Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov’s killing represents a rare propaganda victory for President Vladimir Putin and his hard-line approach to battling separatists.

Viktor Yushchenko will be inaugurated Ukraine’s new president on Sunday, setting the stage for the transition to a new government following months of divisive political crisis.

Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko savoured his apparent victory in Ukraine’s presidential election rerun tonight, but his bitter opponent refused to admit defeat.

Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko savoured his apparent victory in Ukraine’s presidential election rerun today, but his opponent’s supporters vowed to challenge the results in court in what could be yet another protracted legal battle.

THE commission which has responsibility for Dáil and Seanad budgets should enquire into the cost and extent of foreign travel by senators and TDs.

Political Editor Harry McGee wonders how much of the €1.25 million spent by TDs and senators on foreign travel in the two years to August 2004 was a necessary expense.

NON-GOVERNMENT foreign travel by TDs and senators has cost the taxpayer at least €1.25 million since June 2002, figures compiled by the Oireachtas have revealed.

European election observers today criticised Russia’s presidential vote, saying that slanted coverage in the state-run media made for a one-sided campaign that fell short of democratic standards.