Ferguson did, however, express regret at going public with his views and apologised to Wiley and the Football Association for doing so.

BBC: Ferguson apologises to ref Wiley

Germany's Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, telephoned Mr Ruggiero to express his regret at his departure.

BBC: Berlusconi says Italy backs EU

Ambulance chiefs went to Tomintoul in response to local concern about the issue and to express their regret at Ms Mathieson's death.

BBC: Mandy Mathieson

Poland hopes that Mr Putin will at least express mild regret about the Soviet aggression against Poland on September 17th 1939.

ECONOMIST: Russia needs to play nice

But if Beijing was successful in getting Washington to at least express deep feelings of regret and contrition, this would be a humbling experience for the Bush team -- and this episode would make it easier for both countries to settle on a "fair and equal" set of rules for mutual engagement afterwards.

CNN: Beijing