Reuters - Luxembourgs Prime Minister Jean-Claude
Juncker said on Thursday the European Union would overcome
internal tensions and agree to start long-delayed talks on a
new partnership deal with Russia in the coming days.

AP - Microsoft Corp. chief executive Steve Ballmer on Thursday offered a glimmer of hope to fans of the companys XP operating system, saying customer demand may see the company reconsider a decision to stop selling XP in June.

Reuters - The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas
will give Egypt detailed proposals on a truce with Israel on
Thursday, a Hamas spokesman said.

Reuters - Turkish warplanes fired on a group of
Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq on Wednesday as they tried to
cross into Turkey, the army said on Thursday.

AFP - The United Nations warned that aid distribution would end in the Gaza Strip on Thursday unless Israel allows new fuel supplies, but Israel blamed Hamas for the shortages.

An Australian who tried to smuggle 60 condoms stuffed with hashish inside his stomach has died in a Thai hospital.

A video of bomber Mohammad Siddique Khan saying goodbye to his daughter is reshown in a trial of three alleged 7/7 helpers.

Five teenagers are arrested in Greater Manchester in connection with the rape two 12-year-old girls.

Two elderly residents were treated after breathing in smoke during a fire at a bathroom in a flat in Swindon.

Police ask a 21-year-year woman who has gone missing with her daughter to get in touch.