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AP - Ecuador's president said Monday that his government was in "very advanced" talks with Colombian rebels to free 12 hostages, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. contractors, but was thwarted by a military raid.

Naked swimmer evades police in Tokyo palace moat (Reuters)

India's Tata signs deal to move cheap car plant (AFP)

3 win Nobel for subatomic physics research (AP)

Thai army sends troops to help police keep peace (AP)

UN peacekeeper killed in Darfur (AFP)

Dozens injured in Qantas mid-air jet drama (AFP)

Russia's Jerusalem land claim worries Israelis (AP)

China says US arms sale to Taiwan harms ties (AP)

Tropical Storm Marco closing in on Mexico's coast (AP)

Two dozen dead in Sri Lanka fighting: military (AFP)

Gates: US to remain in Kosovo through late 2009 (AP)

Govt mulls extending bank guarantee (AFP)

Dozens injured in mid-air jet 'incident': Australia police (AFP)

Somali pirate says ransom reduced (AP)

Iraqi police: 2 blasts rock Foreign Ministry (AP)

Dark matter, new planets could bring physics Nobel (AP)

US, NKorea seek compromise in nuclear deadlock (AP)

Armed man releases his hostages in Guatemala City (AP)

More die as clashes continue in India's troubled Assam (Reuters)

Belgium, France choose new bosses at troubled Dexia (AFP)