Afghan president Hamid Karzai won the first-ever presidential election with the outright majority needed to avoid a second round, and by a wide margin over his nearest competitor, according to an independent exit poll today.

SOME corruption, a little fraud, big money, powerful men and suspicious deaths — Italian politics often has many of the ingredients of a dramatic opera.

ITALIAN premier Silvio Berlusconi told a court trying him on corruption charges today that he had participated in the contested business deal only to serve the best interests of his nation.

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi told a court trying him on corruption charges today that he had participated in the contested business deal only to serve the best interests of his nation.