THE first black man elected US president is poised to name Washington lawyer Eric Holder as the nation’s first black attorney general — a historic appointment, but one with some potential political problems over a 2001 pardon.

A United States Senate panel, following the House of Representatives' lead, has authorised subpoenas for White House political adviser Karl Rove and other top aides involved in the sacking of federal prosecutors.

The Pentagon’s completion of a hefty manual outlining procedures for terror trials has revived debate in Congress on the treatment of military detainees.

This Monday morning, in common with most email users, I will weed my way through offers of shareholding in companies so hot, they’ve doubled in value over the weekend, through offers of prescription painkillers sent in plain wrappers and through promises that my sex life will be vastly improved once I buy the product guaranteed to give me a bigger penis.