BBC NEWS:

Clampdown on excessive speeders

Drivers caught breaking the speed limit by a significant margin twice could be automatically banned from the roads under new government proposals. Read more

Escape prompts mother's jail call

A man who escaped from a psychiatric hospital while awaiting trial for murder should have been in prison, his alleged victim's mother has said. Read more

Strictly stars support Sergeant

Stars of Strictly Come Dancing past and present have lent their support to ex-political journalist John Sergeant after he pulled out of the contest. Read more

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US NEWS:

Sen. Clinton weighing secretary of state post

Associates of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday the former first lady is weighing whether to leave the Senate and become secretary of state in the Obama administration, a job they say she believes is hers if she wants it. Read more

Calif. Supreme Court to take up gay marriage ban

California's highest court has agreed to hear legal challenges to a new ban on gay marriage, but is refusing to allow gay couples to resume marrying until it rules. Read more

Drug suspect's wife charged in death of FBI agent

A Pennsylvania woman was charged in the shooting death of an FBI special agent who was killed at her Pittsburgh-area home Wednesday while serving a warrant on a suspected drug ring. Read more

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WORLD NEWS

Somali tanker pirates 'want $25m'

Pirates who hijacked a Saudi oil tanker off the Somali coast are reported to have demanded a $25m (£17m) ransom. Read more

Recession fears hit stock markets

European and Asian markets have fallen sharply on fears that the world economy will enter a protracted slump. Read more

Britain, France push for more U.N. troops in Congo

Britain and France are calling for an additional 3,000 United Nations troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the U.N. already has its biggest peacekeeping mission, a senior British diplomat said Wednesday. Read more

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OTHER STUFF

Deputies use Taser on pallbearer

Five New Hanover Sheriff's deputies have been disciplined after tasing and arresting a man at his father's funeral as he carried the coffin. Read more

Man Accused Of Sandwich Assault

A Florida man is accused of hitting his girlfriend in the face with a sandwich while she drove, knocking her glasses off her face, reported WPBF-TV in West Palm Beach, Fla. Read more