Chavez makes 'Hitler' jibe at Merkel

The Venezuelan President raises tensions before a summit of Latin American and European leaders in Peru

Apartheid victims cleared to sue

United States Supreme Court rules that three class actions by South Africans can be pursued in the American legal system

Clear Channel settlement hopes lifted

Judge's decision to postpone commencement of hearing has pushed shares higher alongside reports of agreement

Jenna Bush wedding is a First Family affair

President Bush's twin daugher, Jenna, marries a former White House aide in low-key ceremony on Bush family ranch

Tom Cruise's next film delayed a second time

Valkyrie, a film about a 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, has been pushed back to try and make a bigger box office impact

Link between gene and epilepsy found

Anglo-American team identifies mutated gene that causes epilepsy and mental retardation in women only

Iraq 'gang-rape victim' can seek US trial

Protection of workers abroad under scrutiny as victim who claims co-workers raped her told she can take case to trial

Republicans get ready to denounce Obama

Strategists working for John McCain believe that the Illinois Senator is vulnerable and can be portrayed as inexperienced

Tornadoes rip across south-east US killing 22

Eight tornadoes have left a trail of destruction resulting in deaths, destroyed homes and overturned cars in three states

Cruise's Hitler film put back into bunker

The fortunes of Tom Cruise have suffered a blow with news that his next big film, Valkyrie, has been postponed until 2009

Tough love

The heart-rending story of a disfigured marine and his bride

Risks stop US riding roughshod over junta

Faced with the Burmese junta’s refusal for a humanitarian mission, ought America be prepared to intervene regardless?

Barack eyes the big duel as Hillary sinks

Barack Obama is confident he will secure the Democratic nomination and is preparing for a showdown with John McCain

Obama may stumble if House of Clinton falls

Barack Obama is going to need the Clintons and their supporters on side if he harbours any hope of reaching the White House

Obama sacks adviser over talks with Hamas

One of Barack Obama’s Middle East policy advisers has disclosed that he held meetings with Palestinian extremists

Giant Bahamas manta ray's flight to freedom

1,000lb creature returned to Atlantic by helicopter after three years as tourist attraction

Tooth tattoos acquire a celebrity bite

The owner of a US dental laboratory is offering tooth tattoos featuring the faces of David Beckham, Amy Winehouse and the Queen

Pied Piper of R&B on trial over 'child sex' video

Jury selected for a trial which could put R Kelly behind bars