INVASION. Africa warned over locust swarms.

Countries in north and west Africa have been warned to be on alert for an outbreak of locusts, which devastated Mauritania two years ago. Locusts had been found in Mauritania, and were laying eggs that were expected to hatch in the next 10 days, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. It warned Algeria, Mali, Morocco and Senegal to step up monitoring and to prepare to treat any outbreaks quickly

STUDY. Huge rise in Iraqi death tolls

An estimated 655,000 Iraqis have died since 2003 who might still be alive but for the US-led invasion, according to a survey by a US university. The research compares mortality rates before and after the invasion from 47 randomly chosen areas in Iraq.

The figure is considerably higher than estimates by official sources or the number of deaths reported in the media. It is vigorously disputed by supporters of the war in Iraq, including US President George W Bush.

COMMEMORATION. Bali marks 2002 bomb anniversary

Mourners on the Indonesian island of Bali marked yesterday the fourth anniversary of the deadly 2002 bombings. They laid wreaths for those who died, and unfurled a long piece of white cloth to symbolise peace. A total of 202 people were killed in the triple bombing ? many of them Australian holidaymakers. The attacks have been blamed on the South East Asian militant group Jemaah Islamiah ? as was another attack in the area last year, which killed 20 people.

HEALTH. Childhood cancer ?long-term risk?

Survivors of childhood cancer may go on to face long-term health problems, according to research. US scientists discovered they were more than three times as likely to suffer chronic health conditions compared with their cancer-free counterparts. And they were about eight times as likely to suffer a severe or life-threatening condition

USA. Al-Qaeda man on treason charge

A California man who appeared in al-Qaeda propaganda videos has been charged with treason by a US court. Adam Gadahn, 28, has become the first US citizen to be charged with treason since World War II, officials said.

Gadahn, who is also known as Azzam al-Amriki or Azzam the American, is believed to be a fugitive in Pakistan. Previously known as Adam Pearlman, he converted to Islam as a teenager and most recently appeared in a video with al-Qaeda ideologue, Ayman al-Zawahiri. No Muslim, he said, should ?shed tears? for Westerners killed in terrorist attacks. A deputy US attorney described the treason charge as ?exceptionally severe?. The charge carries penalties ranging from a five-year prison term to death.

FRANCE. Five die in rail collision

At least five people have been killed in a head-on train collision in north-eastern France, while others are still trapped in the wreckage. A passenger train collided with a goods train in Zoufftgen, near the Luxembourg border, at about 1145 (0945 GMT) on Wednesday. It was initially reported that as many as 12 people may have died, but the French transport minister said later that five were confirmed dead.