Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe gives key ministries to his own party - in defiance of a power-sharing deal, reports say.

John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin abused her power as Alaska's governor for personal ends, a report concludes.

Top finance ministers promise to take "decisive action and use all available tools" to tackle the world economic crisis.

Austrian far-right politician Joerg Haider, known for his anti-immigration policies, has been killed in a car crash, aged 58.

Struggling US car giants General Motors and Chrysler are in talks about a possible merger, US media say.