Hundreds of thousands of Poles could be sacked because they were reported to have collaborated with the communist-era secret police, after the country’s right-wing government pushed through a law that critics say will spark a witch-hunt. The move is seen as central to the ”moral revolution” promised by the Law and Justice Party when it swept to power last year.

The latest chapter in the conflict between Israel and Palestine began when Israeli forces abducted two civilians, a doctor and his brother, from Gaza. An incident scarcely reported anywhere, except in the Turkish press. The following day the Palestinians took an Israeli soldier prisoner — and proposed a negotiated exchange against prisoners taken by the Israelis — there are about 10 000 in Israeli jails.

The Israeli government is facing a barrage of criticism over its handling of the war in Lebanon, with questions about the decision to attack Hizbullah, mounting military losses, strategy and tactics, continuing missile strikes and disquiet about Lebanese civilian casualties.

South African President Thabo Mbeki on Sunday expressed his country’s outrage at and condemnation of the bombings of the Lebanese town of Qana by Israel. Several other world leaders also condemned the Israeli attack, but the United States and Britain again refrained from joining calls for an immediate ceasefire.