In a secret operation to secure nuclear material, the United States has helped Ukraine return to Russia enough uranium to build two atomic bombs.

Rescuers rushed to reach 24 coal miners trapped underground by China’s earthquake almost two weeks ago, officials said today as the government sharply raised the death toll and warned it could exceed 80,000.

China’s earthquake death toll has passed 60,000 and could rise to 80,000 or more, Premier Wen Jiabao said today as he and UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon visited the disaster area.