LONDON - A RECORD number of Britons are now living with HIV, with more than a quarter unaware that they have the infection, according to government figures.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said an estimated 77,400 people had HIV in 2007, up from 73,000 a year before.

MOSCOW - A RUSSIAN judge on Tuesday lifted a ban on journalists covering the trial of three men accused of helping to murder journalist and Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya, said lawyers. A defence lawyer also said that her murder was ordered by a Russian politician based inside the country in revenge for critical articles.

Judge Yevgeny Zubov ruled last week that the politically-charged trial would be held behind closed doors, drawing fierce criticism from Ms Politkovskaya's family who alleged an official cover-up.

GAZA CITY - ISRAEL reacted on Tuesday to militant rocket fire by again sealing off the Gaza Strip, where officials said the territory's sole power plant was forced to shut down because of the crippling blockade.

The renewed closure of the impoverished Palestinian enclave came one day after humanitarian supplies were allowed in for the second time since Israel tightened its blockade following a November 4 surge in violence.