Japan's foreign ministry said two Russian Su-27s violated airspace for just over a minute Thursday near its northernmost main island of Hokkaido, and that Japan then scrambled four F-2 fighter jets.

WSJ: Japan: Russian Fighter Jets Enter Its Airspace

The island-wide three-day count is due to start on Thursday.

BBC: Sri Lanka wildlife groups boycott elephant census

At Parris Island, South Carolina, hundreds of Marines graduated Thursday morning from basic training -- a day earlier than planned because the base didn't want Hanna to cause problems for families coming to the celebration, Master Sgt.

CNN: Hanna closes in on U.S. as Ike becomes major hurricane

The second strike will be held between 13:00 GMT and 18:00 GMT on Thursday which is an exam day for many of the island's GCSE and A-Level students.

BBC: Isle of Man buses

Bhutto was assassinated Thursday, hours before a scheduled meeting with Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-Rhode Island, and Sen.

CNN: Sources: Bhutto was to give U.S. lawmakers vote-rigging report

NDTV, an Indian cable news channel, called the test Thursday from Wheeler Island, off the coast of the eastern state of Orissa, a "high-five moment for Agni and India" in screen graphics accompanying its coverage.

WSJ: India's Missile Launch Puts China in Range

Chavez, speaking by telephone from Caracas with state-run VTV, had returned Thursday morning from his latest round of treatment on the island.

CNN: Chavez to return to Cuba for cancer treatment