THIS is the week John McCain takes a measure of what the Republican presidential nomination is worth.

Iraq’s prime minister today said he expects the US ambassador and military commander to give his government favourable marks when they report to Congress next week and predicted passage of a law soon that could return more Sunnis to government jobs.

A soaring rendition of The Lord’s Prayer moved thousands of mourners at the funeral of US civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks today, with a preacher bidding: “Mother Parks, take your rest.”