Zimbabwe’s presidential election is increasingly likely to be decided by a second round of voting, it emerged today.

The main opposition party to Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe today claimed it was winning the country’s election by a huge margin.

Zimbabwean MPs have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a constitutional amendment that critics say further consolidates the ruling party’s power.

A draft constitutional amendment critics say further consolidates the ruling party’s power passed a hurdle in parliament today, but Zimbabwe’s main opposition spoke of progress elsewhere toward easing Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis.

The government of Zimbabwe has proposed constitutional changes to enable it to hold national elections early next year, increase the size of the legislature and set up a human rights commission.

A massive explosion at Bermuda’s only electricity company triggered an island-wide power blackout, paralysing commerce in the British territory and international centre for offshore insurance companies.