Reuters - The United Nations urged warring groups in Darfur on Thursday to lay down their weapons during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to let relief workers operate in Sudan's battered west.

AP - Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said Thursday there is a new "very significant" consensus among Arab countries for restarting the stalled Middle East peace process.

AP - North Korea stayed away from a gathering of diplomats from the United States and seven other nations Thursday that focused on the specter of a nuclear North Korea.

AFP - The European Union, United States and Japan said they were willing to give ground to save global trade talks provided all parties in the negotiations also offered concessions.