RUSSIA-PUTIN

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of violating its obligations under a peace deal by maintaining an economic blockade on rebellious eastern regions. He also defends his move to approve the delivery of the long-range S-300 air defense missile system to Iran, saying the 2010 Russian ban was voluntary. By Vladimir Isachenkov. SENT: 390 words, photos. UPCOMING: 500 words by 1200 GMT.

UKRAINE-DISABLED CHILDREN

KIEV, Ukraine — An international rights group says growing numbers of disabled children in Ukraine are being condemned to life in orphanages and institutions blighted by neglect and abuse. Disability Rights International said its three-year investigation found that Ukraine is expanding its pool of orphanages and children's homes, going against a global trend toward aiding the disabled to integrate into society. By Peter Leonard and Efrem Lukatsky. SENT: 660 words, photos.

MOROCCO-DESERT HOLLYWOOD

OUARZAZATE, Morocco — "QUIET!" The cry rings out in English, French and Arabic across the cobblestoned streets of Jerusalem, as filming begins for a scene in the series "A.D. The Bible Continues." But while the arched doorways, balconies and furnishings all say Roman-era Israel, the real-life setting is southern Morocco. 

EUROPE-MIGRANTS

BRUSSELS — European Union nations are struggling to confront the challenge of the unprecedented numbers of migrants coming across the Mediterranean and have few answers to contain the humanitarian catastrophe highlighted by reports that 400 people drowned this week. 

GREECE-MINERS' PROTEST

ATHENS, Greece — About 4,000 workers at a northern Greek gold mine and their supporters are demonstrating in Athens, in the most significant labor challenge the new radical left-led government has faced since its election in January. 

SPAIN-SHOOTOUT

MADRID — Police have stormed a house in northeastern Spain and shot dead a man who wounded his daughter's partner and two police officers.

PORTUGAL-TRANSPORT STRIKES

LISBON, Portugal — Pilots at Portugal's national airline have announced a 10-day walkout next month amid a spate of strikes by labor groups resisting government efforts to reform the transport sector and cut state company debts. .

CZECH-OBIT-GROSS

PRAGUE — Stanislav Gross, who became the Czech Republic's youngest prime minister but was forced to resign nine months later, has died at the age of 45. 

GERMANY-VOLKSWAGEN

BERLIN — German media report that the supervisory board of Volkswagen is meeting Thursday following a public spat within the carmaker's top leadership. News agency dpa reports.

FRANCE-CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

PARIS — World cinema heavyweights including China's Jia Zhangke, Italy's Paolo Sorrentino and the United States' Gus Van Sant will compete for prizes at next month's Cannes Film Festival. Festival director Thierry Fremaux announced 17 films in the festival competition on Thursday. They include Jia's "Mountains May Depart," Sorrentino's "Youth" — a film about age starring Michael Caine — and Van Sant's "The Sea of Trees." 

BRITAIN-ROYAL BABY-5 THINGS

LONDON — When will the royal baby be born? What will he or she be named? How will we find out? And other burning issues.