Peretz: We won't sink in Gaza swamp Defense Minister Amir Peretz stated on Thursday that the incursion into northern Gaza early in the morning was a "necessary step that could not have been avoided."
EU Tones Down Criticism of Israel The shift is subtle but unmistakable. European governments - long accused of being pro-Arab - have toned down criticism of Israel.
UN human rights body deplores Israel The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday deplored Israel's military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as breaching international humanitarian law.
Israel on edge of international law, Brussels says The European Commission on Wednesday (5 July) came close to saying Israel's attack on Gaza violates international law.
Historic India-China link opens China and India have opened a historic trade route that had been closed for nearly half a century.
Mild-mannered Finland pledges active EU presidency Finland's Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen has presented the country's priorities for the coming six months of its running the European Union presidency.
Egyptians sue new church leader A group of Coptic Christians have started legal proceedings against a bishop who has said he is setting up an alternative orthodox church in Egypt.
Video Shows Arabs Fighting in Somalia A recruiting video issued by members of the fundamentalist Islamic movement in Somalia shows Arab radicals fighting alongside the local extremists in Mogadishu.
Iranians killed in Iraq blast At least 12 people have been killed and 37 wounded after a car bomb tore through buses carrying Iranian visitors to a Shia shrine in the city of Kufa.