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Friday, 29 February, 2008, 6:00 GMT 01:00 -05:00:US/Eastern
TOP STORIES Army considers Harry deployment
Senior generals are to decide whether Prince Harry can continue front-line duty in Afghanistan.Immigration points system begins
The UK's immigration system is overhauled with the launch of a points-based system for foreign workers.Dave Clark Five singer Smith dies
Mike Smith, lead singer with 1960s British pop group The Dave Clark Five, dies aged 64, his US agent confirms.Conrad Black must start jail term
A court has told the former media boss Conrad Black he must report to jail on March 3 to start his sentence.Moscow official admits media bias
As Russia's presidential campaign enters its last day, the electoral chief admits media coverage is unequal.
WORLD Moscow official admits media bias
As Russia's presidential campaign enters its last day, the electoral chief admits media coverage is unequal.Israeli forces pound Gaza Strip
Israel presses on with attacks on Gaza where at least 32 militants and civilians have died in the past 48 hours.China to log its worst polluters
The Chinese government is to survey the country's major sources of pollution and compile a national census.
AMERICAS Fears grow for Farc sick hostage
Concern for the health of kidnapped Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt prompts fresh calls for her release.Cuba signs human rights pledges
As communist Cuba signs legally binding UN covenants on human rights, critics call for dissidents to be freed.Landslide hits Ecuador pipeline
A landslide cuts off Ecuador's main export oil pipeline but the state oil firm says it will try to use other routes.
ASIA-PACIFIC China to log its worst polluters
The Chinese government is to survey the country's major sources of pollution and compile a national census.Thaksin builds on Thailand return
The former Thai prime minster goes on a public relations tour of Bangkok on his first full day back from exile.Fisherman swims 10 hours to shore
A fisherman swims for more than 10 hours to seek help for his crew mates after their trawler sank off Australia.
EUROPE Moscow official admits media bias
As Russia's presidential campaign enters its last day, the electoral chief admits media coverage is unequal.Army considers Harry deployment
Senior generals are to decide whether Prince Harry can continue front-line duty in Afghanistan.Kosovo partition scheme opposed
The EU and US are adamant Kosovo will not be split in two because of the divide between ethnic groups
MIDDLE EAST Israeli forces pound Gaza Strip
Israel presses on with attacks on Gaza where at least 32 militants and civilians have died in the past 48 hours.US warship sails towards Lebanon
The US orders a warship into position off the coast of Lebanon as a "show of support for regional stability".Woman to conduct Egypt marriages
Egypt appoints its first female notary to assist at the weddings of Muslim couples, in Qinayat east of Cairo.
UK Army considers Harry deployment
Senior generals are to decide whether Prince Harry can continue front-line duty in Afghanistan.Immigration points system begins
The UK's immigration system is overhauled with the launch of a points-based system for foreign workers.Dave Clark Five singer Smith dies
Mike Smith, lead singer with 1960s British pop group The Dave Clark Five, dies aged 64, his US agent confirms.
ENGLAND Major gas terminal blaze put out
Firefighters tackle a major fire at one of the largest gas terminals in the UK after an explosion.Poison plot wife given 30 years
A woman who tried to kill her husband by putting anti-freeze into his curry and wine is jailed for 30 years.Home Office CD in auction laptop
A highly confidential Home Office disk is found inside a laptop computer bought on an internet auction site.
POLITICS Passholder held over Commons demo
A Parliamentary passholder is arrested over the protest staged on the roof of the Houses of Parliament.12,000 jobs cut in Whitehall dept
The Department of Work and Pensions is to cut 12,000 jobs in three years to meet spending restrictions.Clegg sets target for Lib Dem MPs
The Liberal Democrat leader is to set his party the task of doubling its tally of Scottish MPs within six years.
BUSINESS Conrad Black must start jail term
A court has told the former media boss Conrad Black he must report to jail on March 3 to start his sentence.Oil price hits a new record high
Oil prices hit another record level because of the weakening dollar and US economic slowdown fears.Rogue wheat trader costs $141.5m
A rogue trader dealing in wheat contracts has caused his company more than $140m (£70m) in losses.
ENTERTAINMENT Arctic Monkeys land NME hat-trick
Arctic Monkeys win three gongs, including best British band, at this year's NME Awards in London.Dave Clark Five singer Smith dies
Mike Smith, lead singer with 1960s British pop group The Dave Clark Five, dies aged 64, his US agent confirms.Boy George denies chaining charge
The former Culture Club frontman appears in court to deny falsely imprisoning a male escort by chaining him to a wall.
SCIENCE/NATURE No impact from Energy Saving Day
The UK's first Energy Saving Day ends with no discernible reduction in the country's electricity consumption.Scientists advance 'drought crop'
Scientists make a breakthrough in plant genes that could lead to crops that can survive drought.UK astronomers on 'rollercoaster'
Britain is re-instated as a full Gemini Observatory member, giving it continued access to two major telescopes.
HEALTH Maternity care 'should be safer'
Many maternity units in England are failing to provide top quality care, an independent review suggest.Dramatic rise in C. diff deaths
The number of Clostridium difficile deaths in England and Wales has soared, official figures show.New clue in motor neurone puzzle
Researchers say the discovery of a genetic mutation is the most significant breakthrough for Motor Neurone Disease in 15 years.
EDUCATION Primary school quality questioned
Emphasis on maths and English has affected the quality of primary school education, says a report.Children's mags 'damage writing'
Children's ability to write is being damaged by lightweight fiction and magazines, a report suggests.Girls 'more skilled on computers'
Girls are more likely than boys to be able to perform key tasks on computers, a survey suggests.
ON THIS DAY NEWS FROM THE BBC ARCHIVES 1960: Thousands dead in Moroccan earthquake
A huge earthquake devastates the southern Moroccan city of Agadir killing thousands.1996: Siege of Sarajevo is lifted
The siege of Sarajevo is officially over - four years to the day since Bosnian Muslims and Croats voted in a referendum to break away from Yugoslavia.2000: Appeal for Mozambique flood victims
International aid agencies in Mozambique say they need extra helicopters to rescue thousands trapped by rising flood waters.
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