Chinese quake
At least 8,500 people are killed by a strong earthquake in south-western China, state media says.

Ministers attack rebel MP Field
Two Cabinet ministers round on Labour rebel Frank Field after he suggested Gordon Brown would quit by 2010.

Mother's horror at bakery murder
The mother of murdered Jimmy Mizen speaks of her shock, horror and pain following his death.

Brown vows to make care 'fairer'
Gordon Brown pledges to reform the social care system to cope with England's ageing population.

Man killed in London's Oxford Street
A man is stabbed to death close to Oxford Circus tube station in London during the evening rush hour.

Serbian vote result sets up a showdown
The coalition determined to bring Serbia into the European Union made a surprisingly strong showing in parliamentary elections, but it faces a protracted power struggle with nationalist rivals who vowed to join forces to form a government.

Putin, as prime minister, keeps his inner circle intact
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced the formation Monday of a new Russian government, reappointing several top ministers and maintaining the power of his inner circle.

German president and foreign minister avoid meeting Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama will arrive in Berlin on Friday as part of a tour of European capitals that will include Britain, where he is to see Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

A feud over press freedom boils over in France
Journalists at Agence France-Presse are accusing the government of "attempts at political pressure."

Russian investigators identify main suspect in murder of Politkovskaya
Investigators said Rustam Makhmudov was "the immediate executor of the murder." Politkovskaya was shot to death in her central Moscow apartment building in October 2006.

Moussaoui Juror Falls Ill; Deliberations to Resume Friday
Jurors in the Zacarias Moussaoui case headed into a fourth day of deliberations Thursday but talks halted when one juror fell ill; deliberations to resume Friday

Iran Test-Fires Another 'Top Secret' Missile
Iran's state-run television says it successfully test-fired a "top secret" missile, the third in a week.

Duke Lacrosse Coach Resigns Amid Rape Flap
University cancels remainder of season after allegations that three players raped an exotic dancer at a party.

100 Homes Threatened by Weakened Dam in Northern California
About 100 homes were being evacuated Wednesday morning as a small earthen dam in Calaveras County in northern California weakened by an overnight thunderstorm threatened to break.

Video Claims to Show Insurgents Dragging Burning Body of U.S
A poor-quality video posted on the Internet Wednesday in the name of an extremist group claimed to show Iraqi insurgents dragging the burning body of a U.S. pilot on the ground after the crash of an Apache helicopter.