Much of our news comes from the Middle East today. Israel is withdrawing from the last of its Gaza settlements and preparing to clear a handful in the West Bank. In Iraq, the constitution that was expected last week comes up against an extended deadline today - the US has agreed to Islam being named a "primary source" of law, but critics worry that could erode women's rights. An exclusive report from today's Guardian on a city under the full control of Sunni insurgents is well worth reading for those interested in Iraq.
In Britain, a Brazilian delegation will today question the Metropolitan police on the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes and, as Dutch chicken farmers are warned over bird flu, we are reporting on the UK's state of readiness if the disease hits.
Here on Newsblog, Mark Oliver looks at a survey finding the average spend for a wedding guest is £300. He is surprised the figure is so low, given the financial pain inherent in the extravagant modern British stag do.
