SUDAN has signed a reconciliation deal with one of the country’s largest opposition groupings, seeking to end a 16-year conflict that may help resolve fighting.

A Shiite-dominated ticket has won the January 30 elections for the National Assembly, winning over four million votes – or about 48% – of the ballots cast, officials said today.

Sonia Gandhi no longer wants to be India’s first foreign-born prime minister, members of her Congress party and its political allies claimed today.

India’s stock market crashed today in one of the biggest falls in years, prompting regulators to suspend trading as investors remained wary about the economic policies of the incoming communist-supported government in New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi worked swiftly today to build a new coalition government for India around her family’s Congress party after a stunning upset election victory, but refused to confirm whether she would be the next prime minister.

THE Gandhi political dynasty prepared for a return to power yesterday after it was handed a stunning victory in India’s elections.

The ruling BJP party conceded defeat in India’s parliamentary elections today, opening the way for Sonia Gandhi to become India’s first foreign-born prime minister in one of the most dramatic political upsets since independence.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ruling coalition said it was “confident” it would secure a majority in Parliament when final election results are counted tomorrow, though exit polls indicated a hung legislature was likely.

India held the fifth and final phase of the world’s largest democratic election today, amid doubts over whether Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be returned to power with a stable government.

Police armed with video cameras and soldiers with automatic rifles were among a million security forces on alert in 16 Indian states for today’s voting in the fifth and final phase of three-week Parliament elections in the world’s largest democracy.

Indian exit polls showed tonight that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s ruling coalition may fall short of winning a majority of parliament seats after voting in the fourth round of the general election.

India’s Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flashed a “V” sign for victory as he voted in today’s round of parliamentary elections and expressed confidence he would be returned to office for another five years, despite predictions his coalition might lose seats.

AN opinion poll ahead of today’s penultimate phase of India’s general elections showed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition surging ahead of its rivals, but falling short of a majority in parliament.

An opinion poll ahead of tomorrow’s penultimate phase of India’s general elections showed Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s coalition surging ahead of its rivals, but falling short of a majority in parliament.

Indians braved attacks by separatists and communists as they started voting today in parliament elections expected to return Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s governing coalition to power for another five years.

THE world’s largest democracy begins polling its citizens today from cities to remote Himalayan valleys for parliamentary elections.

The world’s largest democracy starts polling its citizens tomorrow from cities to remote Himalayan valleys for parliamentary elections expected to re-elect the governing coalition thanks to a booming economy and peace prospects with neighbouring Pakistan.

Opposition parties stalled work in India’s Parliament today, demanding the resignation of Gujarat state’s chief minister for failing to stop the recent bloodshed between Hindus and Muslims.