News headlines provided by... BBC NEWS

Death toll rises in China quake

The death toll after a 7.8-magnitude quake in south-western China rises to at least 10,000, state media says, with rescuers yet to reach victims at the epicentre.

Tests 'damaging' to school system

The Sats tests being taken by 11-year-olds in England this week are damaging the balance of lessons, say MPs.

Officer hurt in booby-trap bomb

An off-duty police officer is injured in a car bomb attack in County Tyrone, for which dissident republicans are blamed.

Hi-tech tool spots child drinkers

The supermarket chain Budgens installs face recognition cameras to stop children buying alcohol and cigarettes.

More reports of house price falls

The number of UK surveyors reporting falls in property prices has risen for the ninth month in a row, a report says.

Bush offers help for Lebanon army

The US is ready to help improve Lebanon's army so it can disarm Hezbollah, President George W Bush tells the BBC.

Queen embarks on Turkey visit

The Queen and Prince Philip are travelling to Turkey for a four-day state visit, their first to the country since 1971.

Embryology laws pass first hurdle

MPs allow plans to update embryology laws to continue through Parliament, despite deep splits among MPs.

Comedian Brand wins radio prize

BBC Radio 2 DJ Russell Brand is among the winners at this year's Sony awards.

In the bag

Hillary Clinton will win West Virginia - but what then?

Fashion focus

Who wore what at the Sex and the City premiere

Gentle giant

Local people voice shock at the killing of Jimmy Mizen

'They paid taxes'

Families across the UK face the costs of elderly care

Slippery treasure

Searching the British undergrowth for rare adders

Finding sanctuary

A teenager on how foster care helped turn his life around

Friends remember murdered Jimmy

Friends of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen pay tribute to him at a mass in south-east London.

Card fraud 'runs into millions'

Credit card fraud alone cost Scotland a total of £11.5m in the year 2006 to 2007, it has been warned.

Father 'killed son in chips row'

A drunken man stabbed his son to death after a row over chips, a murder trial hears.

Stone 'planned to kill SF leader'

Loyalist Michael Stone planned to slit the throats of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, a court hears.

Chad closes its border with Sudan

Chad closes its border with Sudan, a day after Sudan cut diplomatic ties following a rebel attack near Khartoum.

Haiti MPs reject new PM candidate

Haiti's parliament rejects the president's choice for a new PM after the last one was sacked over food riots.

Israel police seize Olmert papers

Israeli police seize papers from PM Ehud Olmert's time as Jerusalem mayor as part of a corruption investigation.

UN frustrated at Burma response

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expresses his "immense frustration" at Burma's response to Cyclone Nargis.

Tough talks loom after Serb polls

Serbia's election results point to a victory for the pro-EU bloc, but the nationalists are still hungry for government.

Pakistan ministers set to resign

One of the main Pakistan parties, the PML-N is due to pull out of the government, three months after elections.

British Gas bills may rise again

British Gas-owner Centrica signals fuel bills may rise as its profits are squeezed by high gas and power prices.

Ministers attack rebel MP Field

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

Pollution 'lifts blood clot risk'

Breathing in air pollution from traffic fumes can raise the risk of potentially deadly blood clots, a US study says.

Testing pressure condemned by MPs

As 11-year-olds in England begin taking Sats tests, a committee of MPs is set to warn of over-testing.

Microwaves 'cook ballast aliens'

A microwave system that kills "invasive species" lurking in ships' ballast water is developed by a team of US researchers.

Stars at Sex and the City launch

Hundreds of fans greet the stars of the Sex and the City movie at its world premiere in London's West End.

Google helps the web to go social

The search giant Google is the latest company to launch a service aimed at making the web more social.

Cheeky crime: Venice man suspected of photographing women's bottoms

A man who allegedly photographed more than 3,000 women's bottoms as they toured Venice has been arrested by Italian police.

Chelsea seal £16.2m Bosingwa deal

Chelsea complete the signing of Porto right-back Jose Bosingwa on a three-year contract for £16.2m.

Gill promises funds for Ferguson

Manchester United chief executive David Gill promises Sir Alex Ferguson further funds to strengthen his squad this summer.

What do you want to talk about?

What do you want the world to talk about?