* Mid-East deal in sight, says Bush US President George Bush has said it is “absolutely possible and necessary” for Israel and the Palestinians to agree a peace deal during his term in office.

* UK minister calls for ‘mature debate’ over new EU treaty UK Europe minister Jim Murphy has urged domestic politicians to hold a “mature debate” on Europe without “bestowing it with apparently satanical powers”.

* US launches massive Iraq air raid US bombers and fighter jets have dropped 40,000lb (18,144kg) of bombs on suspected al-Qaeda targets on the edge of Baghdad in a 10-minute air strike.

* Israeli envoy to U.S.: All options are on the table regarding Iran Israel’s ambassador to the United States said Thursday that Jerusalem was not willing to rule out any course of action when it comes to dealing with the Tehran regime and its nuclear aspirations.

* Palestinians indifferent to Bush visit The weather was not the only gloomy thing in Ramallah on Thursday morning.

* Tony Blair starts $1M bank job Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who left office last June, has taken up a part-time job with a Wall Street bank on an estimated $1 million salary.

* Poland toughens stance on US missile shield US ambitions to place a missile defence shield in Central Europe are running into trouble.

* ‘Construction to continue in major settlement blocs, J’lem’ Israel will continue building in Jerusalem as well as in major settlement blocs in the West Bank, even as a construction freeze continues elsewhere in the territories.

* Kenya crisis talks end in failure Talks conducted by Ghanaian President John Kufuor to end Kenya’s political crisis have broken down, opposition and government sources have said.

* Netanyahu pushes US president on Iran “Iran is a threat to world peace,” opposition Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly told US President George W. Bush.