* Pakistan rocked by fresh attacks A series of attacks on security forces in Pakistan has killed at least 38 people.

* Hamas rejects Fatah reconciliation bid The Syrian-based leadership of Hamas said Thursday it has rejected an Egyptian-mediated proposal to reconcile with Fatah.

* Iranian Supreme Leader Rumored to be Dead Once again, rumors have begun circulating that Iran’s top Muslim leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died.

* Majority of Nobel jury ‘objected to Obama prize’ Three of the five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee had objections to the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to US President Barack Obama.

* ‘Syrian long-range missiles in Lebanon’ Syria has transferred nearly a quarter of its long-and medium-range missile arsenal to Hizbullah.

* Allies push Israel for Gaza probe Israel has come under pressure from its allies to investigate UN allegations of possible war crimes by its army during its Gaza offensive last winter.

* New Egypt front opposes father-son succession A group of Egypt’s opposition forces, including a former presidential candidate, launched a campaign Wednesday to oppose what is widely seen as the increasingly inevitable succession of the long-ruling president’s son.

* Iraq calls on Turkey to stop cross-border raids Iraq asked Turkey on Thursday to respect its sovereignty and stop cross-border military operations against Kurdish rebels.

* And Gog says to Magog: How about a little Armageddon at Megiddo? Talk about a biblical reference. Greenpeace and World March activists staged a “die-in” to protest nuclear weapons at Mount Megiddo.

* Outlines emerging of new EU commission The next European Commission is set to be filled with conservative and liberal commissioners.