AS Zimbabwe braces for the first ever presidential run-off in its post independence history, analysts say the authorities must meet baseline conditions if the second round of the disputed presidential elections is to be acceptable at law and in practice.

The judiciary has suddenly attracted much attention not only for its various judgements against the government and its long list of pending cases but also because of corruption charges against some judges.

US President-elect Barack Obama would never have become the British Prime Minister because of 'institutional racism' in the Labour Party, the head of Britain's equality watchdog claimed.

SPEAKER Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia was at the end of his tether yesterday as he reined in MPs who appeared to be testing his patience. He said it seemed as if MPs were not giving a second thought to breaching parliamentary rules.

(By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writers) The U.S.-Iraqi security pact now before parliament calls for U.S. forces to leave Iraq's cities by June 30 in recognition of an improved security climate, but the deadline poses a key test for Iraqi forces in