OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (Reuters) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to seek a strong European stand against the Hamas-led Palestinian government and Iran’s nuclear programme as he begins his first visit to Britain and France on Sunday.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) — Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed on Sunday to carry out attacks to “shake the enemy” after the killing of its leader Abu Mussab Zarqawi, heightening fears his death will bring no respite from carnage.

RAMALLAH — Israeli air strikes yesterday killed two members of the Izzedine Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, while a Palestinian rocket, claimed by the brigades, seriously wounded an Israeli in the town of Sderot on the border with Gaza.