>><!--top1-->China<!--top1End--> - <!--top1Content-->A 7.8 magnitude earthquake jolted Sichuan yesterday leaving nearly 12,000 dead so far. The shock, felt as far away as Bangkok, severed road, rail, air, and phone links to the region, hampering relief efforts and forcing some Chinese troops to march as much as 100 miles to reach affected areas. Tens of thousands are still trapped in collapsed buildings, including 900 teenagers in a school in Dujiangyan city. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao flew to the scene and made an emotional statement on CCTV.<!--top1ContentEnd-->

>><!--top2-->Iraq<!--top2End--> - <!--top2Content-->Violence flared again in Sadr City yesterday, as U.S. troops were attacked by who are thought to be supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr. These attacks put into question the agreement reached on Saturday between the government of Iraq and Sadr to end fighting and the amount of control that Sadr has over his supporters.<!--top2Content-->

>><!--top3-->Lebanon<!--top3End--> - <!--top3Content-->Yesterday, as violence eased across Lebanon, the Lebanese Army, long seen as a neutral institution, said that it would begin to use force to stop fighting between government supporters and Hezbollah. The army remains deployed to the mountains east of Beirut and northern Lebanon as part of an agreement for them to take over militia positions and collect arms. Reportedly, some government supporters are beginning to distrust the army because it did not stop Hezbollah from seizing control of western Beirut on Friday.<!--top3Content-->

• The Pop Becomes Political
• Gareth Evans on Myanmar Situation and R2P

Africa

• Nigeria - Obasanjo denies power corruption
• South Africa - South African mob kills migrants
• Sudan - Sudan briefly detains Islamist for alleged rebel links
• South Africa - Apartheid court case can go ahead in New York
• Sudan - Chad closes its border with Sudan
• Kenya - In Kenya, Violence Shakes Running Community
• Sudan - Fear after mass arrests in Sudan
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe MDC says regional observers enough for run-off

Americas

• Bolivia - Morales sets Bolivia recall date
• Venezuela - Venezuela takes over steel firm
• Haiti - Haiti MPs reject new PM candidate

Asia

• China - Dalai Lama Expects Talks With China to Resume
• Philippines - Philippines pardons coup leaders
• Timor - Horta wants UN to stay in E Timor
• Japan - Japan's teenage smokers face wrinkle test
• Korea - S.Korea to discuss North's nuclear list with China

Europe

• Serbia - Serbia Braces for Electoral Showdown
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3917988.ece#ci... ">Serbia - Socialists hold key to power in Serbia
• France - France to liberate retail industry

Middle East

• Lebanon - Lebanese troops fail to stop violence between Hizbullah and pro-government forces
• Israel - Israel police seize Olmert papers
• Israel - Gaza Rocket Kills Another Israeli
• Lebanon - Bush offers help for Lebanon army
• Iraq - Violence flares in Baghdad's Sadr City despite truce