Morning Brief: Toll rising

MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Top Story

The estimated number of deaths from yesterday's earthquake in Sichuan province is nearing 12,000. Thousands are still buried but severe storms are making the rescue effort difficult. As many as 900 children may have been killed in one school collapse

Middle East and Africa

The U.S. has offered the Lebanese government military aid to fight Hezbollah. The army may be readying for a confrontation with the militants.

Hamas has rejected calls to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Israeli police raided Jerusalem's city hall as part of the ongoing corruption investigation of PM Ehud Olmert.

The situation is quickly degenerating on the Chad-Sudan border.

Asia

Heavy rains have complicated the relief efforts in Burma as well.

Rising food prices are leading to record inflation in China.

East Timor's President asked U.N. peacekeepers to stay for another four years.

2008 U.S. Election

Hillary Clinton has a big lead headed into the West Virginia primary.

Barack Obama's campaign is seeing a growing racist backlash to his candidacy.

Former congressman Bob Barr will run for president on the Libertarian ticket.

South America

Bolivian president Evo Morales has set Aug. 10 as the date for a planned recall election.

Hugo Chavez ordered the nationalization of Venenezuela's largest steel mill.

Europe

Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko tried to make a spech to parliament but was blocked from taking the podium by MPs loyal to PM Yulia Tymoshenko.

A car bomb exploded in Northern Ireland injuring one police officer.

Today's Agenda

• West Virginia will hold its presidential primary.
• President Bush will arrive in Israel.
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel will kick off a tour of Latin America.

Yesterday on Passport

• Serbia: new election, same results
  
• The world's responsibility to Burma
• China quake will test Beijing's transparency, crisis management