POLITICS-AFRICA: Jitters About the Congo

A substantial build-up of troops along the Democratic Republic of Congo’s border with Rwanda has sparked fears of renewed conflict in central Africa.

POLITICS-U.S.: Bush Team Tries to Brazen It Out

''The reason I keep insisting that there was a relationship between Iraq and Saddam and al-Qaeda'', U.S. President George W Bush told reporters Thursday, is ''because there was a relationship between Iraq and al-Qaeda''.

POLITICS: Stymied in Iraq, Hawks Still Positioning US as Globocop

Although their hopes for transforming Iraq into a pro-U.S. base in the heart of the Arab world have been badly set back, neo-imperial hawks in the Bush administration are proceeding as fast as possible to reinvent U.S. forces worldwide as ''globocop'', capable of pre-empting any possible threat to its interests at a moment's notice.

DEVELOPMENT: Will New Convention Protect the Pacific’s Tuna?

A new convention that regulates the fishing of tuna promises a degree of hope for small island nations of the Pacific, whose economic survival depends on marine resources. But there is scepticism on whether it has enough teeth to prevent the depletion of the fish stocks by foreign fishermen.

POLITICS/RIGHTS-CANADA: Tight Election Closes Window on Torture Inquiry

One week from now, seven days before voters take part in one of the closest elections in recent Canadian history, a window will open onto a crime that appalled and captivated people throughout this country and worldwide.

POLITICS-AFRICA: Arab Leaders Steal the Show At G8 Summit

Kenyan civil society activist Edward Oyugi says Africa's relations with the developed world amount to the continent holding out a begging bowl. But, African leaders insist they have a partnership with wealthy nations - one based on investment in return for good governance.

POLITICS-U.S.: Recent Good News No Boost for Bush in Polls

After being battered by seemingly relentless bad news since early April, U.S. President George W Bush has enjoyed two weeks of relatively good news but still finds himself struggling in the polls.

POLITICS-WEST AFRICA: The Presidents With Too Much Staying Power

The concept of amending constitutions so that national leaders can remain in office for extended periods of time has come under increasing criticism in recent years.

POLITICS-U.S.: Reagan’s Policies Set the Stage for Bush’s Excesses

As Ronald Reagan's body lies in state beneath the Capitol Rotunda in advance of the first U.S. state funeral in 31 years on Friday, Washington is seeing an intensification of the affection and praise for the 40th U.S. president that have swept over the national media since his death last weekend.

BURMA: Malaysian Caucus Leaves Junta with Limited Choice

By expressing dissatisfaction with the slow pace of Burma's democratic process, a group of Malaysian parliamentarians have indicated, quite blatantly, that the Burmese military regime could cause untold political damage to the international reputation of the region.

POLITICS-U.S.: More Imperial Intrigue as CIA Director Resigns

The abrupt resignation of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director George Tenet adds new grist to Washington's rumour mills, already churning at warp speed due to the ongoing prisoner-abuse scandal in Iraq and reports that the Bush administration's favourite in Baghdad turned over critical information to Iran.

U.S.-IRAQ: Neo-Con Collapse in Washington and Baghdad

Fourteen months after reaching the zenith of their influence on U.S. foreign policy with the invasion of Iraq, neo-conservatives appear to have fallen entirely out of favour, both within the administration of President George W Bush and in Baghdad itself.

POLITICS-U.S.: Neo-Con Collapse in Washington and Baghdad

Fourteen months after reaching the zenith of their influence on U.S. foreign policy with the invasion of Iraq, neo-conservatives appear to have fallen entirely out of favour, both within the administration of President George W Bush and in Baghdad itself.

POLITICS-INDIA: New Gov’t Bares Tougher Foreign Policy Approach

The return to power of India's Congress party - riding on support from communist parties with whom it shares ideologically similar views - naturally carries with it the diplomatic baggage of the Cold War era, a time India was firmly aligned with the former Soviet Union.

POLITICS-BURMA: Rebuff of U.N. Rights Envoy Hints of Rift Within

The latest refusal by Burma military rulers to allow U.N. special rapporteur on human rights Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to visit Rangoon seems to reflect a growing division between the country's top generals over how to proceed with the national reconciliation process.

MIDEAST: Another Giant League Backwards

The last Arab League summit looks like it will go the way of Arab gatherings that leave behind little more than memories of quarrels.

MIDEAST: Another Giant League Backwards

The last Arab League summit looks like it will go the way of Arab gatherings that leave behind little more than memories of quarrels.

IRAQ-U.S.: Neo-Cons Call for Military Solution

Despite a tidal wave of bad news from the Iraq occupation they did so much to promote, neo-conservatives are calling for U.S. President George W. Bush to pursue a military solution against resistance fighters there.

IRAQ-U.S.: Neo-Cons Call For Military Solution

Despite a tidal wave of bad news from the Iraq occupation they did so much to promote, neo-conservatives are calling for U.S. President George W Bush to pursue a military solution against resistance fighters there.

SPORTS: Developing World Abandoned at the Foot of Olympus

The developing world can give up on its dream of hosting future Olympics - That is the message the International Olympic Committee sent when it announced the five cities that are still in the running to host the 2012 summer games.

POLITICS-U.S.: Pentagon’s Feith Again at Centre of Disaster

Although it will take weeks, if not months, to sort out precisely who was responsible for what increasingly appears to have been the systemic abuse by U.S. soldiers of Iraqi detainees, it should be no surprise if Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Douglas Feith is found to have played an important role.