* Abbas ready for 'declaration of principles' with Israel Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday he is ready to work with Israel on a "declaration of principles" as a step toward a full peace agreement.
* Russia plants flag under N Pole Russian explorers have planted their country's flag on the seabed 4,200m (14,000ft) below the North Pole to further Moscow's claims to the Arctic.
* 'Hamas must be kept out of the game' During his meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stressed, according to Israeli officials, that Hamas must "be kept out of the game."
* Middle East peace conference likely in November A peace conference which would include Israel and moderate Arab states may convene in Washington in November.
* Hamas brushes off ME peace summit Meanwhile, senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk brushed off the planned Middle East peace conference as a publicity stunt.
* Syria plans war of attrition in the Golan Heights In a secret message relayed to Jerusalem, Syria warned the Israeli government that should it continue to reject Damascus’ peace overtures.
* Netanyahu: 'Hamastan' in West Bank must be prevented Any West Bank land that Israel fails to settle is land made available for another "Hamastan."
* France could re-open debate on Turkey referendum The major political question of whether France will in future hold a referendum on the EU entry of Turkey and Balkan.
* Sunnis Asked to Reconsider Quiting Gov't The Iraqi prime minister's party asked the country's largest Sunni Arab bloc Thursday to reconsider its withdrawal from government.
* Serbia to reject any proposals of confederation with Kosovo Serbia's minister for Kosovo confirmed that Belgrade has been receiving off-the-record proposals that it form a confederation with its predominantly Albanian province.