Morning Brief: Earthquake shakes China

Top Story

More than 100 9,000 people may have been killed by an earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. Around 900 are still trapped underground.

Middle East and Africa

Hezbollah gunmen are attacking villages in Eastern Lebanon as fighting worsens.

A ceasefire between the government and Shiite militias in Sadr city appears to be holding.

Israel resumed fuel deliveries to the Gaza strip.

Sudan’s government is blaming Chad for a rebel attack on Khatoum.

Asia

The U.S. is set to begin flying food aid to Burma.

Nepal arrested hundreds of Tibetan women, including Buddhist nuns, protesting Chinese rule in Tibet.

South Korea has killed the entire chicken population of Seoul to curb the spread of bird flu.

Europe

Pro-Europe parties had the slight edge in Serbia’s parliamentary elections.

Vladimir Putin is bringing most of his team with him to the prime minister’s office.

Germany is pushing the EU to adopt higher standards for food imports.

South America

Responding to criticism from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called her a descendent of Adolf Hitler.

A Chilean hacker posted the personal data of 6 million people on the Internet.

2008 U.S. Election

John McCain wants to make the environment a campaign issue.

John Edwards expressed doubts about Hillary Clinton’s chances.

Barack Obama may attack McCain over his involvement in the 1980s "Keating five" scandal.

Today’s Agenda

• A new UN task force will meet in New York to discuss the global food crisis.
•  The EU will hold trade talks with South Korea.