A leading member of a powerful political clan was arrested today accused of leading the Philippines election massacre.

GERMAN chancellor Angela Merkel tops Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most powerful women for the second year in a row, as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice slipped to fourth from second last year.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has left Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Britain’s Queen trailing in her wake after being named the 21st most powerful woman in the world.

IRAQ’S interim government vowed yesterday to restore the death penalty and take a “sharp sword” to insurgents, but also promised an amnesty to any rebels who stop fighting.