DAMASCUS – Hamas said on Wednesday that Israeli attacks that killed more than 20 Palestinians in the last two days have dashed prospects for a prisoners’ exchange deal involving an Israeli soldier held by the group.

BRUSSELS – British politician and former soldier Paddy Ashdown has agreed to become the United Nations’ envoy to Afghanistan, a source close to negotiations on the post said on Wednesday.

PARIS – Iraq lacks any true spirit of reconciliation despite parliament’s decision to let former members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party return to government jobs, the United Nations’ Baghdad envoy said on Wednesday.