Famous last words! US economy

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has admitted that the US economy is facing a "sharp decline" at the moment but hoped for a recovery later in the year.

New parliament opens in Pakistan

Pakistan's new parliament has convened for the first time since President Pervez Musharraf and his allies suffered a heavy blow in elections.Correspondents say the stage is set for a confrontation between President Musharraf and the government.

The parties of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, have agreed a coalition.

Conservatives win Iran election

Conservative candidates in Iran's general election have kept control of parliament, in line with expectations.They did particularly well in the capital, Tehran, which is seen as the key to parliamentary power.However, many of the conservative winners are critics of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Chavez dares U.S. to put it on terror list

President Hugo Chavez dared the U.S. on Friday to put Venezuela on a list of countries accused of supporting terrorism, calling it one more attempt by Washington to undermine him for political reasons.
Chavez said the "threat to include us on the terrorist list" is Washington's response to his government's successes in the region.

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s working girl!

Meet the Jersey Girl whose high-priced services forced a governor's resignation.

And he …resigns!

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has resigned, after being linked to a prostitution ring.

Flanked by his wife Silda, Mr. Spitzer, a leading Democrat, told a news conference: "I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work." He once again apologized for failing to live up to the standards he demanded of others - but he gave no details. Mr. Spitzer had allegedly been identified arranging to meet a prostitute in a Washington hotel. Mr. Spitzer made his name as an investigator of organized crime, financial crime and prostitution.

The man definitely had the right connections! I bet he had a small black book with all the necessary telephone numbers!

Deadline to quit for NY's Spitzer

New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer has been given a deadline to step down or face impeachment proceedings over allegations that he hired a prostitute.

His top Republican opponent in the New York Assembly gave him up to 48 hours - until early on Thursday - to resign.