The week's news in bullet points

This is the place to catch up on news of the last seven days.

Tuesday: The trial against royal butler, Michael Brown, collasped

• Monday, 9 December

United Airlines files for bankruptcy

The world's second largest carrier, United Airlines, has filed for bankruptcy in a US court, marking the air travel sector's biggest corporate failure to date.

Iraq dossier under scrutiny

Record ice loss in Arctic

Damilola case 'exposed legal flaws'

Asylum rough sleeping crisis fear

Fake millionaire to woo TV contestants

Keith Tyson wins 2002 Turner

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• Sunday, 8 December

Edinburgh fire 'could last for days'

A major fire in Edinburgh's historic Old Town may not be fully extinguished for another two days, fire chiefs have said.

Israel 'faked al-Qaeda presence'

Kuwait scorns Iraqi leader's 'apology'

Crippled warship returns home

Man arrested after fan's death

Tories warn Blair over Cherie row

Endeavour finally returns to Earth

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• Saturday, 7 December

Bombs hit cinemas in Bangladesh

At least 15 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in a series of bomb blasts in a densely populated town in northern Bangladesh.

Miss Turkey wins Miss World

Iraq unveils weapons dossier

Rival protesters march in Caracas

Two Van Gogh paintings stolen

Eye microchip could save sight

Unions warn Labour over pay talks

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• Friday, 6 December

Gay couples to get equal rights

Same-sex couples are to be granted many of the same rights as married ones under ministers' plans for legally-recognised civil partnerships.

Winona Ryder put on probation

US Treasury Secretary resigns

Fires ravage Sydney outskirts

Why flu can kill

World debut for next Rings epic

No 10 tries to quell Cherie row

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• Thursday, 5 December

Presenter John Leslie arrested

TV presenter John Leslie has been bailed after being arrested in connection with allegations of rape and indecent assault.

Minister defends Cherie in flat row

Global anger at US 'growing'

Four 'held hostage' at bank

Sangatte refugees arrive in UK

BBC news channel told to change

Jackson compares himself to Disney

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• Wednesday, 4 December

Bomb scares shut Dutch Ikea stores

Police in the Netherlands have been searching all 10 outlets of the Ikea furniture chain in the country, after finding bombs in two of its stores.

Students march against top-ups

Russia and India in Iraq warning

'Clashes' in northern Iraq

Israel 'threatens lives of UN workers'

Part of Concorde tail 'fell off'

Jackson hobbles back to court

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• Tuesday, 3 December

Iraqis 'shot at Kuwaiti vessels'

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has said an Iraqi ship has opened fire on two Kuwaiti coastguard patrol boats, causing them to collide.

Police inquiry follows butler trials

Serial rape suspect questioned

House prices see 'steady' rises

Asian uproar over military strike threat

Blair links Saddam to global terror

Oasis scrap German tour

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• Monday, 2 December

UK unveils Iraq 'torture' dossier

A dossier of human rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by the Iraqi regime, including torture and rape, has been released by the UK Government.

'Equipment missing' at Iraq arms site

Oasis singer 'kicked policeman'

Eight-day fire strike suspended

New US-EU trade war looms

Two charged over airgun shootings

Bush warns Saddam over inspections