WORLD BRIEFS

ITALY: 8 more bodies found on ship

Divers searching the fallen Costa Concordia cruise ship found eight bodies Wednesday on one of the passenger decks, including that of a 5-year-old girl. Four of the bodies had been recovered, but in worsening weather, the divers were unable to immediately remove the other four. Fifteen had been listed as missing, but only one, Dayana Arlotti, was a child. Her father, Williams Arlotti, was among the missing. The death toll, which includes those missing, presumed dead, stands at 32.

PHILIPPINES: Ex-president goes to trial

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pleaded not guilty to an electoral fraud charge Thursday at the opening of a landmark trial that is a key test for her reformist successor. President from 2001 to 2010, she is accused of rigging the results of polls in 2007 to favor her candidates. The electoral sabotage charge, the first of several criminal cases being prepared against her, could put her in prison for life, if she is convicted. Her successor, Benigno Aquino III, has promised to root out corruption.

BRITAIN: Blair's wife sues Murdoch

The wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair is suing Rupert Murdoch's News International company over phone hacking, her lawyer said Wednesday. Cherie Blair is suing "in relation to the unlawful interception of her voice mails," lawyer Graham Atkins said, making her one of the most high-profile people to challenge News International over the illegal eavesdropping against politicians, celebrities, athletes and others in the public eye.

EGYPT: June 2 for Mubarak verdict

A judge set June 2 for the verdict and sentencing of President Hosni Mubarak, which could put him on death row. He is accused of complicity in the killing of protesters during the uprising that pushed him from power a year ago. A guilty verdict would make him the first Arab leader ousted to face legal punishment by his own people. A not-guilty ruling could set off new unrest.